Hotel Croatia

We had a nice week here in early May, the weather was not so good with a fair bit of rain and chilly at times.We have no complaints about the hotel really other than to point out that it isn't 5 star by the generally accepted standards. The housekeeping was a bit haphazard, we noticed people at the pool with white dressing gowns whereas our room had non so we had to ask at reception. They were delivered to our room within minutes. We had a superior room with sea view and indeed it was but there was not much to see as the Dubrovnik traffic did not go past so it looked out onto a small rocky island. The layout of this hotel can be very confusing when you first arrive. The hotel and reception is at the end of a long drive, we were told our rooms were on the second floor but were somewhat surprised to discover that it was down and not up! Because of the layout of the land the reception is actually on the 5th floor,the swimming pool is on the next floor up and the dining room on the floor below. We liked the freedom to choose where to sit in the dining room without standing in a queue waiting to be shown to a table. We went to Dubrovnik on the 11.o'clock bus they go every hour and were lucky to get a seat as it ended up completely packed with some people standing all the way, en route even more people somehow squeezed on. Dubrovnik town was absolutely packed and the arrival of 3 cruise ships didn't help either,apart from the obvious architectural wonders it seems to be just endless restaurants with a few designer type shops so we soon got fed up with that. About 3.o'clock we made our way back up endless steps to get to the road where we were told the return bus would pass. We saw a bus stop & waited 15 minutes and the number 10 came slowly up in the traffic, we held out our hand and he stopped took our fares and then said that it was not actually the correct bus stop but as we were elderly he allowed us on. 1/4 a mile down the road was the correct bus stop and there must have been 100+ people and some were left unable to get on. On the way back were more people at the stops and the bus couldn't stop as we were totally full, one an hour is just not enough. The second visit was the 10.clock bus and it was not so packed,being wary of the return we caught the boat back as the sea had calmed down and it was very nice. Here is a good tip. A nearby village called Čilipi holds a folk dancing exhibition every Sunday morning, there are also craft stalls etc. Tui, Jet2 etc all offer coach trips but in fact a little advertised local bus comes right up to the hotel at 9.o'clock for 250 Kuna and takes you back at 12 o'clock. Whilst walking around waiting for the dancing to start we spotted a board by the church with a map showing a footpath back to Cavtat. After the event we decided to walk it back, the route is well marked all the way, either on sign boards or painted on rocks etc. It was most enjoyable and went through wild woodland, over open moorland etc. at one point we were high up and looking across at the airport in the distance.We are in our 70's but found it o.k, it is however very uneven in parts and involves some very steep sections. unsuitable for pushchairs etc. We were surprised at how little wildlife there was until we finally saw a lizard. Then I almost trod on a snake sunbathing on a rock in the middle of the path! that made us very wary then, particularly as Croatia has 17 types of snake inc the deadly Horned Viper. however,don't let this put you off as the walk is well worth it and I'm sure the snake was caught unaware as it rapidly slid off