For all its never falling out of fashion, Greece still holds surprises. Beyond the headline-grabbing islands is a mainland where mountain roads wind past sleepy monasteries and ancient olive groves pepper hillsides that are catnip for hikers and cyclists. It’s not just Santorini and Mykonos that offer whitewashed towns and villages where the daily rhythm of life has been gently honed over generations: think long lunches in village squares, golden-hour swims beneath pine-clad cliffs, and small hotels that feel like your own secret discovery. Greece-bound this summer? These are the mainland stays you’re going to want to know about.
Ekies All Senses Resort
Vourvourou, Halkidiki
Ekies All Senses Resort had a major makeover back in 2017, and it's safe to say that we've been a little bit obsessed with it ever since. The renovation project was headed up by London-based Beetroot, which worked with eco-conscious materials to honour Greek tradition, while creating a fresh, contemporary aesthetic. The 76 pared-back rooms and suites have been individually designed, featuring details such as glass screens, wicker baskets, platform beds, cushion-scattered divans and courtyards kitted out with hammocks, private pools and compelling coastal views. Elsewhere, an award-winning restaurant serves up dishes crafted from secret family recipes, while signature cocktails are infused with ingredients from the on-site herb garden. There's also access to a roster of wellness activities, a sizable outdoor pool and a lovely beach.ekies.gr
Credit: Bill Stamatopoulos
grand-forest.gr
Grand Forest Metsovo
Pindos, Peloponnese
Set atop a mountain on the fringes of the dramatic Pindus National Park, Grand Forest Metsovo was 20 years in the making – and worth the wait. The hotel is spread across eight stone buildings, showcasing 62 design-driven suites, a state-of-the-art spa, gym, boutique stocked with handmade jewellery and stellar food and drinks menus. While we love the snug bedrooms, it's the team's commitment to tailoring outdoor pursuits to each guest's individual needs that makes this place really stand out. Take your pick from activities including wild truffle hunting, cross-country skiing, off-road biking and canoeing.grand-forest.gr
Euphoria Retreat
Mystras, Peloponnese
Euphoria retreat came to life after its founder, Marina Efraimoglou, used centuries-old healing therapies to aid her recovery from a serious illness. Today, her destination spa champions medicines that are said to balance mind, body and soul. A line-up of targeted retreats see guests combat burnout through meditation, breathwork and journalling. Not your vibe? The hotel is spacious enough for you to remain in splendid isolation for the duration of your visit. You'll find us flitting between our dazzling boudoir and the verdant grounds, enjoying healthy Greek plates and regular dips in the pool.euphoriaretreat.com
Opora Country Living
Nafplio, Peloponnese
We've found your next culinary adventure: a blind lunch or dinner tasting menu at eco-farm Opora Country Living, starring on-site-grown fruit and veg grown, locally sourced meats and organic olive oil in an incredible array of Med-leaning dishes that changes daily, according to the season and the daily inspiration of the chefs. Food aside, this is the sort of place that makes you forget what life looks like beyond the property's boundaries - picture wide blue skies as far as the eye can see. Rooms come with private terraces and handcrafted furnishings, while bathrooms brim with organic wellness products courtesy of Olive Era.oporacountryliving.com
Meraviglia Slow Living
Preveza, Epirus
Opened in 2021, Meraviglia Slow Living was built from the ground up using raw and recycled materials, resulting in an eco-conscious hideout that will delight serenity-seekers. There are 12 Ionian Sea-facing suites, each equipped with a private pool framed by wild herb gardens and tall needle grasses. Bedrooms were purposefully designed to make the most of natural light, with plush daybeds and wooden chairs often found streaked in beams of sunlight. Interiors are the good kind of minimal, with cushioned headboards, floors made from handcrafted mosaics and pendant lights. There’s no designated restaurant space as such, but there is an exceptional food menu that will take you from brunch to dinner. If it's live music and dancing you're after, head to Preveza, a 10-minute drive away.meravigliaslowliving.com
Kinsterna Hotel
Monemvasia, Peloponnese
The castle town of Monemvasia tops our list for a slow-paced Greek getaway, with its white-sand bays, old-school fish tavernas and historical streetscape sprinkled with independent boutiques. It's one of the airy bedrooms at boutique Kinsterna Hotel that we suggest you book – all stone walls, upholstered armchairs and playful prints. Rise early and take a dip in the outdoor pool, powered by a freshwater spring and perfectly scented by the surrounding citrus trees. Otherwise, head for a session in the hammam, followed by a treatment at the spa, where products are formulated from produce harvested on the estate, from olive oil and honey to rosemary and lemongrass. There are three restaurants to pick from: it's the rustic, open-air Linos Tavern we like best. The leafy set-up sees candle-strewn tables laden with salads, breads and vegetables, and meats cooked to perfection in a wood-fired oven.kinsternahotel.gr
Kyrimai
Gerolimenas, Peloponnese
Located at the southernmost tip of the Mani peninsula in the picturesque village of Gerolimenas, 23-key Kyrimai is exactly what we like our chilled-out, grown-up hideouts to look like. Viewed from the azure Aegean waters, the converted 19th-century farmhouse is backed by craggy cliffs, its grounds blanketed in wild herbs and pine trees. Inside, calming interiors are characterised by metre-thick walls, dark wood and dry stone, with wicker furniture lending a contemporary finish. The beauty of this property is that it's full of surprises. Wander down winding staircases and weave through maze-like passageways, stumble upon sun-bleached courtyards and dance along the private pier, then snag a sunny lounging spot. Food is very much a love letter to the fertile land, with homemade dips, spinach-stuffed pies, perfectly grilled meats, and fish plucked straight from the ocean all served beneath an airy, sea-facing pergola.kyrimai.gr
Amanzoe
Kranidi, Peloponnese
Amanzoe is Greece’s only Aman property – and it wears its crown well. Perched above the Aegean on the east coast of the Peloponnese, this modern-day Acropolis is all confident clean lines, sun-bleached stone and serious serenity – a luxe nod to the ancient ruins that dot the olive groves around it. Guests stay in sleek, pillared pavilions – some with countryside views, others with toes-in-the-sand beach access, and all with private pools made for languid lounging. Villas dial it up, from a one-bed, art-filled hideaway to a nine-bedroom estate with private spa. Go-slow mornings involve big Greek breakfasts followed by complimentary Pilates, yoga – or doing absolutely nothing. The food is no afterthought: Nama serves up standout Japanese Washoku cuisine – the likes of wagyu tataki and black cod gyozas – while beach club restaurant Numa goes Mediterranean with vibrant salads and handmade pasta. On Thursdays, Bostani plates up a farm-to-table feast starring hyperlocal produce. Book ahead to secure your table.aman.com
Dexamenes Seaside Hotel
Kourouta, Peloponnese
Dexamenes, a member of Design Hotels, is an unusual piece of Peloponnese history: a 1920s winery converted into a minimalist coastal stay, with 34 old wine tanks refashioned into ultra-luxe suites, and details like original pipework and rusting silos paying homage to the property's roots. Want to wake up to sweeping views of Kourouta beach? Book a Wine Tank Suite. Prefer your scenery green? There's a Courtyard Suite with vineyard vistas for that. We love the celebration of seasonal produce in the restaurant, but there's something extra special about the wine-tasting evenings. Held in collaboration with local artists, these events include live theatrical performances, making for a truly immersive experience.dexamenes.com
