Valamar Collection Dubrovnik President Hotel

Although built in 1976, guests arriving at the Valamar Dubrovnik President Hotel are met with a distinctively 21st-century vibe -- a sleek, low-rise entrance with shimmering glass panels and white tiling leads to a smart, minimalist lobby, finely crafted in contemporary clean lines of wood and polished marble floors. Thanks to a 2014 total facelift, all eight floors of the hotel have been renovated to very high standards, nowhere more so than the lobby area where international vacationers lounge around on clusters of tastefully-chosen furnishings surrounded by paintings and sculptures by a legendary Croatian artist, Vasko Lipovac, while enjoying panoramic views of the Adriatic. The ambience created is professional but relaxed with a real attention to detail and an emphasis on a modern and understated, but certainly luxurious, experience. 

The hotel has a prime position overlooking the pristine waters of the Adriatic on the northwestern tip of Dubrovnik's Babin Kuk peninsula. The surrounding area is mostly just other hotels and pine forest, however the property also overlooks a private beach with views of Koločep, one of Elaphiti islands. It is a bit of a distance from Dubrovnik's renowned Old Town -- around three miles -- however public buses pass through every 10 to 15 minutes or it's around a 10-minute cab journey to the city's ancient walls. Dubrovnik Airport is 15 miles away farther along the coast and takes at least half an hour by car. 

The hotel has 292 rooms, all of which are decorated in a smart, yet homey style with hardwood flooring, striped wallpaper, and simple contemporary furnishings. Each and every room enjoys a spacious balcony or terrace with sea views, furnished both with table and chairs as well as a pair of sun loungers. Amenities are suitable upscale, offering free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs with satellite channels and pay movies, while minibars are well stocked and robes and slippers come as standard. A romantic set-up -- including rose petals spread on the bed accompanied with chocolates or strawberries -- can be arranged for couples free of charge. 

The hotel has two swimming pools -- one indoor and one outside overlooking the sea -- both of which are larger than most in the area. A spa provides a wide range of treatments as well as two saunas (Finnish and infrared), Turkish bath, footbath, and hot tub in a secluded garden. The main hotel restaurant offers buffet breakfast (generally included) and dinners together with Mediterranean and Croatian a la carte options. Dining is also available at the Beach Bistro overlooking the sea and the smart piano bar offers an impressive collection of wines and liquors. Guests can splash about in the sea from the hotel's private pebble beach, while there's also entertainment programs available for the children.