Estate of Mind A rarefied all-villa resort on the Greek isle of Zakynthos encourages rest, relaxation and reflection - and, above all, privacy ...
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T R AV E L
GREECE
A bird’s-eye view of
Royal Infinity villa and
its generous private
beach at Porto Zante
D E PA R T U R E S
Estate of Mind A rarefied all-villa resort on
the Greek isle of Zakynthos encourages rest,
SAKIS PAPADOPOULOS
relaxation and reflection – and, above all, privacy
of the highest order. by Anthony Grant
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GREECE
An alfresco lounge
at Villa Fanya, on
the isle of Syros
CA N A G R E E K I S L A N D get any
dreamier than green-peaked, secret- Villas
cove-studded Zakynthos? Perhaps
not – and no place channels its to Book
breezy essence like Porto Zante, a No accommodation style is more
secluded family-run resort on the in tune with these privacy-
island’s unspoilt north coast. Zante, prizing times than a private villa,
and when it comes to Greek
you should know, is the name the
islands, sea views are the one
Venetians gave to this island they indispensable attribute. The
once christened “the flower of the panorama from aptly named
Levant”. Those lucky enough to Santorini Sky (santorinisky.com)
will dazzle: that’s because these See for yourself by booking
have dropped anchor here for a a stay at the stunning Villa
glamorous new villas are located
spell will find a heaven-sent slice of at Pyrgos, one of the highest Mylo ( villamylo.com),
Ionian Sea bliss with just a handful spots on the island. If you crave located just a two-minute
of luxuriously appointed villas. the more classic close-up view drive from Mylopotas, the
of the majestic volcanic caldera, island’s most famous ribbon
Owner Yiannis Sotirakos’s singular of sand. With a car (hire one
choose Vora Villas ( voravillas.
passion for ensuring that each at the island’s charming small
com), located in buzzy Imerovigli.
guest’s experience is both carefree Here, Athens-based design port), you can easily drive
and flawless is apparent not only firm K-Studio has infused three to Manganari, a trio of fine
beaches at the southern end
from what Porto Zante offers – villas carved into the cliffside
of the island. If you want to be
T R AV E L
think private-beach access, a perfect with classic Cycladic minimalism
and understated contemporary closer to the orbit of Mykonos
bouquet of gastronomic restaurants or Athens, consider a sojourn
touches, with vistas of the big
and unforgettable sea excursions to blue from private verandas a on the southern shore of
start – and what it conspicuously highlight. Twenty-two nautical Syros, where the Villa Fanya
(whitekeyvillas.com) brings
does not. Intrigued yet? After a miles away from Santorini is the
overlooked island of Ios, where seafront extravagance to the
challenging year and ahead of a next level with an expansive,
(let it be whispered) the beaches
highly anticipated summer season, cubic-style design, meticulous
are more numerous – more than
we got the scoop from Sotirakos via 40 – and generally better. landscaping and a gorgeous
video call from Athens. infinity pool with unobstructed
sea views. A pathway that
leads to a secluded private
cove and pebbly beach should
seal the deal. And for a Greek
hideaway experience with a
more terrestrial flavour, turn
to the rugged Mani Peninsula
in the Peloponnese, home of
Amani Villas ( amaniliving.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: PETRAKIS ALEXANDROS, NICK NIKOLAOU, CHRISTOS DRAZOS
gr), a pair of new villas built
with local stone, softened
by sweeping views of the CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: LOUISA NIKOLAIDOU, GEORGE FAKAROS, STÅLE ERIKSEN
Messinian bay. Terraces and
private pools invite lingering,
but Mani is full of quiet coves
and untrammelled coastal
locales, like Kardamyli to the
north or Areopoli to the south,
which you’ll want to inspect
at a leisurely pace by car. – AG
D E PA R T U R E S
Above: the sunny terrace of a Vora villa in Santorini; right: the
magnificent view from an infinity-pool deck at Villa Mylo in Ios
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Hotel
Confidential
There hasn’t always been much to
crow about in terms of compelling
places to stay in tiny Antiparos, but
that’s about to change with the opening
of The Rooster (theroosterantiparos.
com), whose 17 houses, suites and villas breakfast with avgotaraxo (Greek
all boast Aegean sea views. Subdued bottargo) with butter and lemon
earth tones and discreet stylings with zest ... opa! Mykonos, of course, has
wood and marble spell posh minimalism no shortage of world-class resorts
in tune with the unspoilt setting. In but only a few get the indulgent-
Santorini, the view of the volcanic eclectic combination right, and
caldera is always the star of the show one that does is The Wild Hotel by
and when you stay at the new OMMA Interni ( thewildhotel.com). Not
Santorini ( ommasantorini.com) only is this luxe assemblage of 40
you won’t forget it: the 5,000sq m suites and villas ideally situated
property is located in clifftop Imerovigli away from the fray above Kalafati
about halfway between busy Fira beach, but there’s also a staircase
and Oia. Opt for one of the villas with a to a small but separate private beach
private pool and caldera view. New in – a rarity on the island. Finally, the
Syros, patrician cousin to mischievous hospitality renaissance continues
Mykonos nearby, is the Aristide Hotel apace in Crete with the addition of
( hotelaristide.com). There are just Numo Ierapetra (numoierapetra.
nine suites, each an intriguing creative com), a beachfront resort on the Clockwise from top left:
statement with designer furnishings island’s stunning south coast. Use the Levadia suite at Aristide
Hotel on Syros; The Rooster’s
and uplifting pops of colour set in a it as base to explore this rugged farmhouse aesthetic; intimate
sumptuously refurbished neoclassical part of Crete and a place to luxuriate dining in the cave-like wine cellar
mansion with quality artwork taking after an all-day excursion to nearby at OMMA Santorini
pride of place. Morning repasts are a Chryssi island, an uninhabited nature
revelation: think San Michali saganaki preserve with water that sparkles
and tomato spoon sweet, champagne Caribbean blue. – AG
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: PETRAKIS ALEXANDROS, NICK NIKOLAOU, CHRISTOS DRAZOS
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: LOUISA NIKOLAIDOU, GEORGE FAKAROS, STÅLE ERIKSEN
What is the vision behind yes. That’s also the concept. You have already dreaming of creating a hotel
Porto Zante? the flexibility of ordering breakfast or an airline. Anyway, at the time, my
Not to be seen! We pride ourselves whatever time of the day you want, father said, “let’s create a world-class
on being the most private beach and you can enjoy it in the privacy villa property on the beachfront that
resort in Europe. Our concept has of your villa or à la carte in the Club combines the services of a hotel with
always been to stay away from the House restaurant. The moment you the private-villa experience”. We fell
stress that one can sometimes feel sit down is the moment we squeeze in love with Zakynthos. We started in
D E PA R T U R E S
at a large-scale resort. It’s not for the fresh orange juice and bake the 2002 and created our first restaurant,
everyone – for example, people who croissants or our famous pancakes. the Club House, in 2007. In the past
want to be in the busy environment of Everything is homemade. two years, we have renovated and
Mykonos with all the clubs – but it’s fine-tuned extensively. With so many
ideal for single travellers, couples and How did you get started – and facilities – the Kids’ Club, gym, yoga
families. We want to be able to offer how has the resort evolved since? retreat, two bars and two restaurants –
the best we can for our guests in an Twenty years ago, after travelling in for just nine villas and 45 to 50 guests,
environment that’s never commercial several parts of Greece and Europe, some people think we’re crazy! It’s a
and very personal. There are no rules my father Giorgos and I felt that huge infrastructure, in terms of the
for pre-ordering or pre-booking. You we couldn’t find a place where you level of facilities and services we offer,
can decide whatever you want, the could really feel the privacy factor. but I think we’ve reached the level
time you want it and we’ll just say As for me, from the age of five, I was that it’s a complete place with all the
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Drift Away
Be it island-hopping,
anchoring in a secluded cove,
or simply – and certainly –
getting well away from it all,
chartering a yacht offers an
unsurpassed melange of fresh
air and freedom. Try Edmiston
(edmiston.com) for an array of
sailing yachts, including the
classically chic Sartori, with
her 250-bottle wine cellar,
and the rather more avant-
Above: the sunset
garde Rox Star, the epitome
panorama from the deck
of modern sailing cool with of Porto Zante’s two-
elegant and unusual black sails. bedroom Royal Infinity
Another purveyor with intimate villa; right: fresh lobster
knowledge of the islands is risotto at Porte Zante
Burgess (burgessyachts.
com), whose stylish options in
the Eastern Med this summer things we dreamt about, but without
are highlighted by O’Ptasia, a
the noise or congestion of a hotel.
sumptuous 85m motor yacht
T R AV E L
with a wealth of wellness Personalised sevice is a priority at the
facilities among its many resort.
amenities, and the cutting-edge
Cloudbreak, a 75m vessel built
for adventure and equipped
Can you recall any particularly
with a full complement of water unusual guest request over the years?
toys. Last but not least, Fraser Years ago, a guest was celebrating his
Yachts (fraseryachts.com) also 23rd anniversary with his wife and
specialises in Greek islands
and boasts captains with the rest of his family. He wanted to
notable expertise in the Ionian, celebrate during sunset with a private
Dodecanese and Cyclades barbecue on the beach. The meal he and that’s why. There is much more
islands. Luxe sailing aboard the
requested included, among other to see beyond Navagio (the famous
former racing yacht Ohana, a
49.7m beauty, is sure to turn options, 23 freshly caught lobsters “shipwreck beach”), and that’s why
heads thanks to the striking and 23 bottles of vintage champagne. we have a selection of speedboats and
grey hull, while a more intimate yachts for daily cruises all over the
experience is available on Olga
I, a 28m cruiser that boasts an That sparkling beachfront looks like island. In the south, there’s Marathonisi
array of all-ages toys and a top pure nirvana. Does each villa have its island, home of the caretta caretta sea
speed of 25 knots. own private stretch of sand? turtle and a National Marine Park and,
– John McNamara
Yes, every villa is located on the private of course, nearby, we have the island
beachfront, slightly elevated eight of Kefalonia and ancient Olympia,
to ten metres above the water level, too. Then there’s the natural beauty of
which is a great advantage because the island itself: it’s so green and with
no one can see your villa when they many spectacular beachfronts, and
are swimming in the sea – you can be virgin areas untouched by tourists.
totally incognito. Some of the villas
have their own beach access with Finally, logistics aren’t very romantic,
private stone terraces, almost like a but these days they are more
D E PA R T U R E S
FROM TOP: SAKIS PAPADOPOULOS (2), MARK SIMS
small castle on the sand, with sunbeds important than ever. How do most
or private bar. You can enjoy light people come to Porto Zante?
meals or cocktails right by the beach During the summer, there are plenty
all day. Private, candlelit dinners on of non-stop flights from several
the beach are also very popular. European and UK airports directly to
Dusk on deck of the Rox Star the island. A large percentage of our
What’s the average length of stay? clients arrive by private jet. We also
Around ten nights. offer a chauffeur service from Athens
– the drive to Kyllini takes around
That’s a lot! two-and-a-half hours, and from there
There are plenty of excursions you we arrange a 30-minute speedboat.
can do with the resort as your base, portozante.com
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PLEASE CHECK THE LATEST GOVERNMENT ADVICE BEFORE BOOKING TRAVEL OR DEPARTING ON ANY TRIP
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