LOCATION
Excelsior is a Dubrovnik’s icon that is subject to the hotel maxim that ‘location is paramount’. The seaside location overlooking the island of Lokrum and the old town have for over 100 years been delighting guests from all over the world. One could say that it is a unique example of a hotel that for the whole time it has been in operation has also been a cultural, political and business institution of Dubrovnik. Significantly, the hotel doors did not ever close, even in the historically most difficult times for the town. Due to its unique location and special charm, it has been visited by many celebrities.
ACCESSIBILITY
The hotel is located right on the coast, about 5 minutes walk from the city’s east gate and only about 18 km to Čilipi airport. A large garage is available for cars. In the summer tourist madhouse season the city tends to be crowded, which is something that has to be reckoned with. Otherwise, the convention season is much more tranquil. While staying at the hotel the entire city can be managed on foot.
COLD APPETIZER - Architecture and Aesthetics
The hotel is a combination of modern and traditional architecture. Throughout its history, there have been numerous renovations and modernisations, the last major one taking place in 2008. The most visible renovation took place between 1958 – 1965 when the hotel got a modernist extension in the form of a new hotel tower. This is the only loud architectural element, the older parts of the hotel still oozing with quiet elegance.
Inside the architectural fusion is softened and turned into a very functional and useful interior. The equipment appears both prestigious and timeless.
WARM APPETIZER - Staff and catering
Starting at the reception, the staff here is one of the most friendly and professional ones in all of Dubrovnik. Unobtrusive and at the same time seemingly omnipresent, the staff are deserving of special praise.
In the legendary hotel bar, the guests have cocktails and a service available that is missing in some of the competing hotels in Dubrovnik. The wine list is also reflective of the quality of the hotel, as is the rich selection of cocktails and other drinks. Perhaps the weakest part of the offer is the otherwise fully stocked breakfast, where its planners could perhaps address the maxim that less can sometimes be more. The additional culinary offer, however, is very rich and they have literally everything you want, with the best to be had if you do not seek to complicate things too much and stick to the concrete tips and advice of the waiters.
MAIN DISH - Conference hotel service
In 2008 all of the hotel suites and rooms were thoroughly renovated. In the rooms can be found paintings by Dubrovnik’s famous artists, stylish furnishings and warm colours; in short, everything you would expect from a luxury hotel at this level. Public spaces pamper guests with comfort and prettiness. The congress centre has six halls with a capacity of 15 to 450 persons. The hotel’s terraces, with its stunning views, are a really special venue. The hotel lives its own life, one that from the moment you cross the threshold exhales a different rhythm and a special hotel patina, which has its own charm and as a result also many followers.
DESSERT – The extras
Terrace overlooking the walls of Dubrovnik, which is a legendary venue for the most prestigious events.
FLOP – NEGATIVE SURPRISES
Some of the standard rooms are smaller than the current hotel standards.
TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES
Satu Sushi Bar & Restaurant and inspiring piano in the Abakus bar.
OVERALL IMPRESSION AND CREDIBILITY
Dubrovnik’s high-flier defies time and its increasing competition in the city. The image of the hotel’s myth is built on the reputation of being the best hotel in the city.
This traditional hotel is still very high on the quality scale, however, it seems that at the same time it has several competitors breathing down its neck. ‘Excelsior is Excelsior’, though, and this sentence you often hear in Dubrovnik. It would be difficult to place any other hotel in Dubrovnik into this thought with the same special meaning. This, however, does not diminish the value of other local competitors, which are continuing to build on other strengths.
FINAL GRADE: 4.69 SILVER CITY 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