Looking for sun and sport with a backdrop of captivating views? Lucy Miller enjoyed six days in sunny Croatia, where the entire family juggled daily sport with good food, all the while soaking in the charm of Dubrovnik.
Croatia was one of those places I’d always heard good things about but was never sure I wanted to visit… until I came across Sun Gardens Dubrovnik.
What drew me to the location? Crystalline seas? Yes, that helped. A short-haul flight? Fuss-free travel is always a bonus. However, it was the abundance of activities for the whole family in a luxurious setting that sold it. I adore holidays, but I also love knowing that I can still do my favourite sports while I’m there. And Sun Gardens Dubrovnik had it all.
Getting there
With a flight time of just two hours and 30 minutes, plus 10 hours of guaranteed sunshine a day, the Croatian resort has a lot to offer for very little travel time. The family-focused resort is just 40 minutes away from the airport, a lovely drive through South Dalmatica. Our trip was only six days, but with a 5:55am flight, we pulled up to the beachfront resort at 11am. And by 11:30am, we were enjoying breakfast overlooking the Adriatic sea.
I was instantly blown away by the attentive staff and the haven of calm as we began exploring the resort, which is built across 22 hectares and modelled on Croatian village architecture, complete with sea views backed by a dramatic landscape of pine and citrus trees.
Luckily, I had popped our swimming gear in our hand luggage, so after breakfast and a quick change, the kids were already whizzing down the slide into the pool. The pools are simple, with just a few water jets and water features, but this is all the kids needed to be entertained for hours while we relaxed.
Get up and go
The gym, which was conveniently situated opposite our room, was well equipped with Technogym cardio and weights machines, as well as battle ropes, wall bars, TRX’s and a PowerPlate. Located just outside the gym was a gaming room with friendly staff to oversee my little ones as we trained. Alongside the PlayStations and gaming chairs, there was also a climbing wall, table tennis table, squash and badminton courts and a pool table – more than enough to keep the kids occupied. I didn’t make it to a class, but we did try out the clay tennis courts and a bit of basketball and volleyball, too. If we were staying for longer, I would have tried a functional training class or perhaps a HIIT class. The set-up of the hurdles and speed ladder was right up my street.
As well as packing your fitness kit, remember to bring your bikini. Not only are there two family pools but there’s also an adult pool. However, the sea swimming is the real star here. For me, the Adriatic sea is best in the world, and the water is crystal clear, warm and calm. You can swim for hours while admiring the outstanding natural beauty this country is renowned for. I was constantly reminded by staff that there are no ‘creatures’ in the sea – and the photogenic palette of blue is simply stunning.
‘There was a climbing wall, table tennis table, squash and badminton courts, and a pool table – which kept the kids occupied!
Extra activities
If you can prise yourself away from the luxurious resort, I’d recommend a Sunset By Yacht tour with the hotel’s tour agency, Korkyra Travel DMC. This two-hour experience from Sun Gardens Dubrovnik’s private marina whizzed us through the crystal-clear sea, taking us to secluded bays and caves as well as Lokrum Island, a nature reserve where peacocks roam through the pine and olive trees. Other highlights included impressive views of the walls of Dubrovnik Old Town, a stunning sunset, and just witnessing the locals enjoying the simple life: groups of teenagers jumping off rocks into the sea and cooling off; individuals kayaking and sea swimming; and fishermen catching the prize of the day.
We also took advantage of the 15-minute shuttle bus into Old Town where we got some extra steps in (there are many!) and stepped back in time, absorbing the mix of Renaissance and Baroque architecture as we meandered through the marble-paved streets. Dubrovnik is an absolute must-see: it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site, and for good reason. You could easily spend days there, but already I was itching to get back to the resort for our final meal at The Butchers, where I ordered the finest cut of steak, fluffy sweet potato fries and a Croatian red wine.
Stay active with Olympic stars on this fitness retreat
Wind down and relax
It’s not all go, go, go either. This five-star hotel also boasts the world-class Yes to Beauty Spa Centre, with a smaller gym, an 18m heated indoor pool, steam room, coal and salt sauna, and a Hammam along with a large, cold plunge pool.
We tried the couple’s massage, which was a real treat when we had an hour of R&R without the kids. The treatment room was so luxuriously relaxing – and the massage was too, until Rebecca, my therapist, knelt on my back and broke down months of tension and knots the size of conkers! Let’s just say it was bittersweet – a moment of pain and relief intertwined with a beautiful massage, which featured my chosen oil and just the right pressure (for the most part!). My partner and I also chose face masks, which soaked in throughout the massage, and we came out well and truly refreshed. If I had been there for a few more days, I would have definitely booked another treatment from the spa menu – either the Hot Stone massage or the Royal Pair Child and Parent treatment, which consists of a relaxing massage for the child using organic honey-vanilla scented oil as well as a Stress Relief massage treatment for the parent. My son would have felt like a king!
Eat up
Speaking of kings, the food is certainly fit for one. The hotel has 18 restaurants and bars – from La Pasta, where you can just walk in and grab fresh pasta dishes with a side of meats and cheeses, to Veranda, a small restaurant run by a lovely Croatian family who are very passionate about their traditional Dalmation menu. I loved trying new foods, from the Collard Soup (you’ll have to look past the emerald green colour), to the Turkey Shank served with buckwheat, quinoa and vegetables. The Market, the resort’s finest seafood restaurant, was also delicious – my all-time favourite was the Octopus served with grilled Portobello mushrooms stuffed with barley and tomato, with a spinach-garlic cream.
Breakfast is included every morning, but there is no option to go half-board or all-inclusive at Sun Gardens Dubrovnik, so expect a bill at the end of the night. It’s expensive, but we didn’t have a bad meal – plus, every restaurant had a children’s menu, too, and our kids were well-catered for and looked after by the staff.
The views of the sunset from every restaurant terrace were a real treat, and the buffet at breakfast was well-staffed and the food was fresh and varied with options for every diet preference. On our last morning, we indulged in a breakfast with a view from the rooftop terrace. The fluffy egg white omelette with whipped goats’ cheese and truffle mushrooms was first-class, and the children devoured the fluffy pancakes with fresh fruit and warm chocolate sauce.
Child’s play
If you’re thinking that you’ll see your kids a lot on this holiday then think again. Oh, to be a kid here! Not only are the staff fun and fantastic in the kids’ club, but the kids also have a fun park with beach views, a games room and even a Children’s Sports Academy for budding young stars (where Premier League legends run a week-long Campioni Soccer Academy and professional dance teachers staff the Campioni Dance Academy). The pools are child-friendly and well spaced out. Plus, the village-style resort is so safe: the restaurants and bars are located on a beautifully landscaped promenade where kids can be kids and run around while you finish your meal or evening drinks.
Despite its size, Sun Gardens Dubrovnik never felt crowded – for the whole holiday, we felt like we were in our own cocoon of Croatian charm. The stress of everyday life felt miles away and our family felt reconnected, relaxed and healthier than ever. The calm simplicity of the meals and the resort, combined with the rich flavours and unspoilt views of nature, left us itching to come back – sooner rather than later.
