Situated off the coast of the Budva Riviera, the non-public island resort of Sveti Stefan was as soon as the Adriatic playground of the wealthy and well-known through the 70s, however fell into decline through the Nineteen Nineties. After painstaking renovations underneath Aman Resorts, the island has been restored to its former glory, making it as soon as once more considered one 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 appears to be like 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 equivalent to this comes with a hefty worth tag- a 750€ per evening (minimal) price ticket! And that’s only for the most affordable room.
I wouldn’t often fork out that a lot cash on an evening’s keep however since I used to be visiting Montenegro on a press journey, we have 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 house to round 400 folks. 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 tons of of olive bushes and has its personal seaside.
Within the first half of the twentieth century the inhabitants started to say no attributable to most of the residents becoming a member of the military or shifting abroad. By 1954 there have been solely 20 folks left, so the Yugoslav authorities moved them to the mainland and transformed the village right into a luxurious resort, which welcomed the world’s strongest elites.
In its Nineteen Seventies heyday, the resort was frequented by A-list celebrities equivalent to Sylvester Stalone, Princess Margaret, Claudia Schiffer and Sofia Loren, however fell into decline through the break up of Yugoslavia.
Aman Resorts received the contract to revitalize the island, sustaining the outdated attraction of the outside whereas updating the interiors. The resort incorporates a variety 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 will get to Sveti Stefan on foot from Budva by strolling the coastal path. It’s a reasonably stroll with swimming stops however keep in mind the stroll is 8km.
By taxi/automotive – Alternatively you possibly can take a taxi from Budva, or you probably have your individual automotive you possibly can drive there and park within the car parking zone close to the island. Parking is €2 euros per hour, or for those who spend €20 euros at Olive Restaurant, it’s free. The drive alongside the principle street from Budva takes round quarter-hour. While you arrive, take your pictures of the island from up close to the principle 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 approach.
Tour – In case you’re staying in Kotor at some point of your journey and don’t plan on visiting Budva, then you possibly can e book an organized tour to Sveti Stefan for the day.
Inside Sveti Stefan
Strolling across the resort 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 nicely stored small village, which is admittedly what Sveti Stefan is.
It’s extra of an unique group reasonably than a resort; solely open to paying company 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 sorts 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, picket furnishings and a impartial coloration palette.
On the mainland, Villa Milocer presents 3 varieties 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 heart masking 140 sq. meters.
Aman Sveti Stefan Spa
Remedies on the spa draw upon greater than 650 medicinal herbs, a lot 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 go away 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 Health club
Sveti Stefan’s fitness center is provided with superior Technogym cardiovascular and weight-training gear. Private trainers are additionally readily available to supply personalised exercise packages, non-public kickboxing courses 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 presents are trendy spin on Italian delicacies, with a number of contemporary pastas and risottos, in addition to quite a lot of seafood dishes. The ocean bass, octopus and rock oysters are caught contemporary 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 most important restaurant, serving European and American breakfasts, plus contemporary Mediterranean dishes for lunch and dinner. Head to The Piazza within the early night and also you’ll additionally be capable of take pleasure in gentle 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 traditional 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, cellphone: +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 company. There’s a north aspect and a south aspect to the seaside on both aspect of the isthmus. On the north aspect the loungers and chairs value €80 euros. On the south aspect costs begin at round €15 euros for 2 chairs and an umbrella. Or you possibly can simply sit on the sand right here free of charge. The loungers and chairs on either side are run by Aman Sveti Stefan’s seaside group.
King’s Seashore lies between Sveti Stefan Seashore and Queen’s Seashore. This one can also be open to non-residents in addition to company. The seaside might 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 non-public and solely accessible to company staying on the resort. Right here you’ll discover the Aman Spa and non-motorized water sports activities equivalent to arise paddle boarding.
The place to Keep Close to Sveti Stefan
Budva or wherever on the Budva Riviera is good for visiting Sveti Stefan. In case you’re seeking to keep on the Budva Riviera, Discover Montenegro has a variety of Budva vacation villas.
Eating places Close to Sveti Stefan
In case you don’t need to spend a lot cash, I’d advocate simply sitting on the free seaside for the day. You may also take a pleasant stroll alongside the coastal path, which leads from Olive Restaurant to Villa Milocer.
In case you’re feeling peckish, there are a number of eating places within the space, which received’t be as costly as eating on the island. These embrace:
Adrovic Restaurant – Restaurant at Lodge Adrovic, with a big terrace providing views of Sveti Stefan. The menu options native cheeses, salads, plus loads of contemporary fish and seafood from the ocean. Dishes embrace 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 coated terrace. The in depth menu options pastas, pizzas, seafood and meat dishes with loads of contemporary greens from Montenegro.
Femelja Kentera – Superb 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 superstar heyday. On the menu you’ll discover numerous meat dishes, together with steak, veal, roasted rooster and lamb. In the meantime the fish menu options contemporary 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 loosen up on the seaside for a day. Even for those who’re not staying on the island, it’s 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.
In case you’re not staying on the resort, you’ll have to make a reservation in one of many resort’s eating places. Ensure you attempt to e book nicely upfront as a result of I can think about issues get fairly booked up throughout peak season. Some folks report that there are unadvertised excursions of the island for €25 euros. Contact the resort upfront to ask in the event that they’re working any excursions. Personally I’d reasonably e book a meal there to really feel the true expertise.
A Closing Phrase…
Sveti Stefan is really a magical place and will undoubtedly be included in your Montenegro itinerary. I recommend staying a few days in Kotor after which a number of nights in Budva so you possibly can 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’ worth vary, you possibly can nonetheless lay on the seaside, stroll round and benefit from the surroundings.
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