Pucić Palace, Dubrovnik, Croatia

The only 5-star hotel in the heart of Old Town Dubrovnik is the Pucić Palace (Ulica OD Puća 1, 20000 Dubrovnik, CROATIA; phone +385 20 326 222, fax 223, www.thepucic palace.com).

Situated on Gundulić Square in the heart of the city center, the hotel is within walking distance of many outstanding restaurants, shops and ancient points of interest.

The Palace combines modern facilities in a splendid old-world atmosphere. Its 17 rooms and two suites are replete with 18th-century Baroque architecture and decorated with rich trappings that include oil paintings, handwoven rugs, copper tubs and Romanesque Italian mosaic showers.

The hotel’s three restaurants serve local and Mediterranean-style food, and there is a wine bar.

When my husband, Bernard, and I stayed there in February ’09, the room rate was €190 ($250) per night, which included a choice of Continental or full breakfast. The fresh-baked goods in the morning included melt-in-your-mouth chocolate and fruit croissants. The breakfast was such a magnificent start to the day, we didn’t need lunch, which left us with more time to explore this pearl of an ancient city.

Our five nights at the Pucić Palace were some of the most romantic and relaxing we’ve experienced anywhere in the world.

— A.J. GOODHEAD, La Jolla, CA