Iberostar Waves Bellevue

Iberostar Waves Bellevue sits directly on the sand at Bečići beach, where the Adriatic Sea meets the dramatic mountain backdrop of Montenegro's Budva Riviera. The medieval walled town of Budva is a 25-minute stroll along the seafront promenade, and the postcard-perfect island fortress of Sveti Stefan lies just 7 km down the coast, putting some of the Mediterranean's most photogenic scenery within easy reach. The four-star resort is set across 40,000 square meters of mature gardens populated with native pines, palms, and oleanders, giving the property a low-rise, low-key feel that has more in common with a coastal retreat than a high-rise package hotel. Families have several configurations to choose from: the dedicated Family Room sleeps four with foldaway or sofa beds for the children, the Family Suite splits across two adjoining rooms for a bit more privacy, and the larger Master Suite offers two separate bedrooms ideal for older kids or grandparents joining the trip. Interconnecting Doubles round out the options for groups who want side-by-side rooms with their own bathrooms.

The kids program runs through Iberostar's Star Camp, which divides children into three age-banded clubs: Monkey for ages 4 to 7, Dolphin for 8 to 12, and Eagle for teens up to 17. Each club has its own dedicated space and daily activity calendar, so an eight-year-old isn't lumped in with toddlers, and teens get their own program rather than being shuffled into a generic kids club. Four swimming pools, including a heated indoor pool and a separate children's pool, mean weather is rarely the deciding factor, and three clay tennis courts, beach volleyball, water polo, and a games room fill any gaps in the day. Three restaurants and six bars cover the range from buffet variety to Montenegrin specialties at the Terrace Restaurant and pizzeria-style fare for fussier eaters, all available on the all-inclusive plan. One honest note for parents traveling shoulder season: in-room air conditioning is only available June through August, so early summer or September stays can run warm.