Discover Timeless Elegance at Palace Natali: A Stay Steeped in History and Luxury by Mark Thomas

We hosted a guest blogger, our dear “Englishman in Dubrovnik”, Mr. Mark Thomas. 

You can read the original article right here. 

From the very first moment I set eyes on Palace Natali I knew I had discovered something very special indeed. You remember that iconic Renée Zellweger line “You had me at hello,” well that was exactly the feeling I had. What caught my eye first? Was it the absolutely glorious 16th century stone villa that has been painstakingly restored to its former glory? The quite remarkable gardens that have the Renaissance feel and are manicured to perfection? Or the wide-open views over the Adriatic? Probably all of the above.

Every story needs a beginning

So let me tell you my story of staying overnight in Palace Natali.

“Welcome to Palace Natali,” said the receptionist with a broad smile. It’s almost hard to describe as a reception, it feels more like someone greeting you into their home. Whilst she ran through the check-in detail a chilled glass of water arrived in front of me. “All you need is to scan this code and everything will be clear,” she smiled. This was the realisation that although I was in the ambience of a historic building it also had all (and more) of the modern advantages. So this app is basically your key to everything. If you are lounging by the pool or relaxing in the shade of an olive tree and have a hankering for a bubbly glass of chilled Mimosa you simply use the app. And yes (of course) I tried it, and yes it works like a dream.

Onto the room. I was situated in the main villa, so a short scale of the polished stone steps. And whilst I am here, I feel I need to mention this impressive building. So back in the days of the Republic of Dubrovnik there were around 300 summer residences dotted around the outskirts of the historic Old City. They were basically, and I am shortening the history considerably, built by noble families as a summer bolt hole. Hence Palace Natali, as this one was built by the Natali family. Now from the hundreds that were originally constructed only a handful have been restored. From chatting with the staff it soon became clear that years and years of hard work, effort and passion had gone into bringing a new purpose to this once proud villa. I’m sure that if the stones could talk they would be saying “thank you.”

Live like a local, feel like a local

“No need for a key or key card, you simply use this code,” explained the receptionist as she showed me into my room. I was staying in what was described as a – Prestige Room with Private Sauna – although that probably doesn’t give the room the justice it deserves. High ceilings, traditional Dubrovnik windows, enormous bed and drop-dead gorgeous views. It had that “Dubrovnik experience” feel to it, which is hugely important. Why would you travel if not to get a local experience? And this accommodation had it in bundles, sorry elegant and luxury bundles. It almost gives you an insight into what the noble families who stayed here all those centuries ago would have enjoyed. “Where is the bathroom?” I asked myself.

Another door and BOOM! It’s almost hard to describe it as a bathroom, it was more like a mini spa centre. Larger than many hotel rooms I have stayed in and it did indeed have a sauna. Top-end products on the gleaming countertops, separate bath and shower, designed with style and thought. Did I have a sauna? Well, it was almost 40 degrees outside so probably I didn’t need one, but “when in Rome,” and I lasted a couple of minutes. There was one huge downside to the room – the fact that I was only staying for one night.

The story has a curious twist

There are various types of rooms and suites all situated in three separate buildings. And so let’s look more at the other amenities. The ones that you’d expect, a swimming pool, gym, hydro massage tub and sauna, free parking, games room, etc. There are however some special treats, and the one that really jumped out at me is the intriguingly named “Cabinet of Curiosities.” It sounds like a room that you’d find in a Harry Potter movie.

In reality it is an homage to both its location and its history. “Discover various interesting facts from Dubrovnik’s rich history in our cabinet of curiosities. Or simply retreat to the corner by the window and enjoy the positive energy that the space exudes,” writes the hotel’s website. A statement I would agree with but also add that I have never seen such a space in a Dubrovnik hotel before.