Regent Porto Montenegro

The Bay of Kotor’s history is colorful, to say the least, but neither pirates nor the Venetian empire threaten any longer — hence the swelling fleets of superyachts, hence the feverish development on the Tivat waterfront, and hence Regent Porto Montenegro, the hotel portion of a sprawling nautical village/dining/shopping/entertainment compound. The region’s days as a Yugoslav Navy shipyard are long gone; nowadays the pleasure-palace vibe reigns supreme, all part of Canadian tycoon Peter Munk’s vision to erect a “Monaco of the southern Adriatic.”

A tall order, it’s true, but again, the historic heritage carries plenty of weight. Meticulously polished local stone, copious arch-play, and terra-cotta roofing lend a distinctly neoclassical flavor to the edifice, ostensibly to channel the grand Italian palazzos of yore. In the rooms, Tino Zervudachi cranks up the maritime with Venetian striped textiles, hardwood flooring, and a boatload of nautical blue. The deep soaking tubs more than suffice in terms of aquatic relaxation, and the gentle surf will doubtlessly lull you to sleep in tandem from your berth in the luxe king bed. You don’t have to feel as if you’ve even left your yacht, in other words, though you’re beyond help if the balcony view doesn’t do anything for you.

The view is arguably better, however, from the Dining Room, a Mediterranean-Montenegrin fusion spot with intriguing al-fresco possibilities; rouse that appetite beforehand with some bubbles at the Library Bar, then return to ease down afterwards with small plates and an impressive selection of top-shelf reliables. An on-site pâtisserie should have your sweet tooth covered, and any guilt can surely be worked off at the fully equipped fitness center or the extensive spa facilities. Us, we’d opt for more drinks at the outdoor infinity pool.