JOURNEY
Montenegro Pulse contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. See my disclaimer for more information.
BY SARAH
Will it be old world charm in the atmospheric old town or sea views and beaches along the glorious Bay of Kotor coast? The choice is yours!
Kotor is by far the most popular location to stay among western tourists. It’s beautiful, it’s got history, plenty of things to do and it’s close to both Tivat and Dubrovnik airports.
You can easily base yourself in Kotor and go without a rental car because everything is on your doorstep. If you want to travel further afield you can book tours and take buses and taxis.
Kotor is the perfect place to stay if you're only staying a few days and want to see the highlights of Montenegro. A guided tour is the best way to do this.
It’s also a very central location to base yourself because it’s just an hour from Herceg Novi, 15 minutes from Tivat, half an hour from Budva and 15 minutes from Lustica Peninsula.
There are a couple of things to take into consideration when staying in Kotor – mainly whether you want to stay inside or outside of the old town. Here are the pros and cons:
Pros
|
Cons
|
So if you want to be the centre of the action with restaurants and bars a step away, inside the town is perfect for you.
If,
however, you’d prefer a more tranquil spot to come back to at the end of the
day, you should look for accommodation close to but outside of the old town –
Dobrota and Muo would be the closest spots as they lie on either side of Kotor
town. Have a look at our Top Hotels in Kotor Bay page for inspiration.
So, without further ado, here are the top 10 hotels!
Forza Mare isn’t actually located in the old town, but it’s the only five star hotel in the Kotor area and is in Dobrota, very close to Kotor.
This boutique hotel is very popular and in a great location, right on the Dobrota waterfront. It has its own waterside restaurant for breakfasts and a la carte meals. |
5 Stars |
Starting
at €160 a night |
This boutique hotel has 13 rooms ranging in size from 33 to 73 sqm. The décor is very luxe with exposed stone walls and marble floors. It’s exactly the right kind of grand ambience for a stay in the old town.
The impressive rooftop terrace is sheltered with a gauze-covered gazebo – fairytale romantic! |
4 Stars |
Starting
at €110 a night |
Don't miss the best of Kotor!
Discover the beautiful sights, hidden gems and authentic experiences that most people miss in Kotor.
Hotel Monte Cristo has 9 boutique rooms and an onsite restaurant. The building was originally the home of the First Bishop of Kotor and retains some of the original features.
The hotel has a very cosy atmosphere and you can take breakfast on their outdoor terrace overlooking the square. Each room comes with tv, cable, dvd, air-con and broadband internet. |
4 Stars |
Starting at €90 a night |
This boutique hotel is tucked away near the rear of the old town. The renovated building has been decorated in a dramatic style, which goes well with the 17th Century, exposed stone walls. The seven rooms all have free wi-fi, air-con and cable tv. |
4 Stars |
Starting
at €160 a night |
Hotel Vardar has a more standard hotel décor compared to the other four star hotels in Kotor and is larger with 24 rooms and suites available. It’s located right at the entrance to Kotor old town – perfect if you’re worried about finding your hotel again in Kotor’s rabbit warren of streets! The hotel also has conference facilities, which can accommodate up to 45 people. |
4 Stars |
Starting
at €105 a night |
Hotel Cattaro is named after the Venetian name for Kotor and resides in three historical Venetian buildings from the 19th Century. The hotel is also decorated in classical style and offers you a choice of 19 rooms which come with cable tv and air-con. |
4 Stars |
Starting
at €99 a night |
This is a cute hotel next to Hotel Hippocampus. The rooms are relatively small, but nicely furnished and the stone walls give you the classic ambience of Kotor. They have six rooms in total, one being a duplex apartment which sleeps four comfortably. |
3 Stars |
Starting
at €58 a night |
Hotel Marija is another budget-friendly option inside the old town. It’s got 17 comfortable, no-frills rooms all with air-con, free wifi and cable tv. |
3 Stars |
Starting
at €50 a night |
Hostel Old Town is a highly-rated hostel housed in a 13th Century stone building. This hostel is furnished as you might expect from more expensive lodgings and the vibrant hostel atmosphere compliments the vibrant town atmosphere perfectly. Free wifi and free parking make this a great value choice. |
Hostel Old Town was rated among the top 10 hostels for outdoor activities in the world!
2 Stars |
Starting
at €20 a night |
If you are visiting Kotor, my guide to Kotor old town is an indispensable book to take with you. This guide is like having a local best friend to show you the most interesting sights and hidden gems of Kotor.
Hotels in Montenegro
Best Kotor Bay Hotels
Best Tivat Hotels