One&Only Portonovi is the grandest resort on the Bay of Kotor: a beachfront hotel near Herceg Novi with about 123 rooms, suites and villas, the Chenot Espace wellness center and a short list of very good restaurants. It opened in 2021 as the brand's first resort in Europe. The Michelin Guide awards it two Keys.
It suits couples who want full luxury in one of the most dramatic landscapes in the Mediterranean. The bay's calm, deep green water laps at the resort's beach, the mountains rise steeply behind and the stone towns of Perast and Kotor are a boat ride away. You can spend a day doing nothing by the pool, then take a private boat to Our Lady of the Rocks the next.
The resort welcomes families and has a kids club, but the grounds and the spa are large enough to stay calm. Rates are approximate and the resort does not publish simple prices; expect top-tier European resort pricing in summer, with better value in spring and autumn. Watch for offers such as a free night on longer stays.
Highlights at a glance
- Europe's first One&Only resort, with two MICHELIN Keys
- Chenot Espace wellness center
- Sabia and TAPASAKE restaurants with bay views
- Beachfront on the calm Bay of Kotor
- Indoor and outdoor pools
Why Couples Love One&Only Portonovi
The Bay of Kotor is a series of linked basins, ringed by steep limestone mountains. Portonovi sits near the entrance where the bay opens toward the Adriatic. The water is calm, warm by early summer and good for swimming straight from the shore.
The resort brings the polish of a global luxury brand to a coast that still feels undiscovered to many Americans. Service is attentive, with the brand's focus on personal touches. Couples who want to explore can easily reach Perast, Kotor and the Luštica peninsula by boat or car. Those who want to rest can stay within the resort for days. That balance makes it a strong base for a first trip to Montenegro.
Rooms and Villas to Book
The resort offers rooms, suites and villas, plus larger private homes for groups. Rooms are spacious and calm, with balconies or terraces and views of the bay or gardens.
For a honeymoon, book a sea-view suite. The bay is the reason to come to Portonovi. Watching the light change on the water and mountains from your terrace is the best part of any day here. Ask about suites with larger terraces or outdoor tubs.
Villas are the splurge, giving more space and privacy for a longer stay. Ask the resort exactly which villa types include a private pool before booking, since features vary. Mention the honeymoon when you reserve so the team can plan touches such as a private dinner on the beach or a boat trip on the bay.
Food, Drink and the Spa
Dining is a highlight. Sabia serves Italian cooking with views over the bay and mountains. TAPASAKE blends Mediterranean and Japanese flavors and sits beside the pool club with sea views. La Veranda is the steakhouse. Caminetti handles afternoon tea, cocktails and small plates in a relaxed lounge.
Chenot Espace is the wellness center and a destination in its own right. The Chenot method focuses on science-led treatments and detox programs, with sauna, Turkish bath and jacuzzi facilities. A couples' massage is easy to arrange, while the full programs suit longer stays.
There are outdoor and indoor pools, so swimming works even in cooler months. For a change of scene, take a boat to Perast for dinner on the waterfront, or drive to Herceg Novi's old town for seafood and local wine.
Why guests fall for it
Things to Do
The bay is full of short, memorable outings.
- Take a boat to Our Lady of the Rocks, the island church off Perast.
- Climb Kotor's walls to St. John's Fortress for views over the old town.
- Swim off a stone pier in Perast, then linger over lunch on the waterfront.
- Drive the hairpin road up Mount Lovćen for views over the whole bay.
- Explore the Blue Cave on the Luštica peninsula by boat.
Dubrovnik is close enough for a day trip, crossing the border into Croatia. Start the Kotor walls climb early to avoid the heat and cruise ship crowds. The Lovćen road has many tight turns, so hire a driver if you are not comfortable on mountain roads.
Getting There
The two main airports are Tivat (TIV) in Montenegro and Dubrovnik (DBV) in Croatia. Dubrovnik is about an hour away by car, including the border crossing. It has more international connections. Tivat is closer to the rest of the bay. The drive to Portonovi usually takes around 45 minutes to an hour, depending on the route and the Kamenari ferry.
There are no nonstop flights from the US, so most couples connect through a European hub. Ask the resort to arrange transfers, which take care of the border or the ferry.
A car is useful for exploring the bay, but water taxis and boat trips are often more relaxing. Summer traffic around Kotor can be slow, especially when cruise ships are in port.
Is It Worth It?
For couples who want polished luxury on the Bay of Kotor, yes. One&Only Portonovi offers the best combination of spa, dining and service in the region, with the bay's beauty all around.
Pick elsewhere if you want to stay inside a historic town. Portonovi is a modern resort near Herceg Novi, so Perast and Kotor are day trips rather than walks. Couples who want a small, intimate hotel will find the stone palaces of Perast more atmospheric. Those on a tighter budget can stay at Regent Porto Montenegro in Tivat or a boutique hotel near Kotor for less.
A few nights here, paired with a night or two in Perast, give you both the luxury and the old-world charm of the bay.
Insider tips
- Book a sea-view suite, since the bay is the resort's whole setting.
- Plan a private boat trip to Our Lady of the Rocks and Perast.
- Climb the Kotor walls early in the morning to beat heat and crowds.
- Ask about longer-stay offers, which can include a free night.
