Mamula Island opens in 19th-century fortress in Montenegro

Mamula Island, which opened at the beginning of April, reimagines a previously uninhabited islet and 19th-century fortress off the coast of Montenegro.

The building, coriginally onstructed in 1852 by the Austro-Hungarian general Lazar Mamula, has been sensitively restored to include ten rooms, 14 junior suites, and eight suites.

A central feature of Mamula Island, the 748sqm spa is housed on the ground level of the fortress’s main tower.

Rest and re-energise

The spa concept and layout was the work of Portugal’s Topspa Consultants and spa consultant Martine Fehr.

Massage, facial and body treatments are provided by all-natural Swiss spa brand Ananné in three treatment rooms by five therapists. Treatment beds are by Gharieni.

Beyond treatments, the spa also boasts two ritual rooms, a Finnish sauna, a herbal sauna, a stream room and a halotherapy room, all by Montenegrin company WTWS.

A unique table in the spa atrium is a combination of steel and one piece of 2,450-year old subfossil oak that is used for the table top.

Standout spaces

There is also a gym offering communal as well as private and bespoke activities such as yoga, meditation, breathwork, sound and energy healing.

Fitness equipment is supplied by Nohrd, Skagerak and Matrix. An aqua floating tank by Floatspa completes the spa offer.

Towels and spa linens are by Rivolta, Carmignani and Titantextil, while uniforms are by MartinCo.

Ananné has also custom developed all in-room toiletries with a bespoke Mamula scent.

Natural, earthy tones contrasting with bright hues

Lisbon-based MCM Architecture & Design led the architectural concept while Piotr Wisniewski and weStudio Berlin oversaw interior design for the hotel, spa and spa garden.

The hotel and spa has a minimalist mid-century style and is full of abstract art.

Both the architecture and design concepts are united through the motif of the arch, a symbol of strength and support as well as renewal and openness.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site

Located at the entrance to the Bay of Kotor and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mamula Island is off the coast of Herceg Novi, Montenegro.

Other amenities include a fine-dining restaurant, two all-day eateries, a mixology bar, one freshwater lap pool and two circular relaxation pools.

All three pools are covered with Bisazza glass mosaic.

The Atelier Mamula is a 64sqm creative room hosting an artist-in-residence programme.

Studio Mamula is a 112sqm makerspace equipped for events including workshops, live music performances and film screenings.

Furniture is from RODA and GUBI.

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