Head just east of Croatia, along the Adriatic coast, to discover a land of spectacular mountains and hidden beaches, medieval villages and historic vineyards, farm-to-table cuisine and marinas filled with yachts – and, now, Europe’s first One & Only resort. While Montenegro has been on the verge of becoming the ‘New Riviera’ for some time, the arrival of One & Only Portonovi, which officially opens on May 1, raises the level of luxury available in the Balkan country. With accommodations inspired by Venetian palaces, a private beach, state-of-the-art wellness center, and Michelin-starred chef, the resort is ready to welcome American travelers seeking sun-kissed glamor this summer. (Montenegro is currently open to international travelers who show proof of full vaccination or a negative Covid-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival.)

Located at the entrance to Boka Bay on the Adriatic Sea, around an hour’s drive from Dubrovnik International Airport, Croatia, the resort is part of Portonovi’s largest luxury lifestyle development, which also includes a helipad and a 238-seater D-Marin. superyacht marina. While other parts of Portonovi are yet to be completed, guests can now check-in at One & Only’s 113 rooms, suites and villas, which, as seen in these first-look images, are located in buildings inspired by the region’s historic Venetian-style palaces, with its colonnades, red terracotta roofs, gardens and indoor and outdoor pools. Most accommodation has stylish fireplaces, large bathrooms, furnished terraces and floor-to-ceiling windows with mountain, marina or bay views.

The One Bedroom Suite features an outdoor dining area that seats 12, indoor and outdoor fireplaces, a separate butler entrance, and a private safe that can hold up to 268 bottles. In keeping with the current desire for residential-style options, the resort also offers two secluded villas: the three-bedroom Villa One and the two-bedroom Villa Two both have private gardens, plunge pools and hydrotherapy pools, showers. exterior and a dedicated team of butlers, chefs and valets. If you want to make your stay more permanent, the resort also offers 10 One & Only three- and four-bedroom private homes for sale, each with a pool, interior courtyard, and access to a sandy beach and boat jetty.

The star of the resort’s dining scene is the main restaurant, Sabia by Giorgio Locatelli, where the acclaimed chef – whose restaurants include London’s Michelin-starred Locanda Locatelli – serves influenced dishes from southern Italy. with an emphasis on fresh seafood. Elsewhere, the poolside Tapasake Club offers pan-Asian tapas-style dishes, a sake bar and regular DJ sets, the Montenegro-focused La Veranda has an open kitchen and live music stations. live cooking, and the Caminetti Bar serves cocktails, afternoon tea, and a pre-dinner caviar menu overlooking the sea.

These indulgences are balanced by wellness programs created through an exclusive global partnership with Swiss experts at Chenot, who combine modern science with the best of traditional Chinese medicine and other holistic practices. At the Chenot Espace facility, clients can participate in personalized multi-day retreats focused on goals such as detox, fitness, stress relief and rejuvenation. Each begins with a doctor-led consultation and diagnostic testing, and includes a mix of nutrition sessions, healthy menus, spa treatments, workouts, and mindfulness activities. The spa also includes hydrotherapy and cryotherapy areas, indoor pools, steam room, hair salon, and men’s treatment salon.

A tennis club (with floodlit courts), a state-of-the-art fitness center, kids ‘and teens’ clubs, and a list of scheduled activities (like yoga and guided hikes) provide more on-site fun , but given Montenegro’s relatively compact size, the resort is also ideally located for getting out and exploring the area. Water lovers can sail the Adriatic by yacht or speedboat, take diving and sailing trips, and discover secluded islands and hidden beaches, while on land you will find World Heritage sites UNESCO, historic vineyards, well-preserved medieval villages (like Perast and Kotor) and pristine national parks, all within driving distance. Rates start at $ 595.