Sveti Stefan Island
Solitude and peace, silence, disturbed only by the noise of the waves, the smell of pine needles in the salty air, warm stones under your feet, and the boundless starry sky above your head is Sveti Stefan. Price per night reaches two and a half thousand euros; Sveti Stefan is the most luxurious hotel on the Montenegrin coast, situated on a small stone island a couple of nautical miles from the city of Budva.
In the distant fifteenth century, the inhabitants of seaside villages suffered from attacks by Turkish and pirate ships. Because of this, they built a fortress on the island—stone houses surrounded by a high wall—where, in case of danger, the elderly, women, and children could seek refuge. The island was crowned with the church of Sveti Stefan, the patron and defender in times of adversity. Over several centuries, the fortress evolved into a real city, known as the "place of truth," where courts were held, and important trade deals were concluded in the main city square.

However, as time passed, the threats from pirates and Turks diminished, and by the twentieth century, the island faced the challenge of economic decline. Residents left the fortress city and moved to the mainland, seeking better opportunities. In the 1950s, a vision emerged to revitalize the island. Externally, the medieval town's narrow streets, wooden shutters, and red roof tiles were preserved, while the interiors were modernized. In 1957, Sveti Stefan reopened as the most unusual, luxurious, and consequently, the most expensive hotel on the Yugoslavian coast.

The island attracted a continuous stream of celebrities seeking the allure of the Adriatic without drawing unwanted attention. On one occasion, Sophia Loren and her husband, Italian producer Carlo Ponti, visited the hotel.
Unfortunately, the spaghetti Bolognese served to them was overcooked—a disaster for any Italian. Instead of causing a scene, the gracious Sophia Loren went to the kitchen and demonstrated to the chef how to prepare authentic al dente pasta.

The luxurious accommodations have hosted actors, directors, musicians, athletes, princesses, and presidents. Notable guests include Monica Vitti, Marina Vlady, Maya Plisetskaya and Rodion Shchedrin, Claudia Schiffer, Sylvester Stallone, Jeremy Irons, Michael Douglas, and even Yuri Gagarin. In the 1990s, chess legends Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky played a notorious match on the island.
At the beginning of the twenty-first century, the hotel became part of the Aman Resorts chain. After several years of restoration, Sveti Stefan once again emerged as the most modern, luxurious, and expensive hotel on the Montenegrin coast.

Previously, visitors could access the island by purchasing a ticket at the entrance. However, to protect the privacy of high-profile guests seeking seclusion, access is now restricted. Today, Sveti Stefan can be admired from observation decks or the sea; only registered guests are permitted within the fortress walls. It's said that the most beautiful starry sky above the coast can be seen from the roof terraces of this exclusive hotel.
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