In the shade of pergolas and behind solid stone walls, the people of old Dubrovnik once spent their summers in the gardens of their summer residences — hidden from view, surrounded by greenery and the scents of the Mediterranean. It is precisely this Renaissance idea of intimacy, harmony and connection with nature that forms the foundation of the new architectural and design story of Hotel Sumratin.
First opened to guests in 1918, Hotel Sumratin has now entered a new chapter following an extensive reconstruction completed in 2025. Today, it presents itself as a contemporary five-star luxury urban hotel, located in Lapad Bay, just a few kilometres from Dubrovnik’s historic Old Town. Its setting naturally brings together the tranquillity of Mediterranean greenery, the proximity of the beach and the lively rhythm of Lapad’s beloved seaside promenade.
Behind the hotel stands a family-led vision, shaped by engineers, architects and researchers of Dubrovnik’s history who were directly involved in the design, construction and operational concept of the property. The result is far more than a place to stay — it is a complete hospitality experience rooted in Dubrovnik’s heritage.
Hotel Sumratin is part of Dubrovnik Sea Sun Hotels, together with Hotel Cavtat and Kalamota Beach House. Since 2011, the group has been developing hotels in exceptional locations across the Dubrovnik region, with each property carrying its own identity and story, while sharing the same philosophy: authentic experiences and a high standard of service.
Dalia Đuratović, Petrica Balija, Ante Stojan (PHOTO: Hrvoje Marušić)
The architectural concept of Hotel Sumratin was developed by Trames d.o.o., a Dubrovnik-based design and engineering studio responsible for the complete architectural solution of the hotel’s exterior and interior. The project was authored by Petrica Balija, Dalia Đuratović and Ante Stojan, whose work reflects a strong understanding of the local context and a refined contemporary architectural language.
Architecture as an Interpretation of the Dubrovnik Renessance Noble Summer House
The renewed Hotel Sumratin radiates quiet elegance and understated luxury, with interiors shaped in natural tones, enriched by local artistic details and opening towards the greenery of Petka or the open sea. Its architecture draws on the essential elements of Dubrovnik’s historic gardens — pergolas, stone and greenery — creating the feeling of a contemporary summer residence where privacy, light and nature are carefully balanced.
Stone, treated using traditional techniques, is the dominant material, while greenery becomes an integral part of the architecture rather than decoration. Inside, natural materials such as stone, wood and traditional plaster are combined with deep green and terracotta tones, recalling Dubrovnik’s shutters, surrounding forests and iconic rooftops.
The rooms are conceived as Mediterranean summer homes, with large glass walls opening towards the sea and nature, while shutters filter the light and create a gentle play of shadows. Hand-painted artworks above the beds reinterpret the ground plan of Dubrovnik’s Old Town, adding a subtle artistic reference to the city’s heritage.
A further narrative layer is introduced through the corridors, where the wallpaper collection Ode to Dubrovnik interprets the cultural and civilisational achievements of the Dubrovnik Republic through motifs such as Philosophia, Musica, Poetica, Misericordia and Libertas. In the double-height reception area, a striking green marble desk, traditional stone details and the symbol of Libertas establish a strong sense of place, complemented by Mjera, a four-part installation by Dubrovnik artist Katarina Alamat Kusijanović inspired by the Latin inscription in the atrium of Sponza Palace. Its message of honesty and balance — “When I measure goods, God measures me” — is translated into a contemporary artistic expression, bringing forward one of the fundamental values of the former Republic: measure as a principle of fairness, responsibility and respect. In Hotel Sumratin, this idea extends beyond history, becoming a quiet guide for the way the hotel approaches its guests, its design and its relationship with the place it belongs to.
A Strong Gastronomic Identity
At the top of the hotel is an impressive rooftop terrace, offering one of the most beautiful rooftop views in Dubrovnik. It provides guests with an ideal space for relaxation and recreation, with sweeping views of the open sea. The outdoor area is complemented by pool facilities: the main pool is designed for swimming and hydromassage, while a smaller pool is set aside as a zone for play and leisure.
Hotel Sumratin offers guests a complete experience that begins with an innovative approach to gastronomy. During the day, the rooftop restaurant and bar Val caters to poolside guests with light dishes, while in the evening it transforms into an intimate fine dining space overlooking one of Dubrovnik’s most memorable sunsets.
The cuisine of Restaurant Sol, located on Lapad Bay’s favourite promenade, is deeply rooted in local tradition, with a particular focus on reinterpreting forgotten recipes and authentic flavours through a contemporary gastronomic expression.
Alongside Sol, Cukar brings a sweeter rhythm to the hotel’s gastronomic story. Designed as a destination for dessert lovers, it offers cakes and ice cream made in-house, with every detail shaped by care, craft and a sense of nostalgia. Cukar is a place where things slow down — where modern flavours meet old roots, and where the interior tells the same story through soft arches and wallpaper patterns inspired by a handwritten recipe book passed down from the owner’s great-great-grandmother.
The hotel’s Wellbeing & Spa Centre has been designed as a modern, multisensory concept dedicated to deep relaxation and regeneration. It includes a halo sauna, salt room, Finnish sauna and experience showers — a ritual of heat, water and the senses — while the green room serves as the final space for calm and integration. A modern fitness area complements the hotel’s holistic approach to health and recreation.
For business guests, Hotel Sumratin also offers two multifunctional halls, Cvjeta and Orsula, suitable for smaller conferences and events of up to 100 participants.
Hotel Sumratin thus emerges as an architectural and design homage to Renaissance Dubrovnik. Through a carefully composed synthesis of stone, light, greenery and historical references, it creates a space that does not imitate the past, but interprets it. At a time when hotel design is often globally uniform, Sumratin offers a clearly rooted identity — and architecture that tells the story of the city to which it belongs.
