Editor-in-Chief Katy Sunnassee jets off to Europe’s latest hotspot and arrives to find more in her bedroom than she bargained for!
It’s not often you arrive at a super-luxe, five-star hotel to find a naked man in your bathtub. And yet that’s what I found upon arriving at my grand, marina-facing suite at the Regent Porto Montenegro. But he was more surprised to see me than I him… I’d planned the surprise, you see, and the man in the bathtub was my husband, who was there on a business trip. I’d kept the whole thing quiet for months and had been messaging him on WhatsApp a few moments earlier, so knew he was in the bath. ‘Room service!’ I said as I slid open the dark wooden door to see his surprised face (while he rushed to cover his modesty, thinking it an actual hotel employee).
After the initial shock had worn off (and yes, I joined him in the bath) we ordered room service and had a relaxing evening in our two-room suite, overlooking the twinkling lights of the marina with all its super yachts. For the hotel sits pride of place, slap bang in the middle of the Porto Montenegro marina development. It’s a huge hotel, too, with its original, Italian-inspired main building set between two more modern developments to either side. But whether you’re in the middle or in one of the wings, this hotel epitomises luxury and sophistication. Porto Montenegro itself gives off major Monaco and Saint-Tropez vibes: haute couture boutiques are sandwiched between expensive jewellery shops and property developers. You want your best garb to wander down the strip. And it’s minutes away from Tivat, where the hip and trendy hang out in the summer.
As you approach the hotel, you are greeted by a modern architectural masterpiece that seamlessly blends with the surrounding mountains and the azure waters of the Bay of Kotor. Inside, the hotel exudes a timeless elegance that captures the essence of Mediterranean chic – all very White Lotus (if you saw that on Netflix). And although the grandeur, high ceilings and motifs make the hotel look centuries old, it only opened in 2014.
The reception area, housed within the original building, is inspired by Venetian palaces and is breathtaking in itself being so expansive, with a huge fireplace at either end of the space, both surrounded by comfy chairs and sofas and with Murano glass sculptures on every wall – Murano glass is a key element of the hotel’s design (there is a shop selling the glass objects around the corner).
Naval-inspired interiors
And in keeping with the naval theme of the area, design details incorporate a lot of rounded edges – from the concierge desks through to the furniture in the rooms and the railings lining the corridors, which emulate the feeling of a cruise ship.
Staying with the Murano glass theme, the main restaurant, where you take breakfast and can dine during the spring, summer and autumn months (before it closes for the winter season in November) is also called Murano and serves Mediterranean-inspired cuisine as well as plentiful breakfast options; I was very impressed by the range of healthy options on offer, as well as the à la carte breakfast menu that included an ample smoked salmon and eggs option. There’s also a must-visit patisserie around the corner that’s popular with visitors for its impressive creations.
If possible, book a room directly facing the marina in the original building as, having had a tour of the property, these are by far the nicest as you get a huge balcony accessible from both the living area and the bedroom, from which you can watch the sun set over the mountains in the distance, while people-watching along the main marina, not to mention see owners coming and going to their superyachts – it’s a whole other world!
But even if not in a marina-facing room, you can still have a side-view room, looking down into the port or the expansive pool/bar area between the two wings of the hotel, or be facing back towards the nearby mountains – in Montenegro, you’re always in or close to mountains.
Spa time
For those seeking relaxation and rejuvenation, the hotel’s Regent Spa is a sanctuary of tranquillity. With an array of indulgent treatments and state-of-the-art facilities, guests can unwind in the steam and sauna room and do a few gentle laps of the pool. Our first visit was tranquil, although the next visit, late afternoon on our second day, was spoiled slightly by a family with lots of very noisy children/teenagers who seemed to think and act as if it were their own private pool. In summer, the sleek outdoor pool areas between both the original building and the newer wings are open to all so the spa pool probably isn’t frequented by children, or at least not as many.
My full body massage was heavenly, and my therapist got to work on the knots in my shoulders; no light strokes or namby-pambying around, this was a “proper” massage.
A rich life
Our immaculately dressed, suited and booted chauffeur also explained on the way back to the airport that the country is home to a UNESCO protected area where Bill Gates and his cronies fly to each year for one of their invite-only conferences. It’s a definite hotspot for A-list celebrities. Yet the glitz and glam of Porto Montenegro feels slightly incongruous juxtaposed with the majority of the country, which, although clean and tidy (our driver was very proud to talk about how there’s no litter) feels very rural, with expanses of mountainous countryside and dilapidated housing dotted about, separating built-up towns. Sometimes within what feels like a few hundred metres from the super luxe pockets of wealth, you find yourself in the middle of barren landscape with orthodox churches, road-side convenience stores, car dealerships and “regular” village life.
Montenegro itself is also an anomaly of sorts: a once strategic military base, which explains the pockets of high-net worth people who live and visit, yet flanked by its poorer, often war-torn neighbours of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest and west; Serbia and Kosovo to the northeast and east; and Albania to the south. Croatia to the northwest is its most affluent neighbour and receives plenty of tourists, and from Croatia’s capital of Dubrovnik it’s probably the same distance driving to Porto Montenegro across the border as it is from the country’s own capital of Podgorica, which is about an hour away.
I would have flown to Tivat but during winter, when I visited, there were no flights from Stansted, my closest airport (I flew Ryanair to Podgorica from Stansted instead). However, flying from Gatwick means you can go direct to Tivat, where the hotel is conveniently based around 10 minutes away, and also a nightlife hotspot for the hip and trendy. And, I believe more routes have been added to Montenegro as it’s such an up-and-coming destination.
Whether strolling along the marina, indulging in gourmet delights, or unwinding in the spa, the Regent Porto Montenegro Hotel promises an unforgettable experience where super luxury meets Adriatic splendour… naked man in bathtub not included!
A colourful history
Porto Montenegro, situated in the picturesque town of Tivat on the Adriatic coast, has a fascinating history that reflects its evolution from a naval base to a world-class superyacht destination.
The origins of the port date back to the Yugoslav era when the Tivat naval base served as a crucial strategic point for the country’s naval forces. With the dissolution of Yugoslavia in the 1990s, the naval base lost its significance, leaving a complex
of abandoned military facilities.
The transformation of this once-military stronghold into a luxury yacht marina began in earnest in 2006 when a Canadian businessman, Peter Munk, had a vision to create a premier destination for superyachts in the Adriatic. The easy access, sheltered waters, and stunning surroundings made Tivat an ideal choice for his ambitious project.
Over the years, Porto Montenegro has expanded its facilities, adding residential complexes and high-end shops – think fashion brands such as Prada, Dior and Balenciaga.
In 2009, the marina officially opened its doors to the public, marking the beginning of Porto Montenegro’s ascent as a sought-after destination.
Porto Montenegro has not only revitalised the town of Tivat but has also played a pivotal role in positioning Montenegro as a premium destination on the world yachting map.
