JANE MEMMLER visits the Regent Porto hotel in Montenegro
Without doubt, this is a destination hotel. It sits in the charming port town of Tivat – flanked by dramatic, craggy mountains on one side and the impossibly pretty Kotor Bay, Europe’s most southerly fjord, on the other.
The Regent Porto Montenegro hotel is part of the swish Porto Montenegro development, which is funded by the Dubai government. All the facilities, services, shops and restaurants are linked by pristine pedestrianised streets.
This elegant, sprawling hotel is the focal point of the waterfront which offers serious competition to Monaco and Bodrum’s swanky marinas.
Regent Porto Montenegro has 175 rooms dotted across three buildings with the grandiose Venetian wing at its heart. It is reminiscent of an Italian palazzo – all the hotel’s core facilities, such as restaurants and bars, are found here. The other two wings, Aqua and Baia, opened in 2017 and 2019 and are more modern with contemporary, lighter furnishings.
Golf carts zip here and there ferrying guests from the hotel’s grand foyer to the Buddha-bar Beach and to swanky shopping thoroughfares, home to brands such as Max Mara, Dolce & Gabbana and Valentino. Guests who prefer not to scuff their Manolo Blahniks can also hitch a ride to dinner at one of the romantic waterside restaurants.
Whether you’re super rich and glide into one of the 450 covetable berths on your floating gin palace, or you pull up in a local taxi, the welcome you get is the same.
STYLE
The Austro-hungarian maritime past is reflected in the hotel’s style and decor – the area was formerly the Tivat naval shipyard, called Arsenal.
Polished wood features in the foyer and public areas, with curve-edged furniture, metal and rope light fittings and striped blue soft furnishings all complementing each other perfectly.
Bedrooms are beautifully proportioned with balconies and views over the marina. Bathrooms have toiletries from UK perfumer Miller Harris.
FOOD AND DRINK
You’ll get five-star service at the Murano restaurant as you dine under Murano glass chandeliers and Venetian mirrors. The food is another delightful surprise thanks to the abundance of fresh produce on the doorstep. Fish features prominently.
The refined Murano is headed up by chef Marko Zivkovic who really has positioned it at the top end. Bites include pan fried sole with lemon gnocchi for €28, and flame grilled veal flank at €34.
The relaxed Gourmet Corner is exactly that and diners with a sweet tooth will be in patisserie nirvana when they see the cake selection.
Whether you glide in by boat or pull up in a taxi, the welcome is the same
ACTIVITIES
The complex has pools galore; there’s an indoor pool with a hot tub and views across the bay, a lap pool on the first floor, and the Pool Club that’s lined with palm trees with sun loungers aplenty and infinity pools. The next-door funky Buddha-bar with pool, cool vibes and DJS is the place to see and be seen.
If you want activity there’s tennis courts and sailing lessons. Or if being pampered is your thing the spa has a hammam, experience showers, sauna and steam rooms. Treatment rooms offer treats like an olive oil and grain wrap (€60) and facials (from €70).
Rooms at the Regent Porto Montenegro hotel start from around £255 a night B&B. ihg/regentporto montenegro.com
For more see visit-montenegro.com and tivat.travel