JOURNEY
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BY SARAH
Kotor Bay Hotels offer you locations in quaint fishing villages with world-class views and top notch restaurants. What's not to love?
Picturesque and historic Kotor old town is a wonderful place to stay. But I’m going to argue that staying outside the town it is even better for the following reasons:
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There are so many quaint seaside villages around the Bay of Kotor that offer you the perfect combination of charm and seaside holiday feel. You still get the atmosphere but without the noise and crowds.
You also get to enjoy the amazing views over the bay which so many people come for.
When you consider Kotor Bay hotels, be sure to book a sea view room if you can. It's worth spending a little extra on.
On the map below you can see the villages around the Bay of Kotor and where they are.
Here are my thoughts on each of the villages to help you make a decision which one is right for you:
Dobrota (including Sveti Eustasije) – this is an ideal place to stay. It’s close to all the amenities of Kotor and depending how far your hotel is from town, you can either walk, bus or catch a taxi to town.
Ljuta and Orahovac – these little villages are great getaway spots. There’s very little here apart from Bajova Kula beach and Stari Mlini restaurant. If staying here, I recommend getting car hire.
Perast – Perast is also a great place to stay – there are plenty of restaurants, it’s incredibly pretty and historic. There are a couple of things to note:
1. It’s pedestrian only so you will have to park either side of town which costs €2 per day.
2. It gets very busy during the summer months.
3. There’s just one small beach. You have to swim from the piers and unless your accommodation has a designated pier, you won’t be able to lie out in the sun.
Risan – I don’t recommend staying in Risan. It’s a bit run down with old industrial buildings and a big dilapidated hotel. It does however have a few restaurants and a beach front, so if you can overlook the rest, it might suit you.
Morinj and Kostanjica – these are quite close together and Morinj would be the most popular place to stay. There’s a large beach here and two good restaurants – Tramontana on the beach and Catovica Mlini behind. Because of the natural springs in this area, the sea water is always cooler than elsewhere.
Kamenari – this is where the ferry that links the Herceg Novi side of the bay with the Tivat side docks. There’s ample beach front here and there are a couple of restaurants and a supermarket. The ferries aren’t noisy, but they do run 24 hours a day and the traffic is busy with cars going back and forth on the ferry.
Muo – Muo, like Dobrota, is a great location because it’s so close to Kotor. You also benefit from the stunning views of the old town, especially when it’s lit up at night. Depending where you are here, you could walk to Kotor or get a bus or taxi very cheaply.
Prcanj and Stoliv – these two villages lie between Kotor and Tivat. Both have seaside restaurants, cafes, convenience stores and little pebble beaches. They’re very quaint and picturesque with stone homes lining the seaside. These villages are great because you can be in either Kotor or Tivat in 20 minutes at most.
Technically there are more when you include the Herceg Novi Riviera and Lustica Peninsula, but I’ll cover those on dedicated pages since most people are looking for options closer to Kotor town.
So, now you have a little background info, on to the top Kotor Bay 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 |
The Regent in Porto Montenegro is beautiful and is in a stunning location overlooking the marina. The hotel has all the amenities you'd expect of a Regent hotel and it's location combined with Tivat's compact size means you can easily get around on foot.
Features:
Hotel Conte is a lovely hotel in the centre of Perast. It’s ideally located to take advantage of the views over Perast’s two island churches and the straits of the bay. This is the perfect location to watch the boats come and go – you’ll see everything from tourist boats to luxury yachts to cruise liners.
The hotel is relaxed and inviting, with exposed stone walls that go perfectly with Perast’s ancient history. There’s free WiFi throughout and free parking available. They also have a very good restaurant attached which has a seaside terrace – the perfect place for leisurely breakfasts and romantic dinners.
Find out more about the hotel here.
Hotel Splendido is ideally located in Prcanj, a little village that’s about 10 minutes from Kotor by car. The hotel is right on the waterfront and has a beautiful outdoor pool surrounded by sun loungers. This, of course gives you the benefit of the stunning Bay of Kotor views while you lounge by the pool.
You can also enjoy the views in the evenings over dinner or a ‘vino’ from the restaurant terrace.
This is a great place for people wanting a quiet getaway and you can easily get a taxi or local bus to either Tivat or Kotor. Prcanj is very pretty with all its stone architecture and churches. You’ll also find shops, restaurants and cafes along the waterfront.
This hotel is the perfect combination of Kotor atmosphere and seaside location. The hotel is a baroque palace that’s been renovated to meticulous standards and is now a 10 room hotel. When you stay here you have the historic Kotor feel with the benefit of being right on the sea front and enjoying the views of Kotor Bay.
It’s in Dobrota which is next to Kotor so you can walk or catch a taxi to the old town. Free WiFi throughout and off street parking are included.
Hotel Casa Del Mare – Amfora offers you peace and tranquillity in the Bay of Kotor. It’s located in Orahovac, 8km from Kotor town and this is the epitome of seaside hamlet. There are only a couple of convenience stores and restaurants in the village.
Bajova Kula beach is a great place to relax and has an onsite restaurant. Stari Mlini, one of the best restaurants in the bay is a short walk away in Ljuta.
The hotel has comfortable and modern rooms with balconies that take in the dramatic bay views. It also has a private beach, wellness facilities, free WiFi and a restaurant.
Boutique Hotel Casa Del Mare – Mediterraneo is in Kamenari, which is where the ferry links the Herceg Novi and Tivat parts of Kotor Bay. The hotel is modern and new and lies right across the road from the sea.
The hotel’s rooms are modern and relaxing and all have sea views. The hotel also has free WiFi, free parking, a very good restaurant, a private beach with sun loungers and massage facilities. All in all, the perfect spot for a relaxing holiday!
Kamenari gets fantastic, close-up views of
passing cruise ships from April to November. This location is a great getaway
spot, but it’s just 20 minutes to Herceg Novi and you can take the ferry and be
in Tivat in about the same time.
Like Hotel Casa Del Mare – Mediterraneo above, Capitano is in Kamenari. This hotel actually has an interesting story and is a renovated captain’s palace that’s UNESCO protected.
The hotel has been sensitively renovated in Mediterranean style. As well as the private beach it shares with Mediterraneo, it’s got a pool, private garden and wine cellar.
Hotel Per Astra is in the absolutely idyllic UNESCO protected village of Perast. Perast is perfectly located right in the centre of the Bay of Kotor. It gets sun all year round, has majestic views over the straits of the bay and has two island churches. In fact, it’s one of the must-see attractions in the Bay of Kotor.
Hotel Per Astra is an immaculate 4 star hotel with pool and wellness centre. All rooms have spa baths, free WiFi and free parking.
Eco Hotel Carrubba is a pretty boutique hotel in Donja Lastva, just a 10 minute walk from Porto Montenegro in Tivat. Donja Lastva is very picturesque with old stone homes and little alleyways.
The hotel is on a quiet spot right on the water and its own beach with loungers for guests to use. The hotel’s restaurant also has a waterfront terrace. The modern and comfortable rooms have sea views and exposed stone walls. There’s also free WiFi throughout and free parking onsite.
This boutique hotel is on the seaside in Prcanj. The seven rooms are comfortably furnished and the exposed stone walls lend a classic feel to the hotel.
Across the road, guests can enjoy the use of sun loungers that overlook the Bay of Kotor and behind the hotel there’s a private patio area for relaxing, chatting and reading.
Free WiFi and parking come standard with all rooms.
Hotel Bokeljski Dvori is a good value 3 star hotel in Prcanj. Prcanj is a pretty village on the seaside stretch between Kotor and Tivat and is about 15-20 minutes from each by car.
The hotel is right on the sea front and has views overlooking the bay. Prcanj has convenience stores and restaurants along the seaside, so all the essentials are within walking distance. Hotel Splendido is just across the road so you could also use their waterfront dining terrace.
Free parking and WiFi are included. You need to reserve the parking which I recommend doing because this road is very narrow and parking can be hard to find in the summer months. If you’re without a car, a local bus runs between Kotor and Tivat and vice versa half hourly.
Hotel Galia is nestled in the hillside about 50m from the seafront in Prcanj. The views from Prcanj over the bay are fantastic and this hotel and location are great value for money. The hotel has free WiFi hotspots, a restaurant and free parking.
The simple and clean rooms are ideal for anyone looking for a good quality, budget-friendly place from which to explore the Bay of Kotor. If you’re without a car, a local bus runs between Kotor and Tivat and vice versa half hourly.
Hotel Pana lies on the seafront in Dobrota, which is 5km from Kotor. This hotel’s rooms are simply furnished but comfortable and the seaside location is so close to Kotor is ideal. You can either wander along the promenade to Kotor or catch a taxi or local bus.
Dobrota has pebble beaches, cafes, restaurants and convenience stores so everything you need is on your doorstep. Free WiFi and free parking are included with your stay.
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.
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