Bečići isn't exactly a secret anymore. If you've spent any time scrolling through Adriatic travel forums or looking at high-end real estate in the Balkans, you've seen the curved, glass-heavy silhouette of the Hotel Splendid Conference & Spa Resort. It sits there right on the edge of the Budva Riviera, looking a bit like a giant ship that decided to park permanently on the sand. People talk about it constantly. Some call it the pinnacle of Balkan luxury; others think it’s a relic of a specific era of post-socialist opulence. Honestly, the reality is somewhere in the middle, and it’s a lot more interesting than the glossy brochures suggest.
Most people recognize Hotel Splendid Crna Gora because of Casino Royale. You’ve likely heard the rumor that it was the filming location for the Bond movie. It wasn't. That was actually filmed in the Czech Republic, but the hotel definitely leans into that high-stakes, tuxedo-and-martini energy. It opened its doors in 2006, right as Montenegro was reclaiming its independence, and it became a symbol of the "New Montenegro."
It’s big. Massive, actually.
With 322 rooms and a footprint that dominates the Bečići coastline, it’s not the place you go for a "quaint, boutique experience." You go there because you want infrastructure. You want a spa that actually stays open when it rains and a breakfast buffet that feels like a small city.
The Politics of the Five-Star Label
What does "five stars" even mean in the Balkans? In Western Europe, it often implies a certain stiff-upper-lip service. In Montenegro, and specifically at Hotel Splendid Crna Gora, it’s more about scale and "bigness."
You walk into the lobby and it's all marble and expansive views of the Adriatic. It feels grand. But the real nuance of the Splendid is in how it handles the different types of travelers it attracts. On one floor, you might have a regional summit for Balkan prime ministers. On another, a family from Dusseldorf is trying to find their kids' floaties. Somehow, it works. The staff is famously professional, which is a feat in a region where service can sometimes be, shall we say, "relaxed."
There’s this misconception that the Splendid is just for the ultra-wealthy. While the Presidential Suite has hosted the likes of Madonna and Mick Jagger—and yes, the guest list over the last two decades reads like a VIP manifest of global pop culture—the standard rooms are surprisingly accessible if you time it right.
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That Spa, Though
If there is one thing that justifies the "Splendid" name, it’s the Splendid Spa & Wellness. It was the first of its kind in Montenegro to really push the "wellness" angle beyond just a sauna and a lukewarm pool.
The complex is huge. We're talking about three indoor heated pools, various saunas (the stone sauna is particularly intense), and a snow cabin. Yes, a cabin with actual snow in a country where the coastal summer temperatures regularly hit 35°C. It’s a bit of a flex.
The spa uses regional ingredients. They do these treatments with local herbs and marine mud that actually feel authentic rather than just imported luxury tropes. If you're visiting in the shoulder season—say, October or late April—the spa becomes the entire reason to be there. The Adriatic is a bit too brisk for a swim then, but watching a storm roll over the mountains from the warmth of an indoor infinity pool is a specific kind of vibe that’s hard to beat.
The Room Reality Check
Let's talk about the rooms. They are comfortable. High-quality linens, decent tech, and balconies that mostly face the sea. But if you’re a fan of the ultra-minimalist, Scandi-chic design that’s currently trending in London or New York, the Splendid might feel a bit... gold.
There is a lot of wood. There is a lot of warm lighting. It feels very mid-2000s luxury. For some, it’s nostalgic and cozy. For others, it’s a bit dated. But everything works. The water pressure is fantastic. The soundproofing is legit, which is a godsend because the Budva Riviera can get incredibly loud during the peak of July.
Eating at Splendid: Beyond the Buffet
Most guests stick to the main restaurant for the buffet. It's fine. It's predictable.
But if you want the actual "Splendid" experience, you have to go to La Bussola or the fine-dining spot, Windows on Montenegro. The latter is on the top floor. The views are ridiculous. You’re looking out over the entire bay, watching the lights of Old Town Budva flicker in the distance.
They serve a lot of seafood, obviously. But the move here is to look for the Montenegrin specialties hidden among the international fare. Look for Njegusi prosciutto or the local cheeses aged in oil. The wine cellar is also surprisingly deep. Montenegro’s wine scene is dominated by the Vranac grape—a heavy, dark, soulful red—and the somms at Splendid know exactly which small-batch producers are doing the best work in the Crmnica region.
The Location Logic
Bečići is essentially the quieter, slightly more polished neighbor of Budva. You can walk from Hotel Splendid Crna Gora into Budva’s Old Town in about 20-25 minutes via a seaside pedestrian tunnel.
This is the sweet spot.
You’re close enough to the "Montenegrin Miami" chaos of Budva to enjoy the nightlife, but you’re far enough away that you don’t have to hear the bass thumping at 3:00 AM. The hotel has its own private section of the beach. In Montenegro, "private beach" is a bit of a loose term legally, but the Splendid manages it well. They have a pier, plenty of loungers, and a beach bar that serves a decent espresso.
Is it actually sustainable?
This is a valid question for any massive resort. The Splendid has made strides in the last few years regarding energy efficiency, but a building of that size always has an environmental footprint. They’ve been vocal about supporting the local economy, though. A huge portion of their staff comes from the surrounding municipalities, and they are a major patron of local farmers and fishermen. In a country where seasonal tourism can often feel predatory, the Splendid feels like a permanent fixture of the community.
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Why People Keep Coming Back
It’s the reliability.
Montenegro is a wild, beautiful, sometimes chaotic place. Roads can be tricky, weather can be unpredictable, and "Balkan time" is a real thing. The Splendid is the anchor. You know the AC will work. You know the transfer will show up. You know the breakfast will have those specific little Montenegrin doughnuts (priganice) with honey.
It’s a machine, but it’s a machine with a soul. There are staff members who have been there since the day the ribbon was cut. They remember the repeat guests. That kind of institutional memory is rare in the high-turnover world of Mediterranean hospitality.
What You Should Know Before Booking
- The Seasonality Shift: If you go in August, it will be packed. The elevators will be slow. The beach will be crowded. If you go in May or September, the place feels like yours.
- The Casino Factor: The Casino Royale on the 10th floor is a major draw for some. Even if you aren't a gambler, the terrace there offers one of the best sunset spots in the country.
- The Conference Crowd: This is a major hub for business. If you hate seeing people in suits while you’re in your flip-flops, check if there’s a major regional summit happening during your dates.
- The Kids Club: It’s actually good. They have a dedicated space and staff, which makes this one of the few true five-star spots in Montenegro that doesn't feel like it’s "tolerating" children.
Moving Forward: Your Action Plan for Hotel Splendid
Don't just book the first rate you see on a major aggregator. Because of its size and its role in the local economy, Hotel Splendid Crna Gora often has direct booking perks that don't show up on Expedia or Booking.com.
- Check the direct website for "Wellness Packages." They often bundle spa treatments with the room rate during the off-season, which can save you hundreds of euros if you were planning on hitting the spa anyway.
- Request a high-floor room. The noise from the beach bar and the pools can drift upward; the 6th floor and above is generally the quietest.
- Use the hotel as a base, not a bubble. While the restaurants are good, make sure to head into the hills. Visit the village of Brajići or drive up to Cetinje. The Splendid is a great place to return to, but Montenegro’s real magic is in its rugged interior.
- Join the loyalty program. It sounds corporate, but for a place like the Splendid, it often results in early check-ins or late check-outs, which are vital if you’re catching a late flight out of Tivat or Podgorica.
Montenegro is changing fast. New resorts are popping up in Luštica Bay and Portonovi that are more modern and perhaps more "exclusive." But the Splendid remains the grand dame. It has a history and a scale that the newer spots can’t quite replicate. Whether you love the "more is more" aesthetic or prefer something quieter, you can't really understand the Montenegrin tourism boom without spending at least a night or two within its glass walls.