St Joseph's

Every hotel these days purports to be perfect for a romantic getaway. St Joseph’s, in a 500-year-old UNESCO-listed building on a tiny side street in the very centre of Dubrovnik’s walled Old Town, is the real deal. It is the perfect place to escape the cruise ship hordes and experience the calm and history of this remarkable place. You feel like you are staying as a guest of a wealthy Croatian Count. It’s a genuinely boutique experience. Each of the six rooms is impeccably decorated, 18th century-style, with gorgeous Murano glass chandeliers, first-class linens, marble bathrooms, plump armchairs and fresh flowers. The effect is glamorous, peaceful and cosy. In the morning a simple but excellent quality continental breakfast is served at a table in your room. Service is old-school; discrete and personal, and nothing is too much trouble. The incredibly helpful concierge will recommend itineraries and off-the-beaten-track bars, print bus timetables and book somewhere ravishing for dinner. A special stay in a special city.