5 cool places to stay at in Greece

060610 Santorini in Greece, above, Amankila in Bali, centre, and Reykjavik in Iceland, top. Main picture: Famous Mount Etna

060610 Santorini in Greece, above, Amankila in Bali, centre, and Reykjavik in Iceland, top. Main picture: Famous Mount Etna

Published Jul 1, 2016

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Casa Cook, Rhodes

Thomas Cook's reinterpretation of the package holiday hotel and is the first of a number of resorts in the works aiming to attract a more urbane, design-conscious guest. The 90-room, adults-only escape is in the coastal resort of Kolymbia on Rhodes. Hammocks, white-washed walls and natural materials such as rush and rattan set the decorative theme. There is also a swim-up pool, yoga classes and all-day dining, with an emphasis on fresh and local produce. Plus, the beach is a short walk from the hotel.

Kolymbia, Rhodes (00 30 234 9610 38606; casacook.com). Doubles from €100 (about R1 600), room only. Thomas Cook offers a week at Casa Cook, from £885 per person on a half-board basis. Flights leave from Gatwick.

 

Bill & Coo Coast Suites, Mykonos

Mykonos is Greece's answer to Ibiza. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Bill & Coo is one of its must-book places to stay on the edge of Mykonos town. For those looking for something even more tranquil and romantic, this newly opened smaller, child-free outpost 3km away from Mykonos town overlooks the pretty sweep of Agios Ioannis Bay, with views out towards the Unesco World Heritage island of Delos, said to be the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. Small but perfectly formed, the hotel has 15 suites, some with hot tubs and private pools, plus all the hallmarks of Bill & Coos' original property by the same designer, K-Studio, which is responsible for some of the island's hippest hangouts. The look is refined yet rustic, with bleached wood and linen, which sets off the cobalt of the sea perfectly. There's also a private beach, bar and restaurant.

Agios Ioannais, Mykonos (00 30 228 902 6296; bill-coo-hotel.com). Doubles from €290 per night, B&B.

Domes Noruz, Crete

This adults-only sister hotel to the popular Domes of Elounda opens on the island of Crete on 20 July. There are 83 stylish, contemporary rooms, each with splashes of Aegean blue to brighten things up. Part of Marriott's Autograph Collection, the hotel will offer beachside yoga along the sandy strand, and spa treatments derived from locally made products. Chania, known for its Venetian architecture, atmospheric streets and bustling harbour, restaurants and bars, is just a 10-minute drive away.

Strati Pantelaki 5, Agioi Apostoloi, Chania, Crete (00 30 2310 810 624; domesnoruz.com). Doubles from €460 per night, B&B.

 

 

A photo posted by Spyros Kouris (@kourisphoto) on Jun 9, 2016 at 1:12pm PDT

 

Santo Maris Oia, Santorini

It's for good reason that Santorini regularly makes lists of one of the world's most romantic destinations, with its dramatic caldera beneath lofty cliffs. Guests at the newly opened Santo Maris on the northwest edge of the scenic village of Oia will be treated to one of the best vantage points - a view of the vibrant sunsets - from its terrace. Built to mimic the distinctive Cycladic architectural style, with whitewashed and exposed stone walls, the 44-suite resort, which also has four villas with private pools, is set around five swimming pools and will prove a hit with those tying the knot, thanks to an onsite chapel.

Oia, Santorini (00 30 228 6600 630; santomaris.gr). Doubles from €285 per night, B&B.

 

 

A photo posted by Santo Maris Oia (@santomarisoia) on Jun 13, 2016 at 1:14am PDT

 

The Zillers, Athens

Although it has only been open since May, The Zillers' third-floor rooftop bar has quickly become one of Athens's most fashionable places to hang out, with its terrace, killer cocktails, modern Mediterranean menu and show-stopping views of the Acropolis. Athens has been experiencing a mini hotel boom, and boutique accommodation follows in July within the shell of this neoclassicalstyle building designed by the distinguished architect, Ernst Ziller. Expect slick, pared-back interiors with a Modernist slant in the 10 bedrooms.

Mitropoleos 54, Athens (00 30 21 0322 2277; thezillersathens.gr). Doubles from €150 per night, room only.

 

The Independent

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