If islomania is setting in as summer plans start to unravel, casting away to a Greek island (or two) is the perfect antidote — soothing seascapes and sizzling temperatures included. Whether you plan to base yourself on one golden beach or island-hop your way around gin-clear coves and rugged coastlines, set your heading for these sugar-cube villas, waterfront retreats, and clifftop hideouts scattered across Greece.
1. Acro Suites, Crete
A cluster of cliff-clinging suites and luxurious villas perched above Crete’s northern shores, Acro Suites invites island-dwellers into its stone-walled, sea-facing serenity. Inside, natural materials and earthy tones are cleverly cocooning, while ever directing your gaze out to the Aegean. Each suite comes with a private infinity pool to cool off in, and there’s the Byzantine-inspired spa to unwind in (with a spectacular yoga shala). Cretan cuisine takes centre stage throughout the retreat’s various restaurants and rotating culinary calendar, which use island-grown ingredients sources from local farmers.
2. Andronis Minois, Paros
Located just 200 metres from the water’s edge, wild swims are a short golden-sand saunter from your light-filled room at Andronis Minois, a vision in cubism with a laze-and-gaze Lounge Deck overlooking the Aegean. It’s worth plumping for one of the suites with a private pool, as well as reserving a table at Olvo — the hotel’s Greek-Japanese fusion restaurant — for the likes of fresh lobster pasta, wasabi-infused seabream, and tahini-drizzled broccolini. If you can tear yourself away from your sun lounger, the hotel can organise horse-riding, winery tours, scuba diving, and visits to nearby Antiparos.
3. NOMAD Mykonos, Mykonos
When every suite features a private pool, hot tub — or both — you know you’re onto a winner. Sun-kissed NOMAD sits on a craggy hillside of southern Mykonos, a short stroll from the golden shoreline of Kalo Livadi. Slow paced days are mostly spent barefoot between the beach, pool, and bohemian-dressed bedrooms (where massages, facials, and specialist treatments come to you). Gather around the outdoor fireplace for zesty sundowners, and tuck into nutritious dishes which put the surrounding sea on prettily presented plates.
4. Canaves Epitome, Santorini
Bedding down on Santorini usually guarantees sweeping caldera vistas and rock-hewn stays, but Canaves Epitome effortlessly captures the dusky hues of the surrounding volcanic landscape throughout its minimalist villas. The open-plan rooms and rugged terraces encourage indoor-outdoor living, and many are blessed with some of the best sunset views in Oia — with no need to move an inch from your sun-drenched daybed or breezy cabana. Should you wish to take in the dramatic cliff-framed coastline from the water, the hotel has several yachts for charter.
5. Aristide Hotel, Syros
Housed within a beautifully restored neoclassical mansion in the historical centre of Hermoupolis, Aristide Hotel is an artsy base from which to explore lesser-trodden Syros. With just a handful of artfully curated suites, the collection of original oil paintings is just as impressive as the views towards the Vaporia quarter. The hotel’s dedicated gallery hosts regular exhibitions of resident artists, and the residency programme is an immersive outlet for the creatively inclined — with textile factory tours, pottery workshops, vineyard visits, Cycladic cooking classes, and herb foraging expeditions with the hotel chef to keep you otherwise entertained.
6. Domes White Coast, Milos
Named after the ethereal white rock formations on the resort’s privately owned waterfront nature preserve, Domes White Coast Milos is an adults-only boutique hotel with individual infinity pools overlooking the Aegean Sea. The hotel’s cubist, minimalist design — featuring whitewashed walls, neutral tones, and full-height windows — melt into the moonlike surroundings. The main pool is bathed in island sunshine from dawn ’till dusk, and for a refreshing way to cool off in between dips, simply ask for a just-juiced smoothie to be brought straight to your sun lounger.
7. Lindos Blu, Rhodes
The clue is in the name at Lindos Blu, an adults-only hideaway just outside Lindos — Rhodes’ prettiest coastal village. With its modern design, large sliding doors framed by aqua coloured dip-dye drapes ensure soul-stirring sea views from every angle throughout the property. Splashes of blue stand out against crisp white bedding in each of the rooms, suites, villas and maisonettes — all drawing the eye towards the mesmerising Mediterranean Sea.
8. Liostasi Hotel, Ios
Minimalist décor at Liostasi Hotel & Suites places the emphasis on the alluring Aegean views and Ios’ rugged natural beauty. Spend a slow, sun-drenched afternoon on the balcony of a sea-facing suite, or opt for the Design Sea View Suite to bubble away in your own hot tub. After watching the sun set with a fresh lemonade in hand, gather around the olive trees at Cine Liostasi — the hotel’s outdoor movie theatre — for a balmy film night beneath the stars.
9. Naxian Collection, Naxos
A chic cluster of sugar-cube villas sitting prettily in cedar-scented gardens, the Naxian Collection feels like a home-from-home on the wild and windswept island of Naxos. Nature’s bounty supplies the rustic restaurant — you can see the cellar and family-owned vineyards where the wine you’re sipping is sourced from, and the olive oil is harvested from their centuries-old groves. This is the kind of place you could happily do very little at all, but if you fancy a foray, the treasures of Naxos town are a stone-skim away. The same goes for beautiful beaches, walking and horse-riding trails.
10. The Petra, Patmos
With just 11 rooms and suites, The Petra forms a miniature village decked out in traditional island design with white-washed walls and paintings by Patmos artists — all within walking distance of the beach where colourful fishing boats bob across the bay. Gaze out across the water towards Kalikatsou Rock from the intimate dining terrace (which serves delicious homecooked dishes inspired by ‘mama Petra’), with yet more sea views to be enjoyed from the pool and charming bedrooms.
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