"We are very pleased to have finally completed our first stay at The Chedi Lustica Bay, and I must say, we are hooked!
We had been familiar with the brand for some time, and our first visit to The Chedi Muscat inspired us to give this property a try. The experience exceeded our expectations, and some moments have already become core memories.
Three things particularly stood out from our stay:
(i) Lustica Bay: a hidden gem on the Adriatic.
Lustica Bay is a relatively new development in Montenegro, and its peaceful surroundings immediately stood out to us, especially after visiting some of the busier parts of the country. Scenic and beautifully laid-back, the neighbourhood felt like a marriage between Positano and Santorini, with a distinctly Adriatic character.
We would particularly recommend visiting the golf course, which the hotel can arrange transfers to, around a 10-minute drive away. While the full course is still being developed, the golf-course café is already a wonderful place to spend an afternoon, weather permitting. Its sweeping views over the neighbourhood, coupled with a spectacular sunset setting, make it well worth the visit.
That said, Lustica Bay is decidedly quiet, particularly during the shoulder season, when many shops close and the neighbourhood takes on an even more tranquil atmosphere.
Its location is also convenient for exploring Montenegro. Tivat Airport is approximately 15 minutes away by car, while the country’s principal coastal towns, including Kotor, Budva and Perast, are roughly 20–40 minutes away, depending on the destination. We managed to visit all three during our stay.
(ii) A beautiful property that embodies The Chedi aesthetic.
The Chedi Lustica Bay is strikingly beautiful, with an architectural style that blends the relaxed atmosphere of a seaside residential community with the amenities and refinement expected of the brand. Even the hotel’s signature scent, noticeable throughout the property, contributed to a wonderfully cohesive sensory experience.
Wellness is an integral part of The Chedi identity, and this property is no exception. The indoor pools are beautiful, while the spa and wellness facilities make it easy to settle into a slower pace of life.
Most rooms also come with generously sized balconies overlooking either the sea or the neighbourhood. We particularly appreciated the design language and furnishings, which struck us as both aesthetically pleasing and genuinely ergonomic. It is a property where the design is not simply beautiful to look at, but also comfortable to live in.
(iii) Friendly service, with room for greater personalisation.
Service was generally warm and friendly throughout our stay. However, the experience felt somewhat less personalised than we had anticipated. We noticed relatively no proactive check-ins from the team, and even our room number was constantly requested.
There was, however, one area that could benefit from improvement: breakfast.
We found two aspects worth highlighting:
* Variety: Both the buffet and à la carte selections felt somewhat limited and repetitive, particularly over a five-day stay. By our final two breakfasts, we had largely exhausted the options that appealed to us. That said, we appreciated the availability of healthy choices, which felt well aligned with the brand’s emphasis on wellness.
* Table service: Service could have been more proactive. There were occasions when it took a while for staff to approach us to take our orders, while clearing tables could also be more timely.
These are relatively straightforward areas for improvement, and addressing them would bring the breakfast experience closer to the otherwise strong standards of the property.
All in all, nothing meaningfully detracted from what was a thoroughly enjoyable stay. The combination of a beautiful property, a compelling design identity, excellent wellness facilities and the peaceful surroundings of Lustica Bay made for a wonderful introduction to The Chedi brand.
We would happily recommend both The Chedi Lustica Bay and Lustica Bay itself to anyone planning a visit to Montenegro, one of the Adriatic’s most captivating destinations and, in our view, a true hidden gem of the Balkans."