The Aman Sveti Stefan - Part One
Best for:
Seaside, Spa, Family, total Privacy and Extraordinary experiences
Points:
10 out of 10
The perfect Song:
Take You Higher - Goodwill
What we love:
- The amazing staff to guest ratio, giving the feeling that they have three times more staff than rooms
- The vast grounds, literally each guest could have his own 25 square metres of ground
- Three different beaches with an amazing water quality and staff wherever you look
- The unique design of the rooms and suites, representing the local feeling at its best
- The SERVICE - it was absolutely perfect
Aman. A brand everybody knows but only a handful had the pleasure to stay there. As an exclusive opportunity to present one of the world's most unique resorts, I joined the idea of flying out to Montenegro for the extended weekend in late May and staying at the famous Sveti Stefan island. Exclusive is probably the word that describes the resort best. With only 50 suites on the island and another 8 in Villa Milocer on the mainland, Aman Sveti Stefan is definitely a sort of hotel I have never seen before: The fact that there are more sunbeds than guest can stay at the resort, is truly breathtaking. Space and privacy are the two main factors of the successful Aman concept. The suites and cottages are designed not to be visible to other guests and neither spectating day tourists nor paparazzi have a little possibility to gather views of Sveti Stefan (the island is really only accessible to hotel guests and staff members - and there are two control stations so it is fairly hard to access the property without permisson).
So how was my first experience with Aman?
After landing in Podgorica airport, we immediatly reached out to the rental car counter and within a few minutes we were already sitting in one of the two only (new in terms of kilometer but not from visible aspects) convertibles by Audi. The truly interesting drive (I highly recommend to hire a private car) lead over the big lake, where Albania borders on Montenegro, through a tunnel until you reach the wonderful coast. From there you have 20 minutes left until you gather the best view of Sveti Stefan. Driving through the two gates was exciting and immediatly less impressive than driving towards the end of the road where four staff members already awaited my arrival. NOBODY ever asked for my name, this could be either because we were some of their only guests or simply because they know their guests before they even arrive. However, after walking over the bridge to the island, a complete comittee of front desk staff was welcoming me by last name (!), before the front desk manager introduced herself and offered her assistance for the stay.
Of course, I never saw their front desk until check-out. As soon as the introduction of the front desk manager finished, another very kind staff member already started the tour around the island. I would not say, that Aman Sveti Stefan is a place to skip your sport lessons: to get to the main Piazza (where their restaurant for breakfast and lunch is located), you need to unwind a few steps, since it is located nearly on top of the island. When we arrived at the Piazza, the restaurant staff was welcoming us in another comittee and offered us refreshing towels and a welcome lemonade. Well, the tour and welcome process was the most spectacular ever.
A few minutes later (after visiting the two pools, the restaurant for dinner and the bar) we arrived at our cottage: To be honest, I am sure that the cottage #38 is their secret highlight, offering a full sea view (this means view towards the Med and the Villa Milocer as well as the town). To keep it short, our cottage had two terraces, one with two sunbeds and one with two chairs and a table - each terrace with sea view - so given the high price, our suite was well worth it. Inside the lovely cottage, there was a king size bed with two separate sheets (very much appreciated) - keep in mind that they do not have twin beds, a writing desk, a wardrobe which I found a little bit too small being at a resort where guests stay at least 3 days (and 12 hangers a slightly too few), a television with a good selection of english and german channels as well as a Bose radio - I really missed the iPod Docking station which they advertise in the hotel information brochure!
The most amazing things about this room were the complimentary minibar (replenished twice a day - was also new to me as well) as well as the vast bathroom with double vanities, free standing tub, semi-separated toilet as well as a walk-in shower. Altough I found the bathroom to be perfect, I missed a shaving kit, a make-up mirror and bottled toiletries. I know it is the concept of Aman to offer refillable toiletries but without branding, they could easily fill in cheap products and I would have appreciated wrapped soaps, you never know if they change the soap from a former guest. In addition to two bottles of coke, aranciata, beer and sparkling as well as still water, they also offered a glass of nuts and chocolate cookies free of charge and replenished daily. Unfortunately the room only receives 9 out of 10 points due to above given reasons. This also includes the fact that they do not advertise a pillow menu, one of the two pillows was simply too hard with nealy 2kg.
During the nights, there was of course no noise, not even disturbing neighbours - and if, they would be so far away that your idyllic setting would not be disturbed. After a good night's sleep I was ready to explore the breakfast. Given the fact that Aman wants to offer best and fresh quality, breakfast is served a la carte and guests can let the sun put a smile on their face and watch the the birds chasing the clouds. Oh dear, the breakfast was another highlight: the best orange juice I have ever had, together with amazing coffee (like in a café in Napoli), the best scrambled eggs on an excellent bread plus an amazing lemon spread, which was so amazing that I even considered to reproduce it at home! During our stay, we always had the same staff member, and interestingly she only served us - therefore she knew all our preferences on the second morning. Okay, it was an excellent breakfast and the best breakfast service I have ever experienced.
The fact that this 58-room resort has three times more staff members than rooms and three amazing (!!) beaches gives an approximate estimation that the room rates are amomg the highest in Europe. With rates of 850.00+ euros per cottage and night in low season, this Aman is a slightly different weekend getaway.
CONTINUE READING THE PART TWO OF OUR REVIEW
We were exclusively invited by Aman resorts and Aman Sveti Stefan, however the above written expresses our own opinion and has not been influenced.