Montenegro is an up and coming Adriatic destination, with beautiful landscapes and a relaxed way of life. We spent a couple of days last week staying in the sparkly new Porto Montenegro. It was once the main base for the Austro-Hungarian navy and is now a luxurious district home to super-yachts, designer shops, iconic infinity pools and the beautiful Regent Porto Montenegro Hotel.
The hotel opened in 2014, a five star place to stay nearby to the Unesco World Heritage old town of Kotor and close by to many stunning beaches. In peak season planes fly in daily from London to Tivat, just a 10 minute drive from the port.
The hotel has a nautical feel which fits with the style of the surrounding marina, and there is a touch of Venice charm, a hint at the area’s 400 years under Venetian rule. There are 149 rooms and suites, spread over 2 wings, with many more to come. All the bedrooms (and private residences) are designed by esteemed Parisian designer Tino Zervudachi.
Our Junior Suite was incredibly spacious and flooded with natural light. The bedroom was decorated in shades of regal blue and beige, colours of the sea and sand. The bed was blissfully big and comfortable, and thanks to the silence, we slept very well. There was also a lovely living space, which was perfect for afternoon moments of calm with a coffee in between sightseeing.
Bathrooms feature Aromatherapy Associates toiletries, which is also used in the indulgent spa. These products are very good quality – leaving my hair feeling well looked after despite spending time away from home and my usual routine. I also loved our big bathtub, complete with soothing bath salts and loofah mitt, I tried to get as much use out of it as possible.
The hotel have lots of food options within the hotel, which welcome outside visitors as well as hotel guests. We dined at the casual Gourmet Cafe (as the main dining room was closed for refurbishment) and tasted a range of chef Zejjko Knezovic’s culinary creations. Knezovic previously spent time in the kitchen at Noma in Copenhagen and brings this expertise to all the restaurant outlets at Regent Porto.
We tried to sample as many Montenegrin delicacies as possible, from the beautiful velvety steak to the refreshing and refined wines made in the country. During our lunch at the hotel we also tried delicious homemade pasta and exemplary desserts.
If you wish to go out for dinner there are a variety of great eateries in the Port, I can particularly recommend Restaurant One for hearty comfort food and a relaxed atmosphere.
Each night a small thoughtful gift was left by our bedside, Revitalising face oil by Aromatherapy Associates and a mini local bottle of Brandy.
If you feel like having a slow lazy morning, order from the extensive breakfast menu for a special breakfast in the room for the next morning. This arrived smelling wonderful, an array of fresh tropical fruits, perfectly flaky pastries and delectable hot a la carte dishes.
I am always wary of new developments but Porto Montenegro has been designed and built sensitively and elegantly with the Montenegrin way of life in mind. When we visited the weather wasn’t being kind, but it didn’t matter as I was very happy to stay indoors enjoying all that the Regent Porto Montenegro Hotel has to offer.
More information and book a stay at the Regent Porto Montenegro here.