If the Gold Coasts of Italy and France are overloaded with tourists in normal times, we shudder at the thought of what the liberated, post-pandemic crowds of summer 2021 will bring. It may be time to travel elsewhere. Montenegro, perhaps?
Scenic, beautiful, and merely an hour’s drive from Dubrovnik, the fjord-like Boka Bay is just as appealing as the South of France, but ever so slightly off the radar. That may change, though, as a new hotel is upping the glam factor. Recently, the One&Only Portonovi opened its doors to guests, marking the luxury-resort collection’s first property in Europe.
Everything about this place is a bit trop, but in a good way. There are 113 rooms and a smattering of suites, and all of the accoutrements that one would expect from a hotel with dozens of private pools. The scale of the rooms is grand, as if to nod to the region’s historic Venetian palaces. (The bathrooms and bedrooms are the same size.) Terra-cotta roofs, extensive gardens, views of the bay, marina, and mountains … reasons to just stay put are unending.
But activities also abound. The Adriatic coastline awaits for your yachting, speedboating, diving, or sailing purposes. National parks and World Heritage sites—beaches, fortresses, and the medieval towns of Perast and Kotor—are ripe for exploration. An extensive fitness center and tennis operation ensure that one’s Fitbit is happy, while KidsOnly and OneTribe clubs for children and teenagers, respectively, will ensure ample adult time.
The dining situation is equally well appointed, with chef Giorgio Locatelli overseeing Southern Italian cuisine in an elegant room at Sabia. The poolside Tapasake Club features fusion cuisine, along with a sake bar and the occasional D.J. sets. (Come to think of it, we may be sticking to Sabia …) But the views of the Caminetti bar, located in the lobby, are perfectly civilized.
Ashley Baker is the Style Editor for Air Mail
