Conde Nast Traveller: The 15 best beach hotels in Europe - 3 in Greece
Three Greek hotels, Ekies All Senses Resort in Halkidiki, Kyrimai in Gerolimenas, Lakonia, Peloponnese and Ammos Hotel in Hania are among the best beach hotels in Europe, according to cntraveller.com.
The leading travel magazine describes them as follows:
EKIES ALL SENSES RESORT, VOURVOUROU, HALKIDIKI, GREECE
The emphasis at Ekies is very much on hanging out horizontally. With its oversized, Indian-style daybed in the lobby, Coco-Mat mattresses in the bedrooms, thick-cushioned sun loungers on its small beach, and hammock strung up in the sea, naps - accompanied by the lulling sounds of the waves and the cicadas - are thoroughly encouraged. Owner Alexandra Efstathiadou has turned the place around, commissioning four designers from Greece's award-winning agency Beetroot (among them Vangelis Liakos, now her husband) to curate new looks for the 64 rooms and the common living spaces. The results could have been messy but, thanks to Alexandra's style-conscious eye, are instead fun and quirky. There are graphic touches, such as the stylised creatures (bees, squirrels and jellyfish) painted onto the walls to represent the fauna of the surrounding Sithonia peninsula, as well as more obvious additions such as Panton S chairs, polished concrete flooring and Tom Dixon lighting. But for all this attention to design detail, Ekies is essentially a barefoot hideaway, where sarongs rather than shoes take precedence in the dress code.
Distance to the water: On its own beach.
Travel time: Three-hour, 10-minute flight to Thessaloniki, then a 75-minute drive.
Inside tip: Head to the old town of nearby Nikiti for an iced coffee or a glass of wine on the shady terrace up in the hills at Café Barcarolla, surrounded by the scent of jasmine, fig and pine trees.
KYRIMAI, GEROLIMENAS, PELOPONNESE, GREECE
Finding Kyrimai is tricky, lying as it does at the end of a tiny road that winds down one of Peloponnese's long fingers, past miniature Byzantine churches, gorges and wandering goats. But it is well worth the drive. A converted warehouse dating back to the 1870s, the hotel sits as close to the water's edge as is possible, with a central tower looking out to sea. The 22 bedrooms, all different, are spread out, some in the tower, others off an interior courtyard or clustered around a spiral stone staircase. Inside, all is silent and pared-back, with wooden beams, exposed stonework, and crisp grey and white linen on the beds. In the mornings, heavy shutters open to reveal a blast of cerulean sky and the rhythmic slap of the sea against the mossy green walls beneath. Terraces of honey-coloured stone are warmed by the sun and toasty underfoot. Breakfast is a feast of just-baked pastries, local honey and creamy yogurt, served beneath a shady pergola by the swimming pool. This is also the venue for lunch, with plates of just-fried calamari and smoked aubergine salad washed down with Asirtiko wine from nearby Monemvasia. The surrounding countryside has classical ruins and antiquities to explore, but no one will bat an eyelid if you spend the day by the pool, stirring only to cool down by leaping from the jetty into the sea. NEXT>>
Distance to the water: Three steps.
Travel time: Three-hour flight to Kalamata, then a 90-minute drive.
Inside tip: The wonderful 11th-century church currently being restored in nearby Ochia is worth a visit.
AMMOS HOTEL, CHANIA, CRETE, GREECE
Breakfast alone makes the trip to this chic little beach resort on the west coast of Crete worthwhile. You could stay for a week and still not try everything: freshly baked spinach pie; orange cake; sesame cookies; Cretan yogurt with honey and nuts; mini barley rusks piled high with feta, olives and tomato. All are served in the groovy, Moroccan-tiled dining room with its primary-bright mismatched chairs until a very Mediterranean 11.30am (practically lunchtime for the many new parents who have wised up to this family-friendly getaway). Tables at the laid-back restaurant spill out past the swimming pool and down to a shallow, sandy beach, where the hotel has its own sunbeds and umbrellas. There's a playroom if you want to keep toddlers out of the sun, and babysitters are on call in the evening. Bedrooms in the low-rise, sugarcube-shaped building are perky, with bright, colour-blocked walls, Marimekko cushions of clashing patterns and African-print Moroso stools adding a grown-up touch. The best are the deluxe sea-view studios - freshly revamped for this summer - where you can watch the sunset from your balcony and nod off to the sound of the waves.
This is a feel-good hotel without any formality; most of the staff have been around for years and many guests are regulars, which comes as no surprise as the place is astonishingly good value. Owner Nikos Tsepetis, a self-confessed design junkie, has a black book packed with insider information about the region's stunning beaches and remote mountain villages, plus details on where to go in the lively Venetian harbour of Chania.
Distance to the water: Right on the beach.
Travel time: Three-hour, 50-minute flight to Chania, then a 20-minute drive.
Inside tip: Ask Nikos for directions to Dounias, a taverna hidden in the foothills of the White Mountains. Everything from the goat to the aubergines comes from the owner's farm and is slow-cooked in a wood-fired oven.
The complete list of the best beach hotels in Europe includes:
1. GECKO BEACH, FORMENTERA | Balearics, Spain
2. LA MALÀ, VERNAZZA | Liguria, Italy
3. HOTEL DE TOIRAS, SAINT-MARTIN-DE-RÉ | Ile De Re, France
4. EKIES ALL SENSES RESORT, Vourvourou, Halkidiki
5. DON FERRANTE, MONOPOLI, Puglia, Italy
6. HOSTEL SA RASCASSA, BEGUR, Costa Brava, Spain
7. LA COORNICHE, PYLA-SUR-MER | Bordeaux, France
8. Braye Beach Hotel, Alderney | Channel Islands
9. CENOBIO DEI DOGI, CAMOGLI | Liguria, Italy
10. KYRIMAI, Gerolimenas, Peloponnese
11. LA VOILE D'OR, CAP FERRAT | Cote d' Azur, France
12. LA MINERVETTA, SORRENTO | Amalfi Coast, Italy
13. HOTEL PORTIXOL, Mallorca| Balearics, Spain
14. AMMOS HOTEL, Hania| Crete
15. CAN SIMONETA, Mallorca| Balearics, Spain
Read more here.
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
- 1) Greek Tourism Minιster meets Hellenic Chamber of Hotels
- 2) Wyndham Rewards’ Member Month offers 5 weeks of deals, discounts, and bonus points
- 3) Wyndham: New growth cycle in Greece for the largest hotel chain franchise in the world
- 4) Highest bidder for Sani property in Greece's Chalkidiki announced
25/04 22:00
Greek FM talks with Kuwaiti counterpart on bilateral relations, regional cooperation
25/04 14:49
Prices of products in Easter Basket the same or lower in Greece than in 2023
25/04 13:57
25/04 12:44
Greece and China to ink cooperation protocols in the fisheries sector
25/04 09:53
Extended shop opening hours for Easter in Greece start on Thursday
25/04 02:19
Athens Airport voted as the best in marketing strategy at European awards in Denmark
25/04 02:10
President of Hellenic Republic visits La Chascona Museum in visit to Chile
24/04 21:31
Thirty-one Greek political parties to take part in European Parliament elections
24/04 21:25
Payment by bank cards now accepted on Athens Airport Express bus lines
24/04 14:12
Herculaneum papyri unveil more than location of Plato's tomb in Athens
23/04 23:52
Greece’s New Ambassador to the United States visits Queens in New York
23/04 21:49
Traffic regulations in Athens due to the Olympic Torch Relay on Thursday-Friday
23/04 20:59
President of Hellenic Republic wraps up visit to Uruguay at parliament
23/04 15:44
Greek government will pass legislation halving commission paid for POS transactions
23/04 15:03
Precise location of Plato's burial site unveiled by ancient papyrus
22/04 22:33
'Nature Positive' peport highlights new collaborative era in travel & tourism
22/04 21:25
22/04 20:37
Greek and Turkish delegations discuss Confidence Building Measures for 2024
22/04 18:29
Over 114,000 Greek Diaspora citizens register to vote by post in the European elections
22/04 13:40
19/04 01:29
Athens State Orchestra presents 'St. Matthew's Passion' by Bach on April 30th
18/04 21:49
Greek Climate Change Minister signs memorandum for Attica fire protection zones
18/04 20:32
'Easter Basket' and 'Godparents basket' to be put into effect next week in Greece
18/04 20:17
18/04 17:40
17/04 21:06
Thessaloniki Port: Performance growth for 2023 with record container throughput
17/04 20:57
Traffic regulations imposed in Athens for the 41st Peace Marathon on Sunday
17/04 20:52
17/04 18:15
Greek Foreign Minister addresses the 9th Our Ocean Conference in Athens
17/04 17:12
16/04 21:02
NHM hosts the Trial of Pericles at the Harris Theater in Chicago on April 17
16/04 20:17
Greece will invest $830 million to protect marine biodiversity
16/04 01:46
New York Greek Independence Parade honors 1821 and solemn Cyprus Anniversary
16/04 01:35
Olympic Games Paris 2024: Olympic Flame to be lit at Ancient Olympia in Greece
16/04 00:29
European Committee of Regions and UN release study on Rural Tourism
15/04 20:41
15/04 19:58
Minister: Greece is transforming into a hub for exporting quality agri-food products
15/04 18:51
Greek Environment Minister meets Chinese Deputy Minister of Natural Resources
13/04 00:13
UN Tourism and Croatia to launch Research Centre for Sustainable Tourism
12/04 00:03
2024 marks a critical year in the enduring strength of Greek-German relations
12/04 00:00
11/04 22:07
Ambassador: US committed to upgrade of Greek military and support NATO's SE flank
11/04 19:40
Hellenic Pride on display at rainy Chicago Greek Independence Day Parade
11/04 02:06
Delphi Economic Forum IX: Energy collaboration a 'key' in Greek-Bulgarian relations
11/04 01:58
UN Tourism launches investment guidelines for Albania sector
10/04 19:01
Greek FinMin: New package of economic measures in 2025 to lower taxes, raise pensions
10/04 18:25
Greek city of Nafplion hosts Mediterranean Yacht Show for ninth year running
09/04 23:57
Greek PM on Tilos: Innovative projects for a cyclical economy are of key significance
09/04 23:55
UN Tourism members promote agenda for Europe as region leads global recovery
09/04 23:46
HFS presents 1968, Rousing Docudrama about Greece’s First European Cup April 21
09/04 22:48
Stolen 7th-century BC oenochoe returned to Greece by Hanover museum, municipality
09/04 22:42
Greek civil servants confederation ADEDY to strike on May 21
09/04 21:55
Greek Migration Minister meets Senior US Coordinator for Lawful Migration
08/04 23:48
08/04 23:41
Elliniko-Argyroupoli Mayor marches in Greek Independence Philadelphia Parade
08/04 21:53
Project Voria casino complex in Maroussi moving ahead after environmental report
08/04 21:36
Minister: Up to 120 delegations to take part in 9th Our Ocean Conference in Athens
08/04 19:22
Direct flight from Shanghai to Athens offers access to key tourism market for Greece
08/04 18:31
AI conference to attract distinguished speakers to Thessaloniki on April 25-27
04/04 23:28
City of San Jose marks March 25 with 16th Annual Greek Flag Raising Event
04/04 22:16
Urban plans published for seven townships in Thessaloniki and Attica of Greece
04/04 17:24
FinMin: The new EU economic and fiscal framework is good for Greece
04/04 15:30
Greek PM meets with the chiefs of the international pharmaceutical manufacturers
04/04 00:15
Deputy Minister for Macedonia-Thrace meets US Embassy Deputy Mission Chief
03/04 20:12
Syracuse AHEPA Chapter 37 marks March 25th Greek Independence Day
03/04 18:10
Greece's Delphi Economic Forum on April 10-13 to focus on 'The Great Transition'
03/04 16:42
Minister: Industrial production has returned to the pre-crisis levels in Greece
02/04 18:06
30/03 23:21
Eleni Gatzoyiannis scholarship offered to Greek students at Boston University
29/03 16:44
3rd edition of 'This is Athens - City Festival' with 250+ events from May 1 until June 2
29/03 15:53
Athens Metro station Aghia Varvara to stay closed on Saturday and Sunday
29/03 13:55
Greek Foreign Minister for Economic Diplomacy concludes visit to Montenegro
29/03 12:00
29/03 11:51
28/03 18:41
Attica Region to channel 640 bln euros to services of vulnerable and disadvantaged groups
28/03 17:32
Greece to auction three-month T-bills on April 3, 2024 in a book entry form
28/03 15:46
Greece's Meteora Pyli Geopark added to UNESCO Global Geoparks network
28/03 14:44
IPTO announces framework agreement tender for undersea power cables in Greece
28/03 11:49
IOBE: Construction sector in Greece records robust growth and good prospects
26/03 23:51
St. Thomas Hellenic School honors 1821 and the Feast of the Annunciation in NJ
26/03 21:59
PM at Economic Club of Canada: Greece is an attractive investment destination
26/03 17:56
Greek State budget primary balance reaches a surplus of 3,378 million euros
26/03 11:45
Ancient Messene to get upgraded visitors' facilities after approval by Council
23/03 17:43
New requirements for 'Golden Visa' program to kick in on March 31
23/03 16:49
Athenians continue to head out of the Greek Capital for March 25 long weekend
23/03 16:47
Greek Parliament lights to be turned off for Earth Hour 8:30-9:30 pm
22/03 21:54
US President on Greek Independence Day: Alliance with Greece stronger than ever
22/03 19:51
High diplomacy and geopolitics at Delphi Economic Forum IX in Greece
22/03 19:32
Tax authorities enable payments with foreign bank cards in Greece
22/03 14:19
22/03 00:24
Greece ranks first on list of countries with fastest business environment progress
22/03 00:02
Hellenic Police acquires first electric VAN-type highway patrol vehicle
21/03 22:41
21/03 15:33
Unseen Museum presents "The stele of the twin babies" exhibition in Athens
20/03 22:48
Health Minister: 95% of Greek hospitals to perform afternoon surgeries
20/03 21:52
Greek Deputy Minister of Justice meets delegation from US Embassy in Athens
20/03 21:44
Greek Interior Minister to visit United States and Canada on postal vote
20/03 20:55
Philadelphia Icarians mark 85th Anniversary and organize Apokriatiko Dance
20/03 18:01
Development Minister: We continue the battle against high prices in Greece
19/03 22:28
President of the Hellenic Republic meets her Ethiopian counterpart in Athens
Greek FM talks with Kuwaiti counterpart on bilateral relations, regional cooperation
Greece and China to ink cooperation protocols in the fisheries sector
Prices of products in Easter Basket the same or lower in Greece than in 2023
Extended shop opening hours for Easter in Greece start on Thursday
Herculaneum papyri unveil more than location of Plato's tomb in Athens
Athens Airport voted as the best in marketing strategy at European awards in Denmark
Payment by bank cards now accepted on Athens Airport Express bus lines
Thirty-one Greek political parties to take part in European Parliament elections
President of Hellenic Republic visits La Chascona Museum in visit to Chile
Bill lifting restrictions for Greeks voting from abroad greenlighted by majority vote
Deadline to file taxes is extended in Greece to July 31 by Finance Ministry
Traffic regulations in Athens due to the Olympic Torch Relay on Thursday-Friday
Precise location of Plato's burial site unveiled by ancient papyrus
Greek capital of Athens among top-10 most beautiful cities for the second time
Greek supermarkets record rise in value and decline in volume of FMCG sales
New publication: 'I am not Maria - I am Callas: Her real life and an eon of myths'
Greece’s New Ambassador to the United States visits Queens in New York
Tri-city winter luncheon unites upstate New York Philoptochos chapters
Priceless antiquities returned to the people of Greece at New York Consulate
Impressive statue of Hercules unearthed in Philippi of Northern Greece
World Taste Atlas: Greek cuisine is the second best on the planet
Severe weather front to continue across Greece until Wednesday (video)
Hellenic-American Cultural Foundation presents lecture with US University President