Cavtat is wonderful, but the Albatros is not. The first sign of decline is the large front door mat, which has the hotel name woven in to it. It is so worn that half the name cannot be seen.
The room though was generally good and well maintained. The bed was very comfortable. A lot of people were complaining that the air conditioning was not on, but just opening the windows was fine for us (in May). Breakfast was very good, but the dinners, with lots of kept-warm and over-cooked food, were a different story. The biggest disappointment for us was the drinks fridge and the balcony. The fridge simply did not work, but the reception staff insisted that it did, as it was not meant to cool drinks from room temperature. Yes, that's what they said, on three occasions! We asked what it was for then, but did not get very far, and our travel company's rep was useless. No-one we talked to said their fridges worked. The width of our balcony was the width of my shoe. A lot of the balconies though were much wider, so maybe we were unlucky. As we like to have a cold drink on the balcony, we might be slightly biased towards this hotel. The hotel was put out as 4*, but I would say more like 2*+ for us. We have been back to Cavtat this year and are going back again in 2008. For self catering try the Bacan apartments.

Just returned from a 7 day holiday staying at the Hotel Albatros, we are in the 50+ bracket and the majority of people staying during this week were also 50+.
The hotel and rooms were very spacious, clean, with king sized beds, rooms were cleaned each day from as early as 8.0am.
The food was buffet style and of high quality and varied, if you so wished you could have a different meal each day.
The restaurant staff worked extremely hard (Marco, one of the staff, only after the 2nd evening knew are drinks order without having to ask). The restaurant can get noisy when full which did occur a couple of nights, unfortunately this results in a atmosphere a bit like a works canteen..................minor complaint only.
The Hotel offers plenty of facilities such as indoor/outdoor pools, gym, hair salon, evening entertainment etc

Sadly the week we were there the weather was not the best (week before was very warm apparently), but there are enough trips to be had to fill a week up, such as Dubrovnik, Montenegro and the one I would recommend, even though you are on the coach for a long time, would be to Mostar, if only to realise how lucky many of us are who live this side of Europe, yes the bridge is amazing but please look around the corner, you do not have to walk more than 100 metres from the 'tourist' spot to see Bosnian reality.

Cavtat is very picturesque with many fine eateries (this we were told by others as we didn't use them as we were half board)

I read many reviews saying Cavtat has only enough to occupy yourself for a week only, this I would agree with if you like to be on the go as we do, but as a relaxing location a fortnight would be ideal.

At the back end of the week we got very noisy neighbours (Albanians on a convention) and I asked to be moved to another room which they did without hesitation.

I would be more than happy to return to the Albatros and in my opinion it deserves the 4 star rating.

My husband and I are in our mid 20's and wanted a chilled out holiday with nice scenery... cavtat itself is beautiful with plenty of cafes/bars to people watch and while away a few hours.

The hotel itself was disappointing. Both the indoor and outdoor pools were FREEZING, i normally swim all the time on holiday but they were so cold i couldnt enjoy them and barely went in them once. I asked reception and the pol guy if we could have heating turned up they categorically said no.
The hotel had asolutely no atmosphere at all, we dont like things noisey or busy but there sa difference between this and somewhere having a relaxing atmosphere, to us it was very depressing property.
he food was quite good,but very samey and often we couldn find a clean table to sit at and had to seach round to find a member of staff to set 1 up for us.
Our room (A440) was right at end of corridor and right next to maids room and staff lift which meant it was v noisey.

watersports place at the other iberostar hotel down the road were v difficult to speak to, they werent particularly interested in helping us and we had to get our rep involved to get them to take me water skiing,when it advertises this anyway! they were rude and lazy.

weather was pretty good, mid 20's for 2 weeks with 3 days of rain. there were plenty of sun beds just a shame the pols were like ice!! Theres not really enough to do here for 2 weeks.
rooms and restaurants were clean and spacious ,but the leisure facilities really let it down,and hotel staff werent particularly helpful either.
the end.

We have just returned from 11 nights at hotel iberostar albatros in cavtat croatia.the hotel was clean spacious and staff extremely friendly.the food was of a 4* varied and plentiful.
the facilities were good very large outdoor pool (but cold,sea warmer) with more than enough sunloungers,parasols & cushions to go around,there was also a good size indoor pool and a quite extensive gym.
We booked direct with Iberostar and was impressed with the ease & speed of confirmation and the attention to details then received from the hotel direct,accepting special requests and supplying extra information.
the hotel is about 1km from the harbour @ cavtat but is on its own pebble beach with water taxi pick up to Dubrovnik at cost of 80 Kuna return ( takes about 1 hour )from the beach,
there are a few bars and cafes around hotel but several more on the walk to Cavtat plus plenty around the harbour in Cavtat.
we had a great time a very relaxing holiday.
the airport @ Cilipi (Dubrovnik) is only a 5 minute taxi ride away @ a cost of 100 Kuna,there is aircraft noise as on direct flight path but did not find at all irritating.
the area is very clean and i would recommend a visit staying at albatros hotel.