Friday newsletters feature travel contests, tips, or news.
My Favorite Aman Returns – Aman Sveti Stefan reopens this summer
There are hotel reopenings, and then there are the rare moments that feel like the return of a legend. The long-awaited revival of Aman Sveti Stefan firmly belongs in that second category. Set along the Adriatic coast, Aman Sveti Stefan is one of those places that hardly seems real at first glance. A tiny fortified island of stone houses with terracotta roofs sits just offshore, connected to the mainland by a narrow causeway. After years of closure, the iconic island portion of the resort — the very image that has defined Montenegro’s luxury travel identity — is finally on track to reopen for the summer 2026. While an exact date has not yet been confirmed, anticipation is steadily building, and I’ll be keeping a close eye on developments to share the moment it officially welcomes guests again.
Aman Sveti Stefan is a truly unique resort that unfolds across two distinct yet complementary settings on Montenegro’s Adriatic coast. On the mainland, Villa Miločer offers a refined, park-like retreat surrounded by pine forests, olive groves, and a series of beautiful beaches — including exclusive access to multiple stretches of coastline, one of which is reserved entirely for guests. Across the narrow causeway lies the iconic island of Sveti Stefan itself — a meticulously restored 15th-century village where stone cottages, winding alleys, and hidden courtyards have been transformed into intimate guest accommodations. The resort also features two serene swimming pools, a collection of world-class restaurants showcasing both local and international cuisine, and tranquil spa facilities designed around Aman’s signature focus on wellness and restoration. Together, these elements create an experience that blends history, privacy, and understated luxury in a way few resorts can match, all under the distinctive philosophy of Aman Resorts.
For me, this is not just another Aman — it is my favorite Aman. I stayed here with my family just prior to the pandemic to celebrate a special occasion, and the holiday has left us with memories for life. Aman Resorts has built its reputation on creating spaces that feel almost sacred in their stillness, places where architecture dissolves into landscape and every detail is intentional. But at Sveti Stefan, the concept goes even further. This is not a resort that was simply built; it is a centuries-old village that has been carefully, almost reverently, transformed. Staying here means wandering through narrow stone alleys, discovering hidden courtyards, and inhabiting a piece of living history — an experience that feels both deeply rooted and completely transportive. You can read my review of Aman Sveti Stefan here or watch my YouTube with full tour of the property below.
For years, the coastal part of the resort — centered around Villa Miločer — continued to operate, offering guests access to lush gardens, serene beaches, and that signature Aman tranquility. But the island itself, the true heart and visual icon of the property, remained closed after the pandemic, turning what was once an immersive experience into something you could only admire from afar. The reasons behind the prolonged closure were complex and, at times, contentious. Following the pandemic, disputes arose between the Montenegrin government and the resort’s leaseholder, involving questions around beach access, public rights, and the broader role of such an exclusive property in a national setting. Negotiations stretched on for years, leaving the island shuttered despite its global reputation and enduring demand. The result was a kind of standstill: a world-famous destination paused in time, its doors closed but its allure very much intact.
Now, with a resolution finally emerging, the reopening feels less like a routine relaunch and more like the restoration of something deeply symbolic. Aman Sveti Stefan has long been synonymous with Montenegro’s image as a refined yet dramatic Mediterranean escape, and its absence has been felt not just locally but across the luxury travel world. Its return signals more than the revival of a hotel — it marks the reawakening of a destination that has always existed slightly apart from everything else.
It also represents the rebirth of a property that embodies the essence of Aman Resorts at its purest. Since its founding, the brand has focused not on expansion for its own sake, but on curating a collection of places that offer privacy, space, and a profound sense of calm. Each property reflects its surroundings rather than imposing upon them, and that restraint is precisely what makes Aman so distinctive. In a world of increasingly standardized luxury, Aman remains quietly, almost stubbornly, individual — and nowhere is that philosophy more powerfully expressed than in Aman Sveti Stefan.
The reopening of Aman Sveti Stefan is, in many ways, a reminder of why certain places stay with us. It is about more than design or service — it is about atmosphere, memory, and the feeling of stepping into somewhere truly unique. While we may not yet know the exact date when the island will reopen, one thing is certain: when it does, it will once again take its place as one of the most extraordinary stays in Europe. And as soon as that moment arrives, I’ll be sure to share the details.
*** Follow me on Instagram, YouTube, X (Twitter) or Facebook for a daily moment of travel inspiration ***
