Easy Going Greek Island Design & Spa Resorts

Endless panoramic views from majestic white-washed Cycladic buildings await visitors to the Greek islands in summer. Escape from the hustle and bustle of busy tourist hubs like Zante and get off the beaten trail by staying at any of these magnificent Greek island resorts.

Each property has been designed to provide uninterrupted vistas and reimagined luxury, while on-site eateries and tavernas serve up some of the best food in the Mediterranean. Discover the most beguiling properties to stay at on the Greek Islands this summer.

Daios Cove, Crete

• Best for: A luxury wellness escape on the popular island of Crete
• Rooms from: $1,267 per night (deluxe room with a sea view)
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Though Daios Cove is situated at the heart of Crete’s most popular tourist area, Elounda, it doesn’t feel like a typical Greek beach resort. This hotel stands out because it has its own cove – Daios – with no other hotel in sight.

Accommodations are in 300 rooms dotted above the cove, each with an uninterrupted sea view. While the resort has a large communal pool beside the beach, many hillside villas have private pools, perfect for a sunset dip and a cocktail in privacy.

The Kepos by Goco Spa has an indoor swimming pool, yoga center, and 16 treatment rooms for massages and full-body therapies. You can also book a cryotherapy treatment, which reduces inflammation and boosts your overall energy during your stay.

While most boutique hotels in Crete have one or two on-site restaurants, Daios Cove has five. Marios Petrakis, the resort’s head chef, oversees all menus while mingling with guests. Each restaurant has a unique theme.

RHO is perhaps the standout of the five, under the command of head chef Konstantinos Mandylas, who serves up local favorites like Kilados Shrimps (€35/$40) and lobster with orange, fennel, and chilli (€80/$92).

Odera, Tinos

• Best for: A secluded yet luxurious escape far from the crowded Greek islands
• Rooms from: €257 ($298) for panoramic doubles; junior suites from €355 ($412)
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Part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, Odera is perched above Vourni Beach on the tiny island of Tinos, making it the perfect escape if you’re keen to avoid the crowds of peak tourist season in this part of the world.

Accommodations are offered in 54 pool suites and 23 standard rooms, all with unparalleled views across the turquoise Aegean. The Elite Private Pool Suites are the pick of the rooms, with seamless indoor and outdoor transitions and a heated infinity pool with sweeping coastal views. The Elite Suite starts at €646 ($750) nightly.

The Odera wellness center is more than a spa. It offers an extensive menu of wellness treatments embedded in the Tinian Island’s rejuvenation philosophy. The signature treatment is the Sun Savior, which features a full-body exfoliation and deep massage with aloe vera. It costs €165 ($191) for ninety minutes.

Executive chef Stamatis Marmarinos serves timeless Greek specialities in Odera’s restaurant, Eos. The dinner menu also features Beluga Caviar (€95/$110 for 10 grams) and seafood specialities like oysters, tuna tataki, and sea bass carpaccio. Entrees range from $18 to $110, with seared steaks served at a premium.

Porto Zante, Zakynthos

• Best for: Luxurious private villa accommodations with pools
• Rooms from: €2,450 ($2,847) per night (deluxe spa villa with heated beachfront pool)
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Featured on Conde Nast’s Gold List in 2024, Porto Zante in Zakynthos is one of the most luxurious places to stay on any of the Greek islands. Located within a secluded bay on a private sandy beach overlooking turquoise waters, Porto Zante offers accommodations in one, two, three, four, and five-bedroom villas with sprawling Kefalonian views.

All villas have a private heated pool, while most have outdoor terraces for private, in-villa dining.

The spa features over 20 full-body treatments from around the world, with luxury products supplied by APIVITA and BVLGARI. Seafront yoga, meditation, and Pilates classes are also offered to all guests upon request.

The Club House Restaurant serves up Greek and Mediterranean cuisine, but the Asian Fusion menu at Maya Restaurant steals the show. Japanese Wagyu steaks, clam and oyster platters, and fresh Sushi and Sashimi all play a starring role.

Kalesma, Mykonos

• Best for: Unrivaled five-star luxury in private suites on Mykonos
• Rooms from: $969 per night (deluxe double with sea view)
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Kalesma, meaning “invitation” in Greek, is a welcoming, luxurious retreat on the otherwise well-traveled paradise holiday island, Mykonos.

Twenty-five tastefully decorated suites overlook the Aegean Sea at Kalesma, with magnificent, unobstructed views of the charming Ornos Bay.

Accommodations are in a whitewashed collection of pavilions, with interior design inspired by the “Aloni” concept, effortlessly blending architecture and nature. All suites have private, ocean-facing pools, while two grand villas (Artemis & Apollon) are the site’s biggest and most noteworthy properties.

Under head chef Costas Tsingas, Pere Ubu specializes in Greek mezes (sharing plates) throughout the day and long into the night. Sea urchin, Botargo, Saganaki, and sauteed mussels all capture the imagination on the seafood-inspired menu.

The most popular therapies at the on-site spa are the Glow Skincare Treatments by Dr Barbara Sturm, while all residents can pre-book therapies and massages in room or on the private terrace.

Kastelli Resort, Santorini

• Best for: A romantic Greek spa escape close to ancient ruins
• Rooms from: $221 per night (executive superior)
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Less than a mile from the ancient ruins at Thera, Kastelli is a luxury, boutique spa resort on the magical island of Santorini.

Choose from 59 rooms within the whitewashed Cycladic-inspired buildings. Two pools and a sanctuary spa offer a full menu of treatments. Executive superior rooms with a terrace start at $221 per night, breakfast included, while the luxury suites with a private hot tub start at $339 per night.

Just four kilometres from the airport and 250 meters from the beach, Kastelli is secluded enough to be private and relaxing, but close enough to tavernas, eateries, and nightlife to offer a change of pace when required.

The Turkish bath treatment at the spa comes highly recommended, while signature massages like the Swedish and Deep Tissue treatments start at €80 ($92) per person for a fifty-minute session.

The Greek islands are home to idyllic white-sand beaches and turquoise waters perfect for bathing. For many, trips to Crete, Santorini, and Mykonos are a journey to paradise on earth, so make sure you book into a hotel that meets your expectations.

The above properties are tastefully designed and stunningly engineered for comfort and wellness during your summer escape. Book today for a memorable trip to one of Europe’s favorite vacation destinations.