My husband and I are looking for a beach break in Montenegro, ideally for a week in early summer. Do you know of any small boutique style hotels there? We prefer to be on the coast, and away from huge resorts if possible. Francis Kennedy, Watford

Sunday Times travel expert Richard Green responds: Montenegro's 180-mile long Adriatic coastline is stunning ­ cliffs, forested hills, and even the odd fjord, leaving room for just 45 miles of beaches.

They are generally small sandy bays separated by steep headlands, perfect places for boutique hotels to hide away in.

That's the good news. The bad news is that four miles from the old walled town of Budva, on the celebrated Queen's beach, are two incredible boutique properties, both of which are now closed for redevelopment. They are the mini Mont St Michel of the Sveti Stefan Hotel - once a fishing village, then jet set retreat, and the classical two-story summer palace that was the stylish 27-room Milocer Hotel.

They will both be closed for the summer. One rumour has it that they are being given a makeover by Amanresorts, but we'll have to wait for the next season to find out for sure what has become of them.

In the meantime, there is the Hotel Splendido, which is on the shorefront in the Gulf of Kotor ­ a dramatic fjord landscape dotted with charming old towns and covered in pine forest. It's a former 18th century captain's residence, but now has a pool, restaurant; plenty of sun terracing, and bright pleasant rooms. Note that the beach here is very small and pebbly though.

Or there's the modern 19-room Hotel Prestige, a mile from ancient Budva. Rooms are a good size, and there is a good swimming pool and terrace. It's about 300ft from the beach.

Or try Balkan Holidays (0845 130 1114, www.balkanholidays.co.uk), Bosmere Travel (01473 834094, www.bosmeretravel.co.uk), Inghams (020 8780 4433, www.inghams.co.uk), or So Montenegro (02392 817561, www.somontenegro.com) - and for further general information, see www.visit-montenegro.com

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