Perched on the Luštica peninsula, Chedi Lustica Bay is both a charming retreat and a thoughtful seaside village – low limestone buildings that frame a sheltered marina and private beach. With 111 rooms and suites, an Asian-inspired spa with indoor and outdoor pools, multiple restaurants, and an unusually robust sustainability program for a new resort, it’s a place where you can choose to do very little, but also superbly appointed to help you do everything you want to do: relax, walk, eat well, and be well.
The reception My arrival was later than planned – a canceled flight and a two-hour transfer from Dubrovnik conspired to make the day longer than expected – but the team ironed out all the details.
Rade greeted me with a warm, calm welcome and personally escorted me to room 3010, past the sea-themed artwork by Milena Živković that adorns the hallways. Only when I explored the hotel later did I realize that its paintings reflected the depths of the ocean, moving from the sun-drenched shallows at the top of the building to the mysterious depths of the lower floors.
The room I stayed in Room 3010, a Grand Deluxe Sea View Apartment, with a king-size Simmons “Sweet Sleeper” bed (crisp white sheets, of course) anchoring a large space designed with quiet, deliberate precision.
At the entrance, a compact kitchenette offers tea/coffee making facilities, a two-burner hob, a microwave, a dishwasher and a fridge/minibar – useful for light cooking or to pace up meals after a long day of travel.
There is a small table by the window and a balcony with table and chairs that overlook the marina and the lighthouse in the distance; mornings on this balcony are quietly restorative.
Everything from the luggage racks and 55-inch interactive TV to the work table/vanity table, multiple USB outlets/outlets, and fast, reliable Wi-Fi collectively made the room feel like a serviced apartment with the polish of a five-star hotel.
The bathroom The bathroom is something of a private retreat: a freestanding Laufen bathtub positioned to make the most of the view; a powerful Hansgrohe rain shower; double sink and WC, plus a separate guest WC at the entrance to the suite.
The hotel provides Acqua di Parma toiletries and a small tray of other amenities (bamboo comb, vanity set, shower cap, shaving kit), and the thoughtful presence of plush bathrobes and slippers make trips to the spa easier and more indulgent.
Everything you need to plan your trip in 2025 The facilities There’s a lot to unpack here, as the Chedi’s facilities are why many people come. The main restaurant serves breakfast and dinner with a contemporary Mediterranean twist, and even a healthy “shot of the day” with combinations such as celery, spinach and kale, or lime, ginger and broccoli. The Spot sits on the marina as a breezy all-day option with a well-crafted a la carte menu and prix fixe options.
My dinner there started with an amuse-bouche of tomato soup, topped with goat cheese mousse.
Next came a succulent starter of seared Adriatic scallops, crispy chicken skin, rooster reduction and puree trio (celery, broad beans and peas, beetroot), a main course of grilled monkfish served with smoked mussels, kale and proscuitto, a mixed herb and root sauce and leek chips, and a dessert – it would have been rude not to – of cake. Black Forest, made with vegan chocolate, coconut ganache, cherry. compote and vegan chocolate sponge cake.
The Rok Beach Bar & Lounge is carved into the rock for sunsets and lighter plates with Asian hues; and a destination Japanese restaurant rounds out the choice.
The hotel’s spa follows Chedi’s Asian-based wellness philosophy and uses VOYA algae products.
There are indoor and outdoor pools, a hammam and an experience shower.
Separate from The Chedi is the Marina, with over 100 berths and accommodating yachts up to 45 meters in length, and The Peaks, home to Montenegro’s first Gary Player-designed 18-hole golf course, as well as tennis, padel and basketball courts.
The location The Chedi is located in the bay of Luštica, on the Adriatic coast of Montenegro, a sheltered place just 15-20 minutes from Tivat airport, with Podgorica and Dubrovnik (Croatia) airports both within a 90 minute drive.
The architecture is strictly designed to emulate traditional Montenegrin fishing villages, using local stone and terracotta and, in the interest of sustainability, only 10% of the 690 hectare site is being developed, leaving the vast majority of the land as natural greenery and untouched olive trees.
As the bay enjoys a classic Mediterranean climate and over 240 days of sunshine per year, it beckons swimmers from May to October. It is also the closest luxury base for exploring the famous Blue Cave (Plava Špilja), located just 15 minutes away by speedboat.
Other Nice Touches Arrival gifts included bowls of local olives, satsuma and dried fruit, a small selection of chocolates and a printed copy of Lustica Bay Life as well as the hotel’s seasonal magazine.
And each evening during turndown service, staff share legends and stories of Montenegro, accompanied by a small gift, offering insight into Montenegro’s fascinating history and vibrant culture.
The cost Rates by season, board and room type, and the room described here belongs to the Grand Deluxe category (sea view). The hotel offers advance purchase packages and seasonal deals, with rates currently starting from 157 euros per night. Check the hotel’s website for up-to-date availability and best rates for your chosen dates.
The best piece It’s difficult to single out one highlight of Chedi Luštica Bay, so I’ll be deliberately broad: the real luxury here lies in the hotel’s obsessive attention to detail. The service is warm without being intrusive, the little touches are impeccably judged, and the entire experience is executed with such precision that it feels effortlessly luxurious.
The final verdict Chedi Luštica Bay is a well-designed luxury hotel that balances design, dining and genuine environmental thinking with the small human kindnesses that make a stay a bargain. The service is warm (with a calm professionalism rather than anything theatrical), the rooms are thoughtfully furnished and very comfortable, the dining room is attentive to local produce and flavors, and the spa is quietly serious. If you want a Montenegrin getaway that prioritizes atmosphere over ostentation, look no further.
Disclosure: Our stay was sponsored by Chedi Lustica Bay.
Paul Johnson Paul Johnson is the editor of A Luxury Travel Blog and has worked in the travel industry for over 30 years. He is the winner of the Innovations in Travel “Best Travel Influencer” award from WIRED magazine. In addition to other awards, the blog has also been voted “one of the world’s best travel blogs” and “best for luxury” by The Telegraph.
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