Mandarin Oriental Costa Navarino Hotel

Greece

There’s no such thing as a sharp line at this idyllic beach resort found stretching the Peloponnese coast in upscale Costa Navarino. Drawing guests into its fold in an undulation of curves and soft edges, its 99 suites and villas are etched into the hillside that edges down to the beach. Swathed in natural wildflowers, native shrubs and some 4,000 olive trees, it’s designed to deliver sweeping views of the inky Ionian Sea beyond from every standpoint. To stay here is to be enveloped in the warmth of Greek hospitality, with staff harnessing the true spirit of xenia since it opened last summer. While grand in scale, there’s an intimacy, with the sense of retro-futurism delivered by the architecture ending itself to privacy. Villas with private pools and sunken entrances are carved into the rock face and so tucked away – clad with a living roof – you could easily miss them. Within, it’s a soothing story of earthy tones, local stone, natural wood, woven fabrics and intricate motifs that reimagine 19th-century Messenian design for the modern traveller. Floor-to-ceiling windows draw in light, while Mandarin Oriental’s thoughtful signature touches are flecked throughout. Indeed, there’s beauty to be found everywhere, from the staggering pool and beach club area with sunken bar and the glorious spa complete with a storey-high indoor-outdoor pool, to the open-air lobby and lounge with stacks of books and hanging plants. By day, guests can head to the in-house golf course or a delicious cookery class with a local woman in a traditional home, go hiking, yachting and even collect botanicals to hand-dye local silks. As for the food: excellent across the board; from breakfasts of local delicacies to quality Levantine and refined Greek plates, they’ve got you covered. BG.

Doubles from £816. 00 30 272 3099 888. mandarinoriental.com

Words by Megan Dickson; Blossom Green; Alex Mead.

This review was taken from the May 2024 issue of Food and Travel. To subscribe today, click here.