Situated off the coast of the Budva Riviera, the personal island lodge of Sveti Stefan was as soon as the Adriatic playground of the wealthy and well-known throughout the 70s, however fell into decline throughout the Nineties. After painstaking renovations underneath Aman Resorts, the island has been restored to its former glory, making it as soon as once more one in every of Europe’s most glamorous locations.
Joined to the mainland by a stone walkway, the island resort of Sveti Stefan is essentially the most iconic image of Montenegro. It seems to be like one thing out of a fairytale story, with its terracotta rooftops contrasting in opposition to the azure blue of the Adriatic.
When the island got here into view as we drove alongside the coastal street, I used to be captivated by it. However a room at an unique resort akin to this comes with a hefty value tag- a 750€ per evening (minimal) price ticket! And that’s only for the most affordable room.
I wouldn’t normally fork out that a lot cash on an evening’s keep however since I used to be visiting Montenegro on a press journey, we had been invited on an unique tour.
Sveti Stefan’s Historical past
Sveti Stefan dates again to the fifteenth century, when the fortified village was constructed to defend in opposition to the Turks. It began out with 12 households however by the 1800s, the city was dwelling to round 400 individuals. A second constructing referred to as Villa Miločer was constructed on the mainland within the mid Nineteen Thirties because the summer season residence of Queen Marija Karadordevic of Serbia, which is surrounded by a whole bunch of olive bushes and has its personal seashore.
Within the first half of the twentieth century the inhabitants started to say no as a result of most of the residents becoming a member of the military or transferring abroad. By 1954 there have been solely 20 individuals left, so the Yugoslav authorities moved them to the mainland and transformed the village right into a luxurious lodge, which welcomed the world’s strongest elites.
In its Nineteen Seventies heyday, the lodge was frequented by A-list celebrities akin to Sylvester Stalone, Princess Margaret, Claudia Schiffer and Sofia Loren, however fell into decline throughout the break up of Yugoslavia.
Aman Resorts gained the contract to revitalize the island, sustaining the outdated allure of the outside whereas updating the interiors. The resort incorporates a spread of lodging on the island, plus Villa Milocer on the mainland.
There are additionally three pink sandy seashores, together with Sveti Stefan, Miločer Seashore, and Queen’s Seashore. The island covers an space of 12,400 m2 (133,000 sq ft), whereas the shoreline measures round 2-kilometres (1.2 miles) lengthy.
The place is Sveti Stefan?
Sveti Stefan is positioned on Montenegro’s Adriatic shoreline southeast of Budva between between Pržno and Sveti Stefan villages.
How Can I Get to Sveti Stefan?
On foot – You may get to Sveti Stefan on foot from Budva by strolling the coastal path. It’s a fairly stroll with swimming stops however keep in mind the stroll is 8km.
By taxi/automotive – Alternatively you’ll be able to take a taxi from Budva, or when you’ve got your personal automotive you’ll be able to drive there and park within the parking zone close to the island. Parking is €2 euros per hour, or should you spend €20 euros at Olive Restaurant, it’s free. The drive alongside the primary street from Budva takes round quarter-hour. Whenever you arrive, take your images of the island from up close to the primary street as a result of the view is significantly better.
By bus – There’s additionally a bus that runs from Budva bus station to Sveti Stefan for €2 euros every means.
Tour – If you happen to’re staying in Kotor at some point of your journey and don’t plan on visiting Budva, then you’ll be able to guide an organized tour to Sveti Stefan for the day.
Inside Sveti Stefan
Strolling across the lodge it actually doesn’t really feel such as you’re at a resort. It feels such as you’re strolling round a really clear and effectively stored small village, which is basically what Sveti Stefan is.
It’s extra of an unique group fairly than a lodge; solely open to paying friends or guests to the restaurant. All of the stone cottages are linked by cobbled lanes and shaded courtyards – it’s actually cute! Sveti Stefan is a very tranquil and peaceable island, and the floor of the water sparkles like diamonds. I couldn’t recover from how blue the water is, it’s actually unbelievable.
Lodging
There are 51 rooms, cottages and suites on the island, that are all set contained in the restored stone buildings.
Room varieties are as follows:
- Village Room
- Cottage
- Deluxe Cottage
- Grand Cottage
- St. Sava Cottage
- Two-bedroom suite
- Three-Bed room Village Cottage
- Adriatic Suite
- Sveti Stefan Suite
The most costly of all of them is the Sveti Stefan Suite, which has two-floors, a swimming pool, an out of doors terrace and spectacular sea views. All rooms have a costal vibe with white bedding, wood furnishings and a impartial colour palette.
On the mainland, Villa Milocer provides 3 forms of Suites:
- Milocer Backyard View Suite
- Milocer Sea View Suite
- Queen Marija Suite
Backyard View Suites have Juliet balconies overlooking the gardens, whereas Sea View Suites overlook the Adriatic Sea. The mansion additionally boasts a communal front room, a big assembly room and a book-filled library.
Spa and Wellness
Aman Sveti Stefan additionally boasts a state-of-the-art spa and a health middle protecting 140 sq. meters.
Aman Sveti Stefan Spa
Therapies on the spa draw upon greater than 650 medicinal herbs, lots of that are sourced in Montenegro. The signature Adriatic Rejuvenation remedy begins with an oat-milk soak, adopted by an exfoliating mix of mint-infused olive oil, wild honey and uncooked sugar. Company are then massaged with lavender and palmarosa oils to depart the thoughts and physique feeling relaxed and calm.
With a soothing sea-view setting, the spa options three hydrotherapy suites providing scrubs, wraps and baths. There’s additionally 24 meter tranquil pool with indoor and out of doors sections, lined with slate and glass. Surrounding the pool space are three hydrotherapy areas with steam rooms, saunas, and cold-plunge swimming pools.
The Fitness center
Sveti Stefan’s fitness center is provided with superior Technogym cardiovascular and weight-training tools. Private trainers are additionally available to supply customized exercise packages, personal kickboxing lessons and bespoke bodywork classes.
Eating places
There are a number of eating choices, each on the island and at Villa Milocer on the mainland.
Arva – An Italian restaurant on Sveti Stefan island with two out of doors terraces providing breathtaking views throughout the bay. The menu provides are trendy spin on Italian delicacies, with a collection of recent pastas and risottos, in addition to a wide range of seafood dishes. The ocean bass, octopus and rock oysters are caught recent from the Adriatic, whereas the pasture-fed beef is sourced from northern Montenegro.
The Piazza – Just a little extra informal and rustic than Arva, The Piazza restaurant is located in an open-air sq. with views of the ocean. The taverna is the island’s principal restaurant, serving European and American breakfasts, plus recent Mediterranean dishes for lunch and dinner. Head to The Piazza within the early night and also you’ll additionally have the ability to get pleasure from mild snacks from the antipasti bar and and pre-dinner drinks whereas watching the solar go down.
Villa Milocer Restaurant – Situated on the mainland, the restaurant at Villa Milocer is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner all year long. Dinersa number of basic and up to date dishes from the Adriatic area whereas absorbing the of Sveti Stefan Island and the bay.
To make reservations at any of the eating places, telephone: +382 33 420 000
Seashores at Sveti Stefan
There are three seashores with pink sands at Aman Sveti Stefan:
- Sveti Stefan Seashore
- King’s Seashore
- Queen’s Seashore
Sveti Stefan Seashore is open to the general public in addition to friends. There’s a north facet and a south facet to the seashore on both facet of the isthmus. On the north facet the loungers and chairs price €80 euros. On the south facet costs begin at round €15 euros for 2 chairs and an umbrella. Or you’ll be able to simply sit on the sand right here totally free. The loungers and chairs on either side are run by Aman Sveti Stefan’s seashore workforce.
King’s Seashore lies between Sveti Stefan Seashore and Queen’s Seashore. This one can be open to non-residents in addition to friends. The seashore will be accessed both by boat from Sveti Stefan or by strolling alongside the pathway that results in Queen’s Seashore.
Queen’s Seashore is totally personal and solely accessible to friends staying on the lodge. Right here you’ll discover the Aman Spa and non-motorized water sports activities akin to get up paddle boarding.
The place to Keep Close to Sveti Stefan
Budva or wherever on the Budva Riviera is good for visiting Sveti Stefan. If you happen to’re trying to keep on the Budva Riviera, Discover Montenegro has a spread of Budva vacation villas.
Eating places Close to Sveti Stefan
If you happen to don’t wish to spend a lot cash, I’d advocate simply sitting on the free seashore for the day. You too can take a pleasant stroll alongside the coastal path, which leads from Olive Restaurant to Villa Milocer.
If you happen to’re feeling peckish, there are just a few eating places within the space, which gained’t be as costly as eating on the island. These embody:
Adrovic Restaurant – Restaurant at Resort Adrovic, with a big terrace providing views of Sveti Stefan. The menu options native cheeses, salads, plus loads of recent fish and seafood from the ocean. Dishes embody tuna carpaccio, spaghetti with seafood, grilled octopus, white fish baked in salt and beef steak in pepper sauce.
Olive Restaurant – Located proper subsequent to Sveti Stefan Seashore amongst centuries-old olive bushes you’ll discover Olive Restaurant, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner on its lined terrace. The in depth menu options pastas, pizzas, seafood and meat dishes with loads of recent greens from Montenegro.
Femelja Kentera – Wonderful location within the hillside with a terrace overlooking Sveti Stefan. The restaurant serves Montenegrin delicacies together with pastas, pizzas, fish and seafood.
Drago – Established in 1967, Drago was round on the top of Sveti Stefan’s movie star heyday. On the menu you’ll discover numerous meat dishes, together with steak, veal, roasted hen and lamb. In the meantime the fish menu options recent fish, oysters, octopus, squid, clams and gamberetti.
Your Sveti Stefan FAQs Answered
Costs begin at round €750 euros per evening however that’s for the most affordable rooms at Villa Milocer. Costs on Sveti Stefan island vary from round €1000 per evening to over €4000 euros per evening.
Sure, most undoubtedly. Sveti Stefan is essentially the most iconic landmark in Montenegro. It’s completely value it for the views and to chill out on the seashore for a day. Even should you’re not staying on the island, it is best to come and have a stroll across the space.
Sveti Stefan is at the moment owned by Aman Resorts. Russian businessman Vladislav Doronin is the CEO, chairman and sole proprietor of Aman Resorts.
If you happen to’re not staying on the resort, you’ll must make a reservation in one of many lodge’s eating places. Be sure you attempt to guide effectively upfront as a result of I can think about issues get fairly booked up throughout peak season. Some individuals report that there are unadvertised excursions of the island for €25 euros. Contact the lodge upfront to ask in the event that they’re operating any excursions. Personally I’d fairly guide a meal there to really feel the true expertise.
A Ultimate Phrase…
Sveti Stefan is really a magical place and will undoubtedly be included in your Montenegro itinerary. I counsel staying a few days in Kotor after which just a few nights in Budva so you’ll be able to discover Sveti Stefan and all the opposite issues to do within the space. Whereas a keep on the resort could also be out of most peoples’ value vary, you’ll be able to nonetheless lay on the seashore, stroll round and benefit from the surroundings.
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