BE MY ONE&ONLY
Written By: Khansaa Houlbi
Montenegro's Boka Bay gets the Riviera treatment – villas, views, and just the right amount of extravaganza.
There are places you visit and places you step into like a scene already in motion. One&Only Portonovi is unapologetically the latter – a coastal fantasia where Venetian glory, Adriatic light, and Riviera seduction collide. Perched at the mouth of Boka Bay – Montenegro’s cinematic crown jewel – the resort is embraced by steep black mountains and the open expanse of saltwater. It’s not just a setting, but a bold and unforgettable presence that shapes the mood before you even arrive.
From afar, the resort appears like a Mediterranean mirage – terracotta rooftops, regal colonnades, and Wes Anderson- level symmetry, dreamy and precise. But up close, the stillness shifts. There’s movement, mood, and a cinematic tension that hints the story’s just about to start. The interiors are equally considered – suites and villas frame the fjord- like coastline. Private homes come with their own beach, pool, and jetty – sanctuaries made for slipping into calm and comfort.
Courtesy of One&Only Portonovi
Dining at the One&Only Portonovi feels like a grand tour – each bite a new encounter with Europe’s most delectable culinary delights. Sabia does what Italy always does best: pizzette, branzino, and just enough Amalfi drama. La Veranda dishes up Montenegrin soul – heirloom recipes, fire-kissed meats, and dishes that taste like someone’s grandmother could have made them. By day, Caminetti serves tea with a side of sea views. By night, it transforms into a bar where curated cocktails and the shimmering Adriatic share the spotlight. And then there’s Tapasake, the resort’s wild card – Japanese-Peruvian flavors, DJ sets, ceviche under the stars, and an infinity pool that blurs the line between real and surreal.
Wellness here isn’t a side dish – it’s a main event. At the heart of the resort lies Chenot Espace, an ultra-advanced, East-meets-West temple of glow-ups, cleanouts, and recalibrations. Whether you’re here to detox or just drop out for a while, its Chenot Method feels like wellness re-edited – high science, low stress, and impeccably branded tea.
Courtesy of One&Only Portonovi
Courtesy of One&Only Portonovi
Courtesy of One&Only Portonovi
Courtesy of One&Only Portonovi
Courtesy of One&Only Portonovi
Off property, Montenegro plays muse. Hike through pine forests, sail past quiet island monasteries, or wind your way through Kotor and Perast, where the past lingers on every stone. If the mood strikes, hop on a Riva and plunge into Boka Bay – scuba gear optional. Either way, the Adriatic is waiting to show you what saltwater therapy really means.
And then, just when you think you’ve reached the final scene, the light shifts again. The water darkens to navy. The mountains sharpen. The coastline echoes softly. And you realize: One&Only Portonovi isn’t trying to impress you. It’s trying to seduce you – slowly, completely, and without a single misstep.
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