Hotel Pavlovic

The rooms are roomy, and the shower is decent, though there’s nowhere to put soap or shampoo while you’re using it. This is a useful base for exploring a lovely area. Just be aware that some rooms are on floors with no elevator, which is why I’ve taken off a star.

We were a group of more than 20, and the staff member in Milos seemed to do everything: take bar orders, serve us, arrange tours, drive our jeep tour, then look after us again at dinner. He was kind and knew a lot. The restaurant food was excellent, with plenty of Montenegrin wines to try. Breakfast was generous, and the homemade bread is a must. Our room was spacious, the shower was small by European standards, but the water got hot instantly. The hotel is close to Black Lake and to town bars, restaurants, and shops.

The evening atmosphere at Hotel Pavlovik was lovely. People gathered in the little lobby to play cards, drink wine, laugh, and chat. The receptionist, who also waited tables, suggested a mixed meat platter, and it was one of the best meals we had on our trip. Breakfast was generous too, with vegetables, local cheeses, eggs, cold cuts, warm pastries, and more, all simple and made with care. This is a small, family-run place with a lot of warmth. A young man greeted us at the desk, and I later learned he works as receptionist and waiter, including evenings with his sister. Their mother cooks, and their father sometimes helps out or chats with guests. The hotel smelled of fresh coffee, and when I asked about the waiter, that same young man made me a delicious cup. Our room was clean, tidy, and cozy, more like a small apartment, with a living room, bedroom, little balcony, kitchenette with a stove, and compact bathroom. There were soaps, shampoo, and fresh towels. There was no coffee, tea, sugar, or bottled water in the room, so I boiled water in a little pot in the morning and made tea, very 1980s. The price seemed fair for the simple setup, and the care throughout made up for it. Hotel Pavlovik in Žabljak isn’t a luxury stay, but it felt like a home away from home. We were welcomed with real warmth from the first moment, and the place has a genuine family feel. If warmth, smiles, and Montenegrin hospitality are what you’re after, this place has them.

The hotel has a nice traditional look, and our room had a pleasant seating area and a small kitchenette with a fridge, sink, and two hobs. There was no cookware, though, so it wasn’t very useful. The bathroom and shower were small. Parking is available out front and across the road. It’s under a 10-minute drive to Durmitor National Park, and about a 20-minute walk into town. Breakfast starts at 8, but there were so many people waiting then that it was very busy. There was meat, cheese, bread, some cooked egg, and sausages. The room got hot in the sun, and there was no air-conditioning. The small blinds didn’t keep the early sunlight out.