A picturesque and once-exclusive island resort in Montenegro is set to reopen following a five-year legal dispute over beach access. Sveti Stefan, situated along the Adriatic coast, is renowned for housing the ultra-luxurious Aman Sveti Stefan resort, long celebrated as the 'Adriatic Playground' for the global elite. Since the 1950s, luminaries such as Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, Princess Margaret, and Queen Elizabeth II frequently graced its private, pink-sand beaches.
Legal Dispute and Settlement
The resort was closed in 2021 due to a legal conflict, as local residents demanded free access to three beaches opposite the hotel: King's Beach, Sveti Stefan Beach, and Queen's Beach. Following a breakthrough settlement between the Montenegrin government and the operator, Sveti Stefan is now scheduled to reopen on 1 July 2026. Under the agreement, King's Beach and Sveti Stefan Beach will be open to the public at no charge, while Queen's Beach will remain private for the exclusive use of Aman hotel guests.
Starting May 22, the hotel will also open its Villa Miločer residence for year-round stays. Commenting on the resolution via X, Montenegro's Prime Minister, Milojko Spajić, described the move as a significant step for the country's tourism sector and noted that the state will receive a 10 per cent share of profits.
Historical Significance and Features
Sveti Stefan, located 10 kilometres from Montenegro's mainland, is an island that will now reopen after a five-year dispute. Originally established as a 15th-century fishing village, the fortified island was converted into a luxury resort by the Yugoslav government in the 1950s. Managed by Aman Resorts, Aman Sveti Stefan offers unparalleled privacy, opulent suites, and high-end dining, attracting A-list celebrities and prominent figures for decades. Between the 1950s and 1970s, the island enjoyed its golden age, hosting guests such as Sophia Loren, Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe, Kirk Douglas, Sylvester Stallone, Claudia Schiffer, and the Beckhams.
The resort features 33 cottages and suites across Sveti Stefan island, all set within restored 15th-century stone cottages with sea and garden views. The largest accommodation, the Sveti Stefan Suite, includes a private pool, dining and living areas, a pantry, and a steam room. Rates start from approximately £1,143 per night, including breakfast, in-room refreshments, and access to paddle boards and snorkelling equipment.
Villa Miločer and Facilities
Villa Miločer, the former summer residence of Queen Marija Karađorđević, offers six residences in the main villa and two more in a separate building. Facilities include the Aman Spa on Queen's Beach, with four double treatment rooms, a 24-metre indoor pool, hydrotherapy areas, a sauna, a steam room, and a 140-square-metre fitness centre with yoga and pilates studios. Outdoors, there are two pools on the island, including an adults-only option. Nearby beaches include the pink-pebble Sveti Stefan Beach, King's Beach, and Queen's Beach, which is set within lagoons.
Dining options include seasonal island restaurants Arva, serving Italian cuisine and cocktails, and Piazza, offering Mediterranean breakfasts and lunches, alongside the Cliff Pool Bar.
Travel Information
From the UK, travellers can fly with easyJet, Ryanair, or Wizz Air to Tivat Airport or Podgorica Airport. Tivat is approximately 30 minutes from the resort, while Podgorica is roughly an hour away. From the airport, options include taxi, rental car, or bus from nearby Budva. Four-hour easyJet flights from London Gatwick to Tivat throughout August and September start from £46.99, while Wizz Air flights from London Gatwick to Podgorica in October start at £45, according to Skyscanner. The region typically experiences dry, sunny weather during summer, with daily highs of 30°C and evening temperatures around 18°C.
