Whether you’re a fan of Game of Thrones or simply a fan of unvarnished medieval luxury, breezy ocean views and blue crystalline waters, Dubrovnik is a magical delight. A stone’s throw from castles standing centuries above luxury stores, restaurants and cobblestone alleys, where church bells echo like crashing waves against scraggly rocks, Hotel Imperial offers a wonderful respite for those looking to explore the ancient city. Once home of plutocrats and royalty, this historic building has now been refurbished for everyday folk like us—even the Hawaiian shirt cruise ship visitors, with their beer bellies and lobster-red sunburns, can feel like Kings for a day. At Imperial Dubrovnik, the past integrates intricately with the present, much like the refurbished castles in the city centre, where infirmaries have now been refurbished into modern boutiques.

In 1897, the Grand Imperial opened as the city’s first luxury hotel, designed to serve passengers on steamships of yore, hosting prominent guests like King Edward VIII in their gardens. Emulating Croatia’s ever-changing history, the hotel has taken on many forms since, mirroring the mores of the moment. The Imperial glowed with Art Deco elegance in the roaring 20’s, adorned with colourful tiles and creamy pillars, sheltered injured bystanders during the Homeland War bombings of 1991, when the country fought for Independence against a ruthless Communist regime, and in 2018, began a glorious renovation that restored the storied property to its original elegance. Now, walking into Hotel Imperial feels like entering another era, when marble floors swept you into a whirlwind of Gatsby-esque parties, followed by hungover sunrises peering above stone castle arches. Duck-egg hues splatter the walls, brass vintage finishings line the downstairs barspace, scallop motifs and abstract paintings can be found throughout the lobby—it really is like entering the roaring 20’s or a lavish pitstop in The Talented Mr Ripley, except with a lot more cruise ships and tourists stumbling about.

Don’t worry about that, though. There’s still plenty of old money charm at this vintage hotel. My room, for instance, boasted a private red tile balcony overlooking Lovrijenac fortress, a blanket of blue ocean stretching out to infinity. Sipping my morning coffee, staring out at the fortress, I could easily see how the Game of Thrones creators were inspired by these medieval surroundings. Many fans crowded the castle walls where they filmed the show, the iconic score playing from a street peddler’s accordion. Immersing myself in the prehistoric vibes, I half expected a dragon to appear out of thin sunshine air. It didn’t, so I ordered an Aperol Spritz.

After a day of soaking up Spritzes and drinking up Adriatic sun, it’s incredibly refreshing to cool off at Hotel Imperial, each room decorated with minimalist yet cosy charms. Of the 149 rooms, nearly half offer white linens, curtains swaying against ocean views. You can enjoy afternoon tea at Imperial Bar or a quick bite next door before heading outside for more sun, or enjoy a quick dip at the underground pool with a sauna to boot. With an expansive garden dotted with palm fronds, I woke up to a bountiful buffet of breakfast options, before heading back to my private balcony, an endless sprawl of activities lay out before me like a fluctuating buffet of desserts.

Hotel Imperial is located a mere stroll from Dubrovnik’s best activities. You can be within castle walls within minutes of leaving. Professional yet friendly staff offer directions to hotspots like Banje beach, showcasing panoramic views of Dubrovnik’s sand-hued walls while swimming amongst screensaver waters. The nearby stores, restaurants and wineries offer a modern spin on classic Croatian delicacies. Even the hotel itself has fun sections designated to Croatia’s rich history. With a pristine location, a profound history and a profusely beautiful design, decked out in Art Deco opulence, Hotel Imperial is a blast from the past made for the present—a storied hotel with so much more story to tell.

W: Hotel Imperial Dubrovnik

Written by Asher Luberto for Luxuria Lifestyle International