Arriving to the postcard city of Dubrovnik a few weeks ago, I saw a calm, tranquil community that was still enjoying a rest before the tourist crowds start arriving for another season of urban archaeological explorations and food/wine recreation, all served with old-world hospitality of a most gracious flavor. The hospitality of the Croatian people is exceptional, even by European standards. People here try hard to please you and often apologize unnecessarily for small things they fear have not met your expectations – small things that hadn’t even met your attention because you were too distracted by the natural and architectural beauties. Croatians are a gracious people who have not yet grown jaded through their service of tourists who come from all over Europe and the rest of the globe to see why Croatia is a loved destination.
Dubrovnik is the most popular tourist destination in Croatia and one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. More than a thousand years of history have made Dubrovnik a European cultural center. History is present everywhere in this town, which is both a museum and a lively stage displaying a mixture of cultural heritage and contemporary life. Every building and every monument has its unique value and it is all encased by a monumental wall of stone that frames the old town area like an ornate jewelry box. Known as ‘the pearl of the Adriatic’, Dubrovnik was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979. Adding to its appeal is the mild Mediterranean climate with an average of 2600 annual sun-hours.Croatian hospitality was on display everywhere we went in Dubrovnik, but how was it in the place that we chose to lay our heads for a night’s sleep? To judge Croatian hospitality in both its personal and corporate forms, we chose a Croatian hotel brand, Valamar. Operating 39 properties on the Adriatic coast, it is the largest Croatian hospitality management company. And Croatia’s growing tourism is enabling the growth and market elevation of Valamar and its properties.
Ivan Karlic, Director of Operations at Valamar, told us that the company is currently upgrading one of its four-star hotels in Dubrovnik to a five-star property. We met Karlic during our stay at the four-star Valamar Lacroma Dubrovnik Hotel, which is located on a tranquil peninsula surrounded by pine tree forests and white pebble beaches. A short drive from the center of Dubrovnik, the hotel’s natural setting was a pleasant surprise and we enjoyed the panoramic views of the Adriatic Sea and the Elaphiti Islands from our luxurious room. It was a bit early in the season to enjoy the hotel’s wine bar terrace, but we did enjoy some uniquely Croatian cuisine in the gourmet restaurant and some calorie-burning laps around the huge indoor pool. 
Beyond facilities and food, though, it is always the people and their service that we value most. No surprise to us that the Valamar staff delivered more than the expected level of service – Croatia has a culture of service that is attentive, thoughtful and generous. Whether at Valamar or at a local restaurant, people offer a unique hospitality defined by sincerity, warmth and modesty. We can’t remember the last place we visited where we said ‘thank you’ so often. You will thank yourself for making a trip to experience Croatia and its people.