Iberostar Herceg Novi
It’s probably not astonishing in this ever more united world that the Spanish-based Iberostar hotel group should count the northern Adriatic coast of Montenegro among its most successful destinations. The Iberostar Herceg Novi is built into the hillside of Njivice, affording fine views across the Bay of Kotor to Herceg Novi’s old town, beautifully illuminated at night.
Its peaceful location and panoramic sea views are some of its biggest selling points, and this 4-star hotel is a good choice for families with older children or couples wanting to combine Herceg Novi and Kotor sightseeing with a few days relaxing by the sea or pool. Indeed, when vacationing on Montenegro’s beautiful Adriatic coast during the peak season, you ought to consider being a little further away from the crowds.
Herceg Novi
In Herceg Novi, there is truly an appeal to suit all tastes and ages, from family-friendly holidaying and sublime beach clubs to plenty of authentic Montenegrin vibes.
Kotor Old Town
Something of a mini Dubrovnik, the streets inside Kotor’s Old Town boast many nice bars and restaurants, and there is a market every day just outside the city walls.
Even if it might have been strange to voice this opinion a few years ago, the Iberostar Herceg Novi as it stands today is a structure of some architectural acumen. The sixties-vintage modernist hotel certainly occupies an impressive site, climbing out of the picturesque no-man’s-land between Montenegro and Croatia – the border is just two kilometers north.
Entirely refurbished and beautifully appointed, the Iberostar is a serious entrant to the local hospitality scene, with almost two hundred rooms, numerous bars, and restaurants, and is currently, not by chance, one of the best hotels in Herceg Novi. The Montenegrin Adriatic coast has just started to become a Riviera in any real sense, but this hotel is all the proof you could ever want that things are assuredly moving in the right direction.
Herceg Novi Old Town
Herceg Novi’s Old Town has a rich and chequered history dating back hundreds of years, much of it is pedestrianized and lends itself wonderfully to strolling.
Location
The hotel sits on the outer edge of the Adriatic coastal road that skirts around the vivid blue Bay of Kotor, from the Croatian border to the Lustica Peninsula. From here, water taxis (5€ each way, organized by the hotel) run to Herceg Novi’s Old Town, which is 1.5 miles (2.5 kilometers) away from the hotel, or, 4.5 miles (7 kilometers) by land.
Airport Dubrovnik (DBV), in neighboring Croatia, is just a 30-minute drive away (traffic conditions permitting) and Tivat Airport (TIV) is not too distant either being located just 15 miles (25 kilometers) south of Herceg Novi. The airport in Montenegro’s capital Podgorica is another option – it is a 2-hour ride from there.
Lustica
Home to some of Herceg Novi’s most picturesque cove beaches, stone villages, and refined holiday resorts, the Lustica Peninsula is well worth a visit.
Relax and Unwind
Let’s start with the pool. It is situated on a deck that is almost floating above the beautifully rugged coastline surrounding the hotel. Onsite, you will find curtained Bali Beds, open-air dining patios, and lined-up sun loungers with parasols, looking out over the Adriatic with a tranquilizing breeze blowing in.
The majority of your time will probably be divided between the pool deck, the private beach, and one of the four hotel bars. Hint: the one on the rooftop is the coziest. The Bay of Kotor is so immensely beautiful; it would be a shame if you had not explored it by stand-up paddle-board (SUP) or kayak – available for hire at the beach.
Bay of Kotor
They lie a mere few kilometers apart, but the coastal towns along the shores of the Bay of Kotor could hardly be more different in character.
The Star Camp (kids club) sits right behind the outdoor pool, making sure the little ones are entertained with a variety of indoor and outdoor activities. Table soccer, board games, all sorts of handicrafts, and disco nights are overseen by friendly and empathetic entertainers, and there is also a good range of activities and events for adults like archery, casino nights, and live performances.
The Wellness & Spa Center does sauna (18+), massages, and health and beauty treatments, and has a gym, offering instructor-led fitness classes in the likes of yoga, pilates, aerobics, and aqua-gym. Hotel staff are courteous, professional, and full of local advice. They can help with transfers and arrange boat trips and excursions to nearby Kotor, Dubrovnik, Our Lady of the Rocks, the Blue Cave, and many more.
Our Lady of the Rocks
Off the coast from Perast, the handsome artificial island of Our Lady of the Rocks is soaked in historical significance and an authentic Montenegrin atmosphere.
Kotor
Kotor’s maze of cobbled streets houses many Baroque 17th and 18th-century homes that belonged to noble families, and it has an impressive church dating from 1166.
Eat & Drink
The leisurely breakfast buffet, commingling a vibrant assortment of savory and healthy morning delights, is served in the spacious main restaurant, with striking sea views. Choose from different types of egg dishes with sausages, pancakes, waffles, Montenegrin porridge, yogurt, and fresh, seasonal fruits.
Buffet-style lunch and dinner are also consumed here, with live cooking in summer and plenty of grilled meat and seafood, salads, vegan as well as gluten-free and international specialties such as salmon ceviche. This is the place where you will spend most of your mornings, lunch breaks, and dinners – food and (alcoholic) drinks are included in the all-inclusive packages.
There are four bars: the La Bahia Aperitif Bar serving coffee and drinks on an intimate terrace, overlooking the sea, the Beach Snack Bar doing buffet for all-inclusive guests and a la carte for everyone else, summer-only. There is also the vast Pool Bar serving delicious cocktails and coffee straight to your lounger on the sunny front deck, and finally the cozy rooftop bar, looking down onto the bay, and the best spot for a sundowner.
The Rooms and Suites
The rooms and suites are tastefully decorated and decidedly polished, with soft colors contrasting against colorful artwork and wooden design elements. The most sought-after rooms overlook the Adriatic Sea but even the other ones look out onto the landscaped garden or pool deck.
The simplest is the standard double room (garden or sea view), some of which include balconies or terraces. It’s cozy and spacious enough, with crisp white bedding, and sweeping curtains. It is equipped with wooden furnishings, including a bed and a desk with a mirror. Cornices with up-lighting create a glow on the ceiling and bring warmth to the room.
One can feel in every possible sense that the last thorough renovation happened not long ago. It was necessary because the hotel dates back to the aesthetically unpromising Sixties, but fortunately, it has good genes, in a manner of speaking, and now it looks quite sophisticated in fact. It’s well worth paying a little extra for a room overlooking the bay, as the views are undoubtedly one of the Iberostar’s high points.
Bathrooms of either beige or grey tiles are fitted with commodious walk-in rainfall showers, large mirrors, and premium toiletries. Strangely, there are no facilities for making tea and coffee. Suites are more roomy and boast a separate bedroom plus a living room with a sofa bed and balconies. Due to the steep terrain and abundance of stairs, this hotel is not ideal for guests with disabilities or parents with strollers.