Villa Dubrovnik

Art punctuation

Art too plays a role. Sophisticated sculptures and paintings by international artists are on display in the hotel thanks to Liquid Art System, a gallery network based in Capri, Positano, London and Istanbul, that pursues a global approach to promoting contemporary art around the world. Adorning each guest room, works by Zagreb-based artist Duško Šibl tell the story of mankind through the sensual curves of the bodies of men and women.

There are 11 different types of rooms, most of them featuring terraces overlooking the sea and Dubrovnik’s Old Town, whose historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The interior décor of the rooms has a nautical theme that relies on white wood, light colours and stone from the island of Brač. Each room is well appointed with all necessary amenities, ultra-comfortable beds, and a private outdoor area. The hotel has earned its reputation as a sanctuary for leisure and relaxation and counts many repeat customers. “Some of them have become friends over the years,” confides Mirna Loncar Strazicic. At the helm of the Villa for the past eight years, the warm-hearted General Manager has bequeathed her personal touch upon the Villa’s staff. Friendly and attentive, clad in white pants and shirts, the young men and women are attentive to answer each guest’s innermost desire providing high-end service in a simple, easy manner.

The Royal Suite boasts a 118-sqm teak terrace and a 180-degree view of the Adriatic from Dubrovnik’s Old Town to Lokrum Island. The outdoor Jacuzzi allows immersing oneself with a glass of chilled Pošip wine as the sun goes down. The Duke Suite has a stunning view of the blue sea and is a cliff diver’s dream since it is literally suspended over the water – the suite is connected to two other guest rooms. Finally, there is also an outdoor Jacuzzi on the 54-sqm teak terrace.

Villa Spa

Managed by Sodashi, the holistic skincare brand created by New Zealander Megan Larsen that is 100 per cent natural and restores tautness and shine to the skin, the Villa Spa proposes a wealth of massages. Combining the healing power of Asian effects with European techniques, using medium to strong movements to encourage and increase lymphatic circulation and balance the energy flow, the Signature body massage is a must. In Sanskrit Sodashi means completeness, splendour and purity.

Ragusa

Croatia with its 4.4 million inhabitants counts among some of the world’s oldest civilisations. Its indented coastline and Elaphiti Islands just off the Dalmatian coast have long been attractive to the yachting community. During the summer season sailing and motor yachts cruise the crystal clear waters, following a long tradition of maritime trade in the region. At the peak of its power, in the fifteenth and sixteenth century, the Republic of Dubrovnik was one of the most developed nations in the world. Its wealth was built on maritime transport and trade with the Ottoman Empire, Spain and Genoa. The Venetian Republic was its main rival.

Open-air museum

Hopping aboard Villa Dubrovnik’s own wooden Venetian vaporetto for the ten-minute ferry ride to the Old Town is the best way to take in the view of the coastal villas nestled in bougainvillea, rocky beaches and steep hills covered with Mediterranean ‘maquis’. The hotel provides private tours of the historic town, once known as Ragusa and famed for its beauty, glorious history and majestic ramparts, which Croatians refer to as the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’. This open-air museum, with its churches and palaces that mix Baroque, Renaissance and Gothic styles delivers a natural set for many films and television series, including ‘Game of Thrones’.