.jpg)
Situated at the heart of beautiful Gundulić Square in a baroque building from the 1600s, the Pucic Palace is Dubrovnik’s manor of luxury, and a place where those who feel a need to experience extreme comfort while being wrapped in history will be most at home. With just 17 rooms and two suites, this boutique hotel understands service. The staff, who learn your name within your first moments at the hotel, make it their mission to exceed your expectations.
Arriving to the sometimes crowded Ploce gate in the middle of August can be a challenge. Old Town Dubrovnik is the most visited part of the area and region, and the main gates become jammed a bit in the heart of the season. With your bags in tow, it might be easy to fear shlepping them through the pathways and crowds to find your hotel. The Pucic Palace doesn’t put their guests through that experience, thank God. They send a porter to meet you and escort you comfortably, baggage free, to their front door – a mere five minute walk through town.
Checking-in is easy and can be done in your room if you’d like. The rooms, all uniquely furnished and outfitted with one-of-a-kind details, are luxurious and comfortable. My room was filled with original oil paintings and period pieces that looked as if they had just come from the Christie’s auction block. Bags were delivered promptly and I settled-in by taking a shower in the marble bathroom with a spacious tub/shower combination.
The hotel informed me that breakfast would be served in Cafe Royal, one of their three restaurants. Breakfast left me wanting something more, but was a standard offering of eggs and other specialties to enjoy. The Pucic also offers two other restaurants, Defne and the Wine Bar, for additional food options. After breakfast, I headed to the perfectly located market, which is held almost daily just outside of the hotel’s door. Here you can buy everything from Croatian candies to homemade liquor, lavender and other items. It’s all very quaint.
If you visit in the summer, June and September being ideal, the hotel offers entry into the exclusive Baje Beach Club and EastWest Beach Club. This is heaven, as you can waltz right onto the pebbly beach, plop yourself in a chair and order a cocktail. Why not? If the beach isn’t your thing, the hotel will organize a day on a boat or a sightseeing tour to nearby Mostar, Bosnia or Kotor, Montenegro.
Staying at the Pucic Palace is a very nice experience where you are situated at the heart of the city and within easy walking to everything Dubrovnik has to offer. It’s intimate, cozy and feels like a true home away from home. I’m greatly looking forward to visiting again soon.
