The Byron

Rooms

Whitewashed rooms have high ceilings, exposed wooden beams and wood-effect tile floors. Furnishings are all-white, too, a nod to Dubrovnik's Baroque past. Chandeliers dangle, beds are super-kingsize and super-comfy; you also get a wardrobe, a pair of elegant sitting chairs, and a discreet 'cabinet' concealing a kitchenette. Bedding and curtains are lovely, soft stonewashed linen. Bathrooms have a rain shower, heated towel rack and underfloor heating for the chillier months.

On our latest visit we stayed in the largest room, Cathedral, which is triple-aspect and has a superb view of the cathedral. We loved how spacious and elegant it felt, and the light that flooded through in the afternoon. The bed was supremely comfy and the Molton Brown toiletries in the bathroom were a luxurious touch. Piano is slightly smaller, but also has a grand view of the cathedral – it's named after the piano in the adjoining lounge. Garden has the biggest bathroom and looks onto a lovely courtyard garden, making it the most peaceful choice. Garden and Piano can be interconnected to form an Executive Suite (for 4). Loft, upstairs, under the eaves, has 2 single beds and overlooks Dubrovnik's terracotta rooftops. It's the smallest room, so there's no kitchenette, but it be can be booked alongside Cathedral (directly below it) to form a Family Suite.

Since our visit, 3 rooms have been added on the first floor: Drawing Room is extra large and full of natural light; Writing Room, a large double, and Reading Room, a spacious twin, can connect via a chic lounge (with a balcony) to form the Lord Byron Suite. This would be our top choice for families with older kids.

Features include:

• Air conditioning
• Beach towels
• Central heating
• Hairdryer
• Safe box
• Toiletries
• TV
• WiFi

Eating

There's no restaurant, but all rooms except Loft have a nifty Culshaw kitchenette with a combo-oven, hob, fridge, sink, kettle, and oak larder shelving, so you can prepare light meals. There are small dining areas in all rooms. We made good use of this as restaurant prices within the Old Town can be eye-wateringly high.

Dubrovnik is packed with places to eat, most with open-air summer terraces. Dine on fresh oysters and grilled fish at candlelit tables in the Old Town, or venture further afield for Dalmatian specialities at waterside seafood restaurants or rural family-run konobe (tavernas). Be sure to try Dalmatian wines, too – look out for white Pošip from Korčula and red Dingač from Pelješac.

Features include:

• Fridge
• Hob or stove
• Kitchenette
• Oven
• Restaurants nearby

Activities

• Walk a full 2km circuit of Dubrovnik's medieval walls, for magnificent views over the terracotta rooftops and out to sea
  
• Visit local beaches - swim off the rocks at Buža bar, sunbathe on Sveti Jakov's pebble beach, or take a taxi-boat to Lokrum islet for a botanical garden with peacocks and secluded bathing
  
• Ride the cable-car to the top of Mt Srđ (412m) for stunning views over town, then hike back down following the Srđ Ropeway footpath
  
• Take a ferry tour of the car-free Elaphiti archipelago, for island beaches and pristine scenery (from Gruž port; various operators)
  
• Spend a day exploring the seaside town of Cavtat and rural Konavle with its vineyards and olive groves

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Boat trips
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Shopping / markets
• Swimming

Kids

Children are welcome but there are no specific facilities for them and they need to stay in their own room, unless they are babes in arms and can go in a baby cot (Piano or Cathedral rooms only). Parents will find the kitchenettes useful for preparing snacks.

Best for:

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

Family friendly accommodation:

Several of the rooms interconnect to form suites: Writing (double) and Reading (twin) rooms connect via a comfy lounge with a private balcony (Lord Bryon Suite); the Family Suite consists of Cathedral (large double) and Loft (twin room in the eaves above); Piano and Garden (both doubles) interconnect through a small lounge (Executive Suite).

Distances:

• Airport: 21km (Dubrovnik)
• Shop: 0.2km
• Beach: 0.3km

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

The Byron lies in a narrow stone alley, between the cathedral and the seaward walls in Dubrovnik’s pedestrian-only Old Town, in southern Croatia.

By Air:
Most fly into Dubrovnik. An airport transfer can be arranged or there’s an airport bus (journey time 20-30 minutes) to Pile Gate, just outside the city walls.

By Car:
The Old Town is pedestrianised, so a car is not required in Dubrovnik itself, but you may want to explore further afield. If you rent a car, bear in mind that parking in Dubrovnik is a problem, especially in summer. The situation has improved slightly with the opening of a new 24-hour public garage at Ilijina Glavica (Zagrebaèka ulica bb), a 5-minute walk from Pile Gate, but this is hugely expensive in high season; you may be better off parking at the airport and taking the shuttle bus to and fro.

By Sea:
If you are arriving from Italy, Jadrolinija operates ferries from Bari. From Dubrovnik’s Gruž harbour, take a bus to Pile Gate, the entrance to the Old Town.

Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.

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