Villa Dubrovnik Reopens Following Multi-Million Euro Transformation

Posted in News on 10 July, 2025

Croatia’s most exclusive hotel, Villa Dubrovnik, has reopened its doors, following a multi-million Euro transformation by the internationally acclaimed Brazilian design firm, Studio Arthur Casas.

Perched on a cliff in the prestigious Sveti Jakov area, a short stroll from the Old Town, the 56-room hotel – a member of The Leading Hotels of the World – reclaims its status as a benchmark for luxury. Since its last guests departed on October 2, 2023, the hotel has undergone a complete reimagining, making its return one of the most highly anticipated events on the Adriatic coast.

Villa Dubrovnik – Deluxe Grand Sea View Room

Originally built in 1961 as a residence for political elites, during construction its function was changed, and it was finished as an annex to Hotel Argentina. In the 1970s, with a few additions, Villa Dubrovnik was converted from an annex into a 30-room boutique hotel, and in 2003, it doubled in size setting a new precedence for luxury hotels in the city. Today, Villa Dubrovnik’s distinctive architecture remains a striking contrast against the emerald Adriatic, offering guests legendary views of Lokrum Island and the Old Town.

The Design

Drawing inspiration from the rich history, landscape, and cultural heritage of Dubrovnik, the design integrates colours and textures that reflect the city’s landscape such as stone, wood, hand-glazed terracotta tiles and ceramics. The colour palette includes white, sand, and beige tones, mirroring Dubrovnik’s stone walls, which protected the city from invaders such as the Venetians, while warm shades of terracotta pay tribute to the city’s rooftops.

Reception and stairway

The design creates a synergy between the environment and cultural heritage, subtly incorporating traditional Croatian lace patterns and UNESCO-recognised dry-stone formations. Celebrating local craftsmanship, the spaces feature polished wood, local stonework, and bespoke furniture from Arthur Casas and Prostoria, such as the Dubrovnik lamp and custom sofas. The hotel serves as a curated gallery, showcasing prominent Croatian artists like painters Ivana Pegan and Dubravka Tulio, sculptor Ivo Dimnić, and fashion designer Juraj Zigman, whose extravagant staff uniforms narrate a story of the hotel’s identity. This local talent is complemented by a showcase of international design, with classic and contemporary pieces from a roster of visionaries including Gio Ponti, Patricia Urquiola, Pierre Paulin, and Eileen Gray, creating a rich, layered aesthetic throughout the property.

Romantiko Suite

Rooms and Suites

The hotel now presents 56 rooms, suites & residences, from serene guest rooms to signature suites whose names are drawn from the old Dubrovnik dialect, such as the Romantiko, Beleca, and Mirakul suites. Each room offers views of either the Adriatic Sea, Lokrum Island, or the UNESCO-listed Old Town, paying homage to the city’s heritage with furniture from international designers Gio Ponti and Paula Lenti that blends modernist minimalism with timeless elegance.

Deluxe Grand Sea View Room

Tezoro Suite

Bathroom

Bathroom and Guestroom detail

Restaurants and Bars

The hotel’s culinary offering is spread across two distinct restaurants and two bars. The Michelin-recommended Pjerin Restaurant offers a fine dining menu from Executive Chef Robert Račić, rooted in fresh Croatian ingredients and daily Adriatic catches, all set against a panoramic terrace overlooking the Old Town. For relaxed Mediterranean fare, Giardino Restaurant provides a tranquil oasis within a garden of pine and stone. The Libero Bar offers a library with displays of historic costume replicas, while the Galanto Bar—Dubrovnik’s only rooftop bar—is the ultimate setting for sunset cocktails with sweeping city and sea views.

Left: Giardino Restaurant. Right: Pjerin Restaurant Terrace

About Villa Dubrovnik

Villa Dubrovnik is a 56-room luxury hotel located in the Sveti Jakov area of Dubrovnik, Croatia. The property offers views of the Adriatic Sea, the island of Lokrum, and Dubrovnik’s Old Town. Originally built in 1961 as a residence for political elites, during construction its function was changed, and it was finished as an annex to Hotel Argentina before becoming a boutique hotel in the 1970s. In 2025, the hotel reopened following a multi-million Euro renovation led by design firm Studio Arthur Casas. Hotel facilities include two restaurants (Pjerin, recommended by the Michelin Guide, and Giardino), and two bars (the rooftop Galanto Bar and Libero Bar). Amenities consist of a private beach, a spa and wellness centre with an indoor swimming pool with a sundeck. Villa Spa has five treatment rooms, a fitness area, Finnish sauna and steam room. The hotel is Green Globe certified for its commitment to sustainability. Villa Dubrovnik is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, a collection of the world’s most exclusive independent luxury hotels, founded in 1928.