Hotel Review: Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik, Croatia
- Points and Places
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
On a recent trip to Croatia, we planned a route that took us from the north of the country down the coast, eventually ending in Dubrovnik. Famous for its stunning Old Town and its role as a filming location for Game of Thrones, Dubrovnik had long been on my list. When it came time to choose a hotel, we ultimately decided on the Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik.
My feelings about this stay are a bit mixed, but not because of the hotel itself. The hotel was excellent. Dubrovnik, on the other hand, left me with less flattering impressions.
Location
The Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik is located in a historic building just outside the Dubrovnik Old Town, only a short walk from Pile Gate, which is the main western entrance to the city. The walk is brief and slightly hilly, but very manageable and incredibly convenient.
We arrived with a rental car, but thanks to the hotel’s proximity to the Old Town, we did not need it again until our early morning departure to the airport. Being able to explore Dubrovnik entirely on foot was a major advantage of staying here and a huge bonus for the hotel.
Booking and Value
We booked the hotel using Hilton Honors points. At the time of booking, the rate was 80,000 points per night, while cash rates were well over 700 euros per night. That made this redemption an outstanding value and one of the better uses of Hilton points we have had in a while.
Redemptions like this still exist, but they are getting harder and harder to find as Hilton continues to devalue its program over time, which made this stay feel even more rewarding.
Arrival and Parking
Arriving by car requires driving through Dubrovnik’s restricted vehicle zone. This is not an issue, as you simply need to provide your vehicle details to the hotel and they will take care of the necessary permissions. There is no need to do this in advance.
The hotel has a small underground parking garage, which is extremely valuable given the limited parking options near the Old Town. While space is limited, having on site parking in this location is a huge plus.
The Hotel and First Impressions
The Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik is housed in a historic building dating back to 1897, yet it is in excellent condition throughout. The hotel strikes a nice balance between historic charm and modern comfort.
For a Hilton branded property, this hotel truly stands out. In fact, it almost feels too good to be a standard Hilton and would not feel out of place as a Waldorf Astoria. The contrast between this property and many North American Hiltons is striking and really highlights how different the brand experience can be internationally.
Check in was smooth and efficient, and we were quickly on our way to the room. From the moment you step inside, the character and elegance of the hotel are immediately noticeable.
Room Experience
Waiting in the room was a welcome gift of snacks along with several bottles of water, which was a nice touch. The room itself was very spacious, with high ceilings that added to the sense of openness.
Both the hallways and guest rooms have a classic charm, with tasteful decor that fits the building’s history while still feeling fresh and well maintained. The room was spotless and exceptionally clean, and there was a nightly turndown service. This is something that is very rare at a standard Hilton property and once again made the stay feel closer to a Waldorf Astoria than a typical Hilton.
Executive Lounge
As Hilton Gold members, we were invited to use the executive lounge, which is typically a Diamond benefit, so this was a very pleasant surprise.
The lounge is awesome and easily one of the highlights of the stay. It offered everything you would want, including food, drinks, snacks, and a quiet and comfortable space to relax away from the crowds. We found ourselves spending a significant amount of time here after busy days exploring the city.
The lounge was usually very empty, except during the early evening when hot appetizers were provided. Even then, it never felt crowded.
Breakfast
Breakfast was another standout feature of the Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik. It is served in a beautiful space with access to an outdoor patio, which is especially enjoyable in good weather.
The food selection was excellent, with a wide variety of hot and cold options, fresh pastries, fruit, and made to order items. It consistently exceeded expectations and set a great tone for the day.
Exploring Dubrovnik
The location of this hotel is ideal for visiting Dubrovnik’s Old Town. We loved being able to head into the Old Town for a few hours, return to the hotel for a rest, and then head back out again later for dinner. Given how crowded the city gets, having a comfortable retreat just steps away was invaluable.
This was especially helpful if you plan to walk the Old Town walls, which involve a lot of stairs and prolonged exposure to the sun. After a full circuit, it was very nice to be able to return to the hotel to cool off and freshen up.
The hotel also provides easy access to other nearby attractions, including Lokrum Island, which is home to its famous peacocks and offers a popular escape from the city crowds. We ended up spending an entire day on the island, and it was a welcome change of pace from the busy atmosphere of the Old Town. Ferries to Lokrum run frequently and are easy to access.
Final Thoughts
The Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik is an outstanding hotel and an exceptional value when booked with points. From the historic building and elegant rooms to the executive lounge and excellent breakfast, there is very little to fault with the property itself.
The only real drawback of the stay was Dubrovnik itself. The city is extremely crowded, and the sheer volume of tourists can diminish much of its charm. While I would not change anything about staying at this hotel, I am not sure I would return to Dubrovnik simply due to how overwhelmingly busy it has become.
That said, if Dubrovnik is on your list, the Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik is an excellent choice and one I would wholeheartedly recommend, especially if you can book it using Hilton Honors points.
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