Lesic Dimitri Palace

Rooms

There are 5 residences, each named after a region on Marco Polo's travels and done up in a suitably exotic style. Medieval stone lintels and wooden beamed ceilings are played off against slick modern furniture and the odd touch of kitsch-baroque. Daring features such as open-plan bedrooms with free-standing bathtubs add a unique edge. The result is stylish, eclectic, amusing, sensuous - and palatial in size.

Starting at the top, below a pitched roof dressed in white canvas, is Arabia (sleeps 2), a big open-plan residence where we were lucky enough to stay. The space was big and airy, with windows in 3 directions and a stylish living/dining area. We adored the large double bed and free-standing bathtub with its collection of lavish toiletries. Exploring the kitchen was a pleasure in itself, and the eye for detail was impeccable. We'd definitely recommend this one for couples after a honeymoon bolthole.

China (sleeps 4) is a soothing study in black, white and gold, plus it offers a big balcony with views across the sea to Pelješac peninsular. Second-floor Venice (sleeps 6) was our favourite of the larger residences. Its long white dining table with oversized chairs creates an ‘Alice in Wonderland’ atmosphere, while the small but ornately carved wooden balcony (the ‘birdcage’) is a lovely spot to perch with a glass of wine. On the ground floor are 2 residences (India and Ceylon) which we found a little dark, though with their stone floors, they would be lovely and cool in high summer.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Fan
• Hairdryer
• Minibar
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

One of the luxuries of staying here is that you can mix and match self-catering with dining out, depending on how the spirit takes you!

But for breakfast, you won't need to lift a finger: it's served in the LD Restaurant, with outdoor tables lining the seafront promenade. We felt a little exposed to passers-by, so you might prefer to have it brought to your residence instead. It's a decent spread - fresh croissants and platters of cold meats and cheeses - and for a small supplement you can get cooked options: perhaps poached eggs with Dalmatian pršut, or cinnamon French toast.

Fresh seafood features heavily on the lunch and dinner menus: we loved the sound of the monkfish tempura with black truffle, garlic and egg yolk. Chef Marko Gajski creates sensational food; he uses seasonal produce that showcases local ingredients to Michelin-star effect. Opt for the full eight-course tasting menu, or if you're after something lighter, choose the three-course option. The LD Wine Bar offers a vast selection of Croatian wines, and you can do tastings here too. If you’re after something a little more romantic, ask the hotel to arrange private dining on one of the surrounding islands!

All residences have self-catering facilities - slick kitchens with a fridge, cooker, dishwasher, espresso coffee machine, and a kettle (a range of teas and coffee is provided). Guests can shop for provisions at the nearby Konzum supermarket, and buy fresh fruit and vegetables at the open-air market just outside the Old Town walls. Alternatively, the concierge can arrange for a professional chef to cook for visitors in their residence.

Features include:

• Bar
• Breakfast
• Coffee maker
• Fridge
• Full kitchen
• Hob or stove
• Oven
• Restaurant
• Restaurants nearby
• Room service
• Toaster

Activities

• Explore Korcula’s pedestrianised Old Town. A cluster of stone houses built on a peninsular protected by medieval walls, it centres on a square with a fine Gothic-Renaissance Cathedral. Just off the square, the supposed old house of Marco Polo is the town’s most visited attraction
  
• Take a taxi-boat to secluded pebble beaches on the nearby islets of Mljet, Badija (home to a 15th-century monastery), Vrnik (known for its stone quarries) and Stupe (dedicated to nudism!). But if that all sounds too much effort, there is a decent sandy beach 15 mins' walk away in Luka Korculanska Bay (also called Porto Pedoci or Kalac): its warm, shallow waters attract scores of families in summer
  
• Sample local wines - ask the concierge to arrange a trip to Korcula’s top vineyards in the villages of Lumbarda and Smokvica (both noted for their whites) or to Pelješac peninsular (producing some of Croatia’s best reds)
  
• Splash out on a private skippered sailing trip aboard one the hotel’s vessels - a slick modern motorboat or an elegant vintage sailing boat. Popular destinations include the islands of Lastovo, Mljet or Hvar
  
• Get a massage in the LD Spa. All treatments are influenced by the Silk Road, Thailand and the Mediterranean; there's also a Brazilian therapist who specialises in Ayurveda treatments and runs yoga classes
  
• The area is vibrant and exciting, with many more things to see and do - check out a few of our favourites on the destination guide

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Cooking classes
• Cycling
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Kayaking
• Museums / galleries
• Sailing
• Scuba diving
• Snorkelling
• Swimming
• Waterskiing
• Well being
• Windsurfing

Kids

Children are welcome, though there are no special facilities for kids. All residences are very spacious, so it's easy to fit a baby cot or rollaway bed in, and the kitchen units make things very easy for parents in terms of preparing child meals. Bear in mind there is no lift, so you'll be better off booking a lower-floor residence if you're bringing lots of child paraphernalia. Children aged 0-12 stay for free; there is a small charge for teenagers.

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years), Toddlers (1-4 years), Children (4-12 years)

Family friendly accommodation:

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

The hotel lies in the heart of Korcula’s pedestrianised medieval walled old town, on the island of Korcula in South Dalmatia.

By Air:
Fly to Dubrovnik or Split.

Road and Sea Transfers:
The hotel can arrange private transfers by car and motor boat from Dubrovnik and Split airports (2 and 2-3 hours respectively). This is the simplest option as they will know the best routes and timings for your dates.

If you have your own car, you can drive all the way to Orebić on the Pelješac peninsula and take a short (15min) ferry crossing to Domince on Korcula, which is a short drive from the hotel. Or you can take the ferry from Split to Vela Luka (on the western side of Korcula) and drive across the island to the hotel (40 mins' drive). See ferry links below.

Otherwise, you could arrange your own transfer: bus or taxi to Dubrovnik or Split's ferry port, then catamaran to the island.

Krilo - passenger catamaran
Jadrolinija - passenger and car ferries
GV Line - passenger catamaran

More on getting to Croatia