Small hotels or Guest Rooms in Split and Dubrovnik

Have you looked at the recommendations in Rick's Croatia/Slovenia book for each town?

In Croatia, FYI, people tend to rent out private rooms - "soba" (or "sobe" plural). This is a big business outside the normal "hotel reservation" infrastructure you tend to find in western European countries. Sobe aren't necessarily spare bedrooms in people's homes where you have to see the much; they may be completely private with private bathrooms, just another wing in someone's home or a guest house or something. In both Dubrovnik and Split, I stayed in such places, and they worked well. I can't necessarily recommend the places where I stayed (via hostel booking sites) because they weren't amazing, plus I stayed there five years ago, and I have no idea what these places are like now. You may find sobe booking sites for Croatia, but the main hostel sites will have some too - and these again may be completely private rooms not shared housing just because you are booking on a hostel site. Some are even listed on the major booking sites, and Tripadvisor has reviews of lots of them.

In Dubrovnik, you need to decide whether you want to stay inside the town walls or outside, probably near one of the town gates. It's not that big of a town, really, so being just outside isn't so bad. I stayed right outside the Pile Gate, barely a 5 minute walk into the town inside the walls. The advantages of this location: close to a local bus stop (across the street from the Imperial HIlton), a little cheaper because you are outside the walls, and fairly flat - no steps. Near other gates or inside the walls you may have to climb a lot of steps to get to your lodging. Keep in mind Dubrovnik is built on the side of a hill. It's important to ask how many steps you will need to climb, if any, to get to your room. (Assuming you care about such things.) It could be a long, tiring walk to and from your room! On the other hand, places that require climbing steps may have great views, too.

I’m not familiar with the places you mention but can suggest places I stayed. In Split, consider Base Rooms which is located within the walls of Diocletian’s Palace. My room was a very nice but didn’t get a lot of natural light (if that’s important to you). However, avoid Base Rooms if you plan to stay either Friday or Saturday night, as the steps of the adjacent temple are a gathering spot for EXTREMELY noisy young people who don’t disburse until about midnight. It was very quiet on Sunday night. In Dubrovnik, Jadranka Benussi’s rooms and apartments, just a short slightly-uphill walk from the Pile Gate, are very nice and well located. My room was spotless and bright.

All of Rick's recommendations are in his book, usually with a good description of location and amenities. His favorites in any neighborhood tend to be at the top of the list.

We had the best experience with Apartment Kovac in Dubrovnik. (They aren't in Rick's book. But when we contacted one of the sobes in Rick's book, they were full and recommended Apartment Kovac to us.) The apartment has the benefit of being in the Old Town, with the added benefits of being close to a gate entrance with a parking garage. It's also far enough from the Stradum where you can't hear noise while you're sleeping at night, though still very close to it. The owners were also so sweet and generous. Their prices were also very reasonable compared to other Old Town apartments. Their e-mail is - Zvonko.kovac@du.t-com.hr. http://www.apartmentskovac-dubrovnik.com/

We go to Dubrovnik quite often and I can recommend a few places. apartments Pavisa is near the Ploce Gate and even though it is at the top of a long street you can avoid many steps by going around the back entrance. They have a kitchenette setup which is great for making breakfast, coffee or tea each morning. also great is Garden Cottage. we went on a city tour with the owner, Marija, she was fabulous. Beside being knowable, she was witty and fun, answering all our questions with no problem. Both these apts are in Rick's book. this past summer we stayed at Bed & Breakfast Andio (we decided to go late and our other choices were booked already) which is just off the Stradun. the room was quite large with a small fridge. They served breakfast,which was fine, and had coffee, tea service in the room. the only problem with this location is the bar outside was quite noisy on the weekends and crowed,had to push our way through. We were there in august so I don't know if this is a problem in October. Have stayed outside the old city years ago and won't ever again. We prefer the convenience of being in the middle of the city.

Jerry, as suggested by Andrew it is wise to rent an apartment with lot of natural light and fresh air near the sea and enjoy the natural beauty of Adritic Sea at the time of sun set and sun rise too.

Jerry, I suggest you to rent an apartment and experience the natural beauty of Croatia. You must watch sun rise view for sure!
I have a friend at http://www.adriatic-challenge.com you may also gather some information.