Rest Ashore Chic retreat, rustic B&B or designer villa? Find your perfect island hideaway, says Susan d’Arcy – whatever your budget
MYKONOS BLU, MYKONOS GOOD FOR: SHOW-OFFS Mykonos Blu is as handsome as island hotels come. Instead of rooms, there are ‘island bungalows’ smattered across gardens of cactus, yucca and palms, overlooking gorgeous Psarou Bay below. Popstar-beautiful guests – predominantly Athenian weekenders – either lounge by the cubist whitewashed pool, bask on the beach or take refuge for lunch at L’Archipel, the shaded poolside café. grecotel.com ANEMI HOTEL, FOLEGANDROS Good for: Design divas Minimalism works brilliantly in Greece, where nature’s colours are so dazzling that you’d be crazy to try to compete with them. The Anemi keeps it low-key, with white walls, grey paintwork and black or cobalt ’60s-inspired furniture, as well as striking oversized photographic studies that double as bedheads. The 44 rooms occupy 12 houses built around a stunning infinity pool overlooking the bay of Karavostasis and the island’s sleepy little harbour. It has a gym and a tennis court, if you can drag yourself away from the pretty beach on your doorstep. anemihotels.com SPLANZIA HOTEL, CRETE Good for: Style on a budget Tucked into the photogenic, Venetian-built harbour of Chania, the Splanzia overlooks a spiralling minaret, an easy amble along the cobbles from one of the island’s best restaurants, The Well of the Turk. Great location aside, the hotel has contemporary style in spades, from the decadent chaises longues in the lobby to the giant hammock on the rooftop terrace. The eight rooms 48
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are ‘Eastern chic’, according to its owner, a designer-turned-hotelier. That translates to neutral and mushroom tones teamed with dark woods, Balinese four-posters, leather accessories and lots of shimmering drapes. splanzia.com AEGEAN SUITES, SKIATHOS Good for: A grown-up break If you’re seeking respite from bawling babies, head for the Aegean Suites – an elegant just-adults enclave (it only accepts guests over the age of 13). The 20 suites are designer-cool, with spacious sitting rooms adorned with paintings by up-andcoming Greek artists and verandas big enough for candlelit dinners. There’s an on-site spa, gym, pool and whirlpool tub as well as three restaurants and, just across the road, the fine sandy beach of Megali Ammos. aegeansuites.com THE GECKO, LEFKADA Good for: Sophisticated self-catering This villa could easily grace the pages of Elle Deco. Expect remote controls to open the curtains, broadband throughout, and a shady ‘reading’ pool as well as a showstopping infinity number that runs the length of the main terrace. You might quarrel over who gets which room – the deck suite is lovely, the galleried bedroom exquisite. The kitchen’s also big enough to share: double oven, panini maker (see, it’s far too posh for a plain old toastie machine) and various Neff and Miele appliances are guaranteed to bring out your inner Ramsay. The villa is on the rugged west coast, too, which means there are fewer tourists and fantastic sunsets.