Ultra-luxe hotel a beauty in the Balkans
Europe’s first One&Only resort offers holistic wellness and a riviera-style stay
Montenegro’s Boka Bay region, on the coast of the Adriatic Sea, boasts yacht-friendly waters, towering mountains, historic towns and undiscovered beaches.
So it’s no wonder the ultraluxe resort brand One&Only would choose the exclusive spot for their first European outpost, One&Only Portonovi, which opened in early May.
The retreat’s look was inspired by Venetian-style palaces common to the area. On the exterior, this translates to terracotta roofs, grand colonnades and lush gardens.
Indoor spaces, with walls decorated in soft greys and modern furniture that provide pops of colours, flow into private terraces designed for gazing at the sun-kissed orange skies.
Most of the 113 rooms, suites and villas (from $1,233) also feature intimate fireplaces and floor-to-ceiling windows that show off the mountains, bay or marina.
One&Only is famous for crafting wellness-focused havens, and Portonovi is no different. The hotel has partnered with the Swiss wellness brand Chenot for the on-site holistic spa, Chenot Espace.
The multi-day programs start with a doctor-led consultation to create a bespoke menu of treatments — complete with nutrition guidance, fitness routines, mindfulness activities and skin-care pampering — geared to detoxing and rebalancing the body.
The wellness theme continues beyond the spa, too. Guests are encouraged to check out the retreat’s tennis club and outdoor yoga classes. The exceptionally energetic can sign up for a challenging mountain hike led by local trail athlete Sasa Kulinovic.
There are numerous dining options at One&Only Portonovi, and you won’t be surprised to discover healthy fare is a priority. The highlight is the southern Italian menu at Sabia by Giorgio Locatelli, a renowned chef known for the U.K.’s Michelin-starred restaurant Locanda Locatelli.
There’s also an organic vegetable crudo bar and, of course, a wood-fired oven for truly authentic pizza. For a livelier vibe and Japanese flavours, the Tapasake Club serves Asian fusion dishes to the soundtrack of a live DJ.
Guests will want to explore the bay’s Kotor region, which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. The hotel offers experiences to see the nearby ninth-century architecture, the Durmitor National Park (home to glacial peaks and varied butterfly species) and a working monastery founded in 1252 that features an impressive collection of religious art.
If your itinerary allows, hop on the resort’s private boat for a ride along the bay — and a crystal-clear view of why One&Only chose this idyllic destination.