The 7 Best Hotels
in Kotor & Boka Bay
Kotor itself — the medieval walled city at the bottom of Europe's southernmost fjord — is one of the most photographed destinations in the Mediterranean. But here's the thing about hotels: most of the truly excellent stays aren't inside the Old Town walls. They're spread around Boka Bay — in Dobrota, Prčanj, Tivat, and Herceg Novi — where you trade the night-time foot traffic for waterfront promenades, mountain views, and a properly quiet sleep.
We've narrowed Boka Bay's hotels down to seven across price points: two splurges, three mid-range picks, and two budget finds — each chosen because they offer something distinct rather than just being a competent place to sleep. Use the table of contents on the right to jump straight to the right pick for your trip.
Lazure Hotel & Marina
Set inside an 18th-century Venetian quarantine building at the entrance to the bay, Lazure pairs heritage architecture with a serious modern hospitality operation. Two restaurants, a private pebble beach, a marina with 156 berths, and a spa with multiple saunas and a large indoor pool. Service is what makes it stand out — consistently described as faultless, even when fully booked.
- 18th-century Venetian historic building
- Private pebble beach with restaurant
- Atmosphere Spa with hammam, saunas, jacuzzi
- Marina with 156 berths
Casa del Mare - Mediterraneo
An intimate 17-room boutique on a deeply sheltered cove in the bay, recently refurbished with sea-view balconies, a panoramic rooftop fine-dining restaurant, and a beach club at the water's edge. Featured in the Michelin Guide for hotels. Service comes from a tight family-owned operation: warm, personal, and consistently praised.
- Private beach with restaurant
- Rooftop fine dining with bay views
- Spa with indoor pool, sauna, steam room
- Michelin Guide-listed
Heritage Hotel Palazzo Radomiri
Montenegro's first heritage boutique hotel, set in a meticulously restored 17th-century captain's mansion right on the Dobrota waterfront. Just 4 km outside Kotor's Old Town but worlds away from the cruise crowds, with cobbled terraces, period interiors, and a serenity that's increasingly hard to find on the bay. The kind of place where you'll see the same guests returning year after year.
- 17th-century restored captain's mansion
- Waterfront promenade, away from crowds
- Restaurant with locally-sourced cuisine
- Yoga classes and retreats hosted on-site
Hotel Cattaro
The most polished hotel actually inside Kotor's medieval walls, occupying the historic Napoleonic-era guard house on the Square of Arms — your front door opens onto the heart of the Old Town. Stone walls, modern bathrooms, and a rooftop restaurant that earns rave reviews from people who never set foot inside the hotel. Service is genuinely professional, which sets it apart from other Old Town options.
- Historic Square of Arms location
- Modern stone-walled rooms
- Acclaimed rooftop restaurant
- Professional, attentive service
Carrubba
A small boutique pulled directly from a centuries-old stone building right on the Tivat waterfront, surrounded by the carob trees that gave the hotel its name. Spacious rooms with patios overlooking the water, a seaside restaurant serving generous breakfasts, and a 15-minute scenic walk along the bay into Tivat. Part of the SeptemberHotels collection of small character properties around Boka Bay.
- Stone walls and original sea views
- Seaside restaurant with generous breakfast
- 15-min walk to central Tivat
- Part of SeptemberHotels collection
Antika Guesthouse
A tiny guesthouse hidden inside the Old Town walls, with tastefully renovated rooms that punch significantly above their price tag. Modern bathrooms, fridges, comfortable beds, complimentary Prosecco on arrival, and the kind of personal service from owners Daria and team that makes you feel like a friend. The location is unbeatable — central to everything in Kotor's medieval heart.
- Inside Kotor's Old Town walls
- Modern renovated rooms
- Free Prosecco on arrival
- Owner-run with personal service
Old Town Hostel Kotor
Genuinely one of the best-rated hostels in Europe, set inside the Old Town walls with shared dinners cooked by Diego (the resident chef), free rakija nights, and a team that organises sunset BBQs at the fortress above the city. Both dorms and private rooms available. The kind of social atmosphere where solo travellers leave with a group of new friends.
- Inside Kotor's Old Town walls
- Cheap shared dinners and free rakija
- Sunset BBQ tours at the fortress
- Both dorms and private rooms
How we chose these hotels
Our editorial team reviewed the entire Boka Bay hotel landscape and selected seven that span the budgets travellers actually book: two splurges (Lazure and Casa del Mare's heritage luxury), three mid-range picks (Palazzo Radomiri, Cattaro for Old Town, Carrubba for Tivat waterfront), and two budget finds (Antika Guesthouse for boutique value and Old Town Hostel Kotor for the social experience).
None of these hotels paid to be included, and we have no commercial relationship with any of them. Hotel websites linked above are official direct-booking pages. Prices are estimated nightly ranges in EUR for a double room and will vary by season and availability.
When to visit Boka Bay
The bay is at its most pleasant from May to mid-June and again in September and October — warm and sunny but well below the peak summer crowds. July and August bring high heat, full hotels, and significantly more cruise ship traffic in Kotor's Old Town. Winter is mild, the bay quiet and atmospheric, and several of the larger hotels stay open year-round.
For everything else you need to plan a Boka Bay trip — neighbourhoods, food, day trips, and the famous mountain road — see our complete Kotor travel guide.