Located in the southern tip of Croatia, Dubrovnik was severally damaged in the early ’90s, during the Croatian war of independence with Yugoslavia. It has taken decades for Unesco and the local authorities to nearly resurrect the old town of Dubrovnik from ashes and turn it into one of Europe’s hottest tourist spots. In the last two years Dubrovnik has witnessed a major upswing in the inflow of tourists to its old town. Ironically, not for its heroic revival from the wartimes, but because of its epithet as the fictional kingdom of ‘King’s Landing’, one of the important dramatic settings in the immensely popular Game of Thrones (GoT).

Inspired by GRR Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire, a series of fantasy novels, GoT is one of HBO’s most successful TV shows. Iconic settings such as the King’s Landing and the City of Qarth were filmed in Dubrovnik and nearby islands in several seasons of the televised show.

The King’s Landing scenes are shot mostly in Dubrovnik’s old town because of its vintage aura. In 1991, during the war with Yugoslav army, the most beautiful and attractive site of Dubrovnik — its old town — was shattered by severe bombing. Years of painstaking restoration work has given this part of the city a striking synchronicity of antiquated red, orange bricks and repainted baroque architecture. When the Mediterranean sun rises on Dubrovnik’s old port, the postcard views of this historical site are well worth a royal sojourn. We pick some exclusive properties where you can live like a king.

Villa Sheherezade Villa Sheherezade stands out with its moorish turquoise dome, contrasting with the carpet of red-brick architecture in this quarter of the city. Its history is very different from any other structure around. A wealthy banker from Lithuania built this villa nearly a century ago, as a gift to his lover.

Villa Sheherezade may best be described as a mini palace instead of a villa — its 4,200 sqm is split between three floors. There is a private pool with an endless view of the Adriatic Sea and the old city port. It also boasts a private beach, a luxury rare in Dubrovnik. Sheherezade is perched atop a small cliff, which keeps it away from the hustle and bustle of the busy tourist town. The property is rented only to a single party. A complete concierge staff — butler, chef, waiters and housekeepers — come in the package. The romantic locale of Villa Sheherezade has played host to Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.

Pucic Palace The only five-star property in the Unesco-protected old town walls, the Pucic Palace enjoys the exclusivity of hosting guests right in the middle of King’s Landing or the old town walls. Cersei Lannister, a GoT protagonist, might highly recommend the breathtaking views of the reinstated vintage architecture from the suite’s windows.

The Pucic Palace boasts an Indian connection; apparently Shah Rukh Khan utilised these premises as his green room during the filming of Fan . We recommend the junior and senior suites that offer eclectic, bright and colourful interiors. These rooms are decorated with paintings by local artists, and are quieter than most rooms in the old town.

The royalty status at the Pucic Palace has some deficiencies though. Unlike most five-star rated properties, The Pucic Palace does not have a swimming pool. The hotel cannot build one because of building restrictions in the area, meant to preserve the heritage status. For the guests at the Pucic Palace, the highlights are its prime location and bigger rooms than most hotels in and around the old city walls. Besides, there’s a big sea to swim in anyway.

Stari Grad Stari Grad literally means ‘Old Town’. This isn’t a five-star hotel, but offers some of the most luxurious experiences within King’s Landing. The rooms are draped in modern upholstery and are comfortable despite their petite size. However, the rooms aren’t the main motivation for discerning tourists to choose Stari Grad. It offers unrivalled views of Dubrovnik’s orange-tiled roofs from its rooftop restaurant. One can also admire the distant forts from here. Above 5 is a sought-after luxury restaurant. It offers, arguably, the most delectable gourmet preparations from local produce, primarily seafood. Three-course meals can best be enjoyed with this gorgeous view, especially during sunset in summers.

Villa Dubrovnik Just minutes away from the buzzing old walls, lies a tranquil villa that offers laid-back luxury suites to enjoy stunning views of King’s Landing. The old town walls can be admired against a backdrop of the sun dipping into the Adriatic Sea, and turning its waters into a lively palette of orange and its very own shade of blue. The villa offers an impressive number of rooms — 54 — with the best being the Villa Dubrovnik Royal Suite (above $1000 a night). This two-bedroom suite has a balcony with never-ending views of the calm waters.

Shilpa Dhamija is the editor of luxuryvolt.com

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