Beautiful property, the rooms are beautiful and spacious, housekeeping and turn down service are very good. The spa and gym are also wonderful. You probably think: why did this person give a one star rating then? Well, unfortunately our stay was completely ruined and I will explain you why. To begin with: I did spoke with the general manager and he offered us a compensation which was very kind. Nevertheless our stay was completely ruined and we need a holiday from our holiday, and I think other people who want to spend their hard earned money on a expensive property like this should be aware of the downsides of this resort, so they can perhaps reconsider their choice as I think for this price point there are a lot of other beautiful hotels to choose from. Below my most honest and detailed review: ||||Unfortunately I can’t say anything good about the food- which seems to be a common issue- it’s just absolutely terrible, the breakfast is very bad, they literally couldn’t cook an egg ( no this isn’t a joke) I asked for a boiled egg for 9 minutes and received a green pre-cooked one after 5 minutes, this happend on multiple days - all other dishes were also awful and the whole vibe is an all inclusive- resort kind of vibe, it’s mass production and people are standing in line with their plates. The room service we had was just an absolute joke, it was the worst food we ever had in our lives ( and please consider that all food in the resort is extremely expensive). When you walk to the port -which is very boring as there are just 4 restaurants left to choose from and most of the shops have closed their doors- (it’s like a ghost town )it’s like 1/3th of the price. We did like NOA In the port, very good food! It was the only out of the 4 restaurants we liked. ||||People pre-reserve their sunbeds, during our stay we had 2 occasions we didn’t had sun beds on the beach as people put their personal stuff on them to “book” them, are we in a O&O or an all inclusive resort again?||||Now comes the most awful part, our room was above Tapansake, a beachclub which belongs to the hotel which is having awful blaring music from 11am till 11pm. They moved us to a different room after 3 days- this was 20 meters from the other room and it was just as bad, it’s absolutely ridiculous the resort is allowing this, it really ruined our mood and holiday, the management did apologize but we did spend a LOT on our holiday and no apology could have solved it, we unfortunately left with such a sad feeling as we were so excited for this trip and it’s absolutely let us down, the resort is beautiful but the service is just not which we are used from a O&O resort, we travel a lot and always to the top tier hotels and we know what O&O stands for, but this one doesn’t live up to that. The GM is very kind, unfortunately the other managers are really not kind and treat you like you are the problem and also make you feel this way. ||||When you arrive at the beach you get a small bottle of water and some towels ( if they are available because on some days they are not) when we asked for some new water they replied: only the first one is complimentary, eh sorry, we just spend €1100+ per night, what about some water? They literally charge you for everything. Also there is no welcome amenity in the room, literally just a apple and a pear -a bottle of some cheap local wine would have also done the job- it’s just making your guests feel appreciated and welcome. We unfortunately didn’t feel that way and I hope if you made it all this way through my long review ( sorry), you reconsider spending your hard earned money on this property. They have still a lot of work to do. ||||Ps: the experiences and boat rides the hotel offers are super expensive, we booked a boat trip through NOA restaurant in the port and it was amazing and 1/5th of the price which the...
Read moreFrom the moment we arrived, One&Only Portonovi delivered a flawless luxury experience. The welcome team greeted us warmly, took our bags, and valet parked the car, setting the tone for a stay defined by attentive service and thoughtful detail. A welcome drink, guided room tour, and prompt luggage delivery made the arrival feel genuinely special.
The resort grounds are beautifully maintained, with manicured lawns, lush gardens, and more pools than you could possibly need. The wellness centre is a standout, offering an indoor heated pool with spa, a fully equipped gym with Technogym everything, Pilates reformers, and a protein bar with shakes, drinks, and fresh fruit. Beach daybeds come with full food and drink service, and the three on-site restaurants impressed with high-quality cuisine and small, delightful extras. While prices are on the higher side, two of the venues exceeded expectations. Nearby shops range from grocery essentials to high-end fashion, and the security presence is reassuring without being overbearing.
Room 318: A Palatial Retreat
Room 318 is, without exaggeration, one of the finest hotel rooms I’ve ever stayed in. It feels truly palatial, with soaring three-metre ceilings and no plain walls in sight. Every detail is curated for elegance, and the overall design would be right at home in a castle.
The bed was large and luxuriously soft, with a topper that made for deep, uninterrupted sleep. Amenities included a kettle, coffee machine, complimentary water, and Wedgwood crockery, with milk provided and alternatives offered on request. The minibar was impressively stocked and ice-cold, featuring spirits, cocktail kits with lime and lemon, and a wide range of options. The 50-inch TV and Bose soundbar setup had some connectivity issues, but the intention was appreciated.
The bathroom was the largest I’ve encountered in any hotel, featuring a chaise lounge, makeup station, smart toilet, dual sinks, dual wardrobes, rainfall shower, massive tub with handheld, motorised blinds. The balcony was equally generous, with a plush daybed and seating area perfect for unwinding.
Housekeeping was exceptional, arriving morning and night with an eye for detail. Clothes were folded, charging cables coiled, and the room reset with aesthetic precision. When we needed a second suitcase holder, it was promptly provided and set up without fuss.
Room for Improvement
While the experience was overwhelmingly positive, a few areas could be refined:
• Bath salts should be standard for a tub of that calibre. • Turn-down service would benefit from a small treat, such as a mint or chocolate. • TV and streaming setup was finicky, with sound crackling when paired with iPhones. • The fireplace feature was out of service. • A bath TV would be a welcome addition. • A tablet or iPad would be a convenient touch, especially since room service cannot be ordered via the TV or phone browser. • The 10% service charge on every restaurant bill felt excessive, especially with the added pressure to tip due to how the service fee is distributed. • A brief power outage occurred. • Signage approaching the hotel could be clearer. • Tea selection lacked a mint option. • An in-room jacuzzi would round out the wellness offerings nicely. • Allow the customer the full choice of air conditioning temperature. Despite setting lower, the room would not go below 21°C
Final Verdict
Despite a few minor nitpicks, One&Only Portonovi delivers an extraordinary experience that blends opulence with genuine hospitality. Room 318 alone is worth the visit, and the resort’s facilities, service, and atmosphere make it a standout in Montenegro’s luxury landscape. A solid...
Read moreWonderful experience! The One&Only in Portonovi is stunning. The location is idyllic, the hotel is architecturally ultra refined and detailed and modern, the staff is unbelievably nice and welcoming. The food was exquisite: they have an Italian/Mediterranean restaurant by the beach, a Turkish restaurant and an amazing Japanese restaurant. The breakfast has many options, buffet and a la carte. The sunsets are memorable. Live music often at dinner.
My family and I were twinned to 2 WONDERFUL hosts (concierge): Petar and Dalia, who did absolutely everything they could to make our stay memorable - and they accomplished this seamlessly. Our airline had "lost" lost our luggage and they helped us tirelessly to find them. They were attentive at all times. They use the WhatsApp application and reply to us within 1-2 minutes if not seconds. ALWAYS there to make our lives easy and smooth while vacationing. They helped us with trips, hikes, car rental, getting their best Montenegrin cheese, boutiques, etc. Wonderful people. Kudo to Petar and Daria who deserved huge accolades. Our experience was definitively embellished and enriched by having them around us!
Montenegro is wonderful. It combines all the thinks I seek when I travel: beauty, beach, sunsets, food and mountains.
Portonovi is in the majestic Bay of Kotor and a boat ride is mandatory to explore its Riviera, to see the fjord, the mountain, Perast, Kotor and its fortress in the mountain, the lady of the Rock church, etc.
I also went hiking the Orjen mountain with Sasa, a guide their recommended, who totally shared with me the love of Nature and Mountain, who even prepared a typical Montenegrin lunch for us for the end of our guide. With a shot of Rakija of course, their national drink (not for the faint of heart but wonderful, made with different fruits, and each Montenegro makes it with a personal touch).
I also rented a car and went to all corners of this small country, exploring the Skadar lake (I enjoyed most its northern part with its convoluted river feeding the lake - but did not have time for a boat ride to see their Dalmatian Pelicans); I explored twice the Lovcen mountain and enjoyed the serpentine road going up, along with the 2 roads (alike a circle of roads within the Lovcen plateau above) to Centinje (quaint ancient capital, worth visiting!) and the visit of Petar II Mausoleum; I also explored the North, a 2,5 hour drive to the Black Lake in the Durmitor national park. The road is someone deserted but it is an excellent road to travel and it brings you to a wonderful Alps-like mountain range - stunning. I explored the Black lake and then travelled the small road following the Tara canyon which is simply gorgeous. I then decided to come around via the other National park, Biogradska Gora (which I did not have time to visit unfortunately) and came back to Portonovi and in the way, I saw their massive and grand new Millennium bridge.
Had to go to the capital Podgorica to buy some clothes (lost luggage) yet not quite worth, to me, to visit, if you don't have to. And about 2,5 hours away from Portonovi.
Although you cannot enter Sveti Stefan (closed now due to legal reason), it is worth while going to see as you can walked to its door... and the drive along the coast is grandiose.
The Montenegrin people are beyond nice and warm and welcoming. Montenegro is still only moderately tamed compared to Croatia so one should visit now until tourism explodes.
5 stars for location, for food, for the people, for the Hotel One & Only Portonovi.
I posted many pictures on my IG page:...
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