Dubrovnik

If you can find a place and if you can afford it, inside the walls is best. I've been 3 times over the years, and I can't imagine any place else for the best experience. I am traveling right now, and the name of the place I stayed escapes me. But I will look when I get a moment. I liked it a lot.

Shanah Tovah U'Metukah

We travel to Dubrovnik often to visit family. These are our 3 go to places:

Dubrovnik Gardens - owner lives on the property, behind the cathedral, no steps outside, but steps inside in the main part of the house (Apartment 3, has full kitchen). The annex is reachable at the top of the Jesuit steps. If you rent here the configuration will make sense when you see it. We have stayed in Apts 1 and 3. Apt 3 is very large with 2 bedrooms, 1 is very small with a kitchenette. Roberto is also a licensed tour guide and very friendly. He is mentioned in Rick’s book.
DubrovnikGardens.com

Paviša Apartments - owner lives off site but close by. His place is at the top of the steps (90 to be exact, we have counted many times) from the Stradun (Main Street) and there are steps inside. 3 rooms each with a small kitchenette, but small. In Rick’s book too. We have stayed here a few times, usually when we bring our family cause we rent all 3 apartments. Book through booking.com

Bed & Breakfast Andio - just off the Stradun, no steps, but steps inside. This place has nice size rooms, owner lives off site. We have stayed here 2x with friends. Also on Booking.com

PS, your cruise will most likely leave from the port of Gruz which is a quick taxi ride from the old town.

Our stay at Apartments Benussi was very pleasant. (recommended in Rick's book) Jadranka lives on site and is readily available to her guests. It is a short walk from Old Town, and does involve steps. Apartment #2's balcony was very enjoyable for morning coffee and afternoon cocktails.

Guesthouse Vicelic at Antuninska ulica 10 inside Dubrovnik’s walls.

Here is another to look at. I stayed twice and would again. https://maps.app.goo.gl/QXR2iWho611eE6ih8.

But I looked at Barbara's and TravelBug's and they sure are interesting too.

Guesthouse Vicelic is actually rated higher than Villa Sigulata by Booking.com

Relax Kenko, it's not a competition. I just hadn't looked yours up. 9 2 vs 9 1 LOL (but do check Google, too ... ooops). Lovely place, Kenko, but I am too old for the steps and the distance from the area in town i enjoy most.

Barbara's have lower ratings but I know from her posts she has a lot of time there vs a one-off visit which is why I looked at hers. One-off experiences are as much luck as reality so I put more weight in the experiences of regular travelers. It's why I am careful with my recommendations for places I only spent 2 nights in.

For some reason, despite the negatives of what Dubrovnik is, I enjoy it and never complain when a friend wants to drag me back. So, I imagine I will be back again and I am always looking for new experiences and a new pace to stay when there.

Maybe part of the beauty for me is the easiest airport is Podgorica and I can take a lovely daytrip up the coast through Montenegro; or make it a 3 day trip and enjoy what has to be some of the loveliest scenery and most interesting towns in the region.

And (sorry) for possibly some other ideas I have a friend/guide in Dubrovnik that might have some fresh new ideas on where to stay.

Nera Pavlovic, [email protected] +385 98 183 4365 (whatsapp or phone)

If you do a forum search with "Nera" i think she has some reviews as a reference. Nice lady and excellent guide.