With its many islands and immaculate architecture enhanced by the ever-present sea, Greece is home to a host of top-of-the-range establishments that immerse us in the country’s splendour. From authentic boutique hotels to luxurious mansions, discover some of Greece’s finest jewels.
NIKO Seaside Resort MGallery, Crete
Niko Seaside is a sublime hotel in Greece, located in Crete on the Agios Nikolaos seafront overlooking Mirabello Bay. This jewel under the aegis of the MGallery Collection brand, part of the Accor group, was built with its feet in the water and enjoys a breathtaking panorama of the Aegean Sea. However, this is an adults-only escape, which certainly restricts families but promises couples, groups of friends and solo travellers a peaceful and intimate stay. Inside, you’ll find works of art and pottery, in shades of blue blending with a soothing green. The 141 keys, divided into 13 categories, combine wood and slate stone in the bathrooms. The décor is pared back to reveal the full beauty of the landscape as a backdrop. Some rooms even have their own infinity pool, perfect for a moment of relaxation for two. You can enjoy your meal in the Ariagne restaurant, which boasts a large artistic red fresco, and at the Mira table, which serves Mediterranean cuisine enhanced by Cretan flavours. The hotel also boasts a roof terrace where you can enjoy a cocktail in the early evening.
Kalesma Mykonos, Cyclades
This five-star hotel offers a 360° view of sunrises and sunsets over the bay of Ornos. Perfectly integrated into its surroundings and far removed from the festive bustle of Mykonos, the Kalesma means ‘to invite’ in Greek, which clearly demonstrates the hospitality of the setting. As soon as you step inside this two-hectare property, you are immersed in the gentle atmosphere so typical of the region, with its immaculate facades, olive trees and rough beige stone that occasionally rises from the ground. In this land of rolling hills, lavender gardens and bougainvillea, there are 17 one-bedroom suites, eight one-bedroom villas and two large villas. Each of the boutique-hotel keys features whitewashed walls, a palette of neutral earthy colours, woven wood ceilings and stone and ceramic ornaments. These traditional Cycladic details are complemented by private swimming pools overlooking the Aegean Sea. At Père Ubu, the bread is baked in a brick oven and the flavours pay homage to Greece. Once a week, guests are invited to gather over a meal to get to know each other, laugh together and share experiences. Private dinners under the stars promise a delicious romantic weekend. The bliss continues in the spa, set between natural materials such as oak and granite and white plaster.
Andronis Boutique Hotel
Carved into the crescent of Santorini’s cliffs, in the small village of Oia, the Andronis Boutique Hotel brings out all the charm of the Aegean, with organically polished white stone. Built on a terrace overlooking the caldera, the hotel has 24 ultra-pure, relaxing rooms and suites. But their main asset is not their sublime decoration. The keys have terraces with deckchairs and sometimes pools with sea views, worthy of the most beautiful places you can see on Instagram. The Lauda Restaurant can be found on the rooftop or in the hotel’s glassed-in dining room. All the flavours of Greece come together in these gourmet dishes. For a journey to well-being, head to the Mare Sanus luxury spa. Treatments are carefully designed with respect for ancient therapeutic traditions and contemporary practices.
Amanzoe, Porto Heli (Peloponnese)
Owned by the prestigious Aman Group, Amanzoe in Porto Heli, near the Peloponnese, stands amid ancient ruins and olive groves. Strolling through the heart of the setting, you sometimes feel like you’re in a modern acropolis, sublimated by the orange light of the Greek sun. Nestling in this landscape overlooking the Aegean Sea, the hotel boasts a remarkable asset: over 2,800m2 of spa facilities inspired by the holistic medical methods of Hippocrates. This sanctuary offers a wide range of personalised treatments, all in a stress-free environment. The 38 individual pavilions, all with private pools, extend the sense of well-being that emanates from the premises. Inspired by classical Greek architecture, these beachfront keys feature marble floors, large columns that structure the spaces, dry stonework and graphic, designer furniture. While it’s hard to leave your room, the four swimming pools and the restaurant are well worth a visit. Here you can enjoy the catch of the day and Greek dishes with the sea as a backdrop. You can even book a romantic dinner in the open-air amphitheatre.
Four Seasons Astir Palace, Athens
When Four Seasons honours the culture of the country in which it operates, its hotels are immediately propelled into a refined and authentic atmosphere. Such is the case with Astir Palace, nestling on the Athenian Riviera at the tip of the Vouliagmeni peninsula. Spread over five buildings, just a stone’s throw from the sea, it boasts 303 rooms and suites that are as contemporary as they are relaxed. The decor is sober and chic, in various shades of grey, to suit the tastes of as many people as possible. As well as three swimming pools and a fully-equipped spa, the five-star hotel boasts a one-star restaurant, Pélagos, where local produce is showcased in gastronomic style. There is also the Italian Mercato, the Greek Taverna 37, the American Latin Hélios, the beefbar, the Japanese-Peruvian Matsuhisa and the international Astrone. A true world tour of flavours without leaving the establishment.
See also: The most beautiful hotels in Provence
Featured photo: © NIKO Seaside Resort MGallery, Crete
