Sveti Stefan (literally "Saint Stephen"; Montenegrin/Serbian Cyrillic: Свети Стефан, Italian: Santo Stefano di Pastrovicchio) is a seaside resort in western Montenegro, located 5 km southeast of Budva, on the Budva Riviera (42°15′20″N 18°53′28″E / 42.25556°N 18.89111°E / 42.25556; 18.89111Coordinates: 42°15′20″N 18°53′28″E / 42.25556°N 18.89111°E / 42.25556; 18.89111). It used to be a tidal island, but is now permanently connected to the mainland by a narrow isthmus. In the 15th century the island was a fishermen's village. In the 1950 (62 years ago) the last residents of the village were evicted, and Sveti Stefan was transformed into a luxury town-hotel. The streets, walls, roofs and façades of the buildings were, for the most part, preserved, while the interior of the building were transformed to offer the most modern luxury hotel comfort. Sveti Stefan, in the 1970's, was popular among celebrities, and among 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 (24 pics). It remained the most exclusive resort on the Montenegro's coast until the 1990's, when it fell into decline during the breakup of the former Yugoslav federation. In 2006 (6 years ago), Villa Montenegro, one of the villas situated by the very bank of the isthmus connecting the island with the mainland, won the prestigious Five Star Diamond Award, which is handed out by the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences for superior quality of service. Amanresorts became interested in the iconic island of Sveti Stefan as early as 2001 (11 years ago). When the opportunity came in 2006 (6 years ago) through the Government of Montenegro privatization programme to secure the redevelopment rights over the island, Amanresorts as the principal operating partner, put together a consortium of financial partners to bid for the project. The bid was successful and in Jan. 2007 (5 years ago) the consortium was awarded the leasehold and redevelopment rights over Sveti Stefan and Kraljinca Plaza (Queen’s Beach). Unfortunately with the global financial crisis the project was unable to secure the necessary financing to mobilize construction for the island and rather concentrated initially on logistical and technical planning and in the complete reconstruction of Villa Milocer the former royal family retreat overlooking the island. Villa Milocer with eight beautifully appointed suites was fully operational since late 2008 (4 years ago). Aman is committed to restoring this national heritage site and extremely happy to now welcome The Restis Group as a major financial partner in the consortium and now looks forward to moving ahead quickly with the planned redevelopment. Although it is closed, the beaches north and south of the island are open to the public. Beach side parking costs 12 Euro.

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