If you’re seeking a city break with the kids then look no further than Sun Gardens. Or indeed if you’re after a destination with both sightseeing and sunbathing then we couldn’t recommend this hotel enough.
After all, not only does it have three swimming pools, open seasonally subject to weather and its own beach. But there’s also accommodation options aplenty ranging from romantic suites to large residences; a kids club, games room, playground and indoor play space; numerous restaurants and bars; and an award-winning spa. What’s more, this dreamy setting is just 11km from the region’s biggest draw: Dubrovnik Old Town.
With everything on site it’s a popular choice with families, but also for a short-haul (under three hours flight) holiday which ticks multiple boxes.
Start the day with breakfast on the terrace with sea views to fuel up for watersports from the marina during the summertime. Pop into the hotel’s travel agency to book a boat trip to the Elaphite islands then while away the afternoon in the hydrotherapy pool at the spa. Have a drink in the Executive Club Lounge before heading downstairs for al fresco dinner at Cilantro. It’s all in a day’s stay at Croatia’s prestigious Sun Gardens resort.
Gallery
Stay
There are 201 rooms and suites, and a further 207 luxury residences.
The rooms and suites are split across categories including standard, deluxe and executive. For lots of added extras there are Club rooms and suites; giving access to the exclusive Club Lounge on the sixth floor with its included refreshments and afternoon tea.
Families and groups travelling together can opt for the residences, which have a living room, balcony or terrace and a fully-equipped kitchen. A Residences Club Package can be added for handy extras, including delivery from the resort’s grocery store.
The resort also boasts one five-bedroom villa with its own private swimming pool.
Eat
There’s great choice at the resort for when you want to dine on site rather than exploring the city’s best eateries.
Kids love the pizzas at La Pasta; cocktails with a view are on the menu at Beach Bar Pebbles; enjoy a coffee next to the kids pool at Sunset Bar; start the day right on the terraces at either Rooftop or Market; gorge on the breakfast buffet at Origano; sample sizzling steak at the Butcher’s Grill; order a light lunch and ice cream at Sunset Grill; look out to the islands with a glass of Croatian wine at Maraska Lounge Bar; or taste the region’s finest seafood at a sunset table at Cilantro.
Bars and restaurants are open seasonally. Opening dates and times are subject to change.
Explore
The resort is in Orašac, a small village just 11km from the centre of Dubrovnik and its famous UNESCO World Heritage Site-listed Old City.
Sun Gardens is just 35km from the nearest international airport – making it a popular choice for a weekend city break in Dubrovnik. It will take you around 2 ½ hours on a direct flight from UK airports to get to Croatia. Or if you’re doing a ‘twin-centre’ holiday there are ferry connections nearby from Split.
While the resort is great to just fly and flop, it would be a shame to be in this great city and not take the time to explore. A journey on Dubrovnik’s cable car offers the perfect vantage point and walking the ‘Game of Thrones’ walls of the Old City is a must.
Why here?
Take a dip – Sun Gardens boasts three freshwater swimming pools, with a dedicated kids’ pool and one just for adults, open seasonally subject to weather conditions. The natural pebble beach has a VIP area in the summer and watersports are available at the Marina.
Chill out – the award-winning spa is the jewel in the resort’s crown. Therapists offer a menu of treatments; there’s a hydrotherapy pool; 18m lagoon pool; gym; and relaxation zone.
Work up a sweat – Sun Gardens has an excellent sports centre where guests can choose from indoor and outdoor fitness including: five-a-side football, tennis, squash, climbing and group classes. There’s also a sports bar showing major events on a big screen.
Little VIPs – childcare facilities include the Marco Polo Kids Club, which consists of the Baby Club (twelve months to three years), Mini Club (three to six years), Junior Club (seven to ten years) and the Tween Club (ten to 15 years). There’s a gaming room for teens and the kids club features an indoor playing space, playground, children’s lunch offer and evening programmes. Children's sports academies are available for children from 7 to 15 years old, during summer time including squash, tennis, watersports, swimming and football academy.
Holiday shop – shops include fashion, beauty and gift boutiques, as well as a grocery store with a wide range of products, including gluten-free foods, fresh fruit and vegetables, dairy products and snacks.
Sun Gardens Dubrovnik retains the right to change, amend, suspend and modify the opening times and dates without prior notice.
Our take
A fun fact about Dubrovnik: its city walls have never been breached in its long history (those attacking it obviously didn’t have a dragon in their armoury).
There’s a soccer academy at Sun Gardens which is great for footie-mad kids. It’s run by UEFA licensed coaches and ex-Premier League players. Think Emile Heskey, Wes Brown, Andy Cole and Stiliyan Petrov.
