The Chedi Luštica Bay — Hotel in Radovići

Our recent stay at this exceptional hotel in Montenegro transcended the typical vacation; it was an immersion into a world where every detail catered to creating unforgettable family moments. From the moment we crossed the threshold, we were enveloped in an atmosphere of genuine warmth and unparalleled attentiveness, solidifying its place as a true haven for families seeking the perfect getaway.

What truly sets this hotel apart is its remarkable dedication to ensuring every member of the family, regardless of age, finds joy and engagement. The entertainment spaces are nothing short of spectacular, a vibrant tapestry woven with opportunities for both exhilarating fun and relaxed leisure. For the little ones, dedicated play areas buzzed with laughter and imaginative games, providing a safe and stimulating environment where friendships blossomed and boundless energy found its happy release.

Meanwhile, adults could unwind and connect in thoughtfully designed lounges and recreational areas, fostering a sense of community and shared enjoyment.

Whether it was engaging in friendly competition with provided games, basking in the tranquility of beautifully landscaped gardens, or simply enjoying the convivial atmosphere, there was always something to captivate and delight. But the magic didn't stop there. Each morning dawned with the promise of a culinary masterpiece: the breakfast. To simply call it "good" would be a profound understatement. It was, without a shadow of a doubt, the best breakfast experience we have ever encountered. A breathtakingly fresh and diverse spread unfolded before us, a vibrant symphony of colors, textures, and aromas. Locally sourced fruits bursting with sunshine, freshly baked pastries that melted in our mouths, artisanal cheeses with nuanced flavors, and a delightful array of hot and cold options catered to every palate imaginable. The quality of the ingredients was evident in every bite, a testament to the hotel's commitment to providing the very best. This wasn't just a meal; it was a delightful ritual that set the perfect tone for each day.

However, the true heart and soul of this remarkable hotel lie within its incredibly kind and attentive staff. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with genuine smiles and a level of personalized service that made us feel not like guests, but like cherished members of their extended family. Every interaction was marked by a sincere desire to ensure our comfort and happiness. Requests were met with promptness and a can-do attitude, and every member of the team exuded a warmth that was both genuine and infectious. Their dedication to creating a welcoming and seamless experience truly elevated our stay to an extraordinary level.

Adding an extra layer of enchantment to our experience was the exceptional room service. Beyond the impeccable cleanliness and efficiency, the staff went above and beyond with thoughtful touches that truly made us feel special.

Leaving this idyllic haven felt like saying goodbye to dear friends. The memories we created, the laughter we shared, and the feeling of being so genuinely cared for will linger long after our departure. This hotel is more than just a place to stay; it's a sanctuary where families can connect, create lasting memories, and experience hospitality at its finest.

Without hesitation, I wholeheartedly recommend this perfect family hotel with a resounding 5 out of 5 stars! If you are seeking a destination where every detail is meticulously crafted to ensure an unforgettable and joyful experience for your entire family, look no further. This is a true gem in Montenegro, a place where you will feel truly welcomed, utterly pampered, and leave with a heart full of cherished moments. Book your stay – you deserve this...

First, it's only right to start with the good stuff. It's not hard to see why this is such a well-rated hotel. The setting is wonderful, the room was so comfortable, the hotel facilities (in general) are joyous, and the spa is so serene. Better still are each and every member of staff – particularly the receptionist who asked after our baby's health when we had to go see a doctor and Ivan the PT for the complimentary bootcamp.

As mentioned, we travelled with a baby. Everyone we met from the hotel team were great with him; playing and smiling and generally making a fuss (plus the welcome bag of baby toiletries waiting for us).

But unfortunately this five-star hotel wasn't a five-star experience for us – and here are the reasons... • Location: It's beautiful, but we didn't quite realise how far it is from most tourist sites. It's about 15-20 mins to the main Kotor-Tivat-Budva roundabout. • Construction: The Lustica Bay development is new and still taking shape. At the time we visited, they were building a roundabout – so there was a chaotic stretch of half-built road on the way. • Lobby bar had no draft beer the whole time we were there. • Information Sharing: We weren't proactively told about certain things that would've been helpful for our stay i.e. there's a free shuttle bus up to Centrale; you can walk to Centrale up a pedestrian staircase that isn't signposted; there's a daily surcharge for use of kitchen equipment if your room has a kitchenette – and this only came to light when we asked for a third time about it. To be fair, our surcharge was waived due to the baby. Also, we found a really useful guide to recreation activities at the hotel on our last day just lying around in the Playroom – the hotel should include this in all bedrooms! • Ideas for days out – a bit generic in recommendations. Said about Lovcen National Park, mentioning it was a 2hr drive. Omitted the fact a relatively new cable car takes you up the mountain in 10 minutes from the base station 25 mins away. Could do with being a little more inventive and insightful about tourist options. Also, no mention of Rose on the Lustica peninsula, which is supposed to be a nice sea swimming spot. • With regards to information again, we weren't told by anyone from the hotel about a few different events that were happening during our stay. We guessed there would be a wedding, but didn't know it'd be outside on the marina front and that loud music would be played until 11pm and easily heard inside the room. There was some filming going on in the lobby one afternoon, with no warning – so we had to walk through and hope we weren't interrupting. And there is a screen outside the Playroom detailing live sport that will be shown in the Spot. But, having seen an event being set up in the Spot one afternoon, it was only by me asking if that night's TV game was still being shown that I found out the Spot was closed for said event. • Centrale: You could be mistaken for thinking you had to settle for the eateries down at the marina front, which is fine and pleasant. But the menu is a bit samey and is on the pricier end of the spectrum. If you go to Centrale, however, there is a pub (Popov) and a restaurant (Luca) where we had two of our favourite meals while in Montenegro.

I appreciate this is long, but want to give praise and constructive criticism where due. Tl;dr? Staff: exceptional, hotel: beautiful, availability of information: poor and – if you're not part of an event/big group – you may feel as if your experience isn't as important to the hotel...

Five-star used to mean luxury, although for many hotels around the world, the epithet is used even though they are nowhere near having that merit. Not so The Chedi at Luštica Bay. This is real luxury with a modern take, noticeable almost immediately as you leave the potholed road up above and descend the hairpin bends towards the bay.

From the front of house staff welcoming you upon arrival, with a welcome drink brought over from the Lobby Bar, to staff always being on hand for anything you may desire, The Chedi has clearly invested in their people. The F&B staff in particular deserve a mention, but of course they are who you are most likely to interact with; I am very sure the rest of the team are equally-well recruited.

The complex is large, but feels intimate nevertheless. I went out of season (in early December) and the emptiness perhaps added to the sense of feeling special, but of course I also missed out on many of the amenities on offer at Luštica Bay. I was alone in the spa (which is well-equipped with all you can desire from sauna and steam rooms, to an 'experience shower', ice and a pool, as well as slippers, towels and all that) the one occasion I managed to go (although I did not venture to the outside infinity pool, nor the gym or any treatments). I was alone in the Lobby Bar, but had great conversations with the bartender (who was indeed one of the highlights of my visit to The Chedi), which has a decent selection of drinks (though not the cheapest!) albeit no beers on tap during my visit. The bottled Nikšićko went down very well, however, aided by plentiful complimentary snacks and aforementioned conversation. I was alone in The Spot restaurant one evening (even so, the food was carefully prepared and very good indeed) where the breakfast was also served: everything you'd like from prosecco to yoghurt. I walked around the marina alone (in the rain) and although many places were closed, this must be a fantastic place in the summer - even the beach looked inviting, despite the driving rain! Both The Spot and Lobby Bar, as well as most of the other eateries around, have outside seating (much of it covered) which again must be lovely in better weather / high season.

The hotel is child-friendly (with a kids club and play room, though I didn't venture in) and dog-friendly, too (including a special menu in The Spot, for your four-legged friends). Everything is clean and tidy, and that's not just because it is a relatively new resort. It's also the little things: the divers painted around otherwise-ugly fire extinguishers, for example, and the plants and artwork everywhere.

My room (a 'superior') was well-equipped with a lot of toiletries (sustainable, like many things in the hotel, which prides itself on its environmental credentials), a well-stocked minibar, and all the trimmings you'd expect from a truly 5-star hotel, including items (tote bags, bathrobes, etc.) you can choose to purchase from the hotel. It was modern, too, with intuitive switches for lights, etc. The beds were comfortable, and they private balcony great for a smoke.

Top of the range hotels may not be to everyone's taste, or indeed budget, but you can't go far wrong with The Chedi at Luštica Bay, if you find yourself in the area, and tick both...