These are unusual times, and the state of affairs can change quickly. Please check the latest travel guidance before making your journey. Our writer visited these hotels pre-pandemic.
As home to some of the globe’s most ethereal sunsets, the Greek Islands are heavenly hotspots for romantics – who aren’t just spoiled when it comes to sundowners and scintillating views, but also served with couples’ spa treatments, secret cave suites and intimate dining spots. An adults-only getaway isn’t just about making memories with a loved one, however, and many of the country’s most luxurious lodgings are ideal for those seeking a spot of sun and fun with grown-up friends. Think DJ sets by the pool, Maldivian-style overwater bungalows, hip hideaways near buzzy towns, and stylish boutique retreats. Whatever you’re planning, here’s our pick of the best Greek Island hotels for a well-deserved post-lockdown holiday.
Lindos Blu Luxury Hotel & Suites
Rhodes, Greece
Becalming views of sparkling Vlycha Bay, dinner at Five Senses restaurant (one of the island’s most highly regarded), and exemplary service are what make this refined resort a stellar local vanguard of what five stars represent. The overall look is an elegant fusion of indigenous stone, steel, glass, dark timber and water canals on the outside, while indoors, abundant natural light flows in through floor-to-ceiling windows and shades of spirit-lifting azure dominate the contemporary rooms. Guests can easily reach Lindos and its ancient acropolis from the door, as well as explore lesser-visited and relatively undeveloped southern Rhodes. Back at base, the Blue Flag beach has a well-serviced section for guests.
From
£
740
per night
Rates provided by
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• The best hotels in Greece
Mystique
Santorini, Greece
Cool sophistication is the vibe of this Luxury Collection hotel in Oia. Hidden behind tall studded doors, the cluster of cave-like suites and villas with Cycladic-white façades spill like melted wax over the caldera rim. Guests are welcomed with homemade lemon drinks and snacks before heading to their adobe-style enclave of cool colours and mineral textures (with good-sized terraces and picture-frame windows). Four villas have pools, but for the best views pick the two-bed Mystery villa with its own gym and infinity pool. Elsewhere, there’s a spa plus two shared pools; the infinity is near the bar, so great for sunset cocktails. For seafood and sea views head to Asea. Other spots include a 150-year-old wine cave restaurant.
From
£
365
per night
Rates provided by
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Lesante Blu Exclusive Beach Resort
Tragaki, Zakynthos, Greece
With a soothing sense of privacy and peace, sea-view suites and several good restaurants, this adults-only resort is ideal for honeymooners or a romantic break. A stylish aesthetic brings together muted tones, modernist sculptures and water features, while a large, waterfall-fed infinity pool and clipped lawns descending to a small shingle beach with cabanas around a bar add to the beachy luxe factor. A deft massage using luscious Germaine de Capuccini products can be booked at the spa and concierges are on hand for tips and trips. In terms of rooms, all have sea views, some have private pools or an outdoor whirlpool bath, and most are open plan with either a classic (parquet flooring, white walls) or more modern (funky furniture) look.
From
£
121
per night
Rates provided by
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Stella Island Luxury Resort & Spa
Analipsi, Crete, Greece
Built around one of Europe’s largest lagoon pools, this stylish resort near Hersonissos is an adults-only water wonderland where couples lounge in sunken seating areas and islands dotted with beds and hammocks. The tropical ‘Love Island’ vibe is accentuated by a minimalist style (all white with blonde wood, canvas and bamboo) and glossy light-filled spa, while rooms are all about the retro décor. Expect mirrors above the bed, hanging lamps and large bathrooms clad in marble. Best for privacy are nine South Pacific-inspired over-water bungalows with private terraces, or 12 Island Villas with private pools. There are several restaurants and guests can use the beach and facilities of neighbouring sister property Stella Village.
From
£
156
per night
Rates provided by
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Bill & Coo Suites and Lounge
Mykonos, Greece
Luxurious simplicity sets the mood at this top hotel on Mykonos. It’s located on a slope just outside the town, giving guests a beautiful view of the island’s rocky landscape and sea as well as access to nightlife, shopping and sightseeing. If that isn’t enough to tempt you, there’s a spa with therapies by Valmont, 32 suites including several with private pools, one of Greece’s award-winning restaurants, and a striking infinity pool. Check-in begins at the latter with complimentary champagne and appetisers before guests are ushered to rooms and given a phone that can be used to call a personal driver for transfers at any time to anywhere on the island, a personal assistant, and a fitness instructor. Designed by K-studio, the hotel has a smooth look.
From
£
446
per night
Rates provided by
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Purple Apricot Hotel
Paxos, Greece
This romantic bolthole is a Paxos utopia, with thoughtful service, seven beautifully styled suites, and excellent breakfasts served on a shaded terrace overlooking the pool. There’s a real Secret Garden vibe to the property, owing to its concealment behind a high stone wall with elaborately carved wooden doors, but once through, guests are met with the tranquil burbling of a fountain, spiky-leafed vegetation and a dazzling sea view. The design aesthetic is an eclectic mash-up of Greek and Moroccan influences, featuring terracotta urns and chunky floor cushions in bold prints, while the suites come with snuggle-inducing sofas, bold wooden furniture and tactile rugs. Each includes an outdoor space, small kitchenette and Korres amenities.
From
£
303
per night
Domes Noruz
Chania, Crete, Greece
A sprawling beachside resort inspired by Chania’s Venetian shipyards. The domed rooms and suites cluster around two large pools, one of which offers panoramic sea views and its own swim-up bar (where DJs play chilled music at sunset), the other in the quiet zone. The ambiance is beachside hip, and with exercise areas, a pretty spa, beanbag loungers and scatter cushions dotted around, plus a restaurant serving lashings of healthy food, a casual cool vibe permeates this adult-orientated hotel (no under-16s). Style in the 83 rooms is ultra modern with quirky details, from minibars stocked with vitamins and healthy snacks, to hammocks or rocking chairs, and plunge pools or outdoor bathtubs.
From
£
148
per night
Rates provided by
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• The best Greek Island hotels
Mayor La Grotta Verde Grand Resort
Agios Gordios, Corfu, Greece
Spread across a large, lofty site, all-inclusive La Grotta Verde is designed to capitalise on the seaside setting. Contemporary rooms and dining areas, tastefully furnished in white, maximise views of the water. The resort has been sculpted to immerse guests in nature’s beauty: rooms have great views, there’s a rooftop bar, and you can gaze out to the Ionian Sea from the pool. There is also a heated indoor pool and swish modern spa, while five restaurants keep things interesting at dinner. The finest dining is in à la carte Areti restaurant (all-inclusive guests can enjoy an evening meal here once per week, by reservation).
From
£
85
per night
Rates provided by
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• The best hotels on Corfu
Myconian Naia
Mykonos, Greece
Adults are in for a restorative treat at this hip yet understated hotel near Mykonos Town (10 minutes’ walk away). There are just 18 suites, all of which have furnished sea-view terraces, enormous four-poster beds and marble showers; 11 have private infinity pools. The hotel itself is small but there’s an impressive spa next door shared with sister hotels Korali and Kyma. Chances are you’ll spend much of the day lounging around on the circular loveseats, swings or thickly cushioned green loungers by the main pool. The all-day restaurant serves local seafood and meat dishes, as well as pasta and some excellent desserts. There’s also a pool bar menu. Almost everywhere offers views of the sea and Mykonos’ famous windmills.
From
£
331
per night
Rates provided by
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Domes Miramare Corfu
Moraitika, Corfu, Greece
Nothing was left to chance in the reimagining of this legendary Miramare hotel, which opened in 1962 and swiftly turned into a celebrity magnet. This is reflected in its interior design, drawing on the Sixties style with contemporary flair in shades of white, grey and teal and objets d’art such as the flower-like gold light fixture in the lobby. Centuries-old olive trees stand proud amid palms and lawns fronting a 400m-long beach where it’s deceptively easy to spend a day unwinding on sun loungers and cooling off in the aquamarine Ionian Sea. Standard rooms are close to the beach and pool, but it’s worth splashing out on a more spacious sea view or waterfront pavilion retreat; these have hot tubs or private pools, or both.
From
£
194
per night
Rates provided by
Booking.com
Contributions by Catherine Cooper, Helen Iatrou, Caroline Shearing and Marissa Tejada
This article was originally published by Telegraph.co.uk. Read the original article here.