Costa Navarino, Greece
Best for an elegant serving of Greek culture
You’d be forgiven for letting out an audible sigh as you arrive at the open-air lobby of The Romanos. The hotel’s elegant Greek architecture blends into the backdrop of sprawling olive groves and azure waters that characterise the oft-overlooked region of the Peloponnese, in southern Greece. The feeling of walking onto a film set – or an impossibly gorgeous Instagram feed – only intensifies as you explore the property, a beach resort formed of two hotels, a spa and countless places to wine, dine and relax. From the stunning pool area to the lush herb gardens, this is a place tailored to luxury-seekers.
Whole days can be whiled away in the awardwinning Anazoe spa (facials from £140, massages from £100). Take a dip in the various hydrotherapy pools, salt water pool, steam rooms, saunas, health showers and ice grotto, or book yourself in for some pampering treatments. The spa uses natural and locally sourced products where possible, such as in the signature Messinian salt and honey scrub. With 20 restaurants, bars and cafés on site, you won’t struggle to find somewhere to suit. Tuck into breakfast (included) at Pero, where a seemingly endless selection of delicacies is on offer – from made-to-order omelettes to Greek cheese and spinach pies, pastries and cakes. At lunch, dine under the fluttering silk roof at beach restaurant Barbouni, serving fresh seafood, Greek salads topped with slabs of feta (£16), and grilled halloumi with flatbread (£12). For an extra-special dinner in luxe surroundings, head to Japanese restaurant Onuki. Sample platters of beautifully prepared sushi, sashimi (£38 for 12 pieces), and, if you’re feeling flush, grilled wagyu with a truffle ponzu sauce (£107). For keen foodies, there are local olive oil and wine tastings, and authentic cooking courses where you can learn to make tiganites (Greek-style pancakes), hylopites (traditional noodles) and galatopita (custard pie) with the expertise of local ladies. And if that’s not enough to work up your appetite, there are plenty of activities to get stuck into: hiking, mountain biking, tennis and various watersports. Golf enthusiasts are spoilt by two courses (and spectators by the exceptional barbecue food on offer at greenside Flame restaurant).
Sarah Lienard
How to do it
Doubles at The Romanos start at £248 per night including breakfast (costanavarino.com). The adjoining hotel, The Westin, is better equipped for family fun, with play areas, squash courts, basketball courts, indoor climbing and a crèche.
From the pool area to the lush herb gardens, this is a place tailored to luxuryseekers