Ariston

We spent a wonderful week at the Royal Ariston and would happily stay here again. While the hotel forms part of the wider Royal Hotels & Resort complex (with access to facilities across the neighbouring hotels), the Ariston itself felt peaceful, elegant and perfectly positioned on the waterfront.

Our accommodation was exceptionally spacious. We had two interconnecting rooms accessed via a shared entrance lobby, which worked brilliantly for our family and gave us plenty of room to spread out. The décor was modern, neutral and calming, creating a lovely place to relax after a day exploring Dubrovnik.

The beds were large and extremely comfortable, and there was an impressive amount of wardrobe and storage space. Small touches such as the Nespresso machine, minibar (which was useful for storing drinks, lunch and snacks), and the iron and ironing board all made the stay even more comfortable.

If you’re deciding whether to pay extra for a sea-view room, my advice would simply be: do it. The view is absolutely worth it.

Our balcony quickly became our favourite place. It was shaded in the mornings, making it the perfect spot to enjoy a quiet coffee while watching the Adriatic come to life. In the evenings, we were treated to spectacular sunsets over the sea. It was one of those views that never became ordinary, no matter how many times we looked out.

One of the things that really stood out throughout our stay was the friendliness of the staff. From reception to the breakfast team, everyone was welcoming, professional and always smiling. Our housekeeper was particularly lovely—always cheerful, accommodating and keeping the room spotless every day.

As guests of the Ariston, we also enjoyed access to all the facilities across the Royal Hotels & Resort, including several outdoor pools, two indoor pools, two spa areas (one family-friendly and one adults only), a gym and direct access to the crystal-clear Adriatic Sea. The adults-only rooftop pool at the Royal Blue was a particular favourite.

The coastal promenade begins right outside the hotel and is one of Dubrovnik’s hidden gems. A scenic 15–20 minute walk takes you to Lapad, where you’ll find plenty of excellent restaurants, cafés, bars and supermarkets. It’s equally lovely for an early morning walk, an evening stroll or a run.

Dubrovnik Old Town is also easy to reach, with Bus 6 stopping directly outside the resort and taking around 15 minutes.

The only aspect that didn’t quite match the exceptional standard of the hotel was the food. Breakfast was enjoyable, especially the freshly cooked egg station, but overall we found the buffet a little limited and repetitive compared with other five-star resorts. We also felt the resort restaurants were quite expensive for what they offered, although the sea views undoubtedly contribute to the price. We ended up eating most evenings in Lapad, where we found a wider choice and excellent value.

Overall, the Royal Ariston combines beautiful accommodation, breathtaking views, outstanding facilities and genuinely warm hospitality. We’d happily return and would recommend booking a sea-view room if your budget allows—it was the highlight of our stay.

The room was amazing the views were spectacular couldn't have asked for a better vacation spot to enjoy with family and friends!! The layouts were easily accessible washrooms were clean and had all utilities needed. The beaches near by and on the resort were awesome to be around and enjoy a nice swim with plenty of pools around as well with plenty of tanning spots to enjoy the sun. Overall an amazing stay with amazing activities to enjoy with family and friends highly recommend!!