Best places to stay in Montenegro: the ultimate guide!

BOUTIQUE HOTEL HIPPOCAMPUS ****

There are few hotels inside the fortified wall of Kotor, if you are looking for a place with original charm, but modern, with stylish furnishings, and welcoming, functional rooms, the Hippocampus hotel will not disappoint you.

A small boutique hotel with only 11 rooms where the staff are kind and attentive.

All rooms are carefully decorated and can accommodate an extra bed for a child.

Breakfast is served on the rooftop restaurant (where later you can indulge in a drink and enjoy the magnificent view even if you are not staying at the hotel).

Unfortunately, being in the old city, you will have to park outside the walls and carry your suitcases up to the entrance.

A tip to finish: ask for a quiet room to minimise the noise from nearby pubs and restaurants!

BOUTIQUE HOTEL ASTORIA *****

The Astoria boutique hotel is another gem in the heart of Kotor.

Located inside the old Boka building (protected by UNESCO), this small hotel with only 9 rooms has been completely renovated and offers design interiors with a strong style and character.

It is worth spending a little more for the superior rooms, which are larger with pleasant seating.

Some rooms have a sea view, but if you are on the fourth floor you have to take into account that the lift only goes to the third.

Parking is free (but must be reserved in advance with the hotel) but, like for the hotel Hippocampus, outside the walls.

KARAMPANA SQUARE THREE BEDROOM APARTEMENT

This 150 sqm apartment. it is located within the walls of Kotor.

It is delightfully renovated, with 3 double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a fully equipped kitchen, and an incredible price for the quality it offers!

There is also a small balcony that directly overlooks the square that bears the same name, Piceta Karampana.

It is located on the second floor without a lift, a small inconvenience for a truly enchanting place.

HOTEL CASA DEL MARE – AMFORA

This hotel is a little paradise on earth. This is the hotel in which we stayed on the Bay of Kotor.

There is a strip of private beach with a single row of beds and umbrellas that make you feel you have the bay just for yourself. The room’s balcony has a crazy view of the bay … everything seem there to make your stay unforgettable.

The staff were very kind, the breakfast served in the restaurant on the ground floor or on the terraces overlooking the sea just outside, is great with a very rich buffet, and an excellent a la carte selection.

The restaurant also offers lunch (with a reduced menu) and dinner.

The rooms are very large with a relaxation area that offers an extra bed if desired. Most of the rooms can accommodate up to 4 people.

The best thing is that the hotel is far from the main road, to get there you take a side street, so it is very quiet and even with the windows open you are not disturbed by traffic noise.

There are only a few rooms over 3 floors (no lift), but some are on the rear with a mountain view, be sure to book one on the front! We didn’t use it, but there is also a sauna and a hot tub!

PALAZZO SBUTEGA

Once you pass the town of Kotor, the coast becomes much quieter, with mainly residential areas suitable for relaxation, and with small gems such as Palazzo Sbutega.

Refined design interiors are flanked by a renovated structure keeping the characteristic old elements intact such as the stone walls.

The back garden is organised with different sitting areas, sunbeds, and a small swimming pool. The rooms as well as the common areas are treated with attention to detail and show a careful choice of furnishings and decorations.

With independent access there is also a self contained pool villa that can accommodate up to 4 people.

On the front there is no private beach, but the sunbeds and seats are placed on the classic swimming dock where a comfortable ladder facilitates access to the water.

VILLA STOLIV

This villa, which can accommodate up to 14 people, is not on the list because it is a luxurious place or with design interiors, but for the fantastic location and the value for money ratio.

The villa is located about 8km from Kotor, and is built on a platform that juts out into the water, in fact it is surrounded on 3 sides by the sea.

The five bedrooms are basic but functional. The living room and furnishings are generally very traditional, but what makes the place special is the large veranda, complete with BBQ grill, which opens up in front of the house by the sea.

From here, a small ladder gives direct access to the sea or, if desired, to the side there is a crumb of pebble beach.

From this part of the coast it is very easy to organise water taxis to reach other areas of the coast e.g. Perast can be reached in 10 minutes. If, on the other hand, you are driving, there is space to park 4 cars.

HOTEL SOA

The Soa hotel is a small hotel that has been renovated for about ten years.

It comes with modern and pleasant interiors, and offers ample, unattended, parking right on the front.

The rooms are well organised although perhaps a little small. The breakfast, which unfortunately is not served in the restaurant with the pleasant view, but on the ground floor, is plentiful and rich with sweet and savoury choices, plus the possibility of ordering some a la carte dishes.

The hotel is in a perfect location, the center of Zabljak can be reached in 5-10 minutes on foot and the entrance to the park for visiting the Black lake in 15-20 minutes.

VILA TARA

In the area there are many chalets and mountain houses, but none look as good as Villa Tara.

Composed of two independent apartments, one with 3 bedrooms, the other with two, it reinterprets the mountain style in a modern key.

The finished wood panelling takes the place of rustic wood and large sliding windows flank the stone walls.

The three bedroom apartment in particular has a beautiful living room with fireplace in a double height ceiling space.

A patio equipped with BBQ and a large and functional kitchen complete the setup. Located just outside Zabljak and about 3km from the Black lake, it has all the features for perfect relaxation.

CHALET LILY

The chalet Lily is a typical mountain chalet, but with a Nordic flavour.

The furnishings are rustic and solid, but refined and combined in a very pleasant way.

Muted colours create a refined and relaxing, but at the same time functional environment.

This is the perfect place to isolate yourself in nature, it is located about ten minutes by car from Zabljak (or a pleasant walk in summer)

The front of the chalet offers a large terrace where you can rest after the long treks in Durmitor National Park

HOLIDAY HOME RADUS

If you are looking to switch off completely this is the place for you.

It is located on the shores of the Skadar lake, but far from everything. It can only be reached by boat or by foot.

The owner will show you a safe parking place and then accompany you to the villa. Once you reach the villa, all you have to do is let yourself be enchanted by the view and cool off in the waters of the lake.

The lake is accessible for a swim directly from the villa.

The villa is not luxury, but with rustic exteriors and interiors it integrates perfectly into the surrounding environment.

Breakfast is included but you can also ask for a full board.
WiFi is not available, so there is really no excuse not to unwind

ECO RESORT CERMENIZA

This resort with magnificent local stone houses is not directly on the lake, it is about 2km away, but the extraordinary views and hospitality compensate.

It is located within a vineyard that the owners manage. It is a small complex of 5 independent houses perfect for families or groups of friends who want to be together, while maintaining a little independence.

The pool is perfect for entertaining children on hot summer days. Breakfast is included, and dinner can also be requested.

The cuisine is a delight of local products and the wine comes directly from the vineyard.

The owners also organise tours and there are bicycles available for guests.

APARTMENT DEJIC

This apartment, perfect for 4 people, combines proximity to the centre of Virpazar (a few minutes walk) with an enviable position directly on the lake.

There is also a private place to park your car. The apartment is furnished with traditional elements in a more modern context.

The interiors are almost all custom made to integrate perfectly into the space, the apartment is not luxury and could be considered too basic for long stays (no microwave or dishwasher), but perfect for a few days of peace. It comes with some basic items such as tea or sugar.

The livingroom has a large balcony with comfortable seating to enjoy the superb view.

HOTEL PALATA VENEZIA

In Ulcinj there are no real design hotels, which is why my choice fell on the Palata Venezia where, although the interiors are a little old fashioned, the context is certainly charming.

The hotel is located in the heart of Ulcinj old town, in an ancient fortress. Once you enter it seems to be a small village, with the two little squares dedicated to the small swimming pool and the restaurant bar.

The view from the room terraces is amazing and the hotel is an oasis of respite from the people who flock to the nearby beach.

Fortunately, the hotel reserves umbrellas and sun loungers at the beach, which is therefore accessible for free to guests.

Being located inside the walls, you cannot reach the entrance by car, but park immediately outside the walls. The friendly staff can help you with your bags if you let them know.

For those with mobility challenges it should be considered that there is a steep climb to return from the beach.

THE BEACH HOUSE WITH MAGICAL SUNSETS

If when you read the name “The beach house” you are thinking of a glamorous house in front of the ocean, well you would be disappointed, but if you like the idea of falling asleep with the noise of the sea then you are in the right place.

The name couldn’t be more precise, the beach house is right on the beach, with its own few steps directly onto the sand.

It is situated near Ulcinj long beach, 20 min by car from the old town.
The interiors are not stylish, but modern and functional. The touches of colour balance nicely the wood structure that make it a little bit too rustic.

The bedroom is set with a double bed and a bunk bed, but it feels a little too small, while the living room with open kitchen is a good size and has big sliding doors opening on an amazing veranda on 2 sides.

HOTEL ASTORIA

In Budva there is certainly no lack of choice when finding accommodation.

But, you have to evaluate the position well. The city is very touristic and the ideal is to find a place that offers parking and a private beach.

Obviously the best is to have a sea view room, but close to the old town and away from the noise of the music of the bars…the task is not easy!

Here the choice falls on the Astoria hotel because it combines a good location within the walls of the old town and close to the private beach.

Having only 12 rooms, the atmosphere is intimate and pleasant. The rooms are starting to show signs of wear and tear, but the terraces and the view make up for it!

Lovely touch: the possibility to have breakfast by the beach!