Name: Mamula Island by Banyan Tree
Address: Mamula Island, Montenegro, 85340, Montenegro

Mamula Island by Banyan Tree

Mamula Island, Montenegro

Mamula Island by Banyan Tree

Mamula Island, Montenegro

About the hotel

Style

Boutique

Rooms

"Set within a restored 19th-century fortress at the entrance to the Bay of Kotor, Mamula Island features stunning Adriatic views, superb dining and just 32 accommodations."

Set in a restored 19th-century fortress at the entrance to the Bay of Kotor is Mamula Island: an intimate, 32-room hotel – the Banyan Tree brand’s first foray into Montenegro. To get there, the quickest option is to fly into Tivat Airport and take either a ten-minute helicopter ride or a fifty-minute drive to Marista, followed by a quick speedboat jaunt. For a more dramatic approach, fly into Dubrovnik and enjoy a longer – and more scenic – journey by land or by sea.

The isolated nature of the island and its limited guest capacity create an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity from the get-go. The meticulous process of turning the fortress into a hotel took seven years. It was heavily focused on historical conservation, which is immediately evident as you enter through the wooden drawbridge. The history of the site is a dark one – it was used as a prison during both world wars – and a Historical and Memorial Gallery is present to pay tribute to and introduce guests to the stories of its past.

Beyond the courtyard are the property’s rooms and suites, which make full use of the island’s topography – every accommodation features views of the sea. Choose your stay based on whether you’d prefer a more contemporary or historic environment. For the former, consider a Panoramic Room or Suite: these are located on the fort tower’s topmost floor and have elegant interiors and large windows that frame sweeping views of the Adriatic. For a more heritage-forward stay, the Sky Suites stun with their restored stone walls and fragments of original frescoes. The trade-off for a stay here is less natural light, but if you’re a history buff, it may be well worth it. Across the board, interior design is understated and elegant, fostering a welcome sense of serenity.

Despite its small size, Mamula Island has three restaurants and an additional bar. Parasol is located within the walls by the property's three swimming pools and is a lovely spot for simply, yet superbly, prepared catch-of-the-day dishes prepared in styles from around the world. Back inside, Kamena serves dishes inspired by the land and sea – think homemade ravioli with njeguši cheese and veal cheek with pickled shallots. The alfresco Celeste enjoys a scenic location on the island’s edge; this is a lovely spot for lunch or dinner at sunset. For drinks, Pinea is a mixology-focused, speakeasy-style spot that’s open late.