Palace Suites under the Protection of UNESCO
Born into world cultural heritage:the Boutique Hotel Astoria Montenegro in the BUCA Palace, right in the heart of Kotor, impressively joins together history and the avant-garde with very individual creativity.
Bolzano, Italy – August 2011Located in the heart of the old town of Kotor in Montenegro, the BUCA Palace was originally built in the thirteenth century in the Gothic style and was the seat of the city’s most important family of nobility, which was even honored with the French royal symbol of the lily in its coat of arms. However, the remarkable palace lost its original form because of catastrophic earthquakes in 1667 and again in 1997. In the late 1990s, the palace and, in fact, the entire region were rebuilt, to a large extent with the assistance of UNESCO. It is now cared for as a monument of great historical significance and is treasured throughout the globe as a piece of world cultural heritage.Just one double-arched window in the hotel’s restaurant continues to stand as a reminder of the original Gothic architecture in which the BUCA Palace was reconstructed.
Greek architect Virginia Kavraki has breathed new life into the Palace and the Boutique Hotel Astoria. An old tree, which was preserved and the limbs and branches of which extend from the Lounge Bar on the ground floor up to the first floor above, is just a much a part of the designer's signature as the hotel stairway made from glowing pink marble. Every one of the nine suites has been furnished completely differently by the premium furnisher from Bolzano, Selva Hospitality:with carefully selected pieces of furniture and accessories, brought to life from the extraordinary creativity of Selva interior designer Omer Berber. The widely varied repertoire of classic-timeless elegance of SELVA and the broadly diverse line of creations with style-defining details from all eras makes it possible for every palace suite to become completely individual – inspired by tradition and modernism, luxury and elegance. The Boutique Hotel Astoria, which opened in the autumn of 2010, is captivating through its neoclassical replicas, stylishly crafted wooden furniture, heavy drapery, fabrics, and luxurious chandeliers, and it offers all of the amenities of a small four-star hotel in the city.
The Boutique Hotel Astoria Montenegro in the BUCA Palaceis in the perfect location for discovering the historic city of Kotor. It lies in the heart of the old town, just a few minutes from the port. Tracing the rich past of the Greeks, Romans, and Slavs as one passes through historic squares and buildings, the beauty and the spirit of ancient times are palpable. At the same time, “right next door” the yachts, souvenir shops, restaurants, and nightclubs provide their own fascination. The highpoint for the entire year is the carnival in the summer – the“Kotor Art Festival”, with folklore, theater, musicals, classical and jazz concerts, fashion shows, and sporting events. It is unforgettable for anyone who has attended – in this city that never sleeps, imbedded in the “magic spirit” of the BUCA Palace and Hotel Astoria.
And just as unforgettable:the uniquely arranged SELVA guestrooms and suites. Every detail unifies style and quality. Baths of fine marble and individually selected works of art everywhere, along with luxurious fabrics and pieces of furniture. And the modern standards such as room service, free WiFi internet, cable television, direct dial telephones, a minibar, a safe, bathrobes, slippers, and additional toiletries upon request are a given. Where it is not only sea and tall mountains that meet, but also two cultures; where the unique mixture of time-honored and stylish in their complete authenticity are protected by UNESCO, where in addition to the historical and cultural sights worth seeing of the city, boutiques, shops, restaurants, and cafés all offer their own invitation to explore, and where one can dream of both days gone by and days yet to come in the palace suites.
