Apartment Melani

You know what? I almost walked right past Apartment Melani when I first arrived in Budva – it’s tucked along Jadranski put in this quiet residential stretch that honestly feels more like where locals actually live than where tourists usually end up. But that turned out to be exactly why I loved it.

The building itself is pretty typical for Montenegro, nothing fancy on the outside, but once you’re inside it’s clear someone actually cares about this place. The apartments are way more spacious than you’d expect for a 3-star spot, and I mean properly spacious – not just “European spacious” where you can barely open your suitcase. Mine had this little balcony that caught the morning sun perfectly, which became my coffee spot every day. The kitchen was actually functional too, with a proper-sized fridge and everything you need if you want to grab groceries from the Franca market down the road instead of eating out every meal (which, let’s be honest, gets expensive in Budva pretty quickly).

What really sold me on the place was how quiet it gets at night. I mean, you’re still close enough to walk to the Old Town in about 15 minutes – or 10 if you cut through the little park near the post office – but you’re far enough from Slovenska Plaza and all that beach party chaos that you can actually sleep. During the day you hear normal neighborhood sounds, kids playing, people chatting on their balconies, which I found way more charming than air conditioning units and tour buses. The host, Melani I assume, was genuinely helpful without being overwhelming – she left detailed notes about everything from how to work the slightly temperamental shower (turn the handle left first, then right) to which bakery opens earliest for fresh burek. Speaking of practical stuff, there’s decent parking nearby, though in July and August you might have to circle the block once or twice. The Wi-Fi actually works well, which isn’t always a given in this part of Montenegro, and the whole place stays surprisingly cool even when it’s blazing hot outside – something about the way the building’s positioned and those thick walls. Honestly, for the price and that 8.7 rating, it makes total sense. You’re getting a real taste of how people live in Budva, not just the tourist version of it.

To book hotel in Budva during the famous summer festival season, visitors should make reservations well in advance as the city attracts beach enthusiasts and nightlife lovers from around the world.