




In short: Tripplo’s analysis covers a sample of 71 guest reviews of Royal Ariston Hotel. Guests in the sample highlight Location, The rooms and Food & restaurants. The most common complaints: Some staff come across as cold, unsmiling or impolite. Some guests got a car park or street view instead of the sea.
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Set within the Royal Resort, Royal Ariston Hotel offers a private beach and a seaside swimming pool with panoramic views. Guided excursions to Elaphiti Islands are available. Free WiFi access is available in all rooms and all public areas.
Air conditioning and satellite TV are available in every room. All have tea and coffee making facilities and most have a large balcony with sea views.
Cocktails and snacks are served at the outdoor Beach & Lounge Bar, with wicker chairs and parasols. Breakfast can also be served here.
The buffet-style Neptun Terrace Restaurant includes a terrace with a view of the Adriatic Sea and the pool terrace. Mediterranean dishes are served at the à-la-carte Zoë restaurant.
The Royal Ariston is located in the Babin Kuk part of the Lapad Peninsula, only 25 km from Dubrovnik Airport. Dubrovnik's Old Town is 4.5 km away.
The bus to Dubrovnik's centre stops every 15 minutes just a few metres down the road. The bus ride takes only 20 minutes.
Tripplo’s hotel summary
Tripplo’s analysis · Updated 21 October 2026 · How we review hotels
Royal Ariston Hotel is best for beach lovers who want a resort feel with island excursions. Guests enjoy direct access to a private beach, a panoramic seaside swimming pool, and organised excursions to the Elaphiti Islands, alongside access to shared resort facilities. On the downside, the hotel is located outside the historic Old Town, and the shared resort spaces can feel quite busy during peak times.
Guests score it 9.1 out of 10 — the average across the 11 hotels we list in Dubrovnik is 9.3.
- The hotel features a concrete-paved private beach area directly on the Adriatic, equipped with loungers and umbrellas. Guests can transition easily from their rooms to swimming in the clear coastal waters.
- Positioned on the cliffside, the outdoor saltwater pool overlooks the sea and nearby reefs. It provides an ideal vantage point for sunset viewing without leaving the hotel grounds.
- Situated on the Lapad Peninsula, the hotel is about a fifteen-minute drive from Dubrovnik's historic center. Regular local bus services and taxis make commuting into town relatively straightforward.
- Because some pools and restaurants are shared with sister properties in the Royal Resort complex, certain areas can feel bustling during peak summer months. Booking spa treatments and dinner reservations in advance is recommended.
Free PDF: what guests really say about Royal Ariston Hotel
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- Pros and cons in every category guests mention
- The complaints that come up again and again
- Room guide and price analysis
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Should you book it?
Book it if you want
- Couples who want a sea-view balcony above the Adriatic among Lapad's pine trees
- Families who want a sea-view suite for four and the Royal resort's outdoor pools
- Sightseers who want a quiet Lapad base with a frequent bus into the Old Town
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Prices at Royal Ariston Hotel
When we last checked (23 October 2026), a 2-night stay for two adults cost from €280 in total (€140 per night).
Prices sampled daily by Tripplo for a two-adult stay about a month ahead, in EUR. Your dates may differ — use the price check to see live availability.
Typical price per night: €140. Lowest €100 (check-in 10 Nov), highest €282 (check-in 20 Oct).
Stays starting on a Friday or Saturday cost about 9% more per night than stays starting Sunday to Thursday.
Price per night for check-ins from 30 Sept to 22 Nov, measured daily by Tripplo for 2 nights and two adults, one month ahead.
Photos from previous guests
Photos provided by GoogleWhat guests say
Reviews from Google“My stay at the Royal Hotel Ariston was truly exceptional. This is a beautiful five-star luxury hotel with stunning accommodations, incredible views, and landscaping that makes the entire property feel like a little piece of paradise. My seaside view was spectacular, overlooking the cliffs and hills, with beautiful scenery in every direction. Watching the activity on the sea — the boats, sailboats, and Sea-Doos — made the setting even more special. The food was amazing, and the complimentary breakfast was absolutely out of this world. There was such a wonderful selection, and everything was delicious. The staff were exceptional — friendly, attentive, and incredibly helpful and accommodating. Nothing seemed to be too much trouble. The bedding was luxurious and so comfortable that I slept like a charm! I also had the opportunity to meet the owner, which made my experience even more memorable. It was obvious how passionate he is about this resort and how hands-on he is with both the property and his employees. You could see the genuine respect and admiration his employees have for him, which says so much about the kind of place he has created. The Royal Hotel Ariston is truly beautiful, and it is clear that there is tremendous pride and passion behind it. I would absolutely recommend this hotel and would love to return”
“I absolutely loved our room, the breakfasts were good, but I wish there was a bigger variety of desserts! The rooms are clean, well-maintained, and beautiful. You have a spa and access to all the pools, and there are quite a few of them. I didn't like the fact that even this hotel doesn't provide drinking water every day.🥲 We stayed for about a week and had no problems. The location is really good, with beautiful views and beautiful sunsets.”
“Our family has stayed at different hotels within the Royal Resort. Every visit has been an Amazing One! For our latest stay a couple of weeks ago, we had a wonderful experience from start to finish. The staff were great—warm, welcoming, and attentive throughout our stay. The atmosphere was very family friendly, making it easy for everyone to relax and enjoy themselves. The food was delicious, the views were beautiful, and the excursions were excellent and well organized. What stood out most was the attention to detail, which made the entire experience feel thoughtful and memorable. Highly recommended.”
“An excellent hotel with very friendly staff! A wide selection of restaurants serving good food across all four hotels. The rooms are spacious and clean, offering beautiful sea view. The Rocks and Blue Sky lounge bars also have lovely sea view and great cocktails. You can use the spa and facilities at any of the four hotels, regardless of which one you are staying in. A truly perfect holiday!”
“Stayed at this hotel just before the main season started, the weather was already beautiful. We had a spacious, well-designed sea-view room that was absolutely lovely. The view was really spectacular. The staff were friendly and helpful throughout the hotel, and all facilities met our expectations. The interior felt a little too minimal in places, with many plain white walls—I could have imagined a bit more artwork and decoration to create a warmer atmosphere. The dinner could be improved a little, although it was still in line with the hotel’s standard. Breakfast, however, was excellent with a great selection. Overall, we had a very pleasant stay and would definitely recommend this hotel.”
What guests actually say
Tripplo’s analysis uses a sample of 71 guest reviews. Texts may be shortened. Mentions are counted after automated classification and describe the sample, rather than every guest’s experience.
The sample follows how Booking.com and Google sort reviews, which puts satisfied guests first, so criticism is under-represented. Read the drawbacks below and the latest reviews on Booking.com before you book.
Food & restaurants
- +An excellent breakfast with plenty of fresh choice and eggs cooked to order
- +Gluten- and lactose-free options at breakfast
- +Plenty of restaurants and bars on site, some with lovely sunset views
- –Dinners, especially the buffets, are often found mediocre
- –The shared breakfast room is busy and noisy, with queues at times
- –Food and drink are expensive for the quality
”A wonderful breakfast with an egg chef cooking to order, complimentary sparkling wine and a big choice of gluten- and lactose-free options.” — guest, translated
Service & staff
- +Friendly, helpful staff, from reception to the breakfast egg station
- +Upgrades and small gestures, such as a welcome drink while the room is prepared
- +Excellent service in some of the restaurants
- –Some staff come across as cold, unsmiling or impolite
- –Mix-ups at reception, such as guests moved to another hotel in the group or given the wrong room
- –Requests such as a sea-view room are hard to secure
”Check-in was quick and very friendly, and we got a complimentary drink at the pool bar while the room was being prepared.” — guest, translated
Pools, beach & aquapark
- +Several pools, including an infinity pool filled with sea water
- +Direct access to the sea for a swim off the rocks
- +Plenty of sun loungers set out by helpful staff, and a lovely spa
- –The pools and waterfront get crowded at busy times, with loungers reserved early
- –The spa can be small and cold
- –Getting into the sea from the rocks is awkward for some
”An amazing beachfront property with great access to the water and plenty of beautiful viewpoints, including an infinity pool.” — guest, translated
The rooms
- +Spacious, comfortable rooms with very good beds
- +Spectacular sea views from the rooms and balconies
- +Large bathrooms with big showers and quality toiletries
- –Some guests got a car park or street view instead of the sea
- –Some rooms feel dated, with worn or damaged beds
- –Rooms can get too hot at night
”A big, spacious room with a sea view, right on the water, and a huge balcony.” — guest, translated
Condition & cleanliness
- +Clean rooms and grounds
- +Housekeeping keeps the rooms spotless
- –Parts of the hotel feel worn, with stained carpets, damaged walls or tired furniture
- –The gym needs updating, and some equipment is broken
- –Hygiene falls short for some, such as dirty chairs or corridors
”The rooms were very good and kept beautifully clean by housekeeping.” — guest, translated
Location
- +A beautiful waterfront setting with views over the Adriatic
- +At the start of the Lapad promenade, with restaurants and bars along the shore
- +A quiet spot that is still within easy reach of the Old Town
- –A little far from the Old Town and the shops, so you need a bus or taxi
”We really enjoyed the beautiful location, with wonderful views over the Adriatic Sea.” — guest, translated
Noise levels
- +Peaceful and quiet despite the size of the complex
- –Live music in the restaurants every evening can be tiring
- –The shared dining room is noisy
- –Poor soundproofing from the corridors and neighbouring rooms
”The rooms are well equipped, but the insulation is lacking: you hear noise from the corridor and the neighbouring rooms.” — guest, translated
Value for money
- +Some find the rooms reasonably priced
- –Many feel it is overpriced for the food, service and standard
- –Water, drinks and parking all cost extra
”No bottled water during the stay despite the heat, so you had to pay at the minibar, and parking is charged too.” — guest, translated
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Frequently asked questions
How far is Royal Ariston Hotel from Dubrovnik Airport (DBV)?
Royal Ariston Hotel is approximately 20 km from Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) in a straight line, calculated from map coordinates. This is not a road distance or transfer time; check the route and transport options before booking.
How do guests rate Royal Ariston Hotel?
Royal Ariston Hotel is rated 4.4 out of 5 on Google, based on 756 reviews. On Booking.com it scores 9.1/10 from 1,921 guest reviews.
How many stars does Royal Ariston Hotel have?
Royal Ariston Hotel is a 5-star hotel.
What amenities does Royal Ariston Hotel offer?
Royal Ariston Hotel offers free Wifi, outdoor swimming pool, private beach area, spa and wellness center, parking garage and beachfront.
Weather & sea temperature — Dubrovnik
Right now: 16° air · 21° sea
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