Sveti Stefan

Sveti Stefan (Montenegrin/Serbian Cyrillic: Свети Стефан) , Italian: "Santo Stefano di Pastrovicchio") is a seaside resort located 5 km southeast of Budva, on the Budva Riviera (coord|42|15|20|N|18|53|28|E|region:ME_type:city|display=inline,title). It used to be an tidal island, but is now permanently connected to the mainland by a narrow isthmus. Sveti Stefan was inhabited in 15th century as a fisherman's village. In 1950s last residents of the village were evicted, and Sveti Stefan was transformed into a luxury town-hotel. It is the most exclusive resort on Montenegro's coast.

Sveti Stefan was popular among celebrities, so some of its guests were Marilyn Monroe, Willy Brandt, Bobby Fischer, Boris Spassky, Sophia Loren and Carlo Ponti, Monica Vitti, Ingemar Stenmark, Kirk Douglas, Jonathan Miller and Claudia Schiffer.

The streets, walls, roofs and façades of the buildings have retained their original shapes, while the interior of the houses has been transformed to offer the most modern luxury hotel comfort.

In 2006, Villa Montenegro, one of the villas situated by the very bank of the isthmus connecting the island with the mainland, won the prestigious [http://www.stardiamondaward.com Five Star Diamond Award] , which is handed out by the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences for superior quality of service.

Sveti Stefan, along with the Miločer resort and Kraljičina beach resort, is leased by Amanresorts on 30 years period.

Sveti Stefan, as of September 8 2008, is closed while being completely renovated. While closed the beaches north and south of the island are open to anyone along with beach side parking which costs 12 Euro. Local sources predict Sveti Stefan will re-open late 2009.

External links

* [http://www.discover-montenegro.com/budva_sveti_stefan.htm Discover Montenegro] Information and pictures of Sveti Stefan.
* [http://www.montenegro-real-estate.org/ tourist and realestate guide]
* [http://www.villa-montenegro.com/ Villa Montenegro]
* [http://www.montenegro-travel.org/ tourist guide]
* [http://www.svetistefan-realestate.com/ realestate guide]
* [http://www.montenegro.com/links/Tourism.html/ Sveti Stefan]