Lazure Hotel & Marina

The smallish Balkan country of Montenegro fights above its weight in the travel world thanks to its spectacular Adriatic coast. Here, near the opening of the Bay of Kotor, is a Venetian-era military hospital that dates back to 1732, meticulously preserved, restored, and expanded into the Lazure Hotel & Marina, a luxury boutique hotel with a perfect seaside location and the kind of classic atmosphere a new build couldn’t hope to match.

That’s not to say Lazure is a throwback experience, though. Inside, you’ll find the historical architecture effortlessly updated with contemporary interior design; alongside weathered sections of stone wall are modern fixtures and furnishings, bright accent colors, and contemporary artworks. They’re both stylish and indulgent, especially the bathrooms, and the suites are impressively large.

One restaurant, the more formal Rosemarine, serves upscale Mediterranean fare in spaces that range from the dining room to the terrace with a view of the marina, while a second, Augusto Brasserie, occupies an interior courtyard. The adjacent marina building is home to Wine O’Clock Gastro Bar, and the Lazure Spa includes an indoor pool and a separate kids’ pool as well as saunas, a jacuzzi and hammam, and a thoroughly equipped fitness center.