Michele Giraudo

Please suggest some unique routes to get familiar with the region around your hotel (by car, yacht, walking)

One&Only Portonovi sits at the entrance of the wild and beautiful Boka Bay, a sheltered idyll on Montenegro's Adriatic coast, surrounded by spectacular mountains. The bay, adjacent to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Kotor, is a nautical playground with stunning coastline and waters waiting to be explored. Portonovi is home to a 238-berth superyacht marina and helipad, so guests will be able to discover the region by water, air or land.

The extraordinary beauty of Montenegro can be explored by car or a boat tour around the bay. Starting from Herceg Novi, with its fascinating centuries-old fortresses, through the narrowest point of the bay called Verige, to the small historic town of Risan that holds ancient Roman mosaics, all the way to Perast and Kotor old towns - every turn brings another stunning vista over the glistening sea, dramatic mountains, baroque palaces and graceful churches. Besides charming cobblestone streets and diverse museums, Kotor offers awe-inspiring views from the San Giovanni fortress that rises above the town. I really enjoy hiking, and one of my favourite walks is up Vrmac hill, with the fisherman villages of Muo, Stoliv and Prcanj lining the bay below. The old, narrow streets that run just by the sea add to the charm of the whole experience.

Which places are popular with the locals (park, squares, churches, markets, restaurants, bars, shops)?

A shrine for sailors throughout the centuries, the tiny church of Our Lady of the Rocks stands in the beautiful Bay of Kotor, within easy reach of One&Only Portonovi. It has an enchanting legend - the islet was made by people from the nearby medieval town of Perast, around a sea cliff where, back in 1452, two fisherman brothers found an icon of the Virgin with a child. For good luck, local seamen started throwing rocks at this same point in the bay and it eventually became an island sufficient to hold a Church. Every 22nd of July, at sunset, citizens of Perast take their boats and throw rocks into the sea to continue the tradition. For me, Our Lady of the Rocks is a "must-see" when you visit Montenegro.

Please name some interesting new and established things to do and to go for VIP tourists (restaurants, bars, boutiques, yachting) in your region?

A safe haven sheltered from the Adriatic Sea, Boka Bay has long attracted seafarers, sailing craft and dive boats into its calm waters. This is the perfect starting point for exploring the dramatic Montenegrin coastline, with its steep-sided inlets, picturesque islands and secluded beaches by superyacht to a sailboard. Guests can windsurf the waves at the edge of the Adriatic; venture underwater with a master diver to discover the secrets of the sea, revealed through fascinating rock formations, shipwrecks and caves, or simply cast off and spend an easy-going day afloat, soaking up the wonder of the scenery.

The hotly anticipated Tapasake Club, a pan-Asian restaurant and vibrant pool club at One&Only Portonovi, is set to become the most in-demand destination in the region. Featuring a sake bar and regular DJ sets, this will be where the in-the-know crowd flocks for relaxed days by the water and uplifting sunset sessions as day turns to night. The opening of Sabia by Giorgio Locatelli will raise the bar for the region's culinary experiences, introducing Southern Italian cuisine from the renowned Michelin-star chef in a riviera-style setting against the backdrop of the Bay.

What is the competitive advantage of your hotel?

At One&Only Portonovi, we are introducing a new level of luxury to the region, with a genuine service philosophy, spectacular accommodation and the ultimate privacy and comfort. The resort is designed on an impressive scale, reflecting the grand Venetian palaces of the region, with lush gardens dotted with sparking pools, and a private sandy beach. Guests will be able to arrive in style by boat or helicopter, experience cutting-edge wellness therapies, savour world-leading dining experiences, enjoy our grand rooms with spacious bathrooms that can transform into spectacular living areas, as well as many others experiences that celebrate this fascinating destination. At One&Only we emphasise a personal approach towards our guests. With us, no stay is the same.

The resort will be home to a first-of-its-kind wellness concept for guests - following an exclusive global partnership with leading health and wellness expert brand Chenot, One&Only Portonovi will be the first One&Only resort to offer Chenot Espace, a transformative journey of detoxing and resetting the body based on the renowned and established Chenot Method^®. Chenot's pioneering approach to wellness combines the latest scientific advances with the best in Chinese and traditional medicines, designed to enhance vitality and performance, based on a comprehensive diagnosis of what is aging their body. This is the first time such an advanced wellness programme will be available together with the extraordinary level of luxury and service that One&Only is renowned for.

One&Only Portonovi is set to become the dining destination on the Adriatic coast with a variety of distinctive, world-class culinary experiences. We're thrilled to be opening Sabia by Giorgio Locatelli, the Michelin-star chef's first restaurant in the region, which will serve refined Italian cuisine with a focus on fresh seafood and vegetables and a Raw Bar. The resort will also have Tapasake Club, featuring a menu of contemporary pan-Asian tapas-style fusion cuisine, and La Veranda, which heroes locally sourced ingredients and producers and elevated Montenegrin-inspired cooking styles. Located in the Lobby, Caminetti Bar will welcome guests with expansive views over the terrace, gardens and sea, ideal for cocktails, afternoon tea or pre-dinner caviar and champagne pairings.