Dubrovnik's Valamar Lacroma Hotel is perfect spot for family fun in sun

POV - You have a beautiful, vibrant city on your doorstep but all you want to do is lounge around in this very sigma hotel.

- BY ROHAN SMYTH

That's what it seemed was going through the minds of my children, ages 11 and 8, as we took yet another dip in the expansive indoor swimming pool at the 4* Valamar Lacroma in Dubrovnik - or headed down for another dinner at their seemingly never-ending buffet.

Notwithstanding my attempts to channel their lingo being about on a par with my grasp of Croatian, I have to concede that they have a valid point.

The Lacroma offers all you could want from a family holiday - and then some. Upon arriving at the hotel after a very early flight from Dublin Airport last month, my family and I wanted no more than a place to just lie down and chill for awhile.

However, after stepping through the doors of the hotel, we could feel our energy levels begin to rise again. The whole place oozes sophistication - from the pristine lobby to the friendly and helpful staff to the futuristic glass lift with views of the ocean that brought us up to our room.

And this room was certainly worth getting up at 4am for. Or should I say rooms, as the family suite in the Lacroma has separate bedrooms for the adults and children as well as a communal area in the middle (perfect for that aforementioned lounging) and a small kitchenette.

The hotel has recently been renovated and it shows - the interior design in the suite was particularly eye-catching and tasteful, giving us plenty of ideas for our own home.

FABULOUS

There was also a balcony which ran the length of the three rooms, perfect for sitting down and watching the sun set over one of the Elaphiti Islands that are dotted around Dubrovnik.

Having achieved maximum levels of chill, we decided to go down and check out the hotel's pool before dinner. Though maybe 'check out' is the wrong choice of words for my kids - more accurately, 'splash around until Dad has to drag us out because he's starving'.