Few hotel terraces have a view as enchanting as the view from the Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik. As the bay curves away from the city, the five-star hotel’s terrace captures the red-tiled rooftops, church towers and handsome fortifications of the old town, which is a UNESCO Heritage Site.

Croatian architects and designers Studio Franić Šekoranja were tasked with the complete refurbishment of the Excelsior, which dates from the 19th century. Mirroring the soft stone colours of Dubrovnik and the craggy coastline, they chose warm natural tones and muted greys for their interior palette, mixing elements of the hotel’s grandeur with contemporary shots of colour, designer lights and bespoke furniture.

The Abakus Piano Bar is the heart of the hotel, a window onto the Adriatic where guests mingle during the day and meet for drinks and dinner in the evening. Tribù’s signature understated luxury fits the scene perfectly, with Vis à Vis Sofas to curl into grouped with Vis à Vis Rocking Chairs, Nomad Poufs and Drops Side Tables in informal outdoor ‘rooms’.

Franić Šekoranja chose chic and tactile Tosca Armchairs and mixed them with slender Branch Bistro Tables along the terrace edge, perfect for taking in the views of Dubrovnik.

Bringing out the aristocratic origins of the old hotel and updating them with beautifully balanced design accents was the theme throughout the hotel’s refurbishment. On the Abakus terrace, Tribù’s subtle and beautifully made outdoor furniture captures the mood of elegance, style and comfort.