Rupert Parker visits Regent Porto Montenegro, a new hotel development on the shores of Boka Bay.
An experience I will never forget is sailing into Boka Bay and dropping anchor at the UNESCO listed Kotor town, a perfectly preserved Venetian gem. The bay itself is known as the southernmost fjord in Europe, the crystal-clear waters of the Adriatic in stark contrast to the forests clinging to the mountains above it. That was a few years ago and I vowed to come back and stay longer.
So when I heard about the Regent Porto Montenegro, it was time for my return. Just around the corner from Kotor, Porto Montenegro was once a Yugoslav naval base but has been transformed into a super yacht harbour with over a kilometre of west-facing waterfront. It’s a tasteful development with designer stores peppered throughout the village behind the seafront.
The Regent Porto Montenegro is modelled on a Venetian Palazzo, rising five stories high, topped with a terracotta roof. Its three wings flank a double height lobby area, and all rooms are designed to feel like you’re on board a luxury ship. Hardwood floors and bespoke Mediterranean furnishings create a unique sense of place, and the walls are lined with original drawings from the former shipyard.
The sea is always present here, whether from the spacious balconies of your room, or right beside you when you’re dining on the terrace. Superyachts come and go, emphasising the keen sense of exclusivity, yet it’s never too busy. Rather it feels like the definitive place to relax.
There are 175 rooms and suites in three hotel wings: Venezia, Aqua and Baia. Inspired by the mesmerizing views of Boka Bay and the sea, the Venezia rooms and suites combine classic sophistication with a subtle nautical theme, reminiscent of a private cabin on board a luxury liner. The rooms in the Aqua and Baia wings get their inspiration from the Italian Riviera, and with the serene pool club and swimming pool at their heart, the living space offers refined modern comfort.
We stayed in in a Venezia Deluxe Room Sea View with a large open-air terrace. This has stunning views of the Adriatic’s Boka Bay, glistening just beyond the window. Inside, clean lines, nautical-style furnishings, and luxurious textiles in calming shades of blues and beige combine to create the perfect seaside retreat. There’s a linen canopy above the bed, resembling a sail.
The bathroom has a large tub and walk-in rain shower, plus double wash basins and there’s a shipping style hatch if you want to communicate with the bedroom. A large LED TV, Nespresso Machine and complimentary mineral water ensure a comfortable stay. What really impresses is the hardwood solid furniture, specially created for the hotel.
The Murano is the main restaurant, and its chandeliers and mosaic art reflects the Venetian glass making tradition. It serves expertly crafted dishes that showcase the best seasonal produce. The menu centres around fresh seafood, prepared with locally sourced and organic herbs – all offering a distinctive take on the regional Adriatic cuisine. Seating is both inside and outside.
The Gourmet Corner is a patisserie and gourmet delicatessen and serves freshly baked breads and savoury items, cakes and pastries and an array of home-made drinks. Fresh pizzas and pastas, burgers and flame-grilled meat and fish are available all day.
The Pool Bar on the pool deck provides a menu of refreshing Mediterranean light bites. The menu has a selection of fresh salads, array of small plates, artisan sandwiches and gourmet burgers.
The Onyx Bar & Garden by Beluga sits next to the lobby beside the sea and is handy for a glamorous pre-dinner aperitif or an indulgent nightcap. Their cocktail menu is designed by skilled mixologists and light bites are also available.
The Library Bar, with its sophisticated interiors, reminiscent of a traditional gentlemen’s club, provides the finest selection of a premium champagnes, cognacs, and the Scotch whiskies. Complementing the club atmosphere is an extensive cigar menu.
The hotel’s first floor function area includes Salon Boka, two foyers and the Regent Lounge. Ballroom Teodo is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and seats up to two hundred guests. It enjoys natural daylight through grand French windows, which frame a stunning view of the marina and Adriatic Sea.
The signature Regent Spa offers a wide array of treatments and a holistic approach to rejuvenation, combining ancient traditions with fresh, organic ingredients. Facilities include three treatment rooms, sauna, steam room, Hamman and experience shower, fitness studio and nail salon.
For fitness, there’s the first-floor gym, fitted with state-of-the-art Technogym equipment. Personal trainers as well as group and individual yoga classes are available upon request.
The Regent Porto Montenegro has two 20m pools, one indoor the other an outdoor infinity pool. The separate Pool Club covers a swimming area of 600m² with four pools: a feature pool (273 m²) lap pool (208 m²) and two smaller children’s pools.
Outside, but within the marina village, guests have access to two outdoor and one indoor tennis courts and sports club. PMYC Pool is a posh lounge bar with a 64m infinity outdoor pool, perching above the tranquil seascape.
The Regent Porto Montenegro is situated in a retail village of over fifty-five stores including international and local fashion brands, independent boutiques, a day spa and hair salon. It’s surrounded by a series of waterfront restaurants and bars offering everything from traditional local cuisine to Italian, Mediterranean and Asian.
Just nearby is the Nautical Heritage Museum with two Yugoslav submarines beached outside. A short cycle ride away is the Solila Special Nature Reserve, a wetland spanning 150 hectares and home to 111 bird species.
Feeling guilty about the five-star pampering and gourmet food, I decide to be super active throughout the day. The hotel offers bikes and hiking guides, so I take advantage of both. A particularly strenuous trail starts in Kotor and climbs up behind the town, alongside the city walls which tumble down the hillside. It was built for donkeys or mules so the gradients are not particularly steep until the final section but the stunning views are well worth it.
Next day I explore the coastline by bicycle, following a quiet track right by the water’s edge. It takes me past tiny settlements, once the home of fishermen and sea captains who built ornate churches here. There are no large hotels here, just simple rooms for rent and I pass guests enjoying their breakfast outside. After an hour I reach Kotor, but carry on further, hoping to reach the ferry which will take me back to Porto Montenegro. It’s too ambitious so admit defeat and turn back and retrace my route.
I really only have time to spend two days here but, as before, I vow to come back. The hotel makes a luxurious base to explore the surrounding area, whether on foot, by bike or by kayak. There are numerous trails, of varying difficulty, all within easy reach of Porto Montenegro and the added bonus is those fjord views of Boka Bay. Not to mention the unique UNESCO listed gems of Kotor and Perast.
Tell Me More About the Regent Porto Montenegro
Regent Porto Montenegro, Obala Bb, Porto Montenegro Village, Tivat 85320, Montenegro
T: +382 (0) 32 660 660 E: reservations.pm@regenthotels.com
Prices for a night at Regent Porto Montenegro start from €240 based on two adults sharing a Superior Room on a Bed & Breakfast basis.
EasyJet flies direct from Gatwick to Tivat, just 5km from the hotel. Dubrovnik (47km) and Podgorica (90km) both offer connections with charter and scheduled airlines
