Croatia - Eastern Europe - page 142

Coming Attractions

Serb shells destroyed 70% of Dubrovnik's Hotel Libertas during the 1991
war, but now the Rixos Hotel group has begun construction of a 364-unit
luxury hotel on the site of the former landmark. Rixos is positioning the
new Libertas Rixos for a May 2007 opening and an upscale clientele. Besides
sumptuously appointed rooms and suites, Libertas will offer three restau-
rants, including a sushi bar, a spa, a casino, and world-class service. For more
information go to www.rixos.com.

falls short of what you'd expect for the stratospheric room rates. Furnishings are top-
quality and bathrooms are lined with nonskid tiles and tasteful mosaics and loaded
with toiletries, but we're talking tiny showers here. The hotel maintains a yacht in the
harbor for guest use; the terrace has a great view of the city; and you are staying in a
historic monument; but you'll have to decide for yourself if those things offer enough
value per dollar.
Ulica Od Puca 1, Old Town. & 020/326-200, or 020/326-222 reservations. Fax [phone]. www.thepucicpalace.
com. 19 units. June-Sept from 479 € ($570) double; from 721 € ($858) suite. Other times from 273 € ($325) double;

from 515 ($613) suite. AE, DC, MC, V. Rates include breakfast. Amenities: Restaurant; bar; concierge; 24-hr. room

service. In room:A/C, TV, minibar, safe.

€

EXPENSIVE
Hotel Perla The Perla opened in April 2005 and it is still evolving. Guest rooms are
generous and most have balconies that overlook the hotel's leafy landscaping. Bathrooms
are well equipped, but there is no elevator, which makes the trek to the upper floors a
pain. Once you check in your location is excellent, but you have to park a couple of
blocks away and schlep your luggage because of the Perla's position on the promenade.
Lapad Mali Stradun bb, Lapad. & 020/438-244. www.perla-dubrovnik.com/index.htm. 20 units. Doubles from 120 €
($142). AE, DC, MC, V. Rates include breakfast. Amenities: Restaurant; bar. In room:A/C, TV, hair dryer, balcony.
Hotel Stari Grad The tiny Stari Grad is a bargain when you consider that,
like the pricey Puci 5 Palace (see above), it is a cultural monument and just one of two
hotels within Old Town's walls. The mansion opened as a hotel in 2002 and each room
is comfortable, cozy, and augmented by bathrooms equipped with hydromassage show-
ers. The view of Lokrum and Cavtat from the fifth-floor terrace is dynamite.
Od Sigurate br. 4, Old Town. & 020/322-244. Fax [phone]. www.hotelstarigrad.com. 8 units. July 1-Sept 30
from 1,400kn ($242/£128) double; other times from 850kn ($147/£78) double. Rates include breakfast. AE, MC, V.
Amenities: Restaurant; valet; safe-deposit box; babysitting. In room:A/C, TV, dataport, minibar, hair dryer.
Hotel Zagreb Extensive restoration has turned this 19th-century man-
sion into a salmon-colored showplace on the Lapad promenade. Each guest room is
unique, so ask to see yours before you check in. All rooms, whether on the ground
floor or on the third level are quiet, spacious, and dripping with character. Some of
the staff speak English; all are very helpful.
Setaliste Kralja Zvonimira 27, Lapad. & 020/436-146. Fax [phone] units. July 1 to mid-Sept from 1,060kn
($186/£97) double; at other times from 700kn ($123/£64) double. AE, DC, MC, V. Amenities: Restaurant; bar. In
room:TV, hair dryer.

Value

Finds