Dalmatian Boutique Pearl
LOCATION
Hotel Pučić Palace is the only hotel in the old city centre of Dubrovnik. Its magnificent 300-year old building is one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites and is surrounded by a rich republican history, part of which also took place in this hotel. The hotel has been in the old palace since 1895, when it was originally called Hotel de la Ville and then later renamed Hotel Dubravka. As a hotel guest you really couldn’t be closer to the heart of Dubrovnik and by staying here you will be rewarded by stunning views along with the special pulse of this amazing city.
ACCESSIBILITY
It is just a short walk to the hotel from one of its nearby car parks, from where you will start to take in the views of the city walls and the renaissance buildings. Helping you with your luggage will be a friendly concierge, who won’t mind sharing a story or two of Dubrovnik’s rich history. From Čilipi airport to the city is only half an hour and the air connections are improving every year with many new, regular flight connections. The marina is also nearby for those arriving by sea, and the public transportation is also quite good. The only problem you may encounter is that there may be hordes of tourists from the cruise ships flooding in to the city, although this is completely normal for a tourist pearl such as Dubrovnik.
COLD APPETIZER - Architecture and Aesthetics
The Renaissance palace and its interior is the exact opposite of the hustle and bustle of the city – it is an oasis of comfort. There is very detailed and luxurious décor throughout and relaxed time can also be had by spending some time in the hotel’s wine bar and two restaurants. Despite its age, the building has an elevator of which the elaborate detail evokes bygone ages. Every one of the hotel’s rooms has its own story and they have really listened to the strict rules of the architects and designers, as seen on the meticulously renovated staircase and ceiling with their beautiful mouldings. A special story is the hotel’s ‘hybrid’ bar that changes from a breakfast area to a bar and then to a restaurant and with its paintings by local artists also acts as an art gallery. For the grand finale to everything else, there is a chapel dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
WARM APPETIZER - Staff and catering
Waking up in an executive room with views of the city and then being served an a la carte breakfast will definitely be a great start to your day. Come to the end of the day one of the two hotel restaurants will make sure you have a fairy tale experience, as you will be served excellent wines and Dalmatian tapas after a day spent exploring the beauty of Dubrovnik. Arriving at the hotel reception is also something special, a reception like a private living room full of positive energy and fresh Dalmatian flower fragrances that is really quite a surprise. The Dafne Restaurant terrace has to be one of the most beautiful and more intimate venues for a special dinner. Then there is the Raznoda Wine Bar, with a wide selection of wine from the most famous Croatian winemakers and some prestige foreign labels. It isn’t just for imbibing wine, however, as they also offer craft beer and top-notch tapas.
MAIN DISH - Conference hotel service
The Pučić Palace consists of 17 luxury rooms and two suites. Every room has its own style and the details are polished off to perfection. The interior of the room, which combines authentic characteristics like the magnificent oiled woodblock floor and interesting wallpaper, imbues a feel of luxury and complete intimacy. The icing on the cake is an excellently furnished bathroom with Bulgari cosmetics for every guest. From a congress guest’s perspective, the hotel is suitable for smaller boutique groups that can carry out their technical part in one of the two restaurants and round it off with excellent cuisine on the hotel terrace.
DESSERT – The extras
The conversion of Gundulič’s square from a morning marketplace to an afternoon hotel terrace for an authentic congress experience of Dubrovnik.
FLOP – NEGATIVE SURPRISES
If you are used to arriving to a hotel by car you will find the Pučić Palace’s accessibility a little trickier to manage.
TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES
A personal approach, mastered to perfection, especially in the special reception that feels just like being in a living room.
OVERALL IMPRESSION AND CREDIBILITY
Contrary to what is often experienced in corporate hotel companies, at the Pučić Palace, which is owned by Turkish tourist entrepreneurs, you will be treated with special attention and very personalised service. As a consequence of their eye for detail, the hotel was labelled as the best small hotel on the Adriatic in 2014. From our own evaluation, it has also scored very highly and didn’t in any way disappoint. It is suitable for small groups of demanding guests, who will get to know Dubrovnik from a great hotel experience. If you have deep pockets this hotel definitely won’t let you down.
FINAL GRADE: 4.79 SILVER BOUTIQUE MEETING HOTEL
GOLD final score from 4.81 to 5.00
SILVER final score from 4.61 to 4.80
BRONZE final score from 4.41 to 4.60
