Blake’s Villa

Honestly, I wasn’t expecting much when I first pulled up to Blake’s Villa – I mean, it’s tucked away in this quiet village called Brajici that most people have never heard of, about fifteen minutes outside Budva’s main chaos. But you know what? Sometimes the best discoveries happen when you’re not trying too hard to find them.

The thing about this place is that it feels more like staying at your Montenegrin friend’s family home than some sterile hotel experience. The owners actually live on the property, and they’ve got this genuine warmth that you can’t fake – they’ll remember your coffee preference by day two and probably try to convince you to stay for their homemade rakija. The rooms are simple but spotless, with those heavy wooden shutters that block out the morning sun completely (trust me, you’ll appreciate this after a night out in Budva’s Old Town). What really got me though was sitting on the terrace in the evenings – you can hear the Adriatic in the distance, mixed with the sound of locals chatting in the village square below. It’s incredibly peaceful, especially if you’re coming from somewhere like Belgrade or Zagreb where quiet doesn’t really exist.

The location is actually pretty brilliant once you figure it out. Sure, you’re not stumbling distance from Budva’s beach clubs, but honestly that’s half the appeal. You get this authentic slice of Montenegrin village life – there’s a tiny local konoba where the fishermen stop for morning coffee, and the bus to Budva runs regularly (though I’d recommend renting a car because the coastal drives around here are absolutely stunning). The family running Blake’s Villa knows every shortcut to avoid the summer traffic jams, and they’ll point you toward the hidden beaches that aren’t packed with cruise ship crowds. I spent one afternoon at this little cove they recommended near Petrovac – crystal clear water, maybe six other people total. During peak season in July and August, this kind of peaceful base becomes invaluable because you can escape back to Brajici when Budva gets overwhelming, which it definitely will. The only minor thing is that the WiFi can be spotty during busy periods, but honestly, that forced digital detox probably did me some good. For what you pay, especially compared to the overpriced places right on Budva’s waterfront, this feels like stumbling onto a secret that you almost don’t want to share with other travelers.