Adventure Host & Management Couple

An exciting opportunity for an experienced, hands-on couple to manage an established nature-based retreat in one of Europe's most beautiful natural settings.

Villa Miela Lake Retreat | Lake Skadar National Park, Montenegro

Villa Miela is a boutique adventure lodge and retreat centre located at Lake Skadar, a UNESCO biosphere on the border of Montenegro and Albania. Since 2011, it has offered unique guest experiences to enjoy an escape in nature, hosting a range of extended group stays, from multi-active, yoga and art retreats, to birdwatching, hiking, and paddlesports. Experiences at Villa Miela are closely connected to the local community, including beekeepers, winemakers, fishers, and traditional farmers, offering guests a culturally enriching stay too. The lodge has earned a strong reputation, with a five-star TripAdvisor rating and recommendations from the Bradt Guide and Lonely Planet as a standout specialist accommodation in the region.

About the role:

We're looking for a capable, energetic and resourceful couple with a background in hospitality and a genuine passion for the outdoors to take on the management and hosting of Villa Miela.

This is a varied, hands-on management position combining hospitality operations, guest experience, outdoor activities, team supervision and sustainable tourism operations at an established boutique adventure lodge with an excellent reputation.

You'll receive comprehensive initial training and support before taking responsibility for the day-to-day running of the villa and its activities, working alongside two assistants and our network of local community partners.

Based in the spectacular surroundings of Lake Skadar, by the lake village Virpazar, the role offers the opportunity to take charge at an established small tourism business, become part of a friendly local community and enjoy a desirable lifestyle, with eight months working in Montenegro and four months off each year.

If you love the outdoors, stunning scenery, pristine nature, meeting new people and never thought you could find a job that offers you all this – every day – plus the chance to spend a big chunk of the year travelling, then read on!

About us:

Villa Miela is a beautifully restored stone farmhouse perched on the forested hills above lake village Virpazar, with seven guest bedrooms, two communal kitchen/living rooms, hillside orchard gardens, swimming pool, yoga deck, boules court, fire pit and stunning views, surrounded by mountains, wildflowers and abundant wildlife (wild tortoises, badgers, golden jackal and a plethora of birds, including Short-toed Eagle!). We also have a fleet of bicycles and kayaks.

We act as an accommodation base for the UK travel company Undiscovered Montenegro. From April to October, guests – up to 16 in peak season – enjoy a hosted 7-day package, including nature-based activities like hiking, kayaking and wild swimming, as well as yoga, art and watersports, all while having a superbly-run, relaxing, eco-aware place to stay.

Villa Miela enjoys a wild, rural location that is still close to civilisation - just 1.5km to Virpazar, the main settlement for Lake Skadar, and only a 30-minute drive or train ride to the Adriatic coast or capital city, Podgorica.

Responsibilities:

• Villa Operations: Manage guest arrivals, departures, changeovers and housekeeping to maintain hotel-standard cleanliness, presentation and service. Coordinate with the owners, community partners and task two assistants.
• Grounds and Maintenance: Perform tasks such as gardening, watering, sweeping, strimming, power washing, pool upkeep, basic repairs and equipment checks to maintain the villa to guest-ready standards (including bikes, kayaks, vehicles).
• Guest Services: Provide exceptional hospitality, assist with requests, organise transport, manage the guest WhatsApp groups, take and share quality photographs and videos, provide useful insights and information and socialise
• Guided activity days: Lead 1-2 activity days each per week (kayaking, walking, wild swimming, wine tasting) for groups of 4-16. This will also involve liaising with our community partners and driving a manual 4x4.
• Catering: Source and prepare self-service breakfast baskets, occasionally cook and serve a welcome dinner.
• Sustainability Leadership: Follow and promote best practices for sustainable operations as a tourist accommodation; support and volunteer for local environment and conservation initiatives, and encourage guests to participate in recycling, clean-ups, waste reduction and wildlife respect.
• Marketing and Social Media: lead on Villa Miela’s social media accounts and e-marketing, including content creation; proactively seek positive reviews from guests for key online review platforms.
• Administration: Handle emails, coordinate with local businesses and community partners and provide monthly financial accounts for villa operations.

What you offer:

• Strong communication and customer service skills, with the ability to interact confidently, clearly and warmly with guests and business partners from international backgrounds
• Enthusiastic, highly responsible, personable team player
• Strong organisational and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously
• Previous hospitality, adventure tourism, or retreat hosting experience, ideally in a nature-based or rural setting
• Good physical fitness and desire to lead outdoor, nature-based activities such as hiking, kayaking and other adventures.
• Interested in sustainability and more responsible, values-driven forms of tourism.
• Social media and content creation skills
• Practical, and meticulous about cleaning and gardening
• Social media and content creation skills
• Comfortable living and working as a couple on-site with a collaborative, adaptable approach to shared responsibilities and flexible schedules
• Can-do attitude
• Fluent English and ability to speak or learn Montenegrin
• Full clean manual driving licenses

What we offer:

• Live the Dream: lifestyle role in Montenegro, managing daily operations at a boutique lodge at stunning Lake Skadar. 8 months on, 4 months off (travel or stay)
• Host Guest Adventures: lead small groups kayaking, walking, wild swimming and wine-tasting.
• Grow Your Career: Take charge of a small, successful lodge and team; full training provided.
• Competitive Salary: bonus scheme also included.
• Great Perks: Accommodation on-site, use of a vehicle, work permit.
• Join a Trusted Team: Work for a media-acclaimed, established tourism business rooted in our local community and environment.

Package:

• 12-month renewable contract with monthly salary of €2800 (gross) combined as a couple, paid in equal monthly instalments (salary is subject to c€160pp/month local deductions for tax and health insurance).
• on-site accommodation comprising of one double bedroom with private bathroom in the villa, and a separate annex room that serves as a private office/living space with basic kitchenette.
• Transport: use of an insured vehicle is included (when not in guest use)
• Work permits arranged if required.

Working hours:

This is no ordinary 9-5! There will be busy days, especially guest changeover on a Sunday, but also lots of quieter moments. With 5 full working days a week, this is a dynamic lifestyle role that requires flexibility. Occasional evening work is part of the job, and planned activities may change due to weather. On days off, you must still be on call in case of guest or villa emergencies.

Timeframe:

Candidates need to be able to arrive by mid-February 2027 to familiarise, assist with villa set-up and undertake training prior to the new season’s start in April.

How to apply:

Please send your CV and a covering letter to retreats@villamiela.com. Please note that we are looking for couples only!