HIDDEN GUEST: Mamula Island Hotel

THE SEA AND THE SKY ARE THE LIMITS

LOCATION

When Lazar Mamula, an Austro-Hungarian general of Serbian origin, first stepped foot on Lastovica Island, he doubtless could not have imagined the island would bear his name. Even less likely is that the respected general may have imagined that the island would change from fort to hotel. As the war commandant and governor of Dalmatia, Lazar Mamula was most intrigued by the strategic location, perfect as a stronghold against invaders (together with fortresses Arza in Mirište and Prevlaka) during the tumultuous period of the Montenegrin-Ottoman War. One of the most imposing forts in the Adriatic served as a bastion to repel invaders from encroaching Kotor Bay. Between the First and Second World Wars, Mamula Island was a defence bulwark for Kotor Bay and the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. During the fascist Italian occupation came the darkest hour for the fortress. It was transformed into a prison, as evinced by the commemorative plaque above the entrance and the memorial centre. Following WWII, the dilapidated fortress fell into neglect until the Montenegrin government decided to seek a company to erect a luxury hotel. Orascom company was entrusted with managing Mamula Island for 49 years under the condition that they retain the original architectural image down to the last detail and preserve the memory of the past. The turbulent history of the island prompted fierce disputes among the public. Regardless, we believe the meticulous renovation of the island as a sustainable and socially responsible initiative has paid homage to the legend of the fort. Above all, this part of history is now available to the public, presented holistically and respectfully. Today, this island is a future-facing, serene oasis of peace in stark contrast with its past militant history and role.

ACCESSIBILITY

As befits its exclusivity, Mamula Island can be reached by a sea voyage or soaring to the sky. Either way, the hotel team will arrange your travel. The easiest way to come by sea is from Mirište, where you can park your car at a designated parking area before hopping onto a speedboat headed for the island. Mirište can be reached after driving from Tivat, past Luštica Bay, and meandering 12 kilometres across scenic roads. As you whizz by the sea, glimpse the old olive groves that line the coast next to Luštica town. The scenery is worth a quick stop. The speedboat transfer takes some fifteen minutes. Water transfers are also organised from Hercegnovi, ten kilometres away by sea. Alternatively, guests can reach the island by helicopter, courtesy of a designated helipad. The closest airport in Tivat is twenty kilometres away, while Dubrovnik Airport and Podgorica Airport are 40 and 100 kilometres away, respectively. Once on the island, you can stroll the scenic walking route surrounding the island, which measures only two hundred metres in diameter. When weather conditions are unfavourable, the hotel closes its doors. If you happen to stay there at such times, you might need to extend your stay. Luckily, the staff will go the extra mile to pamper you.

COLD STARTER – Architecture and aesthetics

Design Hotels form a cluster of 300 curated hotels, all connected by authentic design, original stories, immersion into the local environment and sustainable approach. The island hotel did not earn a place among such an esteemed group of hotels because of serendipity. On the contrary, it was its stormy past, location and unique architecture. As the Montenegrin government decided in 2013, the fort and its architecture had to be kept original down to the last detail should it be repurposed. Architects from Montenegrin architectural bureaus Enforma and MCM Studio took the challenge head-on. New elements and interventions are most conspicuous within the interior of the hotel. The architects adopted a philosophy of reversible construction. In other words, they can easily remove any additional element, thus reversing the building to its original state. Besides design-related hurdles, the architects had to cope with the acute lack of water and electricity. You will fail to notice many of their solutions that remain hidden in the underbelly of the fort because of the refined, monolithic design that pays homage to the island’s storied past. In terms of modernity, three outdoor pools stand out the most. The interior, the brainchild of Piotr Wisniewski from weStudio Berlin, is dominated by natural materials, including wood, stone, natural fabrics and earth hues. We were amazed by the modern reinterpretation of the historical skeleton. We heartily agree that Mamula Island is a feel-good island.

WARM ENTRÉE – The staff and the culinary experience

If a PhD in hotel professionalism and hospitality existed, every staff member of this extraordinary hotel would deserve one. All hoteliers who aspire to work in the five-star, luxury segment should visit the hotel to see service par excellence for themselves. Staff working in luxury hospitality need not be decked out in polished suits, as we deduced from the staff sporting leisure uniforms. Pool Deck Restaurant is the culinary heart of the island. The splendid menu was conceived by French-Canadian chef Erica Archambault, who cut her teeth in the Michelin-star Septime Restaurant in Paris. The “less-is-more” menu embodies the local philosophy. Even a simple salad was umami. The dinner impressed us with the beef tartare and the wine list, where you will find the most exclusive regional wines. Among them, we spotted select local wines that complement the omnipresent offering of wines from Montenegro’s most-known winery.

Breakfast is an experience in and of itself. Served exclusively a la carte, the breakfast menu includes handpicked dishes. You will relish the delightful pastry with tasty, homemade marmalades. We were equally impressed by the freshly squizzed, natural and organic juices. The “less-is-more” approach to gastronomy seems to tie in perfectly with the philosophy. In a hotel with such polished service, the staff is always there when you need them, meeting even the most unusual demands with a sincere grin and comity.

MAIN COURSE – The meetings offering at the hotel

Hotel rooms

Thirty-two hotel rooms belong to four categories. Panoramic Rooms line the top floors of the Spa Tower, the central building overlooking the glistening Adriatic Sea. Junior Suites line the perimeter of the former mortar stations. Eight Sky Suites represent the highest standard, dominating the very top of the Spa Tower. Each of them features a distinct, tailored interior. We stayed in the Adriatic Balcony Room on the southern side of the fortress. We relished the unparalleled views through the panoramic wall. The room, covering 46 square metres, would likely belong to a suite according to other hotel standards. What caught our eye were the alluring earth tones of the walls and ceiling. The sand-hued walls seep into the patina of the stone fortress. Exclusive carpets and Gubi designer loungers embellish the decorative concrete floor. The oak furniture exudes elegance, pairing beautifully with ornate details, including a raised fireplace and designer lights. The bed and bed lining are of the highest tier. What turns heads in the bathroom is the coral-red hue of the marble that combines nicely with the brass frames of the shower. You will enjoy stunning views of the Mediterranean garden from the spectacular bath. The exceptional rooms were made for remarkable experiences.

Meetings centre

You should not expect classic meeting halls in this fortress. However, you will be in awe of the unique outdoor and indoor venues that will leave your guests speechless. Consider a gala event on the open pool deck – the genius loci of the hotel. For even more outlandish receptions, the helipad is the first choice. A bit onward, you can head to the Sun Deck, the perfect spot for summer months. In winter, look no further than the atrium of the Spa Tower or the Pinea Bar for boutique events. Sizable events can be hosted in Kamena Restaurant, on the terraces of the Sky Suite or in one of the hidden nooks and crannies of the rampart, serving spectacular views. First, wedding planners discovered the diverse options of the island and realised renting out the entire island ensures exclusivity, comparable only to events on a private yacht. Soon, film crews followed suit. We hope incentive groups uncover this gem of a fortress soon. We can even imagine an original, exclusive mini-festival taking place here.

DESSERT – The extras

The phenomenal personnel is undoubtedly the trump card of this hotel. We have already elucidated on the masterful hospitality experts at this hotel. One thing to add is that they are incredibly motivated and proud to work at the island hotel. In 2024, that is more often an exception than a rule.

FLOP – NEGATIVE SURPRISES

Our remark is more of a fact than a flop – the hotel closes its doors during the winter because of the weather conditions. Should the hotel somehow tame the waves beating the island rocks, event organisers could bring their guests here even in winter.

TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES

The holistic spa offers gong therapy rooms alongside the classic offer of saunas and massages. A well-equipped fitness is available for active guests within the hotel. A stroll around the hotel is soul-soothing. Ultimately, you can reach your daily steps quota by walking the stairs that abound throughout the hotel.

SUSTAINABLE ENDEAVOURS

Once you have perused the breakfast menu and read why they do not offer exotic fruit, you will experience a sort of epiphany as the entire philosophy of the hotel becomes apparent. Less-is-more means luxury hotels remove all superficialities and return to the essence – interpersonal relationships and mutual respect between guests, employees and the tangible history surrounding it all. The meticulous renovation of the fort has given the island and its historical heritage a new purpose, something that cannot be counted in profits. That is regenerative thinking per se. Sustainability in tourism advocates having a minimal environmental footprint and reducing carbon emissions. This hotel goes beyond that, fostering multiplicative effects for the entire destination and leaving a positive imprint on the community. That is why locals should thank the investors for their brave, regenerative vision.

FINAL IMPRESSION AND CREDIBILITY

The most original boutique regional hotel may not sound over-confident in light of our assessment. Yet, you will doubtless feel splendid during your stay here, well impressed by the authentic hospitality that always places the guest in the limelight. The ambience is sophisticated and minimalist, oozing quality and subtle prestige. Mamula Island Hotel is a darn beautiful and astounding hotel. Throughout our stay, we pondered about the essence of this elegant outpost with a hint of dramatic design. Its species – original hotels – have long been endangered and brought to the brink of extinction because of generic designs and mediocre hotel services in other hotels that resemble automated service. On the other side of the spectrum, hotels such as Mamula Island make super demanding guests tick and meet (almost) all expectations for a luxury incentive hotel. Of course, our opinion is biased, but when our thoughts linger on a hotel days after departing, something about it must have been exceptional. We advise you to hurry up with your bookings as the season is short and the interest is tremendous. In light of the offering, the price is justified. Mamula Island Hotel is the pinnacle of the luxury segment!

FINAL GRADE: 4.99 THREE MEETING STARS⭐⭐⭐ Boutique 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.