Palazzo Radomiri has a real blend of international elegance about it, from the Moroccan-style outdoor snugs to the Mediterranean-Balkan fusion fare in its restaurant - and luxe elements mingle happily with the exposed stone and rugged scenery of its setting. Built at the height of Kotor Bay’s time under Venetian rule, this Baroque property was one of many weekend homes that sprung up in Dobrota for affluent traders. They’d spend their week living and working in Old Town Kotor, before sailing along the coast for a few days of peace in their waterfront palazzo. And just like the 18th-century Radomiri family, guests still flock here to enjoy the tranquil seaside beauty of this unassuming village.
Converted to a hotel in 2006, the palazzo now holds 10 antiques-filled bedrooms (each with an expansive sea view), as well as a bistro-style courtyard, a pool and a sun-drenched jetty leading into the bay’s crystalline water - to resist a swim is inconceivable! Mountains wall the coast and after a couple of days relaxing you'll find yourself wanting a little activity and adventure. No problem. Start with a morning yoga class overlooking the sea, then hire bicycles and kayaks or take a private boat trip to discover your very own corner of Kotor Bay.
Highs
- The stone architecture mirrors that of Kotor's historic walled Old Town, a beautiful spot for a day out and just 4km along the coast
- A sublimely peaceful place to unwind and the Junior Suite is ideal for honeymooners with its ancient stone balcony overlooking the bay
- Good value - and rates include breakfast and tax
- Aquamarine waters, verdant hillsides and craggy mountains define the region, and making the most of them is easy with bikes, kayaks and guided excursions all available from the hotel; great for outdoorsy families
- You're only 90 minutes south of the Croatian border, so Dubrovnik and its airport are within easy reach (plus Tivat airport now operates more flights than before)
Lows
- Breakfast was a little underwhelming when we visited, but the menu has since changed considerably and feedback is good
- 65% of your stay must be paid on reservation
- The 18th-century courtyard dining space only has glimpses of the sea
- There are a lot of steps between the various elements of the hotel, so it's not ideal for those with limited mobility or for toddlers
- Those seeking nightlife and excitement may prefer to be in central Kotor
- Boutique Hotel
- 10 rooms
- Restaurant and bar (open daily)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Sauna
- Beach Nearby
- Babysitting
- Creche / Kids Club
- Car recommended
- Parking
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Concierge Service
- Bicycles Available
- Jetty
Rooms
The 10 traditional rooms gaze out over the bay. Inside there are antique beds with embroidered throws, heavy wooden wardrobes and dressers, perhaps a painted landscape or gilded mirror. Bathrooms are a much more modern affair: sleekly designed in soft beige or grey, fluffy beige towels with gold embroidery, pretty L'Occitaine toiletries and bathrobes on request. Only two suites have bathtubs with a shower head (Family Suite Fortunata and Deluxe Suite Speranza); the rest have showers.
We stayed in a Deluxe Suite and loved its tranquil bedroom and homely lounge: proper squishy sofas, glossy coffee-table books and a decent bureau for postcard writing. The Attic Suite is of a similar ilk, although here you’re in the eaves, with sloped ceilings. Also on the top floor are the Attic Standard Rooms, which have a little seating area and twin beds. We'd opt for these over the Standard Rooms, which are considerably smaller - although they do offer more authentic décor and some will prefer their full-height ceilings.
The 2 Family Suites would work well for parents with 2 children, or a group of 4. Both have 2 bedrooms and a large bathroom, though no living area. Fortunata has 2 double bedrooms (one kingsize, one queensize), so children would have to be happy bunking together, while Serpente is more flexible with a twin room (that could also be made up as a double) and a double bedroom overlooking the pool.
The Junior Suite is perfect for a honeymoon. A Baroque kingsize bed and exposed beams set a suitably dramatic tone, while rich creamy drapes lead to a glorious stone balcony. Original corbels are engraved with 3 Atlantes, who symbolically blow the rough winds away from the palazzo. The panoramas here are unrivalled so order room-service meals and hide away from the world.
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- Fan
- Hairdryer
- Minibar
- Safe box
- WiFi
Eating
Radomiri’s restaurant has an ever-changing and varied menu of Mediterranean-Balkan fusion dishes, so on our visit there were unusual offerings like olive ice cream appearing beside traditional apple strudels and cakes. Ingredients are fresh and sourced locally, including Montenegrin cheeses and proscuitto from Njegusi. We went for homemade falafels and a vibrant borscht (a chilled beetroot soup) to start, followed by veal medallions in fig and prune sauce, and catch of the day cooked in olive oil with Mediterranean vegetables - though expect the menu to be different upon your visit. The tasty fare was matched by friendly, if slightly disorganised, service and staff happily answered any queries we had. Be aware that fresh fish dishes are sometimes priced by weight, so it’s best to be specific about the portion size you’re expecting.
Breakfast is served in a quiet, dedicated indoor room, and consists of a choice of 4 home-cooked menus: healthy (fruits and oatmeal), a full English, a continental or Montenegrin (filo pastry pie and cold meats and cheese). There are also some a la carte choices. Room service is available, too.
If you fancy a change of scene, head into Kotor Old Town where there’s a lively restaurant and bar scene, particularly in the summer months. It’s an easy 5-minute drive from the hotel (staff can assist with taxis and restaurant bookings), but there are a couple of eateries along Dobrota’s waterfront if you’d prefer to stay within walking distance.
Features include:
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Restaurants nearby
- Room service
Activities
- The walled old town of Kotor is a 5-minute drive away. Wander its narrow pathways, visit museums and churches, browse the markets or head up the countless steps to the ruined fort of St John’s for panoramic views over the town. In the evening, explore the town's sociable bar and restaurant scene
- Palazzo Radomiri can arrange excursions around the bay, including diving and sailing, plus there are kayaks and bicycles to hire - all offer a dynamic view of this dramatic landscape
- Visit the pretty village of Perast and take a boat out to Our Lady of the Rocks, a small man-made island holding a tiny church. It has unrivalled views of its neighbour Ostrvo Sveti Dorde, a beautiful private monastery off limits to the general public
- Drive south of Budva to the famous Sveti Stefan island (1 hour), an ancient fishing village turned 21st-century luxury resort. The island itself is closed to the public, but it’s a stunning site to behold from the surrounding beaches (entry to which is expensive) and woodland. Nearby beaches in Budva and on the Lustica peninsula can be used free of charge
- Take the twisting Kotor-Lovcen mountain road to Cetinje, the former Montenegrin capital. It has the best-preserved collections of medieval arms and artefacts in the Balkans, and the views from the mountain road are astounding - although the route is not for nervous drivers…
- Take the time to explore beyond the coast; Lake Skadar, in central Montenegro, is an unmissable natural wonder covered in lily pads and teaming with birdlife
- Back at the hotel: swim in the outdoor pool, lounge on the jetty, unwind with a free yoga class (seasonal), or indulge in a massage and relax in the sauna
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Boat trips
- Cycling
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Historical sites
- Kayaking
- Museums / galleries
- Nightlife
- Private guided tours
- Sailing
- Scuba diving
- Snorkelling
- Swimming
- Well being
- Windsurfing
- Yoga
Best Time to go
Montenegro is busiest during the long, hot summer (June-August). We prefer visiting in spring or early autumn, when the temperatures are still high enough for swimming but it's easier to explore the country's stunning landscape. As autumn progresses into winter, rainstorms become more prevalent and many coastal businesses close; Palazzo Radomiri tends to close from early October until the beginning of April.
Our Top Tips
If you drive up to Lovcen national park, stop off in Njegusi: this tiny village produces excellent prosciutto and cheese, which can be bought from local stallholders. We also picked up some beautiful handmade wool slippers while there.
Location
Palazzo Radomiri is in the village of Dobrota, which merges with Kotor. It sits on the coastline of Kotor Bay, in southwest Montenegro.
By Air:
Tivat (11km) is the closest airport, but most people fly into Dubrovnik (66km) before self-driving along the coast to Montenegro. It is also possible to fly into Podgorica (80km), the Montenegrin capital city. Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving these airports.
From the Airport
We'd recommend hiring a car (see below), but if you don't drive, the hotel offers transfers or you could take a taxi.
By Car:
Dobrota is quite quiet so you're likely to want a car to explore the wider area. See our car rental recommendations. There is free off-road parking at the hotel but spaces are limited.
By Boat:
Palazzo Radomiri has private mooring facilities in front of the hotel, which can accommodate yachts of up to 20m / 65ft - enquire for details.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you confirm a booking through i-escape.com
Airports:
- Tivat Airport 11.0 km TIV
- Dubrovnik Airport 66.0 km DBV
Other:
- Beach 4.0 km
- Shops 0.5 km
- Restaurant 0.1 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 4 independent reviews from i-escape guests
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