Calme Boutique Hotel

Epar.Od. Parikias-Piso Livadiou, Paros, Greece

A haven of tranquillity on the south side of Paros, Calme Boutique enjoys a prime spot on one of the Cyclades’ pristine islands. The most exclusive hotel in the area, its nine rooms all have ocean views, and six have infinity pools. There are 1.2 members of staff for every guest, all of whom are dressed in flowing white and speak in hushed tones. The restaurant’s executive chef, Iossif Sikianakis, trained under Alain Ducasse in Paris and cooks with vegetables grown in the grounds.

The hotel’s refined luxury is characterised as much by what it leaves out as what is provided. Rooms are decorated with an almost Japanese minimalism. Think delicate flowers floating in a vase of water, milky pebbles from the beach stacked in ascending size order and, in the bathroom, five glass bottles each hold a single leaf or wildflower. After all, what’s the need for fuss and frills when you have a staggering view of Naxos and Ios from every room? Developed 25 years ago, this is the most beautiful section of the island’s coastline. In winter, southern winds nurture apricot trees in pretty Drios village and scatter powdery sand across Chrissi Akti beach (just 700m from the hotel), while during summer, northerly breezes ensure the waters are kept crystalline.