For seasoned Greece-bound travelers, the “Mykonos or Santorini?” debate has been replaced by a different question this summer: “Where to next?” The Cyclades’ newest boutique resorts invite visitors to venture beyond the area’s most popular tourist destinations, where unique experiences (and fresh beaches) await. Here are three islands to consider.
Gundari on Folegandros
Gundari, located on the small island of Folegandros, is among the latest luxury properties opening in time for the peak summer season.
“It’s an island that still has very much a strong soul,” says Gundari founder and chief executive officer Ricardo Larriera. He compares Folegandros’ appeal to what the nearby Santorini was like 30 years ago, before the island’s popularity soared, leading to its main towns becoming overrun with hotels, nightlife appeal and tourist-driven shops. “It still feels untouched because the locals are still living in and around the island, the locals are still farming, the locals are still wandering around on their donkeys,” adds Larriera of Folegandros, which is a 45-minute boat ride from Santorini. “You really get a sense of timelessness there.”
Gundari, which began welcoming visitors in May, is Folegandros’ first luxury resort. Larriera, who’s based in Australia, first visited the island several years ago at the recommendation of a Greek expat friend. Blown away by the location’s natural beauty and intimacy of the local community, Larriera saw an opportunity to bring an elevated boutique hotel to the island. He also set out to make Gundari a case study in meshing sustainability with uncompromised luxury hospitality, drawing inspiration from the Aman hotel brand.
“Our positioning is focused on giving people a really raw, nature and dramatic landscape-based luxury experience,” he says, adding that Gundari will appeal to a more independent luxury traveler — someone who’s comfortable with taking a chance on a less-trodden location, and taking their travel itinerary into their own hands. Leading up to the opening, resort bookings were led by American and British travelers, a signal of international appetite for a new summer destination in the area.
The property offers sea-view suites and villas, some with private pools. There is a spa onsite, and a seasonal-driven restaurant and bar featuring a menu designed by Michelin-starred Greek chef Lefteris Lazarou. Room rates start at 520 euros per night.
Folegandros’ main town and “crown jewel” is Chora, located on a high cliff with winding maze-like streets, originally constructed to ward off pirates. Today, the vibrant town boasts charming restaurants and bars, free from car traffic. Other island attractions include the Church of Panagia, secluded beaches, and scenic vistas well worth the trek.
One&Only Kéa Island
Kéa is one hour from Athens, making it the closest Cyclades island to mainland Greece: 30 minutes by boat, 15 by helicopter. The resort offers one- and two-bedroom suites, with views of the sea or island landscape. Each option is outfitted with a private pool and deck, and design elements are rooted in highlighting the island’s natural beauty with high ceilings and open archways, and materials like local marble. Onsite dining includes a “farm and sea to table” restaurant, pool bar, and the Bond Beach Club, which boasts a resident DJ and Latin-Asian cuisine. Kéa will appeal to travelers looking for a less scene-y scene, with plenty of hiking paths and ancient ruins, and the island’s notable Lion of Kéa sculpture from 600 BC. The luxury of privacy and seclusion comes at a price: with the brand firmly rooted in the ultra-luxury category, room prices start at $2,750 euros during peak season.
Odera Tinos
Marriott has opened Odera, its newest Autograph Collection property, on the island of Tinos, about a 20-minute boat ride away from Mykonos. Odera is the island’s first luxury hotel, offering visitors 77 rooms and suites, most with panoramic views of the sea and opening out on shared and private plunge pools. Onsite restaurants led by chef Dimitris Skarmoutsos offer Mediterranean cuisine with a distinctly Tinian influence, including local wines with the island’s distinct terroir. Tinos is home to the Panagia Evangelistria church, a prominent pilgrimage destination; other attractions include the Museum of Marble Crafts, located in the “marble village” of Pyrgos, and, of course: the beaches. Room rates start at around $282 euros a night.
