Dubrovnik's Dream: Palazzo Vimbula's 5-Star Luxury Awaits!
Dubrovnik's Dream: Palazzo Vimbula's 5-Star Luxury Awaits!
Dubrovnik's Dream: Palazzo Vimbula – A 5-Star Adventure (with a Few Hiccups!)
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because I just got back from a whirlwind trip to Dubrovnik, Croatia, and let me tell you, it was… well, it was something. And the centerpiece of this adventure? The Palazzo Vimbula. They bill it as 5-star luxury, and for the most part, they deliver. But, as with any great story, this one has its ups, its downs, and a whole lot of "well, that's life, isn't it?"
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Let's dive in, shall we?
First Impressions & Accessibility: The Good, the Okay, and the Slightly Frustrating
The first glimpse of the Palazzo Vimbula? Stunning. Absolutely stunning. From the taxi, you're greeted by this imposing stone façade, promising a lavish experience. Inside, the lobby is all gleaming marble, sparkling chandeliers, and that oh-so-familiar scent of money and… well, expensive air freshener.
Accessibility: Now, here's where things get a little… well, human. The hotel claims to be accessible. They have an elevator (thank the heavens!), and some rooms are specifically designed for wheelchair users. The problem? Navigating those initial steps into the building. There was a small ramp, but it required a bit of a push, and honestly, if you're relying solely on wheelchair access, it could feel a bit precarious. Inside, things were better. The wide hallways were a definite plus. But the initial impression? Let's just say it could be improved. They've got the elevator, they've got the facilities for disabled guests, so points there.
Getting Around: The hotel offers airport transfer, which I highly recommend. After a long flight, the thought of navigating Croatian taxi drivers… well, let’s just say I’m happy someone else did the driving. They also have car parking [on-site] which is super convenient, and even car power charging station for the eco-conscious among us! Plus, valet parking for those wanting to roll in like a celebrity.
Roomy, Wonderful (and Slightly Spooky) Retreats!
My room? Let’s just say it was a palace within a palace. We’re talking air conditioning, a desk, a mini bar stocked with goodies (that are, of course, extra!), fluffy bathrobes, and a private bathroom that felt like it could host a small party. And the window that opens? Pure bliss to let the fresh Dubrovnik air in.
However, let’s get real. One night, the wind howled, the blackout curtains really did their job, and I swore I heard whispers coming from… somewhere. Maybe it was the old stones of the building settling. Maybe it was the ghost of a long-lost Dubrovnik merchant contemplating his stock portfolio. Whatever it was, it added a touch of drama to the whole experience. So, points for atmosphere!
Available in all rooms: The air conditioning was fabulous, especially during the sweltering summer heat. The alarm clock works just fine (I actually hit snooze a few times). They have the standard complimentary tea and coffee, the daily housekeeping was impeccable, and the in-room safe box made me feel a little less paranoid about my passport. Wi-Fi [free]? Tick! Internet access – wireless? Also a tick! And, a special note for all those that are extra tall - Extra long bed? You bet! No more dangling feet!
But, and this is a big but…
The Internet access – LAN? (for those of us with ancient laptops) I tried once, and it felt like traveling back in time with dial-up. So, stick to the Wi-Fi [free], trust me.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Eats, Treats, and a Little Bit of Drama
Okay, the food. This is where the Palazzo truly shines, and, perhaps, where it occasionally stumbles.
Breakfast: The Breakfast [buffet] was an absolute feat! I swear I saw a whole roasted pig at one point. Okay, maybe not that extreme, but the spread was seriously impressive. Asian breakfast, Western breakfast, you name it, they probably had it. And the coffee/tea in restaurant? Delish! Though, I may have gotten a little too friendly with the barista and sampled about five espressos before noon… whoops! They also offered Breakfast in room which made the mornings so relaxing!
Restaurants & Bars: I could have lived in the restaurants alone. The A la carte in restaurant was top-notch, with fresh seafood that practically jumped off the plate. The poolside bar was a lifesaver during the hot afternoons. But let's talk about the happy hour. Oh, the happy hour! The cocktails were divine, the atmosphere was buzzing, and, let’s just say, I may have stumbled back to my room a little… wobbly on a few occasions.
The Hiccups:
- Vegetarian restaurant: If you're vegetarian, the options were somewhat limited. I'm not vegetarian, but I noticed it.
- Room service [24-hour]: Glorious! Although they did forget my extra side of fries one night. (Minor tragedy, honestly.)
- Coffee shop: I might have spent too much time in the coffee shop.
- Snack bar: Essential for fueling adventures.
- Desserts in restaurant: Delicious. Dangerously delicious.
Cleanliness, Safety, and (Hopefully) a Little Peace of Mind
In these post-pandemic times, hygiene is everything. The Palazzo Vimbula took it seriously. The staff were clearly trained in safety protocol, there was hand sanitizer everywhere, and they used anti-viral cleaning products. I even saw them daily disinfection in common areas. They mention having rooms sanitized between stays, which is reassuring.
Cleanliness and safety, they've nailed it.
- Individually-wrapped food options? Check.
- Safe dining setup? They seemed to care.
- Staff trained in safety protocol? Absolutely.
- Hand sanitizer? Everywhere.
- First aid kit? Fortunately did not need it.
The Spa: Bliss, Bobbles, and Body Wraps (Oh My!)
Ah, the spa. This is where the Palazzo truly earned its stars. I spent a good chunk of my trip there, and I regret absolutely nothing.
- Body scrub, Body wrap, and Massage? Pure bliss!
- Swimming pool [outdoor], and a Pool with view? Instagrammable heaven.
- Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, and Steamroom? Yes, please!
- Foot bath? Refreshing after a day of exploring.
- The Fitness center was well-equipped.
Things to Do (Besides Indulging): Exploring Dubrovnik and Beyond
Dubrovnik itself? A UNESCO World Heritage site, and for good reason! The Palazzo is perfectly situated for exploring the Dubrovnik old town.
They offer various Things to do!
- Bicycle parking is available.
- They have Meeting/banquet facilities for those planning events.
- There's a gift/souvenir shop for last-minute presents.
Services and Conveniences: Everything You Need (and More!)
The Palazzo really goes the extra mile!
- Air conditioning in public area? Definitely.
- Currency exchange? Convenient.
- Concierge? Invaluable, especially for booking tours.
- Daily housekeeping? Pristine.
- Elevator? Essential.
- Safety deposit boxes? A must.
- Laundry service? A lifesaver after overpacking my suitcase, again.
For the Kids:
They have babysitting service, family/child friendly, and kids facilities - making Palazzo Vimbula a good option for families.
The Verdict:
Palazzo Vimbula is mostly a dream. The location is fantastic, the staff is generally lovely (though sometimes a bit formal), the rooms are luxurious, and the spa is phenomenal. Yes, there are a few minor hiccups – the accessibility could be improved, and the perfectionist in me might have wanted slightly more vegetarian options – but overall, it’s an amazing experience. Would I recommend it? Absolutely! Just be prepared to maybe… hear a few whispers in the night. And definitely, definitely, indulge in the happy hour cocktails. You won't regret it.
Bordeaux Luxury Getaway: KYRIAD Hotel Unveiled!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's perfectly-structured travel brochure. We're going rogue, Dubrovnik-style. Palazzo Vimbula, here we come, and let's face it, I'm probably going to mess this up a bit. But at least it will be gloriously, hilariously, me.
Palazzo Vimbula: My Dubrovnik Debauchery (or, The Villa That Ate My Travel Itinerary)
Day 1: Arrival and the "Oh My God, I'm Actually Here" Moment
- Morning (or, Whenever We Actually Drag Ourselves Out of Bed):
- 10:00 AM (ish): Arrive at Dubrovnik Airport. Seriously, the views on the approach are already making me emotional. I swear, I almost started crying when I saw the terracotta rooftops cascading down towards the Adriatic. Then the taxi driver started complaining about the traffic (it was bad, fair play) and that brought me back to reality.
- 11:00 AM (ish): The drive to Palazzo Vimbula. The suspense is KILLING ME. I've seen the pictures. I know it's supposed to be ridiculously opulent. But what if it's… pretentious? My inner critic is doing a little tap dance of doubt right now.
- 11:30 AM (ish): We arrive! Oh. My. God. It's not pretentious. It's… breathtaking. I mean, seriously. Marble floors, frescoed ceilings, a pool that looks like it belongs in a movie set. I actually gasped. The kind of gasp that makes you sound like a dying goldfish.
- 12:00 PM (ish): The butler (yes, a butler. I'm now officially a queen) shows us around. He's impeccably polite, but I'm pretty sure he thinks we're complete peasants. He probably spots the wine stains on my jeans. Oh well.
- 1:00 PM: The first drink. Prosecco on the terrace, overlooking the Old Town. This is the moment I realize I'm actually here. That this isn't a dream. That I'm going to need a serious amount of moisturizer for this level of luxury.
- Afternoon:
- 2:00 PM: Unpack. (Read: attempt to arrange my clothes in a vaguely aesthetically pleasing manner while fighting the urge to just throw everything into a drawer.)
- 3:00 PM: Pool time! I'm not a graceful swimmer, think awkward penguin, but the water is so clear and inviting. I fully embrace my inner tourist, ordering a cocktail with a tiny umbrella. No shame.
- 4:00 PM: Nap time! I'm already exhausted from the sheer beauty of it all. Exhaustion is a common reaction to beautiful things, I'm a scientist right?
- Evening:
- 6:00 PM: Showering in a bathroom bigger than my apartment back home. I feel like I could live in this bathroom.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at the villa. The chef is AMAZING. Seriously, every bite is perfection. The wine? Even better. I'm becoming one with the Croatian grapes.
- 9:00 PM: Stumbling back to the room completely content. The only thing better than champagne is a good night's sleep.
- 10:00 PM: I can't sleep. It's too beautiful. I keep getting up to walk around. This villa feels so alive.
Day 2: Old Town Exploration and "Lost in Translation" Catastrophes
- Morning:
- 9:30 AM (ish): Breakfast on the terrace. I eat enough croissants to feed a small army, and feel not even a stitch of guilt.
- 10:30 AM: Hit the Old Town. Prepare yourselves, people. This is where the "tourist" really comes out.
- 11:00 AM: We walk the walls! I'm already starting to lose it the moment I see it. The orange roofs, the shimmering sea, the little winding streets… it's like stepping into a fairytale. Absolutely stunning, even with the crowds. Don't let the Instagrammers fool you.
- Afternoon:
- 1:00 PM: Lunch at a restaurant recommended by the butler (who, by the way, has a very subtle air of amusement when we ask him anything). I attempt to order fish in Croatian. It comes out as a garbled mess of vowels and arm waving. I end up with something delicious, but I'm pretty sure I ordered a donkey.
- 2:30 PM: Wandering the streets, getting gloriously lost. This is probably my favorite part. Discovering tiny alleyways, hidden courtyards, and gelato shops on every corner. My inner child is screaming with joy.
- 4:00 PM: Sea kayaking! I'm not a particularly athletic person (see: awkward penguin in the pool), but the coastline is absolutely spectacular. We get a bit too close to some rocks and almost tip over. Pure, unadulterated laughter.
- 5:00 PM: Sunbathing! I am not a sunbather. I have the fair skin of a vampire, but my skin is burning and I feel so happy.
- Evening:
- 7:00 PM: A fancy dinner at a restaurant inside the city walls. We are trying to be classy.
- 9:00 PM: Drinks at a rooftop bar. The cocktails are strong, the music is loud, and I'm pretty sure I've fallen in love with Dubrovnik.
- 10:00 PM: Getting lost again, but this time with a slightly more tipsy perspective. Everything looks beautiful.
Day 3: Island Hopping and the Pursuit of Perfection (Spoiler: It's Not Perfect)
- Morning:
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast (more croissants. I'm on a mission).
- 10:00 AM: Boat trip to Lokrum Island. Allegedly, the island has peacocks that are just hanging around the place, but I'm skeptical.
- 10:30 AM: We make it onto the island. There are peacocks. They are everywhere. They are majestic and slightly terrifying. They strut around like they own the place. We're all taking pictures.
- 12:00 PM: We get to the Dead Sea! It's a small, salt water lake. Apparently, it's like a spa. I jump in. I float. Pure bliss.
- Afternoon:
- 1:00 PM: Lunch and a bottle of wine at a restaurant on the island. The wine is cheap but it is delicious, because Croatia.
- 3:00 PM: Back on the boat, sailing towards Koločep. More incredible scenery. I'm mentally composing a poem, but I'm pretty sure it's just going to be a series of vague adjectives ("beautiful," "amazing," "splendor").
- 4:00 PM: Swimming and snorkeling. The water is crystal clear, and I spot a fish that looks like it belongs in a children's book.
- Evening:
- 7:00 PM: Seafood dinner on the boat! Freshly caught, grilled to perfection. But the wind is picking up, and I start to feel a little… unwell. Let's just say I spent a good portion of the boat ride contemplating the relationship between the Adriatic Sea and my stomach.
- 10:00 PM: Back at the villa, vowing to eat nothing but plain toast for the rest of the trip.
- 11:00 PM: Can't sleep. Feeling a bit green.
Day 4: Chilling, Relaxation, and A Sad Goodbye
- Morning:
- 10:00 AM: Sleep in! Yay!
- 11:00 AM: Swimming and sunbathing.
- 12:00 PM: I'm still going through the pictures I took…I had to get the perfect shot.
- Afternoon:
- 1:00 PM: Lunch by the pool. This villa is my heaven!
- 2:00 PM: Massage. Pure bliss!
- 3:00 PM: Packing. The hardest part.
- Evening:
- 6:00 PM: Farewell dinner at the villa. Trying not to cry.
- 7:00 PM: Watching the sunset from the terrace. The sky is on fire, and I'm on the verge of tears again.
- 8:00 PM: I said goodbye to the butler.
- 9:00 PM: Contemplating how I will ever go back to reality.
**Day 5:
Escape to Romance: 2BR Bad Ischl Apartment with Balcony!
Dubrovnik's Dream: Palazzo Vimbula - Seriously, Is It *That* Good? Let's Get Real...
Okay, deep breath... Is Palazzo Vimbula actually worth the, you know, *massive* price tag? I've seen the photos…
Alright, let's cut the fluff. Yes. And no. Here’s the thing; it’s *stunning*. The photos don’t lie. When you walk in, you genuinely gasp. My jaw legitimately dropped. Marble floors, chandeliers that could buy a small car, views of the Old Town that make you want to weep (in a good way...mostly). I’d wandered in thinking, "Yeah, yeah, luxury, I've seen it." But the Vimbula? It's different. It's the kind of place where you feel like you’re in an actual, real, fairytale. Until…
…until your credit card gets the bill. Ouch. It's eye-watering. So, is it worth it? That depends on your personal "worth it" barometer. If you're used to flying private jets and consider a Michelin-starred meal a Tuesday thing, then, yeah, probably no questions asked. If you're like me, someone who likes a nice hotel but mostly survives on instant noodles and the goodwill of friends… it’s a MAJOR splurge. I had to justify it to myself. And even now, I'm still mentally tallying the cost of that Aperol Spritz. But…the memories…they're worth a *damn* sight more than the cost of a decent bottle of wine. I'm starting to think I would do it again. Don't tell the bank.
Pool scene: Worth the hype? Is it just a bunch of posing influencers?
The pool… oh, the pool. Look, the pool is epic. Infinity edge, overlooking the sea, the whole shebang. Yes, there are influencers. Yes, there's a certain… *vibe*. But honestly? It's manageable. I walked out, feeling a bit self-conscious in my slightly faded bargain bikini (don't judge!), and found…people. Real people. A couple celebrating an anniversary (they were *swooning*), a family laughing, a guy desperately trying to flag down a waiter (relatable). It's not quite the exclusive, super-slick scene I'd feared. More like a really, really, REALLY nice public pool with better cocktails. And the sunbeds? Comfy as sin. Absolutely worth the hype. Just bring your sunglasses - the sun is *intense*.
Confession time: I spent an entire afternoon reading a trashy novel and drinking something called a "Vimbula Sunset." Pure bliss. I almost didn't get out of the pool the entire time. Almost.
Let's talk service. Is it genuinely five-star, or is it just…pretend five-star?
Okay, this is where it gets a *little* messy. Generally, yes. The staff are lovely, incredibly helpful, and genuinely seem to want to make your stay perfect. But… and this is a big but… it’s not *flawless*. One morning, I ordered breakfast and it took, no exaggeration, 45 minutes to arrive. I was STARVING. I was starting to eye the decorative fruit basket with pure desperation. Eventually, it arrived, wonderfully presented, but… the eggs were cold. COLD EGGS. A cardinal sin, in my book. (Though, I *did* find out later they were out of the chef's personal preferred eggs, which is a story for another time).
There was also a little snafu with my laundry. They lost a favourite t-shirt of mine (grrr!). They apologized profusely, and eventually, miraculously, found it. Then, a lovely gentleman came to my room with dry cleaning and it was the wrong one. But still, they were very attentive. They quickly dealt with it. They *tried*. So, is it perfect? Nah. Is it trying its best? Absolutely. And the genuine warmth and helpfulness of the staff more than makes up for any minor hiccups. (But seriously, cold eggs? Come on, guys!)
The food...is it as good as it looks on Instagram? And, like, are there actually any options that *aren't* fancy?
The food? Glorious. Truly glorious. The chef is a magician. The presentation? Instagram-worthy (even though I totally forgot to take pictures half the time, too busy stuffing my face). The seafood is fresh, the flavors are incredible, and everything is cooked to perfection. I had a pasta dish once that I am still, years later, thinking about. It was like a religious experience. (Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating slightly. But it was REALLY good.)
Now, the "fancy" thing? Yes, it's a lot of fancy. Think delicate sauces, foams, and things you can't pronounce. But… there are *some* options for those of us who aren’t used to eating with tiny forks. The breakfast buffet is amazing, with plenty of choices for all palates. And the restaurant has a more casual menu available during the day, so you can get a burger or a pizza (which, even the burger, I can confirm, are *amazing*.) You won't starve. And if you *do* want fancy… well, you've come to the right place.
Location, location, location! Is it a convenient base for exploring Dubrovnik, or are you stranded in paradise?
The location is *amazing*. It’s a short walk to the Old Town, the heart of Dubrovnik. Which is both brilliant and potentially a bit…challenging. Dubrovnik is STUNNING, but it's also crowded. Imagine trying to navigate the streets of a beautiful maze during peak tourist season. It's manageable, of course. But the sheer number of people is sometimes overwhelming. Don't get me started on trying to take a photo without a thousand strangers in the background.
Getting back to the Palazzo Vimbula, it's like coming home to a safe haven. You're close enough to the action, but far enough away to escape the chaos. They offer a shuttle service. Which is nice. I mostly walked. The walk is pleasant, though a tad uphill on the way back, and the street outside is not the most beautiful. All in all, a great location. But yeah, you will *earn* that Aperol Spritz after a day of sightseeing. Just saying.
Okay, spill. Any major fails? Be brutally honest. Are there any "hidden costs" that catch you off guard?
Alright, here's where I get honest. Or rather, *more* honest. Because the truth is, spending a week in the Vimbula *can be a minefield for your bank account*.
Fail #1, the Spa: I booked a massage, thinking, "Ah, a relaxing treatHuddersfield's Hidden Gem: Luxury Suites You Won't Believe!
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