Hotel of the week - Regent Porto Montenegro
The Dining Room at the new Regent Porto Montenegro. Source: The Australian
REGENT Hotels & Resorts has opened a glamorous new waterfront property in Montenegro’s super-yacht marina, the rapidly emerging Adriatic playground for the mega-rich.
The first hotel in a small enclave that was once headquarters for the Austro-Hungarian Imperial Navy, the Regent is endowed with classically handsome good looks inspired by the Venetian-influenced palazzi dotted about Boka Bay.
With a terracotta tiled roof and seafront Italianate gardens, the hotel features 51 guestrooms and 35 large suites, all commanding long views of the bay or mountains.
Paris-based interior designer Tino Zervudachi has embraced the super-marina’s moneyed seductiveness to create sleek, understated guestrooms that give the feel of being aboard a ship. Timber trim and jaunty nautical stripes are complemented by big bathrooms with deep tubs, king-sized beds, a furnished balcony or terrace, large flatscreen televisions and free WiFi.
Hotel facilities include a smart fitness centre and day spa with hammam and juice bar. During summer the indoor swimming pool connects with a 20m outdoor pool commanding uninterrupted views of the bay.
The marina is readily accessible via international airports in Tivat (less than 5km away) and Dubrovnik (47km).
Where to eat
All hotel restaurants, including the patisserie and Library Bar, feature seafront, outdoor terraces. Executive chef Jusman So has created an innovative menu for the elegant main Dining Room that includes European lobster au gratin with zucchini mille feuille, and wagyu beef carpaccio with olive oil pudding and black truffle mignonette. Finish with a wine poached pear, topped with gorgonzola, wild rocket and candied walnuts.
Out and about try the nearby Restaurant One, or Catovica Mlini in the tiny fishing village of Morinj.
Don’t miss
Afternoon tea in The Library.
Stand-out feature
The 190sqm, three-bedroom, four-bathroom Regent Residence also features a full kitchen, separate living and dining rooms, seven terraces and an outdoor Jacuzzi.
Concierge’s tip
Visit the marina’s great little maritime museum or book a full-day tour of the region, starting with a climb up the old road via Njegusi to Cetinje, then a boat ride to the small village of Virpazar on the lovely Lake Skadar for lunch. On the way home there’s a chance to taste some of Montenegro’s best wines at the Kopitovic cellar door.
Best rate
Opening rate of 333 Euros (about $478) a night.
More: 1 800 014 368; www.regenthotels.com
Source: The Australian - 21st August 2014
