Hotel More | Dubrovnik — lostwithlina.com

Against a backdrop of turquoise seas, Hotel More teeters alongside a forested hillside overlooking Lapad Bay, just outside Dubrovnik’s crowning medieval Old Town, with views that even a seagull would migrate for.

With its own private access into the shimmering Adriatic from along the rocky shore, Hotel More is not only one of the most desirable places in Dubrovnik to take a dip; it is also one of the most peaceful locations in the city and it boasts a rather unique cave bar with sensational cocktails. It’s pearly interiors are a soothing accompaniment to sun-soaked days, and its sweeping views of the coastline from almost every window are a marvel.

‘More’ - prounded ‘mor-ray’, is Croatian for ‘sea’, which is fitting for a hotel of this nature. Built into the slopes of the Lapad Peninsula, Hotel More consists of two adjoining blocks, each with several floors of accommodations, two sea-view terrace restaurants, a mini wellness centre and gym, two small outdoor pools, and a rock-and-concrete seaside bathing area with a few sun beds. The layout is rather confusing, with various lifts and staircases connecting to different levels, so it does take some time to navigate your way around.

Hotel More is the perfect choice for those looking to rest in tranquility and peace and quiet and away from the hustle and bustle. It’s popular with couples, and is especially beautiful in the evening, when the sun sets over the Adriatic, with the rocky Grebeni islets rising into the horizon. However, despite its lovely location and decent facilities, it lacks the eye-for-detail and luxury that one would expect of a five-star hotel.

LOCATION & HOW TO GET HERE

Hotel More is situated on the peaceful coastal footpath that skirts around Lapad Bay, on the Lapad peninsula, where many of Dubrovnik's big modern hotels are located. There's a bathing platform directly in front of the hotel, or you can walk in either direction of the footpath and find pebble beaches and beautiful places to swim. Due to its location, you are quite a distance away from the hustle and bustle that the old city is known for. Hotel More is either an hour long walk away, or a ten-minute car ride journey from the Old Town. Dubrovnik Airport is also a 30-minute drive away.

THE HOTEL MORE EXPERIENCE

Days at Hotel More are idled away along the shores of the Adriatic. Even at 7am, the azure waters of Lapad Bay are teeming and swimsuited guests are lazing on the sun lounges, rising occasionally to dive into the deep, flawless bluey-green Adriatic. This is how we start our mornings here in Dubrovnik. Our daily exercise consisted of swimming across the bay, and enjoying the clean, clear and perfect water.

For milder days when you can’t quite bring yourself to plunge into the sea, Hotel More’s spa includes a small, freshwater pool that’s heated and lined by floor-to-ceiling windows so you can float in front of sea views. The hotel also features a small wellness centre offering massages, face and body treatments, a sauna, a gym (with exposed rocks, like the Cave Bar), two small free-form outdoor pools, an outdoor whirlpool tub and an indoor hot tub.

Come evening time, Cave Bar More is the place to be for a chilled-out atmosphere split over three levels. Set in an 8,000 year old beautifully-lit rocky underground cave, chilled music plays whilst you enjoy a cocktail. You can also take a narrow tunnel to the outside terrace, where drinks are served under the beautiful starry night sky.

SUITES & ACCOMMODATIONS

After a long, grubby 15-hour day of travel, I wrench open the huge glass doors to our balcony to enjoy the sea breeze and devour the vista of deep green pines, and clear aqua waters below. Like majority of the 77 rooms and 8 suites at Hotel More, we get full ocean frontal; as the hotel is built so that most rooms are treated to the money shot. Booking an ocean view room here is essential to the overall experience.

The guest rooms are decorated in nautical marine-inspired blues and whites, with plush blue carpets and rich wooden furnishings, and feature under-floor heating, a hydro-massage bathtubs, flat-screen TV and marble bathrooms. Overall, I found the guest rooms to be rather outdated for a five-star hotel; with the only real highlight being the views offered.

FOR THE FOODIES

Hotel More’s restaurants pair local Dalmatian dishes based on the best selection of Adriatic sea food, with extensive local wine lists. Restaurant Tramuntana, located on the first floor, does a leisurely breakfast buffet, with tables scattered across the terrace overlooking the sea. Choose from fruit, cereal, yogurts and cold cuts, plus cooked-to-order eggs and pancakes. For lunch and dinner, there's à la carte dining at both Tramuntana and Restaurant More.

Restaurant More is an elegant Mediterranean culinary paradise set within a scenic vine-draped terrace looking down onto the bay. The menu has a strong regional identity based on a superior quality of seasonal ingredients, including a selection of international and traditional local dishes.

WHAT TO KNOW

FINAL THOUGHTS: Despite having added a newer extension to the property, the hotel would benefit from undergoing a refreshing renovation. The layout from adding the extension is confusing and slightly inconvenient for guests. You have to change lifts to access different floors and sections of the hotel and the rooms were outdated for a five-star hotel.

BEACHSIDE: If you fancy spending the morning or afternoon by the sea, make sure you snag a sun bed at the beach area as early as possible. There aren’t many sun beds, so you may miss out if you don't manage to beat the crowds.

WHAT TO PACK: Leave your self-consciousness behind: pair your most stylish swimwear with a pair of practical reef shoes for clambering over rocks to the secret swimming spots that dot Dubrovnik’s coast.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY: Families are welcome but there are no special facilities for children.

Visit https://www.hotel-more.hr/en/ to check their availability or visit their Instagram page @hotelmoredubrovnik.

I was hosted as a guest of Hotel More, however, all the opinions expressed in this article are, as always, my own.