portonovi-montenegro

OUR AMBITION IS TO SET NEW STANDARDS NOT ONLY WITHIN MONTENEGRO, BUT ALSO ACROSS THE ENTIRE MEDITERRANEAN

Portonovi is the new €650 million, 26-hectare luxury development and is set to make Montenegro the next hot destination for the discerning global traveller and property investor. The opening will be carried out in several phases, starting in 2017 and with a further roll out aiming to have everything completed by 2020. Portonovi is developed by Azmont Investments, a Montenegro-based company whose corporate parent is Azerbaijan Global Investments (AGI), a consortium of three leading Azerbaijani Investment Holding companies.

“The 26-hectare Portonovi Resort will comprise of 275 properties, from luxurious, spacious town houses and apartments set in the heart of its Mediterranean-style village, stylish villas in its landscaped gardens, to sleek penthouse apartments and sky villas with infinity pools overlooking the marina.”

Portonovi-Fishermans-Warf

Q: Tell us more about the new Portonovi Resort in Montenegro?

Envisioned as the perfect home away from home, Portonovi aspires to be Inspiringly Different. We are creating a destination which will exceed expectations, providing some of today’s most enriching experiences that will become tomorrow’s benchmarks. The 26-hectare resort will comprise of 275 properties, from luxurious, spacious town houses and apartments set in the heart of its Mediterranean-style village, stylish villas in its landscaped gardens, to sleek penthouse apartments and sky villas with infinity pools overlooking the marina. At the same time, it will be the home of the first One&Only Resort in Europe. What is unique about Portonovi is its concept: it is a mixed-used kind of a resort where each property imparts its own distinctive sense of place with life and energy. Portonovi will additionally offer a unique spa and dining, with innovative and tailored experiences for adults and families with children and unique sandy beaches in Boka Bay.

Q: What will make Portonovi a destination worth visiting? 

Montenegro is one of the last places in Southern Europe that retains the beauty that the Venetians left behind at the end of the 18th century. The English poet Lord Byron called Montenegro the most beautiful merging of land and sea, and everything that we do at Portonovi is designed to capture this beauty. Around Portonovi, there are charming cobbled villages, breathtaking national parks and fascinating landmarks, like Our Lady of the Rocks (an artificial island built on top of shipwrecks) and Ostrog Monastery, which is built into a cliff face. There is something for everyone to enjoy. As well as a host of amazing international restaurants, sophisticated bars and luxury boutiques, Portonovi will also be home to Europe’s first One&Only resort and a luxurious Henri Chenot Spa. Neighbouring Portonovi is Herceg Novi. Built along a steep incline, the town was established in 1382 as a fortress, developing into a pulsing marine hub. Its ancient citadels and ramparts still enhance its shoreline today. Extensive influence from all parts of the Mediterranean has made Herceg Novi a meeting place of various cultures. These were assimilated into its own indigenous culture and infused with the spirit of the local people, which has created a unique cultural identity.

“With 140 rooms and villas, residences, restaurants (run) by award-winning chefs and world-renowned boutiques, the new One&Only resort in Montenegro will be One&Only’s first resort in Europe.”

Q: Tell us about the opening of One&Only within the project, and are there any similar hotel brands that will also open there?

Talking about Portonovi, it is a huge complex and One&Only is just one, but a valuable part of it. One&Only is an amazing collection of 9 resorts around the world that are sited in exceptional destinations, with always the best locations. It is known for a warm and exceptional service delivered by an incredible team. That Europe’s first One&Only settled in Portonovi, like all other One&Only resorts around the world it will reflect the beauty and the culture of the destination. We believe that together we will provide amazing, authentic experiences for our guests who will create memories that will truly last a lifetime.

With 140 rooms and villas, residences, restaurants (run) by award-winning chefs and world-renowned boutiques, the new One&Only resort in Montenegro will be One&Only’s first resort in Europe. Guests will be able to look out from exquisitely appointed balconies to breath-taking vistas across the majestic pool stretching into the Adriatic coastline and immerse themselves in the wellness therapies of Espace Chenot Health Wellness Spa Montenegro and emerge with a new-found sense of health and well-being.

Q: Tell us about the opening of One&Only within the project, and are there any similar hotel brands that will also open there?

Talking about Portonovi, it is a huge complex and One&Only is just one, but a valuable part of it. One&Only is an amazing collection of 9 resorts around the world that are sited in exceptional destinations, with always the best locations. It is known for a warm and exceptional service delivered by an incredible team. That Europe’s first One&Only settled in Portonovi, like all other One&Only resorts around the world it will reflect the beauty and the culture of the destination. We believe that together we will provide amazing, authentic experiences for our guests who will create memories that will truly last a lifetime.

With 140 rooms and villas, residences, restaurants (run) by award-winning chefs and world-renowned boutiques, the new One&Only resort in Montenegro will be One&Only’s first resort in Europe. Guests will be able to look out from exquisitely appointed balconies to breath-taking vistas across the majestic pool stretching into the Adriatic coastline and immerse themselves in the wellness therapies of Espace Chenot Health Wellness Spa Montenegro and emerge with a new-found sense of health and well-being.

Q: What are your expectations from the project? Also, what do you identify as the most disruptive force, or the biggest threats or challenges, to the hospitality industry?

Portonovi is already perceived as a new Montenegrin gem. This is a huge responsibility for us, but also an impetus to make it as envisioned and ensure its growth and quality in the long run. We are looking into the opening next year and much more to come after that. Our sales started in July this year, and we have every reason to expect ‎strong sales from the outset. Our ambition is to set new standards not only within Montenegro, but also across the entire Mediterranean. Furthermore, this will make a change and a significant contribution to Montenegro as a country, while putting us and our resort on the world map. Portonovi is a project where we invest, create and develop. As such, it has its own dynamic and changes in order to meet the needs and what we predict will be attractive for people to come and discover, while exploring the beauty of Montenegro.

Q: Can you give us a quick overview about Azmont Investment and its expansion in the region?

Azmont Investments embarked on its journey in Montenegro in 2012. As a company, we are well known as the investor of Portonovi – a lifestyle destination that we are building on the stunning shores of Montenegro’s Boka Bay. For us, however, being in Montenegro means much more – we are here to support and contribute to the community as a responsible corporate citizen as well. In the long run, our intention is to be here throughout growing Portonovi Resort and other business we might think about. Not that long ago, we also initiated and supported an establishment of the International Hospitality and Management Studies at the Faculty of Culture and Tourism of the University of Donja Gorica. This also represents a new chapter for high-end tourism in Montenegro and for this reason Azmont Investments created a special scholarship programme in order to support young professionals who want to develop in the field of hospitality. All this is done with the aim of creating human resources as a most valuable asset, but also of becoming competitive on the European and global markets. For now, Portonovi is our main project and we do look for additional opportunities to invest even more in the future, not only in Montenegro, but in other countries as well.

Q: How do you keep your project unique and what are the special services that Portonovi will offer to attract tourists and yacht owners?

As already mentioned above, Portonovi is a mixed-use kind of a resort. Our Portonovi is built around an entirely new, state-of-the-art mega-yacht Marina. It is created in such a way that it will offer the highest level of services accompanied by very attractive pricing. The best quality infrastructure will guarantee that Portonovi is a safe and secure place for all of the yachts and their owners. The total capacity of Portonovi marina is around 240 berths. The majority of berths are those reserved for the middle segment, ranging from 12m to 30m, but there is also a significant number of berths reserved for mega-yachts. Therefore, we have the possibility to offer a premiere summer berth for yachts that are more than 100m in length. Our intention is to become the safe haven and home port for all yachts. Our prime goal will be the delivery of the best possible service to a select group of boat owners gathered here in the Portonovi Marina.

About Rashad Rasullu:

Mr. Rashad Rasullu is the Executive Director of Portonovi Resort Management Company and a Board Member of Azmont Investments. He is the Deputy CEO of AtaHolding, a member of the Board of Directors at AtaInsurance OJSC, Member of the Supervisory Board of VTB Bank Azerbaijan, as well as Board Member at Azerbaijan Turkey Business Association and Montenegro Foreign Investment Council. Mr. Rasullu is actively engaged in Montenegro and Azerbaijan. Following his role as the Deputy ED of Azmont Investments, from 2016 he has been the Advisor to the Chairman of Azmont Investments and Executive Director of Portonovi Resort Management Company. At the same time, he has been the Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board of AtaHolding OJSC since October 2012. He manages the marketing, communications, human resources, quality of management and corporate governance areas at the “AtaHolding” Group of Companies.

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