People usually get Korčula wrong. They call it "Little Dubrovnik" because of the medieval walls and the red-tiled roofs, but that’s a lazy comparison. Dubrovnik is a museum; Korčula is a living, breathing labyrinth. And right in the middle of that labyrinth, tucked against the northern stone walls, is the Lesic Dimitri Palace Croatia.
Most travelers stumble upon it by accident while looking for Marco Polo’s house, which is literally right next door. They see the unassuming stone entrance and think it’s just another old building.
It isn’t.
Honestly, calling it a hotel feels like a bit of a stretch. It’s more of a historical fever dream. This 18th-century Bishop’s Palace was crumbling into the Adriatic until a British banker named Michael Unsworth and his wife Maša spent five years and over €6.5 million turning it into a Relais & Châteaux retreat. They didn't just fix the roof. They hired a Thai-Croatian design team to create five (now six) residences that trace the Silk Road.
The Silk Road in a Stone Fortress
You’ve got to understand the geography to get why this place feels so weirdly perfect. Korčula claims to be the birthplace of Marco Polo. Whether the Venetians agree is irrelevant to the locals; here, Polo is king. The Lesic Dimitri Palace Croatia takes that legend and runs with it.
Each residence is themed after a stop on Polo's journey.
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You might stay in "China," which has these moody red accents and a terrace that makes you feel like you’re hovering over the Pelješac Channel. Or maybe "Arabia," with its white-tented ceilings and intricately carved wooden screens. It’s a jarring mix—Dalmatian stone meets Asian minimalism—but somehow, it doesn't feel like a theme park. It feels like the home of a very wealthy, very well-traveled 18th-century merchant who had a thing for silk and spices.
The "Ceylon" suite is the smallest, tucked into the ground floor with vaulted ceilings that feel cozy, not cramped. On the flip side, "Venice" is a three-bedroom beast with a balcony that looks like something out of a Renaissance painting. There’s no lobby. No elevator. No "standard" rooms. Just these sprawling, self-contained residences where you can actually cook a meal in a high-end kitchen if you’re tired of eating out.
Why the Michelin Star Actually Matters
We’ve all been to "fine dining" spots that feel like a chore. You sit there for four hours, eat three foam-covered peas, and leave hungry. LD Restaurant at Lesic Dimitri Palace Croatia isn't that.
Chef Marko Gajski is doing something significantly more interesting. He’s obsessed with what’s "around us," which sounds like marketing speak until you realize the hotel has its own organic garden a few miles away. He takes traditional Dalmatian staples—stuff like komiška pogača or local scampi—and deconstructs them without losing the soul of the dish.
The terrace is the real draw. It’s set right on the edge of the old city walls, shaded by pine trees. You’re eating a tasting menu paired with Grk (a bitter-sweet white wine grown only in the sandy soil of nearby Lumbarda) while the sea is literally five steps away.
Pro tip: Don’t skip the olive oil. They produce three different types from their own groves. It’s the kind of stuff that makes you realize the grocery store oil you've been buying is basically flavored water.
Living Like a Local (With a Yacht)
The thing about Korčula is that it’s easy to do "wrong." Most people come for the day on a ferry from Split, walk the main street, buy a magnets, and leave. To actually experience it, you have to stay inside the walls after the day-trippers go home.
The Lesic Dimitri Palace Croatia basically functions as your private gatekeeper to the island. They have a classic motor yacht called Kata and a sailboat named Vipera. Instead of joining a crowded tour to the blue cave, you just ask the concierge to drop you at a deserted cove in the archipelago.
If you're into wellness, the spa is tiny but punching way above its weight. They brought in therapists from Thailand and India to do Ayurvedic treatments. It’s a bit surreal to get a traditional Thai massage inside a medieval Croatian tower, but after a day of hiking the island’s pine-clad hills, you won't care about the irony.
What Most People Miss
There’s a misconception that places this expensive are stuffy. The Unsworths are still heavily involved, and the vibe is surprisingly low-key. You’ll see the owner, Toni, giving tours of the Old Town. He’s not a scripted guide; he’s a guy who knows where the best local wine is hidden and which stones in the wall were moved during the Venetian occupation.
The palace is also a founding supporter of the Korkyra Baroque Festival. Every September, the island’s churches and squares fill up with world-class musicians. If you stay during this time, the music literally drifts through the windows of the residences. It’s one of those rare moments where "luxury" feels like "culture" instead of just "money."
Practical Realities
Let’s be real: this isn't for everyone.
- Accessibility: The building is old. Like, 18th-century old. There are no elevators. If you have mobility issues, those stone stairs are going to be a nightmare.
- Pricing: It’s high. You’re paying for the exclusivity of a six-suite palace. If you’re on a budget, look at the guesthouses in the newer part of town.
- Planning: You cannot just show up. With only six residences, they book out months in advance, especially during the summer months.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Trip
If you’re planning to visit Lesic Dimitri Palace Croatia, don't just book a room and hope for the best.
- Book the "Arabia" or "China" suite if you want the best sea views. "India" is great for privacy because of its enclosed courtyard, but you’ll miss the horizon.
- Request a Grk wine tasting. Most people know Malvazija or Plavac Mali, but Grk is unique to Korčula. The hotel can arrange a visit to the Bire or Zure wineries in Lumbarda.
- Check the Korkyra Baroque Festival dates. If your trip aligns with September, it transforms the experience from a beach holiday into a cultural immersion.
- Reserve the LD Terrace for sunset. Even if you aren't staying at the hotel, the restaurant is open to the public, but the edge-of-the-wall tables are the first to go.
Korčula isn't a place you "see." It’s a place you inhabit. Staying at a spot like this makes that transition a lot easier. You aren't just a tourist watching the history; you’re sleeping inside it.