Mamula Island by Banyan Tree marks the homegrown resort brand’s first European property.
Singapore’s Banyan Group, an independent global hospitality company, has opened its first property in Europe, expanding its reaches beyond Asia. In its first full season, Mamula Island by Banyan Tree welcomes guest to the idyllic island in Montenegro where its setting on a secluded islet at the entrance of the UNESCO-listed Bay of Kotor. Access to Mamula Island is via private boat transfer or a helicopter flight from Dubrovnik, Croatia, or Tivat.
DESIGN
The hotel was once Fort Mamula, originally built in the 1850s, which served as a coastal defense fortification at the entrance of the Bay. Led by developer Samih Sawiris in partnership with Lisbon-based MCM Architecture & Design, the restoration took seven years and involved work with Montenegrin conservation and architecture studio Projektor, as well as local heritage authorities.
Interior design was overseen by Piotr Wisniewski and weStudio Berlin, combining mid-century influences, local craftsmanship and bespoke furniture. Across the resort, natural stone, aged brass, solid oak and organic textiles create warm, understated interiors.
The arch, a defining feature of the original fortress, is reinterpreted throughout the resort, including in a custom-made furniture line developed for the hotel. The design also draws on local artisanal traditions, from pottery and joinery to abstract fine art, creating a contemporary retreat grounded in the island and the wider region.
SLEEP
The Adriatic is a constant presence throughout the resort, with all rooms and suites offering sea views. Heritage Suites are set within the original fortress structure, preserving stonework and heritage features, while newly built rooms and suites feature contemporary interiors, floor-to-ceiling windows and private terraces. The Heritage Sky Suites have been recognized as “Best Hotel Suite” at AHEAD Awards Europe and ranked among the world’s top ten suites.
EAT AND DRINK
Dining at Mamula Island by Banyan Tree is shaped by local produce, fresh seafood and the micro-seasonality of the Montenegrin coast. Parasol, set at the heart of the fortress beside three outdoor pools, offers a crudo concept centred on just-caught seafood, while Kamena Restaurant overlooks the Adriatic and highlights land-led flavours and locally harvested ingredients.
Perched on the edge of the island, Celeste offers a relaxed outdoor terrace experience inspired by coastal cooking traditions from Italy, the Caribbean and the Levant. In the evenings, guests can gather at Pinea Bar, an intimate speakeasy- style bar, and enjoy handcrafted cocktails and vinyl nights under the stars.
RELAX
Located within the historic fortress tower, Banyan Tree Spa offers a wellbeing experience guided by the brand’s 8 Pillars of Wellbeing. Treatments draw on local plants, oils and natural elements, with rituals designed to reflect the island’s setting and the restorative qualities of the surrounding landscape.
The spa features an indoor gym, ritual rooms, Finnish and herbal saunas, steam room, halotherapy room, flotation chamber and experience shower. Guests can also experience hydro and weightless therapies, including a meditative float experience, as well as traditional Thai, Javanese Indonesian and Chinese healing therapies, therapeutic bodywork and the brand’s signature Royal Banyan treatment.
EXPLORE
Beyond the spa, the island offers space for quiet restoration and outdoor discovery. At the northern tip of the island, a serviced beach features sunbeds, individual coves and views towards Herceg Novi, with direct access to the island’s natural coastline.
Guests can explore the island, coastline and Luštica Peninsula by kayak, paddleboard, water bike or e-bike. Further afield, curated experiences include Boka Bay, sunrise swims in the Blue Cave, Kotor Old Town, Royal Lovćen and Cetinje, Skadar Lake and the Tara River. Luštica food tours and local discovery experiences connect guests with Montenegro’s history, landscapes and coastal life.
Cultural programming is central to the Mamula Island experience. A new Artists-in-Residence programme brings local and regional creatives to the island, with workshops, exhibitions, maker sessions, opera evenings, live music and the Operosa Music Festival offering guests a closer connection to the region’s creative community.
Mamula Island by Banyan Tree is also available for full island buyout for weddings, private events and retreats, with a collection of distinctive venues spanning the restored fortress, open-air terraces, gardens, spa facilities and beach.
