Mamula Island, a historic islet off the Montenegrin coast, has been reborn as a luxury hotel and spa by Design Hotels. The 19th-century fortress, originally completed in 1852 by Austro-Hungarian general Lazar Mamula, has been carefully restored and transformed into the island’s first and only hospitality destination, featuring elevated dining, a full wellness programme and a year-round memorial gallery.
© Mark Anthony Fox, Mamula Island
MCM London led the architectural restoration, preserving the fortress’s original structures while introducing contemporary comforts. A striking glass-covered courtyard provides a central gathering space, and the design consistently references the fort’s dominant architectural motif—the arch—used throughout the property to convey openness and continuity between past and present.
© Mark Anthony Fox, Mamula Island
Accommodation ranges from thoughtfully appointed rooms to expansive suites, each finished with local Cevsky stone, aged brass, solid oak and organic textiles. Materials and furnishings were selected to reflect the region’s natural palette and craft traditions. Commissioned artwork by local artists introduces color and texture that echo the islet’s landscape—earthy neutrals balanced by lively accents.
© Mark Anthony Fox, Mamula Island
Dining is a highlight: the hotel houses three restaurants and four bars, where guests can enjoy menus shaped by international and regional influences. French-Canadian chef Erica Archambault contributes culinary direction, bringing refined techniques and seasonal ingredients to the island’s restaurants. Three outdoor pools and a private beach provide additional leisure options for visitors.
© Mark Anthony Fox, Mamula Island
The hotel’s holistic spa offers tailored wellbeing programmes that combine therapeutic treatments with restorative experiences designed for relaxation and renewal. Spa services, dining reservations and the beach are available to both overnight guests and day visitors; boat transfers operate to accommodate arrivals from the mainland.
A dedicated memorial gallery opens year-round to explore Mamula’s layered past. Exhibits trace the fortress’s original role defending the Bay of Kotor and also document its darker chapters, including its use as a prison during World War II. The gallery provides historical context alongside the site’s contemporary rebirth, creating a respectful dialogue between memory and reclamation.