Hotel Astarea

The three-pearl Hotel Astarea has a picturesque location overlooking the sea. The lobby has a bit of a 70s vibe with wood paneling and mirrored ceilings and columns. More couples than families tend to stay at the hotel, though there’s a children’s pool and an outdoor playground for the kids. The rooms are split between a main building and a smaller annex, and some facilities are shared with a neighboring hotel owned by the same chain. Stone walkways cut through green spaces with leafy trees and hedges to the busy pool area where securing a lounge chair can be a challenge. Guests can take in the sea views while relaxing at the pool, and it’s a short walk down to the pebble beach, a popular spot for swimming. Guests may feel nickel-and-dimed over the many extra charges, which range from fees for lounge chairs at the beach to fees for using the fitness center. A piano bar with indoor and outdoor seating on a lovely terrace has a peaceful vibe plus live entertainment on some evenings.

Hotel Astarea has a seaside location in a quiet village. There are other hotels in the area and a couple restaurants within walking distance. It’s a 20-minute drive to Dubrovnik's Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with preserved churches and fountains dating back to the 13th century. The hotel offers a shuttle for a fee to the airport and the Old Town. While the location of the hotel is peaceful and scenic, the size of the property means that it can feel crowded at times.

Rooms at Hotel Astarea have minimal decor and a dated, dorm-like vibe with white walls and light, wooden furnishings. Rooms have small, flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi, but the connection is better in some rooms than others. Some rooms have mini-fridges, and suites are available with dining tables, living space, and small kitchenettes with microwaves and coffeemakers. All rooms have furnished terraces with gorgeous sea views, and some terraces are large enough for loungers in addition to a small table and chairs. Bathrooms are equally simple; most have stall showers while some have shower/tub combos. 

Hotel Astarea has an indoor spa with a heated saltwater pool, a bright, modern fitness center, and a Finnish sauna, but some amenities come with a pesky fee. A variety of massages are offered for a fee, as well as hair and beauty treatments. There are an outdoor pool with beautiful sea views and a children’s pool, as well as a pebble beach where guests can jump in the sea and rent lounge chairs for a fee. The hotel has a buffet breakfast that can be included in room rates, and a buffet dinner is also offered in a traditionally elegant space with white tablecloths. There are also a few other drinking and dining spots including a beach bar with live entertainment at times and a piano bar with a scenic terrace. The hotel has an Internet corner with one computer. Wi-Fi is free throughout, though the signal can be spotty. Shuttles are available to the airport or to the Old Town, for a fee.