Montenegro Luxury Stay: Unwind in Style at One&Only Portonovi

Have a few days to spare to truly unwind? Here’s your best option.

One&Only Portonovi is exactly what its name promises: one of a kind. It’s spectacular. Located in Montenegro, just a short 15-minute drive from Herceg Novi on the road toward Kotor and Tivat, this resort is a destination in itself. Everything—the location, grounds, rooms, beach, pools, food, and, most importantly, the staff—is outstanding.

Classic and clean lines, beautiful design

Our room

We stayed in the Classic Room, Bay View, and it was beyond comfortable, with:

• Automated curtains (both blackout and sheer)

• Tall ceilings

• Huge terrace with automated shades

• Beautiful furniture and design details

• Huge bed with the softest linens and fluffiest pillows

• Japanese toilet, separate dressing area, and tub with a view

• Chaise lounge in the bathroom area

• TV with Bose soundbar

• Thoughtful welcome kit: a stylish tote and two baseball hats worth actually wearing

Only thing we wished we had? A designated place for an unpacked suitcase, and yet, we managed just fine.

A view from a room

Breakfast

Breakfast is a highlight. Beautiful china, beautiful location, a mix of buffet and menu selections, and absolutely delicious options. My favorite: strawberry smoothies. I always carry my Yeti cup for beachside cocktails, and this was the best use yet—smoothie to go for the beach!

Pools & beach

The pools and manmade beach are perfection.

The sand on the beach is soft and light—a rare thing on this coast. The beach staff is attentive without being intrusive: towels, umbrellas, cold water, refreshing cocktails in shot glasses, chilled face towels—everything just appears, no charge.

The sound of the water and the quiet atmosphere are deeply relaxing. Even my Oura ring, which I always wear, agreed, showing I was in the most restorative state during our two-week road trip across Croatia and Montenegro. Can’t fake that result!

In addition to the Adriatic Sea itself, which is crystal clear and perfect for swimming, there are multiple pools, including:

• A very long outdoor pool (not deep, but great for swimming laps).

• A three-pool setup with cold, neutral, and warm water for every preference.

• And several more, I couldn’t count.

Tapasake, one of the restaurants by the pool, adds a lively touch in the afternoons with a DJ spinning between 1–5 pm, mixing beats with live saxophone.

Three pools by the beach—all with different temperatures

Beach with beautiful sand

Dining

We tried two of the three restaurants, Tapasake and Sabia.

• Tapasake (went here for lunch, and then came for dinner the next day): Sushi rolls, fruit platter, fish dishes, and mochi ice cream—all excellent.

• Sabia (came here for dinner): My short rib ravioli was fantastic, but my partner’s seafood platter was a bit salty and a tad overcooked. However, the staff was wonderful, and the overall experience is still highly recommendable.

The resort anchors the new Portonovi marina village—a chic, walkable area with lit evening paths, high-end stores, and a variety of restaurants. We heard great things about NOA Portonovi and wanted to try, but decided against it due to the rain. It’s only a few minutes away. The area is also perfect for a stroll after dinner.

Beautiful sunset right from the terrace

The overall vibe

Guests are international, a mix of ages and backgrounds. This isn’t a White Lotus kind of place—it’s luxury without the pretension. Quiet style, understated money, and a true sense of belonging.

One thing to know: this is not a party resort. Evenings are quiet, and with only about 120 rooms, it never feels crowded. Just peace, comfort, and style.

Check-in and check-out were seamless. Car and luggage drop-off was effortless. No signatures needed for breakfast—everything was designed to make your stay easy and relaxed.

Staff communication happens via WhatsApp—instant responses to any request, from reservations to small needs. Every staff member you meet greets you with a hand on their heart, a genuine touch that makes you feel seen and appreciated.

Fabulous grounds all around

The spa area

The spa and gym are a world of their own. Clean, modern, and thoughtfully designed with high-end TechnoGym equipment, yoga and Pilates rooms, and even kickboxing. The men’s and women’s areas—separately—have wet and dry saunas (fantastic!), ice fountains, spacious changing areas, and vanity setups. It’s both indulgent and practical—my only regret is not spending more time here earlier in the stay.

The highlight? A spectacular indoor pool with doors that open to the patio, lined with lounge beds!

If you’d like a double treatment room to share with your partner, book early—there’s only one. Since we stayed just over two days and availability was limited, we booked separate rooms at the same time and then relaxed together afterward in the shared lounge area.

Getting information on their massage packages on the website ahead of time was a bit confusing, as it focuses more on multi-day wellness packages with health and nutrition elements rather than straightforward massage options. That said, the resort does offer several types of massages—and the ones we tried were excellent. Upon arrival, we received all the necessary information from the resort staff via the WhatsApp group, so this was not an issue.

Indoor pool in the spa area

Final thoughts

This resort was recommended by my daughter and her husband, who loved it during their honeymoon, and we are thrilled we were able to squeeze in a few days to spend here. We had one rainy day during our two-night stay, but this resort makes bad weather feel like a gift. Between the indoor pool, the spa, and simply lounging on the room terrace daybed, relaxation came easily.

The One&Only brand has now won me over completely—I’d happily prioritize their hotels for future travels.

Even though One&Only offers no hotel loyalty program, the perks are available through Fora—think resort credits, late checkout if available (ours was 4 pm, adding a whole extra day!), and upgrade options.

In short, if Montenegro is on your list, make this resort part of your plan. It’s not just a hotel stay—it’s a reset for the mind and body.

• Don’t stress about the spa menu online—it’s focused on wellness packages; once on-site, staff share all massage options via WhatsApp.

• Want a couple's massage? Book early—there’s only one double treatment room.

• Bring a Yeti cup (or similar)—perfect for taking smoothies or cocktails to the beach after breakfast.

• Expect peace, not parties—evenings are quiet, with just around 120 rooms, so the resort never feels crowded.

• Rainy day? No problem—the indoor pool, spa, and daybeds make it feel like a luxury retreat.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Montenegro page.