Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort in Montenegro: My Dream Hotel Review

Since its opening a few years ago, the Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort has been on my hotel bucket list.

When I visited Croatia several years ago, I headed to Bosnia instead of Montenegro. I had been wanting a second chance to head back and finally include Montenegro in my vacation plans. When I saw photos of the hotel, backed by craggy mountains amid the clear Adriatic waters of the UNESCO-listed Kotor Bay, I knew I needed to find a way to get to this magical property.

A stay at the Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort wasn’t cheap, and it was difficult to find points availability for my family of 3 in August 2025, but I managed to snag a couple of nights between some time in Croatia and a stay at the Iberostar Herceg Novi in Montenegro.

This resort won me over, starting with the most spectacular views I’ve ever seen. However, there were a few hiccups during my stay.

Here are my thoughts on the Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort — and what you should know if you plan to stay there.

Booking the Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort

Because I had my 4-year-old and husband with me, certain rooms at Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort were unavailable, so the only one I could book was a suite. Considering suites started around $800 to $1,000 per night in the high season (August), using points was an excellent deal.

I booked the Regency Suite Sea View with Hot Tub for 3 guests for 24,000 World of Hyatt points per night at the Category 4 hotel. The rate included breakfast (it wasn’t clear from the booking, but I was told breakfast was included when I arrived at the hotel).

Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort Location

The hotel sits along the pebbly shores of the crystalline Adriatic, backed by verdant hills, with villages and mountains on the other side of the bay. It’s about a 20-minute drive to the medieval town of Kotor and a 5-minute boat ride across the bay to Perast. Depending on traffic, the hotel is a couple of hours from the Croatian border.

The location couldn’t be more beautiful, but getting to paradise takes some time and effort, so be prepared.

Getting There

The easiest and fastest way to arrive at the hotel or in this area of Montenegro is to fly into Dubrovnik (DBV) in Croatia, rent a car, and drive.

However, the border crossing was long and tedious, and we had to pay extra to take a rental car over the border into Montenegro (Sixt charged me €45, or $52, on top of the main rental fee).

After about an hour at the border (there are really 2 border controls: the Croatia exit border and the Montenegro entry border), we hit a decent amount of traffic on the road to Kotor. Then, we could have either weaved through the mountains or taken the car ferry over the bay.

We simply drove into the line that said “ferry,” hopped out of our car to buy the €5 ($6) ticket (cash or card), and drove our car onto the ferry. The ride was about 5 minutes.

Then, we drove on a single-lane road (and, yes, you might have to back your car practically into the sea to let a bus or van pass) until we got to the hotel.

The entire experience took about 3 1/2 hours. GPS quoted me 2 hours, but it was unprepared for the long wait at border control.

You could also fly into Tivat (TIV), a tiny airport, or to larger Podgorica (TGD), both in Montenegro, and drive or get a transfer to the hotel, but flights to these airports are more limited and often expensive.

There isn’t much that’s walkable from the hotel, just a couple of restaurants and convenience stores, though you can easily get boat transfers or taxis to take you to other areas of the bay.

Checking In

The drive wasn’t necessarily harrowing, but it did feel like a bit of an adventure, so walking into the calm and beautiful Hyatt was wonderful.

Reception staff offered my party cold welcome drinks and said I could relax on the sofas while they handled the check-in.

I handed over our passports and The World of Hyatt Credit Card for incidentals, as it earns up to 9x points total for Hyatt stays (4x bonus points on qualified purchases at Hyatt hotels and up to 5x base points as a World of Hyatt member).

The World of Hyatt Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The World of Hyatt card offers a fast track to Hyatt elite status, an annual free night, and up to 9x points per $1 on Hyatt stays.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

The World of Hyatt Credit Card

The World of Hyatt card offers a fast track to Hyatt elite status, an annual free night, and up to 9x points per $1 on Hyatt stays.

Welcome Offer

Earn up to 60,000 Bonus Points. Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Plus, up to 30,000 More Bonus Points by earning 2 Bonus Points total per $1 spent in the first 6 months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 Bonus Point, on up to $15,000 spent.

Up to 60,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$900

Annual Fee

$95

APR

19.99% - 28.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The World of Hyatt Credit Card makes your Hyatt stays more rewarding and helps you get coveted World of Hyatt elite status faster. This card is a must-have for any traveler who regularly stays at Hyatt hotels, or even for anyone who’s able to take advantage of the card’s annual free night certificate.

When you factor in all the benefits the World of Hyatt card offers, it’s easy to see why it is one of the best co-branded hotel credit cards on the market.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Up to 9 points total for Hyatt stays – 4 Bonus Points per $1 spent on qualified purchases at Hyatt hotels & up to 5 Base Points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member
• 2x points per $1 at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly from the airline, local transit, rideshares, and fitness clubs/gym memberships
• 1x point per $1 on all other purchases

Cons

• $95 annual fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn up to 60,000 Bonus Points. Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Plus, up to 30,000 More Bonus Points by earning 2 Bonus Points total per $1 spent in the first 6 months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 Bonus Point, on up to $15,000 spent.
• Enjoy complimentary World of Hyatt Discoverist status for as long as your account is open.
• Get 1 free night each year after your Cardmember anniversary at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort
• Receive 5 tier qualifying night credits towards status after account opening, and each year after that for as long as your account is open
• Earn an extra free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel if you spend $15,000 in a calendar year
• Earn 2 qualifying night credits towards tier status every time you spend $5,000 on your card
• Earn up to 9 points total for Hyatt stays – 4 Bonus Points per $1 spent on qualified purchases at Hyatt hotels & up to 5 Base Points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member
• Earn 2 Bonus Points per $1 spent at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly from the airlines, on local transit and commuting and on fitness club and gym memberships
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.99% - 28.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

World of Hyatt

Hot Tip:

I used some of the points I earned from the welcome bonus offer on my World of Hyatt card to pay for my stay. The rest I transferred from Chase. Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer at a 1:1 ratio to Hyatt.

I arrived at about 1 p.m., and my room was already ready. After a few moments, I was handed the key card, and a bellhop whisked our bags away while a valet parked our car.

The hotel was spread over 2 different buildings, separated by the single-lane road I mentioned. We were in the beachfront complex, and there was actually an underground pedestrian tunnel in the hotel that we could take instead of having to walk out of the main entrance and cross the street in the hot sun.

Elite Benefits

Discoverist status typically comes with the following benefits:

• Dedicated check-in area
• Complimentary bottle of water daily
• Late checkout of 2 p.m. upon request
• Room upgrade based on availability upon arrival (preferred room within type booked)

Even with my status, I couldn’t get a late checkout. The hotel was full or nearly full during our peak-season August stay, and the agent was apologetic that it just wouldn’t be possible.

The first day I arrived, after returning to the room, I found macarons, a chocolate bar, and a bottle of wine in the room, as well as a little note thanking me for my Hyatt loyalty. I happily enjoyed my wine and sweets from the hot tub.

Regency Suite Sea View with Hot Tub

After 2 elevator rides, a tunnel, and a few twists and turns, we reached suite 103.

I can say with near certainty that my suite was one of the most amazing hotel rooms I’ve ever stayed in, rivaled only by the Ritz-Carlton Tenerife, Abama, in Spain, where I somehow got upgraded to a massive ocean-view suite back when I was a Marriott loyalist.

Walking in, there were 2 large closets on the right and a powder room and dining room to the left.

The living room had 2 sofas, a minibar, a coffee machine, and a television.

My 4-year-old was thrilled to have his “own mini bathroom.”

Staff came shortly after I arrived in the room to set up the sofa bed for my son.

Past that, a door led into the bedroom, which had a king bed, desk, television, and bathroom.

Of course, this all sounds pretty standard, but the real reason this suite was so incredible was that the entire suite was covered in floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked Kotor Bay and the gorgeous stretch of pebbly beach below.

We also had a private sundeck with the same views, a hot tub, and 2 beach loungers and a sun umbrella.

The hot tub had lights and bubbles, and my family had a blast relaxing in there when the midday heat subsided.

Having these magnificent views was phenomenal. Being able to see the sun rise over the bay, the sea glittering at golden hour, and the full moon glimmer at night was a truly special experience. The views from this suite were unforgettable and some of the most impressive I’ve ever had from a hotel suite.

The only issue I had with the room was the noise. There were 2 events going on during my 2-night stay: a summer stage concert at the Lighthouse Restaurant, which was directly below the room, and a wedding on the Hedonist rooftop, which was directly above us.

On the first night, the music was so loud my bed was vibrating, and this went on til nearly 12:30 a.m. On night 2, the music shut off around 11:30 p.m. In my more youthful days, I wouldn’t have minded, but traveling with a small child is different, and we weren’t able to rest well in this beautiful but incredibly noisy hotel room despite the comfortable bed and spacious suite.

I did call once to complain about the noise but didn’t request a room change, mainly because I knew the hotel was full. Looking back, though, I probably should have.

Bathroom

The bathroom was perfect. It was well-equipped with a giant rainfall shower decked out in marble.

There was a single sink and toilet, and I loved the backlit mirror with an antifog button. I didn’t miss having a bathtub because I had my own hot tub on the terrace.

The Pharmacopia amenities smelled strong and feminine. They weren’t my favorite, but they did the job.

Amenities

Beach

My favorite amenity at the Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort was the beach, which, though pebbly, was so beautiful.

Almost all the loungers were full by 9 or 9:30 a.m., so as I always say when it comes to reserving chairs, if you can’t beat them, join them. I headed down to put my towels on the sun loungers early each morning.

I actually loved the fact that the beach was rocky and not sandy. My son and I agreed that it was pretty cool to enjoy the beach and sea without getting all sandy. And because the rocks were tiny, they didn’t really bother my feet. I managed the stay without any water shoes.

Water Sports

There were kayaks and paddleboards for rent, but they were fairly expensive, starting at €35 ($40) per hour.

Pools

There were also 2 main outdoor pools and an outdoor pool that was reserved for guests who booked swim-up suites.

The pools were spacious and beautiful, offering views of the mountains across the bay, but I couldn’t tear myself away from the cool and refreshing waters of the Adriatic for long.

One pool was more family-friendly, while the other had a swim-up bar.

I didn’t swim in the indoor pool, but it looked serene.

Boat Dock

Getting around the area was easiest by boat, and the hotel had a boat dock, which was handy.

We had booked a boat tour to Perast and the small islands in Kotor Bay via Viator, and they graciously swung by and picked us up at the Hyatt dock so we didn’t have to drive to Kotor, park, and catch the boat there.

A cute little lighthouse marked the start of the dock area.

Wi-Fi

Although I’d purchased an eSIM from Airalo for Montenegro, I was pleased that the hotel Wi-Fi was strong and fast and that I had a signal at every point in the resort, from literally in the sea itself to the boat dock and across the street from the hotel at a little pizza joint.

Hot Tip:

Getting an eSIM is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to get cell service abroad. Make sure your phone is unlocked and compare prices from different providers to find the best option.

Fitness Center and Other Amenities

The hotel also had a doctor on-site, a spa, a small fitness center, and a small shop for purchasing beachwear and snacks.

Food and Beverages

We were fed well at this hotel, and the food turned out to be a key reason to make a return.

Blue Restaurant

Each morning, breakfast was held at Blue Restaurant. The buffet area was small and did get a bit crowded at prime hours, but it was well-stocked and the food was hot and high-quality — crispy bacon, juicy watermelon, tasty vegetables, and freshly baked pastries.

I loved the omelet station, where you could fill out a small checklist and get your food delivered to your table instead of waiting in line for your eggs.

There was also a veggie section and salad bar, the typical Western (many specifically British) breakfast dishes, fresh fruit, an espresso machine, and a cool local food section.

This restaurant also had a dinner buffet, which cost €45 ($52) per person (including children), but we dined elsewhere.

Olé! Beach and Bar

Both days during our stay, we ate lunch at Olé! Beach and Bar.

I enjoyed my steak salad, the pizza Margherita was decent, and my son loved his chicken burger. I liked the salad so much I got the same one the next day, and it was as tasty as my first.

Dining overlooking the water was pleasant, too.

Lighthouse Restaurant

The Lighthouse Restaurant (the one below our room with the live music) had a nice-looking menu, but it was pretty fancy, with high prices to match. Since we were with our 4-year-old, we ate at less fancy spots for dinner in the area. However, it would have been a nice splurge for seafood had I been traveling as a couple or with friends. The crowd was very glamorous to match the vibes — I spotted who I think was a well-known Italian supermodel at the restaurant.

Service

Staff members were consistently friendly and helpful throughout our stay, especially at checkout, when I politely mentioned how uncomfortable the evening noise made our stay. They offered to speak with the manager to see if they could offer points as a consolation (I didn’t ask for this — they offered) and said they would email me with any resolution.

A few hours after leaving the hotel, I received an email stating that they were giving me 15,000 Hyatt points as an apology for the situation, which I found to be generous. I really appreciated the quick follow-up and the very proactive solution. Hyatt points are valuable, and my sleepless nights didn’t seem so bad when I got that points boost.

Final Thoughts

Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort is one of the best points redemptions I’ve had in a while, mainly because it felt so luxurious and glamorous, thanks to the gorgeous location and views. I loved dipping into my private hot tub and waking up to memorable sunrises over Kotor Bay.

However, I unfortunately left the hotel feeling exhausted, thanks to sleepless, noisy nights. If I were ever to come back, I would request a quiet room and try to stay during the off-peak season.

Thankfully, the hotel’s response to my feedback was above and beyond. Sometimes, helpful customer-oriented service makes all the difference.