A young country with an old soul, welcome to the best kept secret of the Balkans
The tranquil emerald waters of Boka Bay catch flecks of gold as the sky puts on a show of burnished orange, pinks and violets. The early evening air heavy with the scent of salt from sea and butter from bakery, the only sounds being the clinking of champagne glasses and the slow, low beat of jazz from a yacht being prepared for an evening sail. Serenity. I take a sip of my mimosa and take in the brooding mountains, their rugged silhouette breaking up the dazzling waters below and hypnotic light show above. This is no unpredictable event, no twist of fate or great kismet on my part. This is a regular evening at Regent Porto Montenegro.
A Different Energy
The atmosphere, the energy here, it’s different. You know that feeling when you’re meeting up with friends after a long period of absence? You know, the warmth, the familiarity, sharing in-jokes as you uncork the wine and settle in for an evening of updates and anecdotes? That’s Regent Porto Montenegro. Behind the elegant, Venetian-Renaissance architecture is a tight-knit team of creative, diligent staff, committed to ensuring that your stay is as exceptional as it is relaxing. Sure, the overriding experience is one of luxury, but the approach is that of the warm aunt making cocoa for her guests at the end of a long day. The substance exceeds the style, no mean feat given the style is, well, off the scale.
Where is it?
Regent Porto Montenegro sits proudly on the waterfront of Tivat, its grand Italianate facade looking out onto the 460-berth super yacht marina and snow-tipped mountains beyond. Located 15 minutes from Tivat airport and with a flight time just shy of 3 hours from the UK, Regent Porto Montenegro is an excellent choice for anyone looking for luxuries most often found further afield, but with a substantially shorter flight time. Those looking for something a little more rustic can take a short 4 mile drive to Kotor, the UNESCO World Heritage site boasting narrow streets of charming stone buildings, ancient churches, and many, many cats. Additionally, Perast, and it’s mysterious Lady of the Rock (a little church with a big history), can be reached in under 30 minutes. With an abundance of walking, hiking, and cycling routes available, Montenegro is more than gleaming yachts and designer shopping. With average coastal temperatures of 28C in the summer and a pleasant 17C in the spring, the climate here offers the perfect vacation weather for sailing fanatics and sun-worshippers alike. I’m not sure what else I could ask for, but I’ve no doubt if I could, the staff would have it to me in two shakes of a lambs tail.
A Masterclass in Design
A proud tribute to their Venetian roots, Regent Porto Montenegro pays homage to its Italian history whilst creating a new, contemporary style of it’s own. Designed by Tino Zervudachi of MHZ, the interiors are stylish and uncluttered, allowing the sweeping views to do all the talking. Thoughtful, yet comfortable, the public areas of the hotel boast electrifying Italian style with the comforts and luxuries synonymous with many of the super-yachts moored outside. If Venetians made cruise ships, this is what they would look like.
The crisp, clean craftmanship spills out of the hotel interior and into the perfectly manicured gardens, outdoor seating areas, and many, many infinity pools on site. The beautifully refined Beach Club features cabanas curtained with crisp, white linen, and a multitude of pools directly overlooking the marina and bay beyond. If sundowners and good conversation are more your thing, Onyx Bar, with it’s delicate water features and fragrant shrubbery faces out to the west, meaning you can enjoy your Aperol beneath one of those trademark Montenegrin sunsets.
What about the rooms?
With the palm lined bay to the front and majestic mountains to the back, each of Regent Porto Montengro’s 175 rooms, suites, and penthouses evoke a feeing of quiet luxury. The accommodation is spread across three wings, each with its own distinct flavour: Venezia plays tribute to Montenegro’s nautical past, whilst the Regent Pool Club Residences feel more reminiscent of the Italian Riviera. The dazzlingly diverse views of both land and sea mean you could stay a dozen times and experience a different vista on each occasion. Views aside, the quality of the interiors remain uniform across all classes of room. Irrespective of whether you’re staying in a room or a penthouse, the beds are marshmallow soft, the linens impeccable, the bathrooms unscrupulously clean. For those staying with family, the penthouses offer ample space for excitable children and tumbling tots, whereas couples may prefer the discreet luxury of a suite complete with oversized rainforest shower and deep ceramic tub with an optional bath butler service.
Whilst some rooms include cooking facilities and refrigerators, the comprehensive room service menu means you don’t have to leave the comfort of your bed for breakfast or quit sunbathing on your balcony if you get a bit peckish. Lovely jubbly.
Food & Drink
Not many hotels boast a restaurant that could survive and thrive as a stand alone entity, but Murano at Regent Porto Montenegro is certainly one of them. Headed up by Chef Marko Zivkovic, Murano is quietly creating impeccable dishes with an attention to flavour and flair synonymous with the quality and grandeur of the restaurant interior. With a focus on Adriatic seafood and local, seasonal ingredients, this is the closest you will get to Michelin Star quality dining outside of a Michelin Star restaurant. The dishes pack a punch whilst retaining simplicity, the balance of land and sea harmonised on the plate. The dining room, with its high ceilings, chandeliers, and opulent Murano glass artwork is the perfect setting for a three course feast, whereas the outdoor seating in the Italian Garden provide a more relaxing al-fresco option for the warmer months.
For a more casual affair, Gourmet Corner is the go-to restaurant for a breezy lunch or afternoon treat. The sweeping glass counter filled with all manner of cakes and pasties is impossible to resist (trust me, I ate four in one sitting), the menu offering light bites such as creamy croquettes and peppery steak sandwiches. If it’s a tipple you’re after, the Library Bar, reminiscent of an old London gentleman’s club, can serve you a dram of classic malt or shake up a custom cocktail whilst you sink into one of the many sumptuous wing-backed chairs. Alternatively, the expert mixologists at both The Onyx Bar and Pool Bar offer an array of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails alongside a variety of light bites. You are in no danger of going hungry here.
A Little R&R
Step out of the second-floor elevator and you’re greeted with the drifting scent of eucalyptus and camomile from the world-class spa facilities. Here, relaxation is serious business: whether you’re indulging in a Finnish sauna, Turkish Hammam, or custom massage treatment, your serenity is their priority. The therapists act with a sense of care and calm, drawing from the gentle, nurturing energy that seems ever present throughout the building. With a selection of treatments available, including Ayurvedic massage, rose infused facials, and revitalising body scrubs, you’ll be floating back to your room for the best night’s sleep you’ve had in recent memory.
If you’re already fully de-stressed, the spa is also home to a 20 metre indoor pool and oversized mosaic-lined hot-tub, each with awe-inspiring views of Boka Bay. If you fancy a bit of fresh air, you can slip outside to the secluded infinity pool on the second floor balcony. The perfect place to quietly drink in that sunrise.
Insider tips
- While the bay view rooms are fabulous, don’t dismiss the mountain facing rooms on the opposite side of the building. The mountain views are magnificent, especially during the cooler months when they’re topped with snow. Try both for a unique travel experience.
- There are numerous luxury boutiques on site, including Dior, Rolex, and Zimmerman. Bring your chequebooks.
- Try the ceviche at Murano. More importantly, book Murano before the rest of the world finds out about it, so you can brag that you got in before the waiting list.
- The indoor hot tub at sunset is a special experience indeed. The mosaic glows during the golden hour, and the spa is generally quite empty as most guests are at dinner.
- Take a day trip to Perast and visit The Lady of the Rock. You don’t need to be Catholic or indeed religious to enjoy the architecture and story of this unique spot. If you think on, book a table at Conte for lunch afterwards.
How to book
Bookings can be made direct with the hotel here. Accessible and inter-connected rooms are available upon request.
Regent Porto Montenegro is located at Obala BB, Porto Montenegro Village, Tivat, 85320, Montenegro.
Telephone: +382 (0) 32 660 660
The nearest airport is Tivat, less that 5km from the hotel. You can also arrive via Dubrovnik and Podgorica airports, each one located about 90 minutes drive away.
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