Ariston

This hotel is one of a group of four ideally situated with stunning views over the Adriatic coastline. I defy anyone not to be impressed with the view from reception which gives an excellent first impression. We upgraded to a sea view room with balcony which included couple of reclining chairs (no cushions). Thought the room was little on the small side but contained everything we required including plenty of storage space, iron, hair dryer etc. Couple of little niggles such as bathroom light not fully lighting and a light switch cover which keep coming off but this didn’t detract from our enjoyment. There is a bus stop about 3 minutes walk from the hotel where you can catch a bus directly into Dubrovnik for 2.5 euros each, even cheaper if you buy them in advance. Perfect for us as we went into Dubrovnik twice. You are able to use facilities at all the group hotels so you were never short of somewhere to sit, eat or drink. Drinks and food were of high standard, breakfast buffet was comprehensive with a myriad of choices, there was always something that you could eat and you could start your day with a glass of prosecco should you be so inclined. Staff wherever you encountered them were very friendly and helpful, and pleasingly we felt safe when we went outside the hotel and in Dubrovnik. We had a very enjoyable time, the hotel offered trips which we took two of, pick ups were either at the bus stop previously mentioned or at a close by hotel. This made for an easy and stress free day. We would highly recommend this hotel if like us you enjoy relaxing but with the opportunity to do things if you chose (we did a day trip to Kotor in Montenegro. A very enjoyable trip.

This due to stay half board. The evening meals was very limited in choice over the 7 nights we stayed. This is very poor for a 5* hotel more like a 3* hotel evening meals. Would like to see water fountain roundabout the hotel so you can top up your water bottle. On the plus side house keeping was excellent. Rooms was clean ever day with fresh towels.

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.