Palazzo Radomiri Hotel

Palazzo Radomiri Hotel, a Michelin Key Selected property in Kotor, Montenegro, consistently receives high praise for its enchanting blend of historical elegance, serene waterfront setting, and exceptional service. Housed in a meticulously restored 18th-century Baroque palace, this boutique hotel offers a unique and memorable experience on the tranquil Bay of Kotor.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Palazzo Radomiri Hotel is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing it as superb, exceptional, and a dreamy place. Review scores often reach 9.0 "Superb" on platforms like Booking.com, with categories such as location (9.6), staff (9.5), and cleanliness (9.3) scoring particularly high. Michelin Guide's internal rating also indicates a strong "Overall Experience" of 18.8. Guests consistently express a desire to return, highlighting the hotel's ability to exceed expectations.

2. Key Highlights

Guests love the hotel's ability to preserve its historical feel while providing modern comforts.

• Location: Its direct waterfront position in the quiet village of Dobrota, offering stunning views of Kotor Bay and mountains, is a major draw. The private jetty and swimming area are particularly cherished.
• Design & Ambiance: The authentic Baroque palace architecture, with exposed stone walls, antique furniture, and a charming bistro-style courtyard, creates a cozy and soulful atmosphere.
• Service: The incredibly friendly, helpful, and attentive staff is a recurring highlight, often cited as making the holiday truly special.
• Amenities: Guests appreciate the outdoor pool, fitness center, spa services (massages, facials, sauna), and complimentary activities like morning yoga classes and available bicycles and kayaks. The option for private boat trips to secluded beaches, packed with local delicacies by the staff, is also a unique offering.

3. Room Quality

Palazzo Radomiri offers 10 antiques-filled bedrooms, each designed to feel like an old home rather than a museum, with modern comforts added. Rooms often feature exposed stone walls and are traditionally decorated. Many rooms boast expansive sea views, providing breathtaking ocean and bay vistas. Specific room types mentioned include Deluxe, Family, Small Double, Junior, and Attic Suites/Rooms, with amenities like extra-large double beds, private bathrooms, refrigerators, electric kettles, and free WiFi. Marble bathrooms come with either walk-in rain showers or freestanding old-fashioned bathtubs, stocked with fluffy towels and Italian toiletries. The Junior Suite is noted as ideal for honeymooners, with an ancient stone balcony overlooking the bay, and the Glorioso Honeymoon Suite also features a stone balcony. Attic rooms have sloping ceilings with exposed wooden beams.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel's restaurant specializes in Mediterranean cuisine, described as inventive and prepared from locally and regionally sourced fresh fish, lamb, and seasonal vegetables, with herbs from the Radomiri garden. Guests can enjoy alfresco dining with ocean views, especially on the flame-lit walled garden or directly by the water on the private dock, creating a wonderfully romantic setting for dinner.

Breakfast, which is included in the rates, is consistently praised as great, well-prepared by a chef, and often enjoyed in the shaded garden area by the sea. While a buffet offers cereals, fruit, and pastries, guests can also order hot food. Specific mentions include excellent avocado croissants and shakshuka.

5. Service & Staff

The service at Palazzo Radomiri is a standout feature, with numerous guests commending the staff as incredibly friendly, helpful, attentive, and hospitable. The owner, Anna, is often mentioned for providing a warm welcome, and individual staff members like Veronica, Anna, Alexei, and waiter Vuk have received personal recognition for their exceptional service. The team's dedication ensures a comfortable stay, with concierge services available to arrange trips, private boat tours around Kotor Bay, and activities.

6. Location & Accessibility

Palazzo Radomiri is located in the village of Dobrota, which merges with Kotor, directly on the coastline of Kotor Bay. It offers a peaceful and quiet setting, away from the bustle of the Old Town. Kotor's beautiful Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is about 4 km away, accessible by a charming waterside walk (approximately 45 minutes) or a short 5-minute drive, and bicycles are available from the hotel.

The hotel provides free off-road parking, though spaces can be limited. It also has private mooring facilities for yachts up to 20m/65ft.

• Airports: Tivat Airport (TIV) is the closest at approximately 11 km (20 minutes by car). Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) is about 66 km (90-112 minutes by car), and Podgorica Airport (TGD) is around 80 km (90-123 minutes by car). The hotel offers airport transfers for a surcharge.
• Local Transport: A Kotor bus station is 15 minutes by car, and a Dobrota bus stop is about 900 meters away.

7. Value & Pricing

Guests frequently note the good value offered by Palazzo Radomiri. Rates begin at approximately 160 EUR per night. Prices typically include bed and breakfast, VAT, and the use of parking, towels, loungers, the swimming pool, gym, safe, and internet. A free bottle of wine on arrival is also mentioned for i-escape guests.

8. Common Complaints

While reviews are overwhelmingly positive, a few minor points are occasionally mentioned:

• Accessibility: The hotel is built into a hillside with many steps and no lifts, which can be challenging for guests with luggage or mobility issues, and it is noted as not entirely accessible for visitors with disabilities. Parking is on the main road at the top, requiring guests to navigate steps with luggage.
• Breakfast Replenishment: Some guests have noted that buffet items like coffee and juice might run out and not be immediately replenished without asking staff.
• Seasonal Operation: The hotel is open seasonally, typically from April through October, with a three-night minimum stay required in July and August.
• Reception Hours: Reception operates from 8 AM to 10 PM, and guests planning to arrive or check out outside these hours are advised to arrange in advance.

Sources

1. michelin.com
2. booking.com
3. i-escape.com
4. montenegrofacts.com
5. booking.com
6. agoda.com
7. hotels.com
8. booking.com
9. hotels-kotor.com
10. palazzoradomiri.com
11. palazzoradomiri.com