Rooted in sustainability since its founding in 1994, Banyan Group has grown into one of the world’s leading independent, multi-branded hospitality groups. Few hotels can claim to offer exceptional experiences, a dedication to enhancing the physical and human environment in which it operates, and a commitment to the pride and integrity of its team members.
We sat down with Mirjana Tabučić, Spa Wellbeing & Gallery Manager, to learn more about Mamula Island by Banyan Tree in Montenegro and the vision behind its wellbeing offering.
The hotel is set in such a spectacular location—please tell us about the Banyan Group property.
Nestled at the entrance of the Bay of Kotor, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mamula Island is a meticulously restored 19th century fort in Montenegro. It is a project of deep personal significance for owner Samih Sawiris, reflecting his family’s long-standing commitment to Montenegro.
He told us that the first time he saw Mamula Island it was during an initial visit while scouting land for another project. For over ten years, he envisioned Mamula Island transforming into what it has finally become—a true jewel at the entrance of the bay, illuminating the region’s potential and development.
Mamula Island offers a unique getaway, shaped by the island’s contemplative atmosphere, where each guest can embark on a personal journey of discovery while exploring this remarkable stretch of the Montenegrin coastline. This philosophy naturally aligned with the vision of Banyan Tree, creating a shared approach to thoughtful hospitality. The synergy led Mamula Island to become part of the Banyan Tree family, united by a commitment to creating meaningful destinations that honour their natural and cultural context while delivering distinctive guest experiences.
Montenegro also has a unique and remarkable history—can you share some of the things that make it a fantastic place to visit?
Montenegro may be small in size, yet it holds a remarkable richness of landscapes, culture, and experience. One of the things that makes it so unique is the variety you can enjoy within a single day. In winter, you can have a coffee by the sea in the beautiful Bay of Kotor, enjoying the sun and mild air, and by the afternoon find yourself on the ski slopes of Kolašin. In summer, the mountains of the north such as Durmitor and Prokletije offer some of the most beautiful hiking landscapes in the region. You can begin the day with a swim at Mamula Island and later stand atop Mount Lovćen, and on a clear day even glimpse the distant Italian coastline.
Nature here is abundant and largely untouched, what many describe as wild beauty. Lake Skadar, the largest lake in the Balkans, is one of Montenegro’s most remarkable natural landscapes and a sanctuary of biodiversity. Nearby, the historic village of Rijeka Crnojevića rests quietly along the river, known for its stone bridge, peaceful scenery, and deep cultural roots. In the north, the Tara River Canyon, protected within Durmitor National Park, is the deepest canyon in Europe and among the deepest in the world. Its clear turquoise waters, dramatic cliffs, and untouched forests create one of the most striking natural environments in the region, often called the Tear of Europe for its purity and beauty.
Medieval towns, Venetian walls, Ottoman influences, and Orthodox monasteries are woven into the landscape, offering insight into how history has shaped Montenegro’s traditions and society. It is a land of diversity, raw and authentic.
The people of Montenegro are warm and welcoming, and hospitality is part of everyday life.
What is the guest experience at Mamula Island like?
Guests come to Mamula Island seeking an intimate sanctuary of their own. A place to disconnect from everyday life and enjoy life’s simple pleasures, food, drink, sights, sounds, and conversation. Here, days unfold by the pool or on the private beach, beside the calm turquoise waters of the Adriatic. For more active guests, a range of water sports offers a different way to experience the coastline.
The Banyan Tree Spa is a central feature of the property and a highlight for many guests. It offers a space for relaxation, recovery, and balance with a variety of treatments and therapies.
For lovers of cuisine, food is an essential part of the stay. Inspired by the Mediterranean, dishes are fresh, seasonal, and locally sourced, offering modern interpretations of regional specialities alongside classic favourites.
With only 32 rooms and suites, each featuring expansive views of the Adriatic Sea, the experience of staying in a restored fortress on an island is incredibly unique.
What does the wellness program at Mamula Island entail? What type of treatments and activities are available for guests?
The wellbeing offering is guided by a holistic philosophy centered on balance, restoration, and meaningful connections. Rooted in Banyan Group’s Eight Pillars of Wellbeing, it brings together body, mind, and nature through therapeutic treatments, mindful movements, and restorative rituals designed to renew energy and inner calm.
Guests can experience a range of treatments including therapeutic and deep relaxation massages, body scrubs using natural ingredients, hydrotherapy and floating experiences, as well as personalised wellness rituals that support recovery, circulation, and overall wellbeing. Daily practices such as yoga, meditation, breathwork, and sound healing invite guests to slow down, restore rhythm, and reconnect with themselves.
A key highlight of the programme is a series of curated retreats and visiting practitioners developed in partnership with Manduka.
Tell us about the upcoming events, retreats and residencies planned.
Opening the upcoming season is the five-day Connections Retreat with yoga teacher and Manduka friend Nicole Marty. It’s an immersive wellbeing journey focused on reconnecting with oneself and nature through grounding yoga and mindful movement. Guided by Nicole, the retreat offers space to rest, restore energy, and rediscover clarity within the calm rhythm of the island.
It also marks the beginning of a wider visiting practitioner programme in collaboration with Manduka, further enriched by the residency of Manduka friend Florence Piers, who will be onsite from June 27th to July 18th, 2026, continuing to shape Mamula Island’s evolving approach to holistic wellbeing through diverse practices and perspectives.
Throughout the season, the island will host local, regional, and international artists as part of the Artists in Residence programme, fostering cultural dialogue and contemporary artistic exchange inspired by the island’s unique setting.
A highlight of the cultural calendar will be as well the return of Operosa Evening on the Island, part of a long-standing partnership with the internationally recognised Operosa Festival in Herceg Novi. This collaboration supports emerging opera talent and brings a distinctive musical experience to Island guests.
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- Visit: banyantree.com
- Follow: @mamulaisland
- Learn more: Banyan Group x Manduka
- Sign up as a withBanyan member to enjoy 10% off online rates and member benefits during your stay at participating hotels.
