We stayed here for a week in August. Overall we had a very pleasant stay. We found the reception staff to be very efficient and helpful.

The location of the hotel suited us. It is about a 20 minute bus ride into central dubrovinik. We never had to wait more than a few minutes for a bus, which leaves from directly outside of the hotel. The hotel is also the first stop, so you always get a seat. For a night out the last bus back is around 1.30am which is late enough for us. Do bear in mind though that if you don't fancy going into town one night, then your restaurant choices around the hotel are very limited (a couple of bar type places and a few hotel restaurants which seemed to us to consist of overpriced buffets).

The room was adequate, but not nice enough to justify the price in our opinion. We found the same musty smell as many other reviewers. The cleaning standards could have been better. The bed was large and comfortable. The bathroom was fine except for a few cracked floor tiles you had to be careful to avoid with bare feet, and the shower always flooded the floor no matter how careful we were.

Our real concern was our room location. We were on the first floor i.e. right above the beach bar, directly above the beach. The beach gets very very busy, with people even lying out on the concrete pavement. The location of our room for us made our balcony un-usuable as it was so noisy and we felt completely on show. The views were stunning, providing you stood far back enough in the room to obsure the rowdy beach below! We did ask to move but were told the hotel was full. In fairness, once the balcony doors were closed you couldn't here a thing and the sound proofing was very good - we just couldn't enjoy the balcony.

The beach itself is not great. Very rocky (bring rubber shoes). Mostly, we walked to the neighbouring Argosy Hotel to use their pool, which was pleasant and always very quiet.

The breakfast was great with an incredible amount of choice; cold meats/cheeses, smoked salmon, breads, pancakes, danishes, fruit, yogurts, cereals, omletes, cooked breakfasts. The sauasages and bacon weren't great, but there was so much else to choose from it wasn't a problem. We didn't try the buffet evening meal as we felt it was overpriced.

Overall we had a pleasant stay, but if we were to return to Dubrovnik, we'd try somewhere else.

This is not a 4 star hotel! We came here after staying 4 nights at Radisson Blu (also in Dubrovnik and also a 4 star hotel) and the difference was enourmous! I just can't compare them. Valamar President is a very old building, rooms are outdated with lots of dust and really awful smell! The smell of sewage in the bathroom was almost unbearable in the evenings. Also they had problems with internet (it worked for 10 min a day literally), so if you want to stay connected choose other hotel!
Breakfast is OK. Hotel staff at reception and in restaurants are very helpful and nice. Beach is good, but very rocky.
Overall the hotel is greatly overpriced!

We stayed at this hotel for a week from the 14th to 21st September. We arrived late in the day, but that was no problem. We were dealt with efficiently and shown to our room. All the rooms in the hotel face the sea, and as the weather was very good, we awoke to the sun shining on the sea and a distant island. Breakfast is included in the price and what a choice of food there is. There are plenty of dishes to suit British tastes, and as it buffet style, you can easily over indulge. Getting around if using public transport is easy. There is a number 6 bus that terminates outside the hotel runs about every 10 minutes and takes you to the Old City Walls. The number 5 that also terminates at the hotel is the one to catch to the cable car ride. A number 7 bus also serves the hotel. Dinner at the hotel is another chance to eat for Britain. Again it is buffet style and again there is an amazing choice. To add to the ambience, we sat outside and eat while witnessing wonderful sunsets. The waiters/waitresses are all friendly and English is widely spoken not only in the hotel, but in Dubrovnik as a whole. Our room was spacious and kept clean by our maid. Free wi-fi is now available in every room. There are plenty of trips that can be taken from the hotel. We did the 3 island boat trip and a day trip to Montenegro (not to be missed if only for the visit to Kotor). All in all a very enjoyable stay and I wouldn't hesitate in recommending this hotel for a visit.

Staying at the Valamar can be easily a great experience as it can be a pain. All this depends on what is important to you.

1. Service: I can say anything bad about the service at this hotel. The restaurant recommendations, help with our car rental, and front desk staff all went out of their way to make our stay a enjoyable one.
2. Rooms: Standard for what you pay for. We had an ocean view room which was a pleasant beginning and end to our everyday.
3. location: not good. Far from town centre however there is the bus stop in front which will take you to where you have to go but it takes a good 20-30min. (annoying if you're planning to go out at night)
4. beach: honestly, this is what was the most disappointing and decreased my overall rating. what would seem to be a private beach is in fact a yelling and screaming children infested playground. It is NOT romantic and NOT relaxing.
5. Other: the elevators are terrible. funny how you never give this much thought until they are unbearably slow as the two that operate at this hotel. Pool is indoor and lacks any type of atmosphere. gym is alright.

If you have already booked, don't worry about your stay, it will be fine. If you haven't booked yet, I'm sure there is something better out there. keep trying!