Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA) has completed the interior design of the One&Only resort located in the charming village of Portonovi on Montenegro’s stunning Adriatic coastline. With architecture and initial concept design by Denniston Architects, HBA has brought the interior spaces to life, drawing inspiration from the region’s natural scenery and traditional monastic architecture to create an understated, modern design that celebrates the resort’s key asset—sweeping vistas of the fjord-like Boka Bay.
Surrounded by the azure waters and unadulterated nature of the Kotor region it calls home, One&Only Portonovi offers an exclusive, ultra-luxurious escape to a truly unique corner of the world. Its close proximity to the Montenegro’s town of Tivat and Croatia’s historical city of Dubrovnik enables easy travel for day trips to both the Montenegrin and Croatian shorelines. Being HBA’s very first One&Only resort and HBA Singapore’s first project in Montenegro, particular care was taken to adapt to regional expectations in both design and process. HBA design departments Illuminate Lighting Design, CANVAS Art Consultants, HBA Graphics and SOCIAL F+B helped bring this project to fruition.
“The overall interior design is influenced by monastic architecture but distilled into modern form so it can relate to the present day guest,” said HBA Singapore Partner Paula O’Callaghan. “For example, there are barrel-vaulted ceilings finished with wood marquetry in the main lobby. Flanking the lounge are two oversized great hearths. Tumbled, aged stone floors abound and the walls are dramatically draped in layers of embroidered fabric. All of these elements are reminiscent of traditional castle interiors. However, the details and decoration are quite modern to balance these more transitionally styled elements.”
A breathtaking view of the idyllic Boka Bay instantly captures the gaze of guests upon entry to the resort’s reception, giving a profound air of exclusivity and bliss, while an ambiance of royalty exudes from the room with elements of monastic architectural heritage.
“Regional context and relevance is brought in by the artwork, decoration and details, with a soft touch of playfulness to offset any overt formality,” O’Callaghan said. “Below the vaulted ceilings, a contemporary sculptural lighting installation inspired by Montenegro’s national flower, the mimosa, hovers delicately, framing the view of Boka Bay beyond. The drapery embroidery is in a floral motif, also inspired by the mimosa, with the asymmetrical layering of sheers giving a sense of theatricality to the space. At the center beneath the canopy of mimosa lighting, a striking ‘found’ boulder sculpture inspired by the surrounding rugged mountainous terrain heralds the guests’ arrival, with the magical view of the bay beyond. Throughout the hotel, there is an equestrian streak within the artwork, loosely in homage to the ancient legendary figures who roamed the Montenegrin landscape by horse.”
Venturing into Caminetti, the resort’s intimate bar, guests can relax in comfortable and luxurious surroundings. A burnt terracotta bar is upholstered in leather furnishings with seating surrounded by natural walnut millwork and stained wood furniture. The space channels the grandeur of the lobby area with grigio marble floors and columns cladded in backlit art depicting a forest scene. Copper tones, wood marquetry wall coverings and accents of antique brass diffuse warmth through the space’s cool gray color palette.
“It is important to note that this hotel’s design is a unique hybrid product of two consultancies,” O’Callaghan said. “The architecture and initial concept of the resort was conceived by Denniston Architects, and HBA has collaborated in the creation and execution of the interior design and detailing throughout, including the F&B concepts by SOCIAL F+B, lighting by HBA Illuminate Lighting Design, artwork by HBA Canvas Art Consultants and signage/graphics by HBA Graphics. All of these services were performed by teams based in the HBA Singapore studio.”
An artistic journey across the rugged landscape of Montenegro continues from the entry to the lift lobby where a dramatic artwork depicts a hiker trekking through the majestic cliffs and mountain ranges that sit at the resort’s doorstep.
“This design will resonate with certain guests because it is the first luxury hotel of a six-star caliber in Portonovi. Montenegro’s allure is that it has a pristine natural beauty romantically reminiscent of old Europe. However, until now, the hotel offerings in the immediate area were largely limited to smaller hotels and more commercial, mass-market resorts. At One&Only Portonovi, the affluent guest may now arrive in style via the hotel’s private speed boat or in their private yacht. Amidst very luxurious surroundings set within a truly magical location in Boka Bay, guests can now be entitled to first-class service associated with other exclusive, ultra-luxury resorts,” she said.
Guests at One&Only Portonovi can wine and dine at the resort’s various destination restaurants. La Verandah serves a menu of traditional Montenegrin dishes for both buffet and a la carte settings. To emulate the relaxed, open atmosphere of this dining concept, the design adopts a crisp, Mediterranean color scheme with dark indigo blue textures and lacquered panels juxtaposed with antique bronze detailing in the light fixtures. Laser-cut grey Carrara marble tiles line the floors and recall the rich stone patterns seen in the region’s traditional architecture.
Sabia offers a taste from the other side of the Adriatic Sea with menus of refined Italian flavors by renowned Michelin-starred chef Giorgio Locatelli. Interiors, designed by SOCIAL F+B in collaboration with the celebrity chef, are reflective of the elegantly modern menu. Neutral hues used throughout the space are accentuated with moments of seafoam blues and dove greys. Above the bar is a colorful light installation of hand-blown glass containing grains of sand, conjuring up images of a warm day at the seaside.
At Tapasake Club, the atmosphere is as lively and exciting as its pan-Asian fusion cuisine. SOCIAL F+B elected concrete flooring marbled with meandering metal inlay that mimics the craquelure of Japanese “wabi-sabi” design. A golden autumnal color palette is realized through artisanal bronze and dark mahogany detailing on the raked, spatulata plaster ceiling and red brickwork in the walls. Neutral fabrics with olive and orange accents along with ombre aqua sheer wall partitions complement the warm tones. Behind the live edge wood bar is a row of amber glass display shelves showcasing an intriguing choice of liquors.
Channeling an energetic atmosphere at KidsOnly, HBA chose bright, soft colors with light washed oak and an imagination-sparking nautical theme in the younger kids’ corner, while adopting an industrial-chic theme in a similar color palette in the teen section.
One&Only Portonovi offers private amenities and function spaces for events and celebrations ranging from weddings and honeymoons to summits and corporate training sessions. The ballroom and prefunction area draw upon the resort’s overarching monastic theme with grigio marble floors and walls, antique brass and copper accents and wallcoverings in warm neutrals.
The spa and wellness center, Chenot Espace, features silver travertine marble walls with a honed finish and washed gray oak floors. Guests may choose to soak in the spa’s lavish hammam baths, tiled with a shimmering gold mosaic framed by traditional Turkish stone, or take a refreshing dip in the spa’s indoor pool, a room enveloped in grigio marble walls with non-slip simulated stone tiles and accents of copper and antique bronze. A spray of sunset tones in the glass mosaic surrounding the pool light niches casts a warm shimmering aura through the water.
Guestrooms present a luxurious, home-away-from-home experience. Warm colors, fireplaces, natural wood flooring and millwork with strokes of gray and burnished bronze exude a sense of residential welcome. Over-scaled windows maximize the mesmerizing views of the bay, unifying the indoors with the outdoors. In the bathrooms, an extended lounge space is anchored by a window-side daybed and central chaise lounge. But the true element of surprise lies within the daybed, which, upon request, can be converted into a couples’ tub, designed to face the blissful panorama of shimmering Adriatic waters.
