A Real Bride's Tips for a Romantic Honeymoon in Montenegro & Croatia

From taking in the incredible scenery and stunning national parks to visiting ancient ruins and dining at excellent restaurants, plan a trip to tour some of the beautiful landscapes of these two countries – which have even been used as filming locations for movies and television, such as King's Landing in Game of Thrones and so much more.

For advice from a real couple on having a Montenegro and Croatia honeymoon, one of the former brides showcased in the Travel Diaries feature of Inside Weddings magazine is sharing details from her trip along the Adriatic Coast. Read on for her Montenegro and Croatia advice!

Ideal Honeymoon Destination: Croatia

Croatia is having a moment. Strewn with stunning landscapes, enchanting islands, and sun-drenched towns, this country is not to be missed. Surrounded by the glistening Adriatic Sea, the international city of Dubrovnik has its fair share of idyllic beach coves, sensational cuisine, and remarkable history. Today, it’s become a go-to destination when it comes to a dose of the ocean without all the crowds.

There is a sense of magic to be felt when stepping into Villa Dubrovnik, a beautiful contemporary hotel perched atop a cliff on one of the most magical stretches of the Dalmatian Coast. The property is a stylish retreat for guests in search of luxurious privacy, best-in-class hospitality, and ultra-modern amenities. With sleek lines and a chic and airy interior, every corner of this outstanding villa is home to exceptional views and a world-class stay.

Prominently positioned above the prominent St. Jacob precinct and situated at one of the city’s most distinguished addresses, Villa Dubrovnik is the most awarded luxury hotel in Croatia. All of the 60 chic rooms in the hotel have stunning sea views and look out to the picturesque Lokrum Island and the Old Town walls. The rooms are all spacious in size – especially for city-hotel standards – and the contemporary room design and expansive balconies provide the ultimate in comfort and relaxation. 

Two restaurants and one rooftop bar line the clifftop to offer panoramic horizon views and the city’s hottest reservations. Remarkable cuisine from the award-winning Restaurant Pjerin will feed all of your senses with its delectable Mediterranean cuisine and extensive wine list. For a more casual environment, guests can enjoy the Al Fresco Bar Giardino, designed for enjoying lighter fare in a picturesque, secluded garden just above the private beach level. 

Rest and relaxation is the order of the day in this romantic setting, as you’ll be hard pressed to peel yourself away from the property.  Unwind at the hotel’s private beach, which has concrete platforms for sunbathing and a ladder into the glistening sea. Prefer a non-salt water option? There’s a serene outdoor pool, set in the gardens strewn with bougainvillea, where you can sit back and sprawl on a four-poster lounge bed. Lastly, there’s an indoor pool with wide-open glass doors and direct water views. 

With spectacular views of the Old City and the famed island of Lokrum, unrivaled gastronomy, and high-class hospitality, Villa Dubrovnik is a modern gem in the medieval city, providing a truly legendary and memorable travel experience. With the world re-opening and Croatia now accepting international guests, book well in advance to score coveted room categories during peak travel times.  

Ideal Honeymoon Destination: Montenegro

In a post-pandemic world, the hotel industry is learning to speak a different language – mobile concierge, contactless technology, going even more digital, low-touch travel, enhanced hygiene, and the list goes on. The One&Only hotel group has always been on the cutting-edge of travelers’ wants, needs, and demands, and they have only stepped up their game in these heightened times.

The pandemic saw its fair share of hotel debuts and the One&Only Portonovi, in the country of Montenegro, opened its doors in Spring 2021, welcoming guests with masked hellos. With rugged mountains, mirror-like lakes, medieval villages, blissful beaches, and yacht-filled marinas, the country of Montenegro is one of Europe’s lesser-known jewels. 

On a serene stretch of the Mediterranean, Montenegro has an almost otherworldly feel about it – a perfect location to continue to socially distance and truly get off the grid – and an ideal spot for the One&Only’s first European property. A relaxed alternative to its neighboring countries of Croatia and Italy, guests can spend time embracing the simplicity of just being –especially after spending time in the busy city of nearby Dubrovnik, Croatia.

While Montenegro has been on the cusp of becoming the “New Riviera” for quite some time, the arrival of One&Only Portonovi has elevated the level of luxury available in the Balkan country, which will most certainly put this locale on the worldwide map in the coming years. While this property is remote in nature, it’s quite accessible, with guests flying into the Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) and then taking a private hour-long car ride across the border, arranged by the hotel.

Sitting elegantly on Adriatic shores, with the beauty of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Bay of Kotor (also known as Boka Bay) surrounding you, where mountains fade into the shoreline of the sea, you’ll check into the sophisticated One&Only Portonovi, where palace-inspired accommodations and best-in-class service awaits. Between the scenic on-property private beach, wonderful spa treatments at the cutting-edge Chenot Espace Spa and Wellness Center, and Italian cuisine at Sabia by Michelin-starred chef Giorgio Locatelli, the resort is ready for visitors, and trust me when I say, you’ll never want to leave this luxury playground. 

The resort is part of the larger Portonovi lifestyle development, an enclave that also features a helipad and a super-yacht marina, as well as home to 20+ shops and restaurants serving delectable fare and fresh seafood, all within a short walk of the hotel’s epicenter. While other parts of the Portonovi compound have yet to be completed, the 100+ rooms, suites, and villas are finished and best-in-style. Most resort accommodations feature expansive bathrooms, furnished terraces, cozy fireplaces, and floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing mountain, marina or bay views – all of which are truly spectacular. 

If you are looking to make your time at the One&Only Portonovi more permanent (which went through my mind several times during my stay), the resort also has a handful of three- and four-bedroom One&Only private homes available for sale, each with a pool, internal courtyard, beach and boat jetty access.

In addition to the hotel’s stunning accommodations and pristine property, beautiful private beach and blissful pools, and extraordinary on-site restaurants, the five-star destination has a world-class tennis club. I can confidently add in “world-class” since the world’s top tennis player Novak Djokovic was training there for the US Open this past summer, staying with his family on-site and practicing at the Portonovi complex for over a month.

Beyond these state-of-the-art offerings, there’s also a cutting-edge fitness center and an expansive kids club, which all add to the list of luxury facilities at the One&Only Portonovi. This Montenegro hotel is certainly taking things to the next level, tying sports and activities seamlessly into its five-star amenities. This brand-new resort in Montenegro’s Bay of Kotor is losing no time in making a name for itself as the most sought-after address for an active vacation by the Adriatic Sea.

The time is now to start planning that upcoming proper romantic summer holiday in Croatia and Montenegro – and if you’re lucky enough, you might even spot Novak Djovonik training at the Tipsarevic Tennis Academy again! 

For more travel tips and advice, view a honeymoon itinerary for New Zealand and Moorea, learn more about one couple's relaxing honeymoon in the Maldives followed by a safari in Kenya, and see tips for a luxurious honeymoon in Cabo!