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4- and 5-star hotels in Ston
A shortlist of the 4- and 5-star hotels returned for Ston, all of them high-scoring on guest reviews. It is for travellers who want the walls, the salt pans and the oysters at the centre of a few quiet days.
Staying in Ston
Ston is a small town on the Pelješac isthmus, known for its medieval walls, salt pans worked since Roman times, and oysters from Mali Ston bay. The 14th-century walls run 5.5km over the hills between Ston and Mali Ston, and the town goes quiet by 9pm: a few terraces stay lit until 11pm, the floodlit walls close for the night, and there is no bar scene or late supermarket. Mali Ston, 4km east, is smaller still, one harbour road and oyster kitchens that close by 10pm. Every hotel on this list carries an address in Dubrovnik, not in Ston itself, so treat these as a Dubrovnik base rather than a stay inside the walled town. It suits couples and food travellers, and history-minded families with older children; it does not suit anyone wanting beach days on the doorstep or an evening out beyond dinner.
The shortlist
Ranked by hotel class, then guest rating and number of reviews.
President Hotel Valamar Collection
Iva Dulcica 142, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Best for: Breakfast
- Breakfast in room
- Beach nearby
- Air conditioning
Why stay hereA beach nearby puts the sea within easy reach at the President Hotel Valamar Collection, and balconies give guests a private spot to sit outdoors. Breakfast can be served in the room instead of a shared dining area, and banquet facilities are available for larger gatherings. The 5-star property has drawn 2,618 reviews and a guest rating of 4.7. Air conditioning and a 24 hour front desk cover the practical side, which suits couples, families and guests attending events in Dubrovnik.
See President Hotel Valamar CollectionDubrovnik Palace
Masarykov Put 20, Dubrovnik, Croatia
- Beach nearby
- Air conditioning
Why stay hereGuests who want the coast close at hand should note that Dubrovnik Palace lists a beach nearby, along with balconies for outdoor sitting space. A babysitting service makes it a workable base for parents who want an evening out, and banquet facilities can host group occasions. This 5-star hotel holds a guest rating of 4.7 across 2,382 reviews. Air conditioning throughout and a 24 hour front desk keep things easy for families and longer stays.
See Dubrovnik PalaceRoyal Princess Hotel
Kardinala Stepinca 31, Dubrovnik, Croatia
- Air conditioning
Why stay hereTravelling with children is simpler at the Royal Princess Hotel, where a babysitting service is offered alongside banquet facilities for celebrations. Balconies add private outdoor space, and each room includes an alarm clock for early starts. The 5-star hotel sits on Kardinala Stepinca in Dubrovnik and carries a guest rating of 4.7 from 678 reviews. A barber and beauty salon on site suits guests who want to freshen up before an event, making it a fit for families and couples alike.
See Royal Princess HotelRoyal Blue Hotel
Kardinala Stepinca 31, Dubrovnik, Croatia
- Air conditioning
Why stay hereA barber and beauty salon sets the Royal Blue Hotel apart for guests preparing for a wedding or celebration, and banquet facilities mean the event can be held in the same place. A babysitting service keeps parents flexible, while balconies and alarm clocks cover everyday comfort and early departures. The 5-star hotel on Kardinala Stepinca in Dubrovnik has a guest rating of 4.6 from 520 reviews. It works well for families and for couples attending a function.
See Royal Blue HotelImportanne Resort
Kardinala Stepinca 31, Primosten, Croatia
Best for: Pool and spa
- Sauna
- Gymnasium
Why stay hereWellness is the draw at Importanne Resort, which lists a sauna, massage and gymnasium for guests who want to train and unwind in the same trip. A restaurant and bars mean meals and drinks are handled without leaving the property. The 5-star resort is on Kardinala Stepinca in Primosten and holds a guest rating of 4.6 from 242 reviews. It suits travellers who prefer to keep their days centred on the hotel rather than moving between separate venues.
See Importanne ResortRoyal Palm Hotel
Kardinala Stepinca 31, Dubrovnik, Croatia
- Air conditioning
Why stay hereBanquet facilities make the Royal Palm Hotel a sensible choice for guests attending or hosting a reception, and a barber and beauty salon helps with preparation beforehand. A 24 hour front desk is staffed at all hours, which is useful for late arrivals, and balconies give somewhere to sit outside. The 5-star hotel in Dubrovnik has a guest rating of 4.5 from 264 reviews. It fits couples and small groups who want event space and round-the-clock assistance.
See Royal Palm HotelRoyal Ariston
Ulica Kardinala Stepinca 31, Dubrovnik, Croatia
- Air conditioning
Why stay hereGuests who like to keep the day flexible will appreciate the bar and snack cafe at the Royal Ariston, which supplements the main bar areas for lighter meals. Banquet facilities and a barber and beauty salon support guests attending a celebration, and balconies provide outdoor space in every room. The 5-star hotel on Ulica Kardinala Stepinca in Dubrovnik holds a guest rating of 4.4 from 586 reviews. It suits couples and event guests who want dining options without leaving the property.
See Royal AristonHotel Royal Neptun
Kardinala Stepinca 31, Dubrovnik, Croatia
- Air conditioning
Why stay hereAmong the 4-star options, Hotel Royal Neptun combines a babysitting service with balconies and banquet facilities, so families and event guests are both served. An alarm clock in each room helps with early departures or excursions. The hotel lies on Kardinala Stepinca in Dubrovnik and has earned a guest rating of 4.6 from 1,109 reviews. A 24 hour front desk and air conditioning make it a straightforward choice for parents and for groups booking a function.
See Hotel Royal Neptun
The shortlist side by side
| Hotel | Class | Guest rating | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| President Hotel Valamar Collection | ★★★★★ | 4.7 | 2,618 |
| Dubrovnik Palace | ★★★★★ | 4.7 | 2,382 |
| Royal Princess Hotel | ★★★★★ | 4.7 | 678 |
| Royal Blue Hotel | ★★★★★ | 4.6 | 520 |
| Importanne Resort | ★★★★★ | 4.6 | 242 |
| Royal Palm Hotel | ★★★★★ | 4.5 | 264 |
| Royal Ariston | ★★★★★ | 4.4 | 586 |
| Hotel Royal Neptun | ★★★★ | 4.6 | 1,109 |
From each hotel's own listing on this site; a dash means it is not listed.
How to choose
Highest guest scores
President Hotel Valamar Collection, Dubrovnik Palace and Royal Princess Hotel all sit at 4.7 out of 5, the top of this list. Review counts differ widely — 2618, 2382 and 678 — so the first two carry a far deeper record of guest feedback behind the same score.
President Hotel Valamar Collection · Dubrovnik Palace · Royal Princess Hotel
Well reviewed, lower scores
Royal Blue Hotel (4.6 from 520 reviews), Importanne Resort (4.6 from 242) and the 4-star Hotel Royal Neptun (4.6 from 1109) score just below the leaders. Importanne Resort is the only hotel here listing a gymnasium, massage, sauna and restaurant.
Smaller hotels
Importanne Resort (242 reviews), Royal Palm Hotel (264) and Royal Ariston (586) have the smallest review counts on the list, at 4.6, 4.5 and 4.4 out of 5. Royal Palm Hotel and Royal Ariston both add babysitting service and a barber or beauty salon.
Where to stay in Ston
Kardinala Stepinca
Five of the Royal hotels share this Dubrovnik address: Royal Princess Hotel, Royal Blue Hotel, Royal Palm Hotel, Royal Ariston and Hotel Royal Neptun, scoring 4.7 down to 4.4. All five list a 24 hour front desk, air conditioning, a balcony and babysitting service, and all but Hotel Royal Neptun are 5-star. Note that Importanne Resort gives the same street but in Primosten.
Our picks here: Royal Princess Hotel · Royal Blue Hotel · Royal Palm Hotel · Royal Ariston · Hotel Royal Neptun
Iva Dulcica
The President Hotel Valamar Collection is the one hotel here addressed on Iva Dulcica. It is 5-star, scores 4.7 out of 5 from 2618 reviews, and lists a balcony, beach nearby and breakfast in room, with a 24 hour front desk and air conditioning.
Our picks here: President Hotel Valamar Collection
Masarykov Put
Dubrovnik Palace is the only hotel on this list with a Masarykov Put address. The 5-star hotel scores 4.7 out of 5 from 2382 reviews and lists beach nearby, a balcony, babysitting service and a barber or beauty salon.
Our picks here: Dubrovnik Palace
Plan your stay
Getting there and around
Ston sits 55km north of Dubrovnik on the narrow neck of the Pelješac peninsula. From Dubrovnik, the bus takes 90 minutes each way and a rental car about an hour, so a day trip is entirely workable. Once in Ston, the walls and the salt pans are the two things to do on foot, but everything else on the peninsula is a drive away, not a walk: base here for two nights and use a car to explore Pelješac's wineries and Orebić by day. The nearest proper swimming is a 15-minute drive to Prapratno cove. To walk the walls one way, enter at the Ston town gate and return from Mali Ston by taxi or bus.
When to go
Ston's oysters are in season from September to April, which is peak for the Mali Ston bay beds. The wall walk is a serious 400-metre climb with stone steps and no shade, so summer heat makes it harder; the town itself is quiet year-round in the evenings, with restaurant terraces along the road below the walls staying lit until 11pm and Mali Ston's oyster kitchens closing by 10pm. Two nights is enough to walk the walls, tour the salt pans and eat oysters without rushing.
Things to do near Ston
- A Day at Ston's Salt Pans and Walls: How to Plan It
- Autumn in Ston: Oyster Feasts, Coastal Walks and Where to Stay
- Day Trips from Ston: Pelješac, Wine and Villages
- Dubrovnik driving route: Pelješac and Ston in one day
- Ston in the Rain: Indoor Plans and Short Walks for Wet Days
- Ston Oyster Farm Visits: Planning an Autumn Trip to the Pelješac Coast
- Ston to Mljet: Linking the Pelješac Peninsula with the Island Ferries
- Where to Eat Near the Hotels in Ston
Questions, answered
Are these hotels in Ston itself?
No. Every hotel on this list has an address in Dubrovnik, apart from Importanne Resort, which is addressed in Primosten. None is inside Ston, so plan on a drive or bus journey to reach the walls, the salt pans and the Mali Ston oyster restaurants.
How long should I stay to see Ston?
Two nights is enough to walk the walls, tour the salt pans and eat oysters in Mali Ston without rushing. Add a third night if you want a full day trip into the Pelješac wine region or an afternoon at Prapratno cove, which is a 15-minute drive away.
Is the wall walk suitable for young children?
No. It is a serious 400-metre climb with stone steps and no shade, not suitable for young children, buggies or anyone with knee issues. Adults in reasonable shape manage it in 90 minutes, and proper shoes are needed.
Which hotels have the best guest scores?
President Hotel Valamar Collection, Dubrovnik Palace and Royal Princess Hotel are all rated 4.7 out of 5. The first two have the largest review bases, with 2618 and 2382 reviews respectively, against 678 for Royal Princess Hotel.
Which hotels list babysitting service?
Dubrovnik Palace, Royal Princess Hotel, Royal Blue Hotel, Royal Palm Hotel, Royal Ariston and Hotel Royal Neptun all list babysitting service. The President Hotel Valamar Collection and Importanne Resort do not.
Can I reach Ston from Dubrovnik without a car?
Yes. The bus takes 90 minutes each way and a rental car about an hour. Once there, the walls and salt pans are on foot, but the rest of the peninsula, including the wineries and Orebić, needs a car.
When are the oysters at their best?
September to April is peak season. Mali Ston bay is a UNESCO-recognised biosphere where a mix of fresh and salt water produces small, briny, dense oysters that supply half of Croatia's fine restaurants.