Villa Montemaris Budva

You know what’s funny about Villa Montemaris? I almost walked right past it the first time – it’s tucked away in this quieter pocket of Budva where you’re not constantly dodging tour groups and beach vendors. Honestly, that turned out to be one of its biggest selling points. The building itself has this Mediterranean villa vibe (hence the name, I guess) with white walls and these little terraces that actually make you feel like you’re staying somewhere special, not just another cookie-cutter hotel.

The thing that struck me most was how the staff seemed to genuinely know the area – like, really know it. When I asked about beaches, they didn’t just point me toward the obvious touristy spots. They mentioned this little cove about a ten-minute walk away where locals go, and honestly, it became my go-to spot every morning. The rooms are what you’d expect from a solid 3-star place, nothing fancy but everything works properly (the AC was a godsend in July), and I mean, with a 9.2 rating, they’re clearly doing something right. The beds were actually comfortable – you know how hotel beds can be a total gamble – and the bathrooms had decent water pressure, which… well, if you’ve traveled much in this region, you’ll appreciate that detail.

What really won me over was the breakfast situation. They set it up on this terrace area where you can see glimpses of the Adriatic between the buildings, and it’s not some massive buffet with heat lamps, but rather this more intimate setup with local cheeses and proper coffee. The owner (I think?) would chat with guests in the morning, giving restaurant recommendations that were actually good – not just places that probably give him kickbacks. Parking was surprisingly easy too, which is rare in Budva’s old town area. I’d definitely go back, especially in shoulder season when the whole coast isn’t completely overrun. It’s the kind of place where you feel like you’re experiencing the real Montenegro, not just the Instagram version of it.