When we think of Greece, the first things we picture are the enchanting waterfronts and rugged cliffs encrusted with brilliantly white houses, topped by blue domes and roofs. But the country also has spectacular mountains, original folklore, and food synonymous with healthy living. And if all that wasn’t enough, the remains of civilizations spanning thousands of years truly make Greece an all-round destination.
Like everything in the country, the best new hotels in Greece often leverage ancient history in their design and concepts, but they also enthrall with a unique atmosphere and beautiful vistas. From the bustling Mykonos to the stunning Santorini, and from the diverse Crete to the mainland, the hotels on our list make the best use of the Greek allure.
The Kalesma in Ornos Bay takes the luxury boutique hotel scene in Mykonos up a level. This charming, all-suite hotel is the first on the island where every single room equipped with a private swimming pool. Created to resemble a whitewashed village, Kalesma is located a short walk from the beach and features two luxury villas in addition to its suites, as well as a restaurant.
Website: Kalesma Mykonos, Greece. Opened in 2020. Images © Kalesma Mykonos
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Parilio’s name references a “bright, sunlike optical illusion, often on a luminous ring or halo,” and indeed, its design feels just as dazzling. The architecture carries the simplistic beauty of the all-white Cycladic style, and the interiors of its thirty-three guestrooms mix the local aesthetics with a unique contemporary chic. Exposed concrete, local marble, and natural stone serve as a backdrop to warm timber, handmade rugs, elegant furniture—all set in a muted color palette of white and ivory, grey and earthy sienna.
Parīlio is the fourth hotel from hoteliers Kaila and Antonis Eliopoulos, and their small portfolio includes the stunning Istoria Santorini.
Website: Parīlio, Paros, Greece. Opened in 2019. Photo © Parīlio
With only three suites, Vora focuses on a minimal number of guests, with tranquility and exclusivity as the selling points. The hotel is carved out of the cliff edge on the Santorinian caldera, dozens of meters above the surface of the Aegean, and is designed to offer sensory contrasts. Vora stands out among the best new hotels in Greece as one of the most exciting openings on Santorini in recent years.
Since its launch, we have stayed at Vora — make sure to read our review!
Website: Vora Villas, Santorini, Imerovigli, Greece.
Opened in 2019. Photos (including the leading shot at the top of the article) © Vora
The Peloponnese peninsula has so much to offer. The interior has wild mountains, clear rivers, crumbling castles, temples, and monasteries, and the Mediterranean sea is never far away. And now you can also enjoy one of the best-designed hotels in the region. Adapted from a small Greek wine factory that can trace its origins to the 1920s, Dexamenes Seaside Hotel entices with a sublime, clean-lined chic inspired by the industrial history. There are 34 guestrooms, as well as a bar lounge and taverna with an open “kitchen lab.”
Website: Dexamenes Seaside Hotel, Peloponnese, Greece.
Opened in 2019. Photo © Dexamenes Seaside Hotel
Located a few steps from Kalo Livadi Beach of Mykonos, regarded as one of the most beautiful beaches on the island, Nomad offers bohemian-style luxury and an atmosphere of carefree vacations. Minimalistic lines and organically-shaped corners, and interiors set in earthy hues create a sense of space and freedom. The hotel features thirteen suites, a restaurant, an outdoor swimming pool, and a fitness center. There is also free private parking.
Website: Nomad Mykonos, Kalo Livadi, Greece.
Opened in 2020. Photos © Nomad Mykonos
Nobu Hotel Santorini promises personalized services, a tranquil atmosphere, and top-notch luxury in its twenty-five individually-designed rooms. Among them are five villas and five suites; the highlights are the large villas with private swimming pools. Other facilities include a gym, and a wellbeing-focused spa, offering personalized treatments. The design of Nobu blends minimalistic chic with Cycladic influences, and the hotel enjoys a spectacular location on top of the cliff, ensuring panoramic views of the sea and the volcanic caldera.
Website: Nobu Hotel Santorini.
Opened in 2022. Photo © Nobu Hotels
Olea All Suite Hotel introduces to Zakynthos a wellness-focused philosophy that blends minimalistic design with quiet romantic ambiance. Located on a picturesque hill and surrounded by olive trees, the hotel boasts three Greek-Mediterranean restaurants. The facilities including the spa, yoga pavilion, gym, and beauty salon, are all integral to the wellness experience.
Website: Olea All Suite Hotel, Zakynthos, Greece.
Opened in 2018. Photos © Olea All Suite Hotel
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This is not exactly a brand new opening, but a relaunch. Vadema Resort grew from a 100-year-old mansion with a 400-year-old wine cellar, and following the latest refurbishment work, the hotel unveiled a new look and upgraded facilities. These include the all-day restaurant, pool bar, the main pool area, and the open-air Jacuzzi area. All guest rooms were also updated, and the Presidential Villa, housed in the mansion, has been transformed into a luxurious retreat with three bedrooms and new interiors. The hotel is located in the village of Megalohori, in the mainland of Santorini.
Website: Vedema, a Luxury Collection Resort, Santorini.
Re-opened in 2019. Photo © Marriott International
Formerly known as Casa Cook Chania and now rebranded as Domes Zeen, this family-focused luxury boutique hotel seduces with a bohemian chic and a tropical beach club vibes. Located on a hillside overlooking a stretch of Cretan coast, the Domes Zeen has just over one hundred rooms, many featuring private pools. Its facilities also include a large swimming pool, and a restaurant and a bar, designed in a modernist style, with earthy tones complementing the bright Aegean skies.
Website: Domes Zeen Chania, Crete, Greece.
Opened in 2019. Photo © Domes Resorts
Istoria claims to be one of “the most Instagrammable hotels” on Santorini — a bold thing to say on an island filled with some of the most beautiful small hotels in Europe. But then, Istoria does seem to have the right design ideas. The property embraces architecture that skillfully merges the white minimalist forms of Santorini with rustic stone walls and clean interiors. The contemporary style features mosaic floors and massive stone pots and vessels, as well as handcrafted textiles and designer furniture.
Website: Istoria Hotel Santorini, Greece.
Opened in 2018. Photos © Istoria Hotel Santorini
Set on top of the hill overlooking Elia Beach in Mykonos, Panoptis Escape offers comfort and luxury, reflected in imaginative architecture, a high level of service, and amenities that include private infinity pools and jacuzzis. The hotel has a small collection of spacious, luxurious boutique villas designed in minimalist style and furnished with artisan attention to detail. Panoptis Escape promises serenity inspired by the philosophy of “less is more,” with a focus on getting the fundamentals of a luxury stay just right.
Website: Panoptis Escape, Mykonos, Greece. Opened in 2020. Photo © Panoptis Escape
Canaves Oia Epitome overlooks a fishing village of Ammoudi and boasts an infinity pool, a restaurant, and a sunset bar — and access to a beach, a rarity on the island of Santorini. The guest suites are equipped with plunge pools, positioned to make the best out of the legendary Santorini views. The Epitome is part of a collection of five boutique hotels located in and around Oia.
Website: Canaves Oia Epitome, Santorini, Greece.
Opened in 2018. Photos © Canaves Oia Hotel
Standing strong among the best new hotels in Greece is Monsieur Didot, one of the most exciting hotels to open in Athens in recent years. Situated in a neighborhood defined by theatres, museums, historic bookstores, and countless cafés, Monsieur Didot epitomizes a sense of discreet luxury and relaxation, built from the elements od sophisticated culture, cultivated well-being, and aesthetic pleasure. More of a home than a hotel, the hotel fuses deep-rooted history and 21st-century comforts in an elegant, neoclassical building, reflecting the multidimensional character of Athens.
Website: Monsieur Didot, Athens, Greece.
Opened in 2019. Photo © Monsieur Didot
The Wild Hotel looks over a tiny beachfront village with a tranquil, picturesque port reminiscent of how Mykonos used to be. It offers thirty-nine suites & villas, and an all-day pool bar and restaurant called The Taverna, proudly serving the best of Greek cuisine. A private beach is accessible via a cobblestone staircase, and there is also a spa and a small gym, and an infinity pool looking out to the sparkling Aegean.
Website: The Wild by Interni, Kalafatis, Mykonos, Greece.
Opened in 2019. Photos © The Wild by Interni
A collection of former homes, barns, and cellars, extended with new structures and connected with alleyway-like paths makes up The Saint Hotel. The interiors, per local traditions, appear carved out of the steep hillside, and the rooms follow an austere chic, with minimal fittings, but comfortable furnishings. Located on the outskirts of the Odi village and perched atop the famous cliffs of Santorini, the hotel offers unobstructed views to the caldera, Santorini’s volcanic bay — which guests can enjoy from private terraces with swimming pools and loungers. The Saint Hotel features a restaurant, a spa, and a gym.
Website: The Saint Suites, Oia, Santorini, Greece.
Opened in 2019. Photo © The Saint Hotel
The former San Giorgio Mykonos has joined Soho House, the exclusive private-club-cum-hotel brand. Soho Roc House has forty-five rooms, a swimming pool, a bar, a Mediterranean-accented restaurant, as well as an outdoor gym, restaurant, and lounge areas. The private beach with the famous Beach Club Scorpios is also still in operation, and the Scorpios Bazaar boutique, filled with carefully-curated brands that embrace handmade craft is an artisanal fashionista’s dream. The Cycladic-inspired boho chic, with light colors and raw wood, stone, and linen, defines the style of the hotel.
Website: Soho Roc House, Mykonos, Greece. Opened in 2020. Photo © Soho Roc House
The ruins of Akrotiri, the bronze-age settlement abandoned ahead of the eruption that destroyed the ancient island of Santorini, are a popular tourist attraction. Not far from the site is COCO-MAT Hotel Santorini, designed around rejuvenation. The interior design fits this philosophy, with earthy tones, natural fabrics, and handmade furniture set against the organic curves of Cycladic architecture. The hotel features a panoramic swimming pool overlooking the caldera, and only fifteen suites, ranging from 30 to 60 square meters, with balconies, terraces, or private outdoor jacuzzis.
Website: COCO-MAT Hotel Santorini.
Opened in 2020. Photos © COCO-MAT
Katikies Garden Hotel in Fira offers a very different experience to its famous, older sister hotel in Oia (which we stayed at and reviewed — don’t miss our write-up). The Katikies Garden is built on the grounds of a former monastery and is surrounded by alleys adorned with flowers. The forty suites of this property are outfitted with private swimming pools, gardens, and verandas.
Website: Katikies Garden, Fira, Santorini.
Opened in 2019. Photo © Katikies Garden
Next time we are in Athens, we know where to check-in. Located only 30 minutes from the historic city center, and occupying a lovely spot on the trendy Athens Riviera, the new Four Seasons Astir Palace promises a laid-back seaside escape with easy access to Acropolis. The hotel features 303 guest rooms, suites, and bungalows, as well as three pools, two private beaches, and as many as eight restaurants, lounges, and bars. The Spa offers a menu of treatments “inspired by the ancient teachings of Hippocrates.”
Website: Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens, Greece.
Opened in 2019. Photos © Four Seasons Hotels
This luxury spa hotel of 58 suites is one of the cliff-edge properties in Imerovigli, perfectly positioned for the iconic sunset views. The range of facilities of the hotel includes a spa, a swimming pool with underwater music, and even a man-made beach with imported sand. The restaurant menus contrast two very different traditions: one of the ancient Greece progeny and another from Japan, in the Oishii Sushi Bar.
Website: Andronis Arcadia, Oia, Santorini, Greece.
Opened in 2019. Photo © Andronis Arcadia
There was plenty of news from the hospitality world in Greece in recent years, but the luxury travel niche saw a limited number of new hotels and resorts. That said, the below shortlist makes a worthy companion to the main list.
“Crete, the largest [island] of them all, is diverse, with plenty of gorges, beaches, and archeological sites — the most spellbinding of which is Knossos, the ancient capital of doomed civilization […]” — The Best of Greece
Author: Travel+Style. Last updated: 07/12/2022
