Royal Ariston Hotel

Lovely hotel with amazing views. Would definitely recommend the sea view rooms if you can afford it. Lots of pools although water quite cold and getting a lounger near the sea was hard work. Breakfast very good - special mention to server Wendy who was very friendly and welcoming. 20 minute walk along a promenade to Lapad where there are a number of bars and restaurants. Bus to the old town from near the hotel takes 20 min. There is no shop at the hotel which sells water and no supermarket nearby. This meant we had to lug bottles back from Lapad. Rooms were spacious and air con good. Shower good but within a bath which was very high to climb into. Roof top pool offers great views - however one of the bar staff up there was very unfriendly and despite having no one else to serve, took ages to reluctantly take our order. Out of keeping with the service received from other staff across the hotel. We would thoroughly recommend this great hotel.

Our fist trip to Dubrovnik was slightly cut short due to United Airlines about to touch down decided to abort the landing and fly to Rome because of high winds on the 24th of July. We did arrive on the 25th and lost a full day at the hotel and lost money from one nights stay. We were in room 3011, the one with the 3 beds that has a back terrace but no sea view. Our daughter lover her bed, was long enough for 2 people. We first had lunch at the Sunset restaurant and was happy to have finally reached our hotel. All in all, the food was quite good. Not sure though why when automatically they ask for bottles of water when not providing tap water, seemed odd. I know they want to increase the check average. I work in a hotel in NYC so I no the deal. The buffet breakfast IS quite busy if you get there after 830am they do have almost everything you can ask for , for travelers around the world they have a bit of everything. The omelet station saw short and long lines as well. The staff are really friendly as well, plus they will try their hardest to accommodate all of your needs. Our room was cleaned every day in the early afternoon and gave her a nice gratuity upon departure yesterday. This hotel has many pools to choose from. Saltwater by the sea, both deep and shallow for the kids, plus 2 others above the promenade which is easier for access to the bar and other restaurants, like the Vista where we had a final lunch, you can even get sushi there for our daughter. If you decide to sit my the sea or the pool, YOU NEED TO CLAIM YOUR SPOT BEFORE 8AM!!! Otherwise you be outta luck. The Adriatic Sea is so clean and magical to jump in from the plenty of ledges next to the ladders affixed to the cement flooring. The promenade away from the hotel lets you explore other restaurants and bars not affiliated with hotel and also has great views at sunset and dusk. Like everyone else’s reviews about getting in the old city, the #6 bus is a really short walk. It does get really crowded on the way there and lines waiting for the bus can be really long headed back to the hotel time it accordingly.. If and when we do go back we will stay in a sea view room and enjoy the pleasures Lapad and Dubrovnik have to offer. There is a direct flight on United from Newark, NJ, it is a long haul, so be prepared.

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.