Nikki Beach Montenegro review: 8/10

Why book Nikki Beach Montenegro

Until recent years, Montenegro has lived in the shadows of its glossy neighbour Croatia. That is, for international travellers, as the Balkan locals have long flocked to experience its outstanding natural beauty. This small but stunning country’s touristic hotspots are largely focused on the south coast around the Bay of Kotor and Tivat, where mountains frame deep blue waters, creating a setting that looks like something from a painting. These bays are a world of their own – where sleek boats carry even sleeker tourists and locals between islands dotted with churches and into ports – some shiny and new and some UNESCO heritage sites. On the south of the bay, before it turns to the ocean, is Nikki Beach Montenegro, a luxe resort that opened in 2020, bringing the brand’s signature love for life and hedonistic spirit to Tivat. The beautiful modern and minimalist resort clings to the rocks, tumbling down to tiers with a restaurant, the famous Nikki Beach Club and a decking with pools and ocean swimming spots. From the jetty, ladders descend into the inky blue, boats pull up with the promise of rose and champagne magnums, sushi boats, and world-class DJs. The hotel itself is also great, with views of the bay and a fantastic spa. Book a room at Nikki Beach Montenegro for a modern, relaxed, lively, and five-star stay in this beautiful Balkan country.

Location

The best way to arrive at Nikki Beach Montenegro is by boat – whizzing across the blue bay, passing an island with a charming church and pulling up by the resort’s private marina. You’ll likely be greeted with smoke cannons and a party atmosphere to truly set the tone. For those not arriving by water, it’s an easy 15-minute drive down the winding coast from Tivat International Airport. Make use of the resort’s boat services, or book your own adventure, as driving can be tiresome with just two lanes the whole way around the Bay. That said, Kotor is just 30 minutes away by car. Whizz across to Porto Montenegro for dinner, just 10 minutes away, head to the charming old town of Perast for lunch, shop in Portonovi, and visit the Old Lady of the Rocks – all a scenic boat ride away.

Vibe

What’s fantastic about Nikki Beach Montenegro is it offers two completely different vibes: the chilled, elevated and peaceful atmosphere of the resort – which is found through the building, restaurant, seafront terrace and swimming pool and the vibrant high-octane, party-fuelled experience f the world-famous beach club brand. The resort’s crowd is young and good-looking, largely couples and groups of friends, but also families – it’s wonderfully family friendly – and the beach club seems the same good-looking crowd descend in groups booking out sunbeds and loungers and enjoying mellow poolside bears – with the party turning full party mode in the afternoon. The beach club itself offers different events every day, so it’s always a great vibe, be it a mellow Monday or a full-blown party on a Saturday and Sunday. 

Rooms and suites

Nikki Beach Montenegro’s resort has a boutique of 45 rooms and suites dotted across the main building, doubling as a peaceful hideaway from the buzz of the beach club and the bay. Rooms are incredibly spacious, the smallest 47 square metres (more than double the size of the standard European entry), with most offering stunning sea views and the others little garden-view terraces shrouded in greenery. Nikki Beach’s signature colour scheme of blue and white creates a soothing state of mind, with plenty of soft and mood lighting. King-sized beds are some of the comfiest around, rival brands triple the price, and bathrooms are stocked with Malin and Goetz toiletries. Our expansive terrace has a dining table with comfy chairs and two sun loungers – a true delight from which to sip coffee and enjoy mountain views each morning. The real star is the Ultimate Suite, embodying Nikki Beach’s playful DNA and zest for life – spread over 140 square metres with an in-bedroom sunken bathtub, private sauna and kitchen bar area – book it with friends and celebrate life.

Food and drink

The heart of Nikki Beach Montenegro is the 250-cover restaurant, doubling as a hangout and lifestyle space. The restaurant stretches across the seafront with the same stunning sea views and offers the Nikki Beach boho-chic touches like hanging rattan lamps, wooden furniture, blues and whites. Breakfast is an absolute delight, with the inside turning into an extensive buffet with fridges stocked with healthy granola and chia pots, fresh fruit, tables of fresh pastries, meats, cheeses and more, fresh juices, health shots, plus an al la carte offering for eggs, waffles and more. Lunch and dinner are also served here – offering Nikki Beach and Mediterranean classics like seafood pasta, loaded salads, freshly baked bread, fresh seafood from the bay and steak – plus a crowd-pleasing list of cocktails. Dining in the restaurants doesn’t ever get boring, with such a front-row seat to cinematic views of the bay and mountains. Food can also be delivered poolside – to maximise the spectacular poolside setting. The Beach Club offers elevated Japanese-meets-Mediterranean fare, perfect for a day of partying, relaxing or rose slipping. On a high-octane Saturday, we indulge in the classic Nikki Beach sushi boat – a true showstopper – and truffle pizzas, quesadillas, and comfort classics. The resort prides itself on its rose collection, sipped almost as much as water, so expect dozens of varieties, from palm Provence to local varieties – bottles, magnums, jeroboams – you name it.

Spa and facilities

Entering the indoor spa and wellness centre feels almost like going down a rabbit hole, something most guests will forget to experience – thanks to the outdoors – but so worth it for a therapeutic morning or rejuvenating treatment. There’s a lovely indoor pool, framed with loungers, and a bubbling warm vitality pool, plus a sauna, Hammam, Turkish bathroom and beauty salon offering hair and makeup – perfect before a glitzy day at the beach club or night out in Porto Montenegro. The spa offers a host of unique rituals alongside the classics, like the Japanese Hanakasumi Ritual, the Ancient Ritual Massage Revive with myrrh and amber and the Nikki Signature Revive – a foot massage, detox body Wrap, lymphatic massage – the ideal recovery treatment.

Out of the tiered grounds, guests can make use of two swimming pools free of charge – both peaceful spots to enjoy a leisurely swim or sunbathe around. The Nikki Beach Club has with an additional entry charge for sunbeds and cabanas to guests, but they’re more than welcome to grab a drink at the bar and soak up the vibe. Elsewhere, there’s also a chic Nikki Beach boutique selling lovely handmade pieces like jewellery and stylish hats alongside swimwear, coverups, resortwear and more.

In the know?

Make sure to carve out plenty of time to swim in the warm Adriatic – accessed by ladders from the hotel’s decking and a healing and blissful experience. It’s the perfect spot to watch the boats and yachts float by, spot locals on the nearby shores and take in the general energy of the Bay of Tivat.

Low season doubles from €298 (about AED1,200), high season doubles from €487 (about AED1,950) a night; open May to October; montenegro.nikkibeach.com; @nikkibeachmontenegro

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