HIDDEN GUEST: Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort

READY FOR ITS MATURITY TEST

LOCATION

When we last evaluated the hotel in 2022, it bore the name Blue Kotor Bay. Back then, a new hotel annexe was in construction, heralding that the hotel would become part of the Hyatt portfolio. Almost everything has changed since, barring the extraordinary location overlooking the magnificent 30-kilometre bay on the northernmost part of Montenegro’s coast on the Adriatic. Due to the surrounding mountains of the bay, some refer to it as Europe’s southernmost fjord. Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort is secluded in Prčanj, a part of Kotor hailed as a healing natural climate area since 1920. Specific geomorphology makes the air rich in minerals and thus ideal for patients struggling with allergies and asthma. The hotel stands on the site of a former climate and health resort. Its continuation is Vrmac Banja, a spa and health sanctuary that has refined traditional healing methods and partially operates within the new hotel. Now that the infrastructure is complete, we find the location nothing short of exceptional, albeit the access to the hotel is somewhat tricky.

ACCESSIBILITY

Almost nothing has changed regarding accessibility, aside from the advantageous and spacious parking in front of the hotel. Owners of electric vehicles can rest assured they will find a charging station. Prčanj lies some seven kilometres from Kotor, similar to the distance to Tivat. The narrow local roads, often the stage of local activities, are a walk in the park for locals, yet may pose an adrenaline experience for foreigners. The scenic roads may be a demanding undertaking for drivers used to broad motorways. Yet, demanding roads tend to lead to the most breathtaking destinations. This hotel is a case in point. Although it is tucked away between two sides of the main road, the architects solved this drawback with a road overpass. Once you familiarise yourself with the location, everything seems near, including the airport – a short drive through the Vrmac tunnel. Helpful valets will masterfully park your car upon arrival. The taxi and shuttle to the airport are well taken care of. We full-heartedly recommend cycling around the fjord to soothe your soul and body. The location is a perfect starting point for the numerous well-marked hiking routes. If you have time, do not overlook the journey from Kotor to Lovčen (1749 metres) across one of Montenegro’s most stunning roads. We firmly believe this hotel is among the top Montenegrin hotels for car launches.

COLD STARTER – Architecture and aesthetics

The hotel enjoys a stunning location on Markov Rt. It comprises a central building adjoining an annexe that is now complete with a conference hall. A spacious pool stands out, where it is a joy to swim, thanks to the unique turquoise-hued tiles that enrich your experience. The new part of the hotel is elegant and minimalistic, as expected of the Hyatt brand. The verdant balconies overlooking the pool are a welcome addition. Facilities on the peninsula, including a building with a spa centre, restaurant and villa, continue turning heads. The elegant two-storey architectural solution blends in with the surroundings. Bright colours, combined with glass and stone, dominate the interior – a nod to the tradition of the region and the numerous fishermen’s houses lining Boka Bay. We believe the reconstruction of the former spa fostered an improved quality of living, tying in with the philosophy of the Hyatt brand.

WARM ENTRÉE – The staff and the culinary experience

On our most recent visit, we remarked that the guest is king in this hotel. We can reaffirm that statement. The entire team strives to enrich the stay, including the enthusiastic bell boy, who we hope pursues a career in the hospitality industry. We did not see any weak links among the personnel, which is a welcome sight. The abundance of staff members is a novelty, evidently improving the breakfast service in the repurposed former conference hall. The breakfast includes a broad array of dishes that cater to a diverse structure of guests from various continents. It justifies the five-star standard, but we missed an a la carte menu. Luckily, the team masterfully pivoted around the open kitchen to compensate for this drawback. The breakfast meets all expectations, including a surprisingly rich offering of local dishes. Local delicacies could still be better labelled. We had another wish that might have been impossible to execute; we would have loved a proper espresso in such a hotel. We did not dine in the Lighthouse Restaurant this time, but it remains among the best in this region of Montenegro if reviews are anything to go by. The spectacular level of cuisine remains the same. We recalled the mouthwatering tuna tartare, still a signature dish on the menu. It might be a simple dish, but it takes a skilful chef to perfect it. With a delectable wine assortment and extensive wine list, the cuisine befits a five-star hotel.

MAIN COURSE – The meetings offering at the hotel

Hotel rooms

On this occasion, we stayed in the most basic hotel room in the old part of the hotel. This room exudes timeless elegance, but its humble size is not the most fitting for a five-star hotel. Seventeen square metres is too small, to be fair. Luckily, this shortcoming is compensated by stunning views and the copious selection of room types. The more you pay, the more you get.

Regardless of the lack of space, everything is within reach and where you expect it to be. The leather-padded wooden headboard is a case in point. The high-quality wallpapers in beige hues serve as an ideal passe-partout for artistic graphics. Quality marble flooring, paired with designer carpets, exudes warmth. The rooms were designed with attention to detail, as evinced by the eco cosmetics in the bathroom and the flawlessly operating shower. We only wish the deserted mini bar had been better stocked, although this has become standard lately. The bed and bed lining are among the best we tried lately. You will sleep like a baby in this hotel.

Meetings centre

With the addition of a new congress centre, this hotel has now transformed into a full-fledged conference hotel, rivalled only by a handful of similar halls on the Montenegrin coast. The novel banquet hall impressed us with its spaciousness, ceiling height and multifunctional design. It is one of the freshest and most competitive event halls in Montenegro. Given the high number of rooms and the new hall, the hotel can now host the most demanding events. Moreover, the banquet hall can be divided into several smaller halls that complement the smaller meeting rooms of the hotel. Regretfully, the designers did not consider a spacious foyer that would serve as a space for exhibitions and coffee breaks.

Within the hotel, you will stumble upon a slew of unique venues, such as the terrace of the Lighthouse Restaurant. We estimate it can capacitate up to 150 attendees, who will be mesmerised by the views of Kotor Bay and the superb cuisine. Unforgettable!

DESSERT – The extras

Hotels have a signature odour, right? That is what we wrote on our last visit. That still stands true, and we must admit we have not evaluated such an odorous hotel in a long time. We have no clue how they succeed, but it smells delightful.

FLOP – NEGATIVE SURPRISES

The access to the hotel is adrenaline-pumping yet scenic at the same time. That is why you can turn a blind eye to the road bumps and enjoy the views. Also, a trained eye can spot a construction mistake here and there. We missed intuitive signage for the rooms and facilities. In a vast resort, guests should know where to turn, right?

TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES

You will have a plethora of activities ready for your meeting guests here. You can organise several activities on the hotel’s doorstep. Kayaks and paddle boards await in the hotel marina. From there, guests can venture across the bay and revel in the beauty of Kotor. For lengthier tours, you can choose a ride with motorboats. Not far away from the hotel, guests can go frolicking on the hiking routes to Vrmac Hill. One of the novelties is the cable car leading from Kotor to a summit at 1348 metres, beckoning tourists with spectacular views of Kotor Bay to Budva. Finally, there are plenty of hiking and cycling trails on top, part of the Lovćen National Park, alongside a panoramic rollercoaster, e-bikes and other attractions.

SUSTAINABLE ENDEAVOURS

Several details caught our eye in the hotel, including slippers from 100% biodegradable, plastic-free and plant-based materials (bamboo). We also noticed the ecological cosmetics in dispensers and sustainable cotton swabs without plastic. These small steps are praiseworthy, but the hotel should strive to acquire sustainability certificates and implement additional initiatives.

FINAL IMPRESSION AND CREDIBILITY

If spaciousness in the conference centre was one of the drawbacks of the hotel not long ago, it seems they have finally struck the right balance. The size of the conference centre matches the capacity of the hotel. Visually, the hotel is most striking around the novel pool adjoining the conference centre. After its renovation, the hotel boasts several room types. If you plan to host demanding guests, you should choose rooms labelled deluxe. Your event attendees will be grateful to you. As a whole, Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort is a compelling meeting hotel, and if you overlook some apparent drawbacks, it is among the leading in Montenegro. Its price means it still offers good value for money. We believe incentive groups will flock to this Instagrammable part of Montenegro once they catch wind of the newly revamped hotel and novel conference hall.

FINAL GRADE: 4.91 THREE MEETING STARS⭐⭐⭐ Resort Meeting Hotel 

3 MEETING STARS⭐⭐⭐ final score from 4.81 to 5.00
2 MEETING STARS⭐⭐ final score from 4.61 to 4.80
1 MEETING STAR⭐ final score from 4.41 to 4.60

IMPORTANT: If you wish to know what the evaluation of 654 criteria entails and would like our hidden guest to evaluate your hotel, read more at www.meetings-star.eu or send an email to gorazd.cad@toleranca.eu.