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Top 10 Hotels in Dubrovnik for Stunning Views and Beachfront Stays

Top 10 Hotels in Dubrovnik for Stunning Views and Beachfront Stays

From luxurious sea views to boutique stays near the Old Town, discover the best places to stay in this Croatian gem

Dubrovnik, a small yet captivating coastal city, offers a wide variety of accommodation options, whether you seek a five-star retreat with breathtaking views of the Adriatic or a charming boutique hotel nestled within its historic Old Town. Here’s a selection of the best hotels in the city, perfect for those wanting to be close to both its rich history and stunning beaches.

Rixos Premium Dubrovnik
Ideal for families, Rixos Premium Dubrovnik offers spacious rooms with panoramic sea views. Perched on a hillside, this luxurious 1970s hotel makes the most of its location with floor-to-ceiling windows and an expansive outdoor pool. It’s perfect for those seeking both relaxation and an active holiday with its spa, beach access, and diverse dining options.

St Joseph’s
For a serene and intimate stay, St Joseph’s in the heart of the Old Town offers six elegant suites in two 16th-century stone houses. This sophisticated B&B is a peaceful retreat where guests enjoy bespoke breakfasts in the comfort of their rooms, a unique blend of French country style and Croatian charm.

Dubrovnik President Valamar Collection
Located on the Babin Kuk peninsula, this resort is perfect for beach lovers. With nearly 300 rooms, all boasting sea views, the hotel features a range of facilities, including a pebbly beach, two restaurants, an outdoor pool, and a diving centre. It’s a short bus ride to the Old Town, but the surrounding area has more than enough to keep guests entertained.

Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik
A short walk from the Old Town, Hotel Excelsior offers the best of both worlds: easy access to Dubrovnik’s historical centre and peaceful seclusion with stunning views of the old port and city walls. The hotel combines a 1913 stone villa with a modern 1970s addition, featuring three restaurants, a large spa, and a piano bar for ultimate relaxation.

Hotel Kazbek
This boutique 16th-century villa offers a traditional yet luxurious stay, nestled near the beaches of Babin Kuk and Lapad Bay. With its lush garden, outdoor pool, and stone-vaulted restaurant, Hotel Kazbek’s 13 rooms are full of character. Guests can enjoy sea views from the terrace and even rent the hotel’s speedboat to explore nearby islands.

Hotel Kompas Dubrovnik
Situated on Lapad Bay, Hotel Kompas is ideal for those who want to combine luxury with beach access. Most rooms offer sea views, and guests can relax on the large terrace by the outdoor pool or sip cocktails at the rooftop Zenith Bar. The hotel’s proximity to the beach ensures a great mix of sun and sea.

Palace Natali
Offering exceptional views of Dubrovnik from its hillside location, Palace Natali is a Renaissance-inspired villa set within tranquil gardens. The property boasts luxurious rooms with contemporary decor and a prestigious suite with a private sauna. Guests can also enjoy the outdoor pool and exquisite restaurant, making it an ideal choice for a peaceful getaway.

Hotel Dubrovnik Palace
Situated on its own peninsula in Lapad, this expansive hotel is a haven for relaxation and outdoor activities. The property features two outdoor pools, tennis courts, a dive centre, and lush walking trails through a pine forest. Its proximity to rocky and pebbly beaches ensures a laid-back experience with a touch of luxury.

Hotel Bellevue Dubrovnik
Nestled beneath a cliff with views of Miramare Bay, Hotel Bellevue is a stylish retreat offering serene beach access via a lift. The 91 rooms and suites, all with sea views, have a sleek and contemporary design. Guests can indulge in Mediterranean and Croatian cuisine at the on-site Vapor Restaurant, or unwind in the hotel’s light-filled spa.

Bokun Guesthouse
A budget-friendly option located in the Gruž district, Bokun Guesthouse provides a relaxed, family-run atmosphere. Housed in a 400-year-old stone building, it offers spacious apartments and guest rooms with a garden, pool, and large terrace. Though it’s a bit further from the Old Town, guests can easily access it by bus and enjoy the lively neighbourhood’s cafes and restaurants.

Each of these hotels offers something unique, whether it’s a historic Old Town experience, beachside luxury, or an intimate retreat, making Dubrovnik an unforgettable destination for all types of travellers.

Strike Action at Hawaii’s Largest Resort Demands Better Conditions

Strike Action at Hawaii’s Largest Resort Demands Better Conditions

Thousands of workers at Hilton Hawaiian Village protest for fair wages, job security, and reinstated services

Around 2,000 unionised workers initiated a strike at Hawaii’s largest hotel, the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort, at 5 a.m. on Tuesday. The strike, which is expected to be open-ended, seeks to address various issues, including higher wages, improved working conditions, and the restoration of services that were reduced during the pandemic, such as daily room cleaning.

This strike is part of a broader wave of hotel workers’ actions across the United States. Currently, over 4,000 employees at Hilton, Hyatt, and Marriott hotels in Honolulu, San Francisco, and San Diego are on strike. The UNITE HERE union has announced that the workers will continue to strike until new contracts are agreed upon, warning that more actions may follow.

The workers’ protest has disrupted hotel operations, with visitors hearing chants and drum beats from the striking employees. Workers carried signs bearing slogans such as “One Job Should Be Enough,” highlighting the struggles of many Hawaii residents who must hold multiple jobs due to the state’s high living costs. Among their demands is the return of daily room cleaning, which had been cut during the pandemic.

Aileen Bautista, a single mother and housekeeper at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, stated that she holds down three jobs to make ends meet and is prepared to remain on strike until the workers’ demands are met. “I’m ready to stay on strike for as long as it takes,” she said.

The strike comes amid ongoing disputes in the state’s healthcare sector, with over 600 nurses locked out at the Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children following their own strike earlier this month. Hawaii’s Governor, Josh Green, and Attorney General, Anne Lopez, have urged for federal mediation to help resolve the labour issues affecting both healthcare and hospitality workers.

House Democrats Criticise Project 2025 at Hearing, Highlight Abortion Access Issues

House Democrats Criticise Project 2025 at Hearing, Highlight Abortion Access Issues

Democrats call out Project 2025’s potential harm, citing abortion access stories and low public approval

Democrats on Capitol Hill focused their efforts on exposing the highly unpopular conservative policy plan, Project 2025, at a hearing on Tuesday. The hearing, aimed at unveiling the damaging impact of the plan, centred on one key issue: abortion access, especially in states where conservative laws are restricting women’s rights.

The majority of the hearing highlighted the dangerous situations women are facing under these abortion bans. Many women have been forced to wait for their health conditions to worsen before doctors would intervene, afraid of breaking laws that allow abortion care only in life-threatening circumstances. These distressing stories were shared by women like Gracie Ladd, who recounted the traumatic experience of having to travel from Wisconsin to Chicago to seek abortion care for her son, who would have died shortly after birth.

Despite the focus on abortion, the Democrats also aimed to shed light on other troubling aspects of the plan, including proposals to dismantle environmental regulations and undermine the independence of the Justice Department, raising concerns among legal experts.

The Democrats’ strategy appears to be resonating with the public. A recent NBC News poll revealed that Project 2025 holds an exceptionally low approval rating, with over 50% of registered voters expressing disapproval and only 4% viewing it positively.

Rep. Ayanna Pressley warned that Project 2025’s proposals could lead to even more severe restrictions on abortion access, referencing the language in the plan which asserts that the overturning of Roe v. Wade is “just the beginning.” Meanwhile, Donald Trump, whose administration played a pivotal role in overturning Roe, has faced increased scrutiny from his party over the plan’s potential to restrict abortion rights further. Despite his attempts to distance himself from more extreme aspects of Project 2025, the controversy continues to fuel divisions within the Republican Party, as well as between Trump and his political opponents.

NBC’s poll results further highlight a growing gender gap in national politics, with Vice President Kamala Harris leading Trump by more than 20 points among women, a divide that could prove significant in the upcoming election.

Missouri Executes Marcellus Williams Despite Prosecutor and Family’s Pleas for Clemency

Missouri Executes Marcellus Williams Despite Prosecutor and Family’s Pleas for Clemency

The death row inmate’s final moments were marked by a call for justice as new evidence of his innocence was ignored.

Marcellus Williams, a 55-year-old death row inmate in Missouri, was executed despite growing calls for clemency from key figures, including the prosecutor in his case and the victim’s family. Williams had been convicted of the 1998 murder of Lisha Gayle, a former reporter for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, but his execution went ahead on Tuesday despite concerns over new evidence suggesting his innocence.

Williams’s final words were “All praise be to Allah in every situation!!!” He was attended by his Imam, Jalahii Kacem, and his son, Marcellus Williams Jr., as officials administered the lethal injection at 6:10 pm CT. Williams’s last meal included chicken wings and tater tots. His execution was part of a grim series of five executions across the US in one week, with Missouri marking its third execution of the year.

The case attracted widespread attention, with more than a million petitions sent to Governor Mike Parson requesting a stay of execution, and high-profile individuals such as British entrepreneur Richard Branson and Missouri Representative Cori Bush joining the call for mercy. Despite this, Governor Parson and the state Supreme Court declined to intervene.

Williams’s legal team had filed last-minute appeals to the US Supreme Court, arguing that new DNA evidence, which did not match Williams, indicated the possibility of his innocence. However, these appeals were denied, and the court upheld the conviction, dismissing any grounds for a hearing on the new evidence.

In 2017, Missouri Governor Eric Greiten had issued a stay of execution for Williams, pending further investigation. However, Governor Parson later lifted the stay and dissolved a board of inquiry that had been established to review the case. In their campaign, Williams’s attorneys pointed to inconsistencies in the evidence and a growing sense that Williams may have been wrongfully convicted.

During his trial, prosecutors presented Williams as the perpetrator of a violent crime, claiming he broke into Gayle’s home, stole her possessions, and murdered her in a brutal attack. However, even the prosecution office had recently moved to vacate the conviction, citing new concerns over Williams’s potential innocence.

Williams’s family, including his son, expressed the profound emotional toll of his execution, describing the lasting impact it would have on their lives. In an emotional interview, Williams Jr. vowed to stand by his father in his final moments, emphasising his commitment to support him despite the injustice he believed was unfolding.

The execution has sparked renewed debate on the death penalty in the US, with organisations like The Independent and the Responsible Business Initiative for Justice (RBIJ) calling for an end to capital punishment, highlighting cases like Williams’s as emblematic of the system’s failures.

Mastercard Enhances AI Technology to Help Banks Detect Scams in Real Time

Mastercard Enhances AI Technology to Help Banks Detect Scams in Real Time

The extended service now assists receiving banks in identifying ‘money mule’ accounts involved in fraudulent transactions.

Mastercard has broadened the scope of its AI-driven fraud detection system, now assisting receiving banks in identifying and halting fraudulent transactions as they happen. The initiative, which launched in early 2023, has already helped UK banks prevent unauthorised payments from leaving victims’ accounts by analysing various data points in real time to assess the risk of a transaction.

Known as authorised push payment (APP) fraud, these scams occur when individuals are tricked into transferring money to fraudsters, believing they are making legitimate payments. The scammers often use deceptive tactics such as fake websites, emails, or phone calls to create a false sense of security for the victims.

The new extension of the service includes monitoring payments that are received by banks, aiming to identify when the funds may be directed towards “money mule” accounts. These accounts are used by criminals to move the stolen money and often involve individuals who unknowingly or knowingly allow their accounts to be used in exchange for a cut of the cash.

Initial trials of this expanded “inbound risk” feature have shown positive results, with Mastercard reporting that it has helped banks detect high-risk mule accounts much earlier in the payment process.

Johan Gerber, Executive Vice-President for Security Solutions at Mastercard, emphasised that these additional safeguards offer banks “extra lines of defence,” helping them to prevent scams before they escalate.

In addition to this real-time fraud detection system, Mastercard highlighted the importance of reimbursement protocols for scam victims. A voluntary reimbursement code has been in place, allowing banks to refund customers tricked into making payments to fraudsters. However, from October 7, a mandatory reimbursement code will be enforced by the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR), ensuring that victims of bank transfer scams are compensated unless gross negligence is involved.

Michael Palin Opens Up About His Departure from BBC to Channel 5

Michael Palin Opens Up About His Departure from BBC to Channel 5

The veteran presenter shares his frustrations with the BBC’s changing approach to his travel documentaries.

Sir Michael Palin has discussed his decision to leave the BBC after decades of producing successful travel documentaries. The 81-year-old, famed for his series such as Around the World in 80 Days and Brazil With Michael Palin, explained that a growing desire from the BBC to “control” the content led him to move to Channel 5 in 2012.

Palin, who has worked on some of the most iconic documentaries of the past few decades, revealed that the BBC’s shift in presentation style frustrated him. He felt that the broadcaster’s new approach, which often involved revealing key moments at the start of episodes to hook viewers, didn’t align with his vision for the shows. “The BBC wanted to control it a little more,” he explained. “I would have been desperately frustrated with their new direction.”

This wasn’t the first time Palin expressed dissatisfaction with the BBC. In 2009, he criticised the network’s handling of his New Europe documentary, which was censored by the BBC Trust for oversimplifying the complex history of the Balkan wars.

Since leaving the BBC, Palin has found greater creative freedom at Channel 5, where his recent documentaries focusing on countries such as North Korea and Iraq have garnered praise. He added that he would have found it “desperately frustrating” had he remained at the BBC under its new management approach.

Aside from his television career, Sir Michael confirmed that he is already planning a new travel series. He also shared that he was asked to join Strictly Come Dancing but turned down the opportunity, stating that being a celebrity for the sake of it has never been his ambition. “I’m a bit of a loner,” he said, explaining his discomfort with celebrity culture.

He also opened up about his personal life, revealing that while he doesn’t have regrets, he wishes he had spent more time with his wife, Helen, who passed away last year after a long illness. Palin noted that the last years of his career, particularly the travels to places like North Korea, were challenging, as his wife’s health had deteriorated.

Palin is also committed to honouring his late Monty Python colleague Terry Jones, who died in 2020. Earlier this year, Palin helped launch a fundraising campaign to build a statue of Jones, celebrating his contribution to comedy.

For more on Michael Palin’s reflections on his career and personal life, check out the full interview in Radio Times.

Documentary Director Speaks Out on Bringing Nicola Bulley’s Partner Back Into Public Spotlight

Documentary Director Speaks Out on Bringing Nicola Bulley’s Partner Back Into Public Spotlight

Director Rachel Lob-levyt discusses the emotional toll of the new documentary, “The Search For Nicola Bulley,” and its focus on the case.

The director behind the BBC documentary The Search For Nicola Bulley has shared that it was “nerve-racking” to place the spotlight back on Paul Ansell, Nicola Bulley’s partner, after his life had been heavily scrutinised during the investigation into her disappearance.

The documentary, which explores the impact of the case and the media frenzy surrounding it, delves into the consequences of “amateur internet sleuths” who took matters into their own hands, spreading rumours and misinformation about the case. Nicola Bulley, a mother-of-two from Lancashire, disappeared on January 27, 2023, while walking her dog in St Michael’s on Wyre, shortly after dropping her daughters at school.

In the documentary, the family of Ms Bulley—including her partner Paul Ansell, sister Louise Cunningham, and parents Ernest and Dorothy Bulley—share their personal experiences and the emotional toll the intense media coverage had on them. Director Rachel Lob-levyt, known for her work on Louis Theroux Interviews and Hospital, explained that the family “tell their story in their own words, unfiltered,” and discussed the challenges of presenting the raw truth.

Lob-levyt revealed how difficult it was for Paul Ansell to return to the public eye, given the level of scrutiny he had already faced during the investigation. However, he ultimately felt it was necessary to participate in the documentary. She said, “The social media sleuths felt entitled to say whatever they wanted… Opinion takes on similar weight to verified information now, and everything is accelerated.”

At the time of her disappearance, Nicola Bulley’s case attracted intense online speculation, with users on platforms like TikTok spreading false claims about third-party involvement, and offering unverified theories. Police were overwhelmed with false information and rumours about the case, including a red van, a derelict house, and a fisherman near the scene, all of which were later dismissed by investigators.

In response to the documentary, Nicola Bulley’s family expressed that taking part in the project wasn’t an easy decision. They shared in a statement, “Our sole aim is to provide the definitive record on Nikki to ensure she has the legacy that she deserves,” and added that they wanted to highlight who she truly was as a mother, daughter, partner, and sister, beyond the headlines.

An independent review of the investigation into Ms Bulley’s disappearance, conducted by the College of Policing, highlighted issues with the media’s involvement in the case, criticising the release of personal details about Nicola’s health as “avoidable and unnecessary” and noting a fractured relationship between the police and the media.

Nicola Bulley’s body was found in the River Wyre on February 19, 2023, roughly a mile from where she had gone missing. The documentary The Search For Nicola Bulley is scheduled to air on BBC One on October 3, providing an in-depth look at the emotional impact of the case and the role of media in shaping public perceptions.

Rowers Compete in the Great River Race Along the Thames

Rowers Compete in the Great River Race Along the Thames

Thousands take to the Thames in London’s annual rowing challenge, with many raising funds for charity.

Rowers Compete in the Great River Race Along the Thames
Thousands take to the Thames in London’s annual rowing challenge, with many raising funds for charity.
Category: Sports

The annual Great River Race took place on Saturday, with thousands of rowers powering their way along the Thames in what organisers call London’s River Marathon. The race, which stretches 21.6 miles from Millwall in the southeast of London to Richmond in the southwest, saw up to 300 boats compete, including a diverse mix of crews in various vessels—many of which were dressed in fancy costumes.

Spectators lined the banks and bridges of the river, cheering on the participants as they navigated the challenging course. Among those taking part were young sea scouts, veterans, and an all-female crew from Beaumaris RNLI station in Anglesey, Wales. The Beaumaris team, raising money for the RNLI’s 200th anniversary, called the race a “no small feat.” They described the physical and mental challenges of rowing for three hours in a bid to raise awareness and funds for the RNLI, whose search and rescue operations save lives across the UK and Ireland.

The race is limited to “fixed seat” boats, and participants included everything from traditional Thames Watermen’s Cutters to other unique crafts. Crews are required to carry a passenger, a coxswain, and a flag measuring 3ft by 2ft, with a handicapping system in place to ensure fair competition.

More than 2,500 competitors, ranging from seasoned athletes to newcomers, competed for 37 trophies. The event is open to adult, junior, and disabled rowers, with junior crews needing an adult onboard to serve as a cox or passenger. The Great River Race Trust, alongside the Thames Festival Trust, manages the event, which began in 1988 with just 61 boats.

This annual race is not only a test of rowing skills but also a celebration of community and charity, with many participants using the opportunity to fundraise for important causes.

Paratroopers Commemorate 80 Years Since the Battle of Arnhem

Paratroopers Commemorate 80 Years Since the Battle of Arnhem

Soldiers from eight NATO countries reenact airborne drop in tribute to the historic military operation.

This Saturday, in a remarkable display of military heritage, paratroopers from eight NATO countries, including the UK, USA, Portugal, and Spain, parachuted into Ginkel Heath, a nature reserve near Ede in the Netherlands. This jump marked the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Arnhem, part of the ambitious Operation Market Garden during World War II.

Around 700 paratroopers participated in the drop, including the British Army’s renowned Red Devils, a freefall parachute display team. The event serves as a tribute to the Allied airborne troops who landed in Nazi-occupied Netherlands in September 1944, in a bid to create a route for Allied forces into northern Germany.

During the battle, 1,900 paratroopers from the UK’s 4th Parachute Brigade joined forces with land troops to secure key bridges, but the operation faced significant setbacks. The drop zones were located about nine miles from the vital Arnhem bridge, giving the German forces time to fortify their defences and build blockades. While cities like Eindhoven and Nijmegen were captured, the mission’s primary objective—to seize the bridge at Arnhem—failed. The ensuing battle led to nine days of intense street fighting, with the order to withdraw issued on September 25. Over 8,000 British soldiers were either killed, missing, or captured.

Defence Secretary John Healey paid tribute to the veterans, stating: “Today we honour the veterans of Arnhem, and we honour those who fought and died to help liberate our allies. Eighty years on, we remember the huge price paid for our freedom and commit to defending peace and security today.”

A memorial service at the Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery will be held on Sunday, with Princess Royal in attendance, representing the King, alongside WWII veterans and senior UK defence officials.

Celebrity Predictions: Janet Jackson Foresees Chaos in the Upcoming US Election

Celebrity Predictions: Janet Jackson Foresees Chaos in the Upcoming US Election

Pop star expresses concern over the outcome of the 2024 presidential race.

Janet Jackson has raised concerns about the potential aftermath of the 2024 US presidential election, predicting turmoil regardless of who wins. With the election scheduled for November 5, the race is set between former President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris.

In an interview with The Guardian, Jackson, 58, shared her doubts about the election outcome. When asked whether the US is ready for a female president, should Harris win, she expressed uncertainty. “I honestly don’t want to answer that because I really don’t know,” she said. “I think either way it goes, it will lead to mayhem.”

Regarding the peaceful transition of power, Jackson was equally sceptical. “I think there might be mayhem. Either way it goes, but we’ll have to see,” she added.

Jackson’s comments come amid a wave of celebrity endorsements and calls for voter participation. Artists like Stevie Nicks and Jamie Lee Curtis have been vocal in encouraging people to vote. Others, such as Taylor Swift and Charli XCX, have publicly endorsed Harris.

At a recent iHeart Radio Music Festival, Hayley Williams of Paramore also spoke out, condemning conservative agendas that target minority groups, and urging Americans to confront Trump’s policies at the polls.

In 2016, Trump’s “nasty woman” remark aimed at Hillary Clinton inadvertently boosted Jackson’s 1986 hit “Nasty.”