Regent Hotel Montenegro

Where mountains meet the sea

A contemporary garden set within a grand reflective pool is animated with arched fountain jets inspired by the Italian water gardens of Villa d’Este.

Regent Hotel Porto Montenegro is located on the Adriatic coastline near the Bay of Kotor, a UNESCO world heritage site. The garden forms part of the wider residential village and marina of Porto Montenegro, on the edge of Boka Bay in Tivat Montenegro.

The client’s brief was to create a contemporary courtyard water garden informed by the style of formal Italian gardens and inspired by the dramatic waterside location.

The garden focuses around two central water rills each lined with an array of arched fountain jets to provide visual delight and a soothing sound of water to gently echo within the courtyard space. Limestone paths laid in a herringbone pattern lead to a sunken dining terrace on which to entertain guests in the shade of an ancient sculptural olive tree whilst affording spectacular water side views.

A calm reflection pool surrounds the central space with ‘floating’ stepping stones leading to a gravel walkway which flows underneath arches planted with scented Trachelospermum and bordered with informally planted Lavendula, Santolina and Agapanthus.

A carefully considered coastal Mediterranean planting scheme softens the formality of the garden with large mature evergreen trees placed in pots, all sited to coordinate with the beams and columns of the underground car park below. Species were chosen for coastal tolerance, colour, scent, and key pollinator species.

A shaded colonnade with an intricate interlocking pattern of Sardinian Travertine leads around to a larger reflection pool offering unique snug seating set within the water body itself to create a memorable and private moment for contemplation and relaxation.

Fragrant herbs such as thyme, lavender, oregano, sage and mint further add to the enjoyment of the gardens, and also used to infuse the cocktails served at the hotel. A further roof top kitchen garden provides a plentiful supply of fresh aromatic herbs for inclusion within the hotel restaurant dishes.

The garden exits via an impressive 12 metre long planted flowering tunnel of jasmine into a piazza laid in Italian Porphyry setts overlooking Boka Bay.

Project:

Regent Hotel, Porto Montenegro

Client:

Adriatic Marinas d.o.o.

Size:

0.5 Hectares

Services:

Landscape design of hard and soft landscape
Concept to Tender, Construction monitoring

Awards & Accolades:

Brit List Awards 2023 – Finalist ‘International Award’ Regent Porto Montenegro
Society of Garden Designers Awards 2019 - Finalist ‘International Garden or Landscape’

Collaborators:

Architect: ReardonSmith Architects
Local Architect: ArchiPro
Interior Designer: Mlinaric, Henry and Zervudachi
Lighting Design : Light Bureau