Rooms

The Bay of Kotor has a long history of opulence, which dates back to its time on Venice’s core trade route. While this prompted some stunning baroque architecture, it can translate into cartoon-like contemporary décor. Not so at Hotel Hippocampus: we believe it to be the coolest hotel in Kotor, and one of the most stylish hotels we saw in Montenegro.

This consideration of style is never more evident than in the 9 rooms and suites that make up this converted 17th-century house. Expect a chic combination of locally sourced antiques, abstract art and bespoke velvet sofas, all set against a muted backdrop of polished stone floors and soft grey walls. Queensize doubles await in most rooms, but other than that there’s plenty of individuality. Double Rooms have sleek part-glass ensuites with cylindrical basins and discreetly placed toilets and showers, while the Standard Twin Rooms are great for friends travelling together.Luxury Suites have large, elegant living areas and more private ensuite shower rooms; the King Suite even has a Juliet balcony looking over the meandering streets below. Largest of all are the Deluxe Suites, where the sleeping and living rooms are entirely separate. For those who like a little cardio with their R&R, opt for the Deluxe Suite with its own in-room exercise bike!

All rooms have free WiFi, satellite LCD TVs, air-conditioning, central heating, safes, minibars and ensuite shower rooms (no bathtubs). It’s a comfortable set-up and a wonderfully calming place to unwind after a busy day exploring the Old Town or hiking St John’s fort.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Hairdryer
• Minibar
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

Hotel Hippocampus’ ground-floor restaurant is every inch as stylish as the rest of the hotel. Dark walls, angular chairs and squishy cushions create an atmospheric dining space, and there’s an outdoor courtyard for sunny lunches and balmy evenings. During high season it serves lunch and dinner (1st May-1st October), otherwise it only opens for breakfast.

The comprehensive menu reflects the area’s Italian influences, with pasta and salad dishes serving as pre-cursers to meat- and fish-based mains. We dined on turkey with prune and red wine jus, and pork wrapped in prosciutto with a cheese sauce; both were delicious - some of the best food we tasted during our trip. After dinner, guests often head up to the roof terrace for a secluded nightcap above the city lights.

Breakfast is taken in the restaurant between 7-11am, although the King and Deluxe Suites have space for in-room dining (on request). Choose from a selection of breads, croissants and cereals, plus yoghurts with compote or fresh fruit. There are also brunch-style cheeses, cured meats and salads, as well as cooked options: eggs, pancakes, French toast and homemade pies.

If you fancy a change of scenery, the town has a variety of other eateries if the restaurant is closed: from waterside restaurants to chilled-out coffee shops, there’s plenty to choose from if you're here for a week or so.

Features include:

• Bar
• Breakfast
• Restaurant
• Restaurants nearby
• Room service

Activities

• The walled Old Town of Kotor is the beating heart of this sheltered bay. Visit the historic churches and museums, browse the farmers' market or simply wander the winding lanes
  
• We spent a brilliant afternoon climbing St John's Fort, directly behind Kotor. Remarkably well preserved, there are countless nooks to explore, and the views from the top are spectacular. If you’re feeling brave, find a safe spot to climb through the fort wall to the utterly silent, rural mountain on the other side. It feels like stepping back in time
  
• Often referred to as the prettiest village in Montenegro, Perast has countless baroque palazzi and churches lining its single road, as well as a handful of restaurants and a tiny museum chronicling the village’s rich history as a Venetian trade stop
  
• Take a boat out to Our Lady of the Rocks, directly in front of Perast. This man-made island holds a tiny 17th-century church, and offers unrivalled views of the bay and neighbouring Ostrvo Sveti Doroe island (a beautiful private monastery off limits to the general public)
  
• Explore beyond the coast. Lake Skadar, the largest freshwater lake in the Balkans, is an unmissable natural wonder in central Montenegro, where lilypad-covered waters carve through the mountains and abundant birdlife awaits (1 hour 30 minutes' drive)
  
• Drive south of Budva to the famous Sveti Stefan island (40-minute journey time); an ancient fishing village turned 21st-century luxury resort. The island is closed to the public, but it’s a stunning sight to behold from the surrounding beaches and woodland. Use of the beaches here is expensive, but others nearer Kotor are free of charge
  
• Test your driving skills, and your nerve, on the twisting Kotor-Lovcen mountain road. There are 25 hairpin turns in total, each taking you that bit higher above the Bay of Kotor. At the top, you can explore the Lovcen National Park and Cetinje, the former capital of Montenegro

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Boat trips
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Kayaking
• Museums / galleries
• Nightlife
• Private guided tours
• Shopping / markets

Kids

Children of all ages are welcome, but this is quite a cool, calm kind of place.

Family friendly accommodation:

King and Deluxe Suites have space for an extra bed or baby cot. Children under 7 years stay free of charge. Children over 12 have to be booked into a separate room from their parents.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Hotel Hippocampus is in the centre of Kotor's walled Old Town, on the Montenegrin coast.

By Air:
Tivat (7km) is the closest airport, but many people fly into Dubrovnik (70km), in Croatia, before self-driving along the coast to Kotor. It is also possible to fly into Podgorica (80km), the Montenegrin capital city.

From the Airport
The hotel can provide transfers from Tivat, Dubrovnik or Podgorica for an additional charge. Alternatively, you could take a taxi or hire a car (see below). From Dubrovnik airport, it's an easy 1 hour, 15 minute drive. The border crossing is straightforward, but allow extra time in peak season when there can be queues.

By Car:
We recommend hiring a car, as Kotor is a small town and you're likely to want to explore the wider area. See our car rental recommendations.

Detailed directions will be provided when you confirm a booking through i-escape.com