Maistra Select Mlini Hotel

Mlini sits in an enclosed bay in the Zupa Dubrovacka area, about halfway between the airport and Dubrovnik. We were there in late October, and the sea was still warm. Some nearby restaurants and bars had closed for the season, though the hotel itself remained very busy. We stayed in an annex, a short walk from the main Hotel Asterea, where the dining areas and bars are. The self-catering apartments and villas are also nearby. It’s a pleasant hotel in a lovely area.

We stayed October 8th to 12th and loved watching the sunsets from the balcony each evening. In the early afternoon the sun hits the balcony just right, so have a bottle of wine ready. Mornings were lovely too, with pink still in the sky and an almost full moon. We really lucked out with this place. Our apartment faced across the bay and was tucked beside an olive tree. It was a great little setup, with two single beds in one bedroom and a large sofa bed in the open-plan area. We didn’t mind the single beds. There were French doors from both the bedroom and kitchen area onto the balcony, which had a table, chairs, two sun loungers and a clothes airer. The kitchen had an electric hob, pans, utensils, a kettle, assorted teas and coffee, plus a fridge with a fancy bottle of water as a welcome gift. There was also free Wi-Fi, a large TV, robes, slippers and even a shoehorn. The shower was wonderfully powerful, and the room had plenty of free extras, including shower caps, shampoo, a shaving kit and a toothbrush with toothpaste. Housekeeping cleaned, made the beds and left fresh towels daily. The grounds were spotless and neatly kept. The plants and shrubs were flowering and fruiting, making it feel quite tropical. We spotted the odd grasshopper, sparrow and even a few bats early in the evening. Staff throughout were friendly and happy to help. We got a little golf buggy ride after checking in. It wasn’t far, but the cheerful, chatty driver made us feel like royalty. There are steps down to a rocky pool in the sea, but they’re steep, so I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone who has trouble balancing on rocks. A pebbly beach with some sand is about a minute’s walk away, with easier access and loungers you can rent from reception. We stopped for a quick dip there on the way to the shops. The clear, gentle water is great for snorkeling, with fish swimming around you, and there’s plenty of pretty little sea glass to collect if you enjoy that. We made use of the included indoor spa. It has a well-equipped gym, pool, saunas and changing rooms for women and men, with lockers and keys. The saunas were great, and the pool was heated, clean and not too busy when we went in around 5 pm. Towels were handed out at the entrance. It was peaceful and relaxing, with water fountains and free drinks. We didn’t try the hotel restaurant or the outdoor pool, though the outdoor pool looked popular, with a lovely sea view. We asked about the public bus to Dubrovnik and had to walk up a short, steep hill, which may not suit people with weak knees or the very elderly. The bus can get busy, so be ready to stand and hold a rail. Quite often, locals and younger passengers offered their seats to women and older people. There’s a boat taxi as well, though we didn’t try it. We’d absolutely come back. The apartment, facilities, staff and setting were all wonderful, and it felt like the perfect holiday. It was hard to leave and head back to the UK.

This beautiful little coastal village has a fantastic location, with buses and water taxis, and it’s only about 20 minutes from Dubrovnik and Cavat, both of which you should visit. Our seafront apartment was modern, spacious and spotless, with everything we needed and a gorgeous view. The restaurants and bars along the waterfront had great food and service. The breakfast at the waterfront bar was the best.

We’ve just had a lovely two-week holiday at Maistra Mlini apartments for the second year in a row. The bay is stunning, and our clean, modern apartment was right by the clear Adriatic, perfect for swimming. The resort restaurants were good, and the service was too. Our two-year-old son loved playing with Ingrid at the MaiSky Kids Club. She was attentive with the children and clearly enjoys looking after them.