It’s no surprise that Greece is growing in popularity: from a history as old as time to a scenic Aegean coastline (the longest stretch on the Mediterranean) and islands filled with bustling tavernas, it has more than enough cultural attractions to satisfy our craving for far-flung travel.
Below are the best hotels – from tried-and-true favourites to newcomers, large luxury hotels and charming boutique stays – to book this summer on the Greek Islands.
Vogue’s guide to the best Greek Islands hotels:
- Where to stay in Milos: Skinopi Lodge
- Where to stay in Antiparos: The Rooster
- Where to stay in Sifnos: Verina Astra
- Where to stay in Mykonos: Kalesma
- Where to stay in Patmos: Pagostas
- Where to stay in Therasia: Perivolas Hideaway
- Where to stay in Crete: Ammos
- Where to stay in Rhodes: Marco Polo Mansion
- Where to stay in Andros: Mèlisses
- Where to stay in Kea: Kea Retreat
Daios Cove, Crete
Do yourself a favour at Daios Cove and book into the Residents’ Club: the Cretan hotel’s equivalent of an all-inclusive, where the Michelin-level food is as free flowing as the Veuve Clicquot. To stay here is to realise what a family resort can be, from the Kepos by Goco spa featuring hyperbaric oxygen and cryo chambers to wellness away the Alain Ducasse ice creams while the children run riot at kids’ club to the chic new Collection Suites with dinky pools in which to create your very own self-contained sanctuary. A 111Skin facial or BXR circuit session (yep, Daios has nailed its affiliate brands) later, and you’ll vow to be back next year.
Amenities: Five restaurants, two bars and an Olympic-size pool, but the real appeal here is the spa. Book your own bespoke wellness programme (cell wellbeing epigenetic analysis, anyone?) to return home feeling truly renewed.
Editor’s tip: If your trip doesn’t coincide with Daios Cove’s Healing Masters series, don’t leave without spending an hour dipping between the steam room, experiential shower walk and Finnish and soft saunas in the Therapeutic Water Circuit. It is, quite literally, heaven.
Address: Vathi, 72100, Crete
Skinopi Lodge, Milos
If you’re in need of a break from the blue and white architecture and lively tavernas, book a stay at Skinopi Lodge on the island of Milos. While it takes some off-roading to get to the property (a four-wheel drive vehicle is highly encouraged), it will have been well worth the trek. Wake up in one of the three minimalist stone homes atop grassy cliffs that overlook the breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea. Then, spend a quiet afternoon reading on the lounge chairs outside your villa, or take the winding stairs down the cliff to your own private watering hole.
Amenities: Private deck to the sea, free parking on site, fully-equipped kitchens, organic vegetable garden
Editor’s tip: Ask the owner, Nausika, to draft you a localised itinerary of the best beaches according to the island’s winds that day.
Address: Skinopi 848 00, Greece
Verina Astra, Sifnos
Foodies won’t want to miss visiting the tiny island of Sifnos, arguably the best gastronomic destination in the Cyclades. Staying at Verina Astra is what farm-to-table dreams are made of. Tucked on a quiet hill in Poulati overlooking the castle, it’s a short two-mile drive from Artemonas, the most beautiful village on the island. At Verina Astra, you’ll have all the local must-sees of Sifnos at your fingertips. The property is adorned with local pottery (a heritage craft on the island that dates back to 3000 BC) and features a restaurant that serves as the perfect introduction to Sifnos cuisine with locally-grown produce, most of which comes from their own orchard.
Amenities: Free parking, spa, restaurant, bar, pool, family rooms, hiking trails, rocky beach access
Bonus tip: The hotel partners with local artisans for travellers interested in booking pottery classes with the island’s master craftsman, where you’ll spend two hours making your own pottery and learning about the traditional techniques while accompanied by an interpreter.
Address: Poulatis, Sifnos 840 03, Greece
The Rooster, Antiparos
The island of Antiparos’s low profile affords travellers a more exclusive getaway than its busier neighbour, Paros. With its guarantee of seclusion and privacy, the island has become a celebrity haven (so much so that Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson bought a home there). The island is sure to get buzzier with the opening of the new boutique hotel, The Rooster. The hotel, which opened on June 1, was designed to exist in harmony with its surroundings. It puts an emphasis on respectful tourism by way of wellness, sustainability, and organic food. Guests have 17 individual houses to choose from, each with its own private sundeck providing the best sunset views on the island. Using natural materials, lime-wash walls, and earth-toned decor, The Rooster offers a laid-back approach to a very high-end stay.
Amenities: Free parking, spa, fitness centre, pool, restaurants, bar, free breakfast, beach access, boutique
Editor’s tip: Ask the staff to pack you a picnic basket to take down to the rustic and service-free beach at the base of the property.
Address: Livadia Bay, Antiparos 840 07, Greece
Kalesma, Mykonos
New this summer to Mykonos is Kalesma, a design-forward hotel dreamed up by two Greek designers who aimed to create a traditional Cycladic property with a modern spin for hedonists who value privacy and being off the beaten path. Set on a hilltop overlooking Ornos Bay, the hotel’s 27 luxe accommodations are spread across five acres of a lush hillside. The property features furniture by designer Rick Owens and one-of-a-kind decor by local Greek craftsmen. The hotel’s restaurant, Pere Ubu, sits at the property’s peak, a privileged vantage point where you can catch the sunrise and the sunset from the same spot.
Amenities: Free parking, restaurant, bar, pool, private chapel, boutique, spa, fitness centre
Editor’s tip: No need to leave behind your furry friends because the property is pet friendly!
Address: Aleomandra, Mykonos, Mikonos 846 00, Greece
Pagostas, Patmos
Maria Lemos (of fashion wholesale agency Rainbowwave and the beloved London shop Mouki Mou) and her husband Gregoris quietly unveiled Pagostas, a three-room guest house hotel, last year on the paradisal island of Patmos – and it’s since become the fashion crowd’s best-kept secret. Set within a jasmine-scented courtyard and walled garden designed by renowned landscape gardener Helli Pangalou, they preserved the traditional architectural features of the monastic guesthouse, with its stone walls, vaulted archways, and terracotta floor tiles. The three large guest-rooms are filled with furniture made by local carpenters and sourced at antique markets, while textiles were hand-loomed in Athens and glasses hand-blown in Crete. Guests are encouraged to make themselves at home in any of the various shared spaces – especially at breakfast, which is served anytime and anywhere.
Amenities: Free breakfast, dining room, rooftop terrace, garden terrace, street parking
Editor’s tip: Before heading out each night, don’t miss out on sunset drinks on the furnished rooftop terrace overlooking Chora.
Address: Patmos 885 00, Greece
Perivolas Hideaway, Therasia
One nautical mile west of Santorini, opposite the village of Oia, lies the tiny island of Therasia, accessible via boat departing from Ammoudi Bay. While Perivolas Hideaway may look familiar in its design that marries the same minimalist principles of its Santorini sister property, it is optimally carved into the base of a cliff where it meets a cove, providing even more intimacy and the elemental luxury of waking up with the sea at your feet. Rounded archways and sumptuous white interiors enhanced with subtle pops of pink and purple (a Perivolas signature) make up the four airy rooms, each boasting unobstructed views of your private beach, which is equipped with sea sporting equipment, like kayaks and water skis, as well as snorkels and diving equipment. Along with the various sundecks scattered throughout the property, there’s also a spa and a salt water pool – but with a location like this one, do you really need that?
Amenities: Private beach access, terraces and sundecks, daily meals prepared by in-house cook, spa, board games, books and movie library, pool, private helipad, private boat dock, on-site water activities
Editor’s tip: All meals are prepared by the in-house chef and included in the cost of the booking so you never have to leave the property.
Address: Thirassia, 847 02, Greece
Ammos Hotel, Crete
Ammos Hotel, a family-friendly beachfront hotel located on Crete’s sandy Glaros beach in the village of Chania, is a unique confluence of art and hospitality. A collection of eclectic contemporary art pieces by Muller van Severen, Pierre Paulin, and Faye Toogood fill the property’s public spaces, while 33 minimalist rooms equipped with a kitchenette and furnished balcony or terrace are scattered around fragrant gardens of jasmine and pomegranates. An all-day menu (as well as a kid’s menu) offering Greek classics with a twist are served anywhere – from the airy and quirky Ettore Sottsass-filled dining room, to the mid-century pool reminiscent of a Slim Aarons photograph. Despite the cool design vibe here, there’s nothing pretentious about Ammos Hotel, which is ultimately a family hotel with a friendly atmosphere – evidenced by its most beloved employee: a Boston Terrier named Jonny.
Amenities: Free on-site parking, restaurant, rooftop bar, gym, pool and kid’s pool, beach access, dedicated kid’s play area
Editor’s tip: Don’t miss the sourdough breads and pastries baked fresh every morning courtesy of the hotel’s new bakery in town, Red Jane.
Address: Irakli Avgoula, Chania, Crete 731 00, Greece
Oku Kos
The eco-minded, adults-only Oku Kos – located on a private beach only accessible to its guests – is designed to feel like its own private village, where all aspects of the island can be enjoyed without leaving the property. One and two-story cubist villas surround the hotel’s multiple gardens and patios with large terraces that extend into private outdoor spaces. The indoor-outdoor restaurant, featuring fresh and colourful Greek cuisine, can be enjoyed poolside or beachside with the vibey tunes of the house DJ drifting on the breeze. After a long day in the sun, the spa awaits, offering a range of holistic treatment options, as well as a glass-walled sauna that overlooks the lush courtyard and a domed hammam.
Amenities: Restaurants, bars, spa, gym, library, concept shop, pool, private beach
Editor’s tip: Don’t miss the morning yoga sessions held on the open-air yoga terrace or the beach pavilion.
Address: Sikamini, Marmari, Kos, 85, Kos 853 00, Greece
Marco Polo Mansion, Rhodes
While you’re not staying here for its modern amenities, there’s a familiar sense of warmth that permeates the intimate atmosphere at Marco Polo Mansion, a small boutique hotel located on a cobbled backstreet in the old town of Rhodes. That feeling that you’re staying at a friend’s home is likely the result of the warm hospitality from the family that runs it. Set within the walls of an old Turkish house are 10 bohemian-style rooms flooded with colour and character, thoughtfully decorated with wrought-iron beds, tiled floors, and woven Bavarian rugs collected from the family’s travels. Many of the rooms surround the secret garden, where a memorable breakfast is served to guests each morning under the fragrant shade of orange and lemon trees. But the best part is that hotel guests have a standing dinner reservation at the hotel’s restaurant – ask anyone on the island and they’ll tell you it’s the best seat in town.
Amenities: Free breakfast, restaurant, secret garden
Editor’s tip: At dinner, don’t miss the standout dishes: the shrimp dolmadakia and the fish Giouvarlakia, which is a fish version of meatball soup.
Address: Agiou Fanouriou 40-42, Rodos 851 00, Greece
Mèlisses, Andros
Descending down a winding dirt road (four-wheel drive vehicle encouraged!) on the rugged western coast of Andros, you’ll find Mèlisses, a small family B&B ensconced within fields of fruit trees and fresh herbs and spices, and the property’s own fragrant garden stocked with seasonal vegetables that’ll surely make their way onto your plate throughout your stay. The simple joys of life at this isolated hamlet lies in savouring the slow beauty of your wild surroundings. Mèlisses comprises five simple bedrooms, each with sea views, spread across the main house and secluded private guest houses. Along with the two salt-water pools, stone steps descend to a rocky platform that leads directly to the sea. A property blessed by such a surfeit of God’s natural bounty, it’s hard to imagine things could get better here, until you make your way to the kitchen-living room, which is managed by the gracious host, Allegra, whose background in hospitality and gastronomy is evident as she cooks, guides, and runs workshops on the property with a natural warmth and ease. While you’re away from the throngs of civilisation (the closest village is located 20 minutes away), you’ll never feel alone here, especially in the mornings where you’ll congregate among other guests for a shared breakfast over a long wooden table scenically set and prepared by Allegra.
Amenities: Two pools, free breakfast, meals upon request, vegetable garden, private sea access, open-space kitchen/living room
Editor’s tip: Consider booking one of Allegra’s creative retreats, ranging from cooking, painting, to floral workshops.
Address: Andros 845 00, Greece
Kea Retreat, Kea
Wellness travellers will be tempted by the offerings at Kea Retreat, a family-run boutique hotel located in a hillside nature reserve above the pristine blue waters of Psathi Bay. Combining the family’s love for Greek culture, nature and food, with their passion for yoga and mindfulness, Kea Retreat offers travellers the option to book a five or six-night retreat or simply indulge in a relaxing and restorative hotel stay. Accommodations are built into 100-year-old kathikies, or traditional stone farmhouses, which are bathed in natural light and stocked with locally produced bath towels, pareos, and robes for guests to don throughout their stay. In addition to the traditional wellness activities offered on site, the hotel is introducing a new fine dining tasting menu restaurant this season, Lygaria, which will rotate dishes depending on the week’s available produce and fresh catches.
Amenities: Restaurant, bar, pool, beachfront access, communal lounge areas, yoga pavilion
Editor’s Tip: Try a traditional ouzo at the bar at sunset.
Address: Οdos xoris onomasia Kea, Orkos, 84002, Greece
Onar Andros
Onar Andros is an eco-retreat located on a protected wetland on the east side of Andros. Following a bumpy drive to this glamping sanctuary overlooking the majestic Achla Beach, you’re greeted by the friendly staff, clad in their own T-shirts and flip flops, immediately setting the tone for the casual atmosphere of the place. Luxury takes on a new meaning here – while there are no modern facilities, like a spa or fitness centre, the beauty of its 10 traditional stone cottages, pool deck, and shaded lounge areas framing the lush natural landscape, as well as the delicious meals prepared using ingredients plucked from the hotel’s organic farm, will surely make you forget about all that. Best yet, a three-minute walk alongside the river that runs parallel to the property leads guests to the famed crescent-shaped Achla Beach, famous for its white sands and crystalline waters.
Amenities: Restaurant, bar, free parking, family rooms, beachfront access
Editor’s Tip: If you want to have your meals at the beach, a member of the team will pack you a cooler to go.
Address: Ahla Beach, Andros, Andros Island, 84500
Gundari Resort, Folegandros (May 2024)
Of the lesser-known islands in the Cyclades, the tiny island of Folegandros has always stood out for its abundance of breathtaking beaches, crystal-clear waters, and traditional villages. This season marks the unveiling of the island’s first luxury 5-star resort, Gundari, located in a bird wildlife reserve on the southeastern coast, just a short distance from the main village of Chora. The hotel hosts 27 suites and villas, made of stone that was excavated on-site, with private solar heated infinity pools cascading over the cliffside. Elsewhere on the property, guests will find a cliff-edge main pool featuring a swim up cocktail bar and three additional dining spaces, which include the main restaurant and two bars curated by Greece’s first Michelin-starred chef, Lefteris Lazarou, who uses ingredients sourced from Gundari’s own organic farm, offering a true farm-to-table experience.
Amenities: Spa, gym, restaurant, bars, pool
Editor’s tip: Forget a boring rental and explore the island in style with an electric mini moke or electric Fiat 500, which are both available for rent at the hotel.
Address: Petousis 840 11, Folegandros, Greece
One&Only Kea Island (May 2024)
Just a 30-minute boat ride from Athens, Kea has long been a favourite weekend getaway for Athenians. Following the success of One&Only Aesthesis, the One&Only brand’s first resort in Greece, which opened on the Athenian Riviera in 2023, they’re unveiling their first property on the Greek Islands with One&Only Kea Island with direct speedboat transfers available between the two resorts. In keeping with the brand’s ultra-luxury alchemy, One&Only Kea Island promises discretion and seclusion within its 63 villas perched above a protected cove on the wild west coast of the island. Each of the contemporary villas swathed in white marble and wrap-around floor-to-ceiling windows and outdoor terraces with private infinity pools and fireplaces, were designed by acclaimed architect John Heah to showcase the panoramic views of Kea’s dramatic landscapes.
Amenities: Spa, gym, restaurants, bars, pool, family rooms, kid’s programming
Editor’s tip: Don’t miss a sommelier-led wine tasting at Èpicora wine bar, where you can taste a wide selection of Greek wines paired with artisanal cheeses and local charcuterie.
Address: Kea Island, 840 02, Greece
Odera Tinos (May 2024)
Modern luxury has finally made its way to the lesser-known Cycladic island of Tinos, with the inauguration of its first luxury hotel, Odera Tinos. Odera’s 77 modern rooms feature furnished terraces with cascading plunge pools blended so seamlessly into the cliffside above Vourni beach that they feel as though they’ve always been a part of the landscape. This was precisely the idea for Studio Bonarchi, the design team who honoured local craftsmanship using the island’s raw materials so as to not disrupt the authentic style of the island – a commitment reflected all throughout the hotel’s interiors, which used traditional Tinian stones and local marble furnishings. As Tinos is also a beloved foodie destination and a farmer’s island, the hotel’s various food and beverage offerings nod to the timeless Cycladic specialities of the island – even down by the beach bar, which will serve a selection of local finger foods and fresh crudos.
Amenities: Pool, bars, restaurants, private beach, spa, gym, private chapel, boutique, conference room, free on-site parking
Editor’s tip: The restaurant’s extensive selection of Tinian wines will provide an excellent introduction to wines from the island.
Address: Vourni beach, Tinos 842 00, Greece
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