Stylish Escape at Meli Suites

Imagine for a moment that you are soaking in the warm rays of the Greek sun in your own private swimming pool overlooking the sea. It feels nourishing and healing- as all your aches and pains just fade away. Welcome to Meli Suites in Skala Potamia, a little piece of paradise!

We visited the Meli Suites Isle before and loved every single bit of our stay. Having chatted with the staff it sounded like we shouldn’t leave the island without taking a look at the Meli Suites, the original hotel of the Meli Suites hotel collection.

Meli Suites is mainly comprised of stylish suites embracing a mixture of Scandinavian and Aegean architecture with private swimming pools and sea views. Inside the suites, the luxury brief is taken seriously with eye-popping decor and details that recall the famous, white-washed Cycladic islands.

Lavish interiors aside, Meli Suites is located in Skala Potamias centre, right next to the busy seafront with a number of bars and restaurants, making it the perfect launchpad for exploring the village on foot. It didn’t take much to persuade my husband that we had to extend our stay on the island. Thankfully, the idea was equally appealing to him, too.

We stayed at the Superior Suite and our time here can only be described as indelible!

With a private balcony that featured our very own swimming pool, big, comfy sunbeds and spectacular sea views, we didn’t see any need to leave the hotel and travel further afield. In the morning, we would indulge in our homemade breakfast by the main swimming pool, then sunbathe on our private balcony and would only leave to take a quick dip in the sea before lunch. At night, we would drop into one of the seafront bars and enjoy a cocktail while gazing at the sea.

But enough with the words, let the pictures speak for themselves!

If you are thinking of visiting the verdant green island of Thassos, then Skala Potamia is a good place to start. From here you can embark on daily trips to the nearby villages of Panagia and Limenaria, and explore beaches like the Giola Lagoon with its crystal emerald waters. Beyond this, Meli Suites is the most luxurious and stylish hotel in the area so book your stay in one of their luxurious suites and let the positive vibes of this unique hotel work wonders for your mind and body.

Images by: Alexandros Iconomidis ©
Architecture design: BMMB Architects 

Authentic Country Style Living in Nafplio

If you are looking for a peaceful getaway from the city, Opora Country Living, located in Nafplio (only 2 hours from Athens) is the perfect escape.

Set on a sublime agritourism farm this stunning boutique hotel boasts traditionally designed spaces- allowing guests to completely unwind and experience authentic Peloponnesian country living and culture at its finest. The boutique residences are immersed in forty hectares of centuries-old olive groves and surrounded by fragrant orange trees; offering complete relaxation and rural simplicity everywhere you look. 

Location

Very close to the village of Pirgiotika, Opora Country Living is located about 7 km from Nafplio town. Syntagma Square is 9 km from the property, while Akronafplia Castle is also 9 km away. This place is ideal for archaeological sightseeing with Mycenae, Tiryns, Epidaurus, and Corinth only a short drive away.

Style & Feel

The charming stone farmhouse stands proudly between mountain ridges and idyllic landscapes. Built with high-quality local materials and using traditional handmade techniques, the unique architecture is influenced by the region’s rich history. Opora features authentic designs and spaces of traditional Peloponnesian farms- the sheltered courtyards, the arches, the cement, and the stone. All this is combined with respect and love for the environment. And here you will be greeted by friendly local hosts who take pride in ensuring their guests’ stay is beyond comfortable- with a real “home away from home” feel. 

Residences

Set within the incomparable beauty and tranquility of the countryside, the traditional homes feature amenities that are modern yet refined. The houses are divided into six residences that feature WiFi throughout. Some include an equipped kitchen, fireplace, private garden, as well as views of the mountains and olive groves. Every unit features a private bathroom and shower, air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, and a fridge.

Facilities & Services

Guests are able to enjoy a swim in the tranquil outdoor pool that overlooks the olive groves. Relax in the charming outdoor garden, where you can also indulge in a gourmet breakfast that includes pancakes, eggs, home-baked cakes, fresh juices, fruit handpicked from the garden, eggs from the farm, fresh bread baked in the wood-fired oven, homemade marmalade, and Greek pies. If you are after a touch of pampering, there is also a range of massages available- from full-body, reiki, foot massage, and more. 

Activities

Guests can go hiking in Nafplio, or hop on one of the wooden bikes provided by Opora and cycle around while exploring the nearby area. The hotel also runs seminars on beekeeping, olive harvesting, cooking lessons, and wine tastings in the nearby Nemea region (famous for its reds.) There is also a wonderful Private Wine and Tasting Dinner hosted in the vineyard. Dishes are prepared with fresh ingredients from the garden and the best raw materials from local markets. And for those that want to learn a few local recipes, there is a cooking class that takes place at the olive groves. This unique experience includes the preparation and tasting of a complete menu from chef Kostas Papastamatis- all inspired by Peloponnesian cuisine. And if you wish to add some island experiences to your getaway, there are also day-long trips to nearby Spetses and Hydra.

A: Pyrgiotika, Nafplio 

Luxury Seaside Hotel Set in Mani

Nestled in a historic olive grove and boasting breathtaking sea views and private gardens; 100 Rizes Luxury Seaside Resort offers guests an eco-chic natural hideaway. 

Inspired by the region’s striking stone buildings, this luxury hotel blends modern comfort with the feel of a traditional Greek village. Enjoy views of the majestic Laconic Gulf with a glass of wine from your private suite. Stroll among the 100 scented olive groves that lead you to the freshwater pool. Or make your way to the boutique hotel’s sandy beach, which is only a few footsteps away. 

Location

Just three hours drive from Athens, only 1.5 hours from Tripoli and one hour from Sparta, 100 Rizes gives guests the opportunity to travel around Mani and visit the breathtaking sightseeing in south Peloponnese. It’s located 20 minutes from Gytheio, the main town, overlooking a private cove next to Kamares beach; only 3km away from the historical village of Skourari and 20 km from Areopolis town the capital of Mani.

Style & Feel

Consisting of four luxury designed buildings and 30 rooms in total, extended in a typical area of Mani’s wild landscape, this traditionally built hotel is the perfect mix of old world meets new. Honouring Mani’s distinct architecture, the elegantly designed interior spaces with modern aesthetics gives the visitor the impression of a traditional village, with stone buildings, upscale luxury facilities and all modern comforts. 

Rooms 

The 30 rooms continue the hotel’s nod to its natural surroundings. Exposed brick walls give each one a cosy, rustic-chic feel and frame glimpses of water, trees and sky. With earthy tones and soft materials, the rooms are warm and inviting. 

Insights Greece - Luxury Seaside Hotel Set in Mani

Food & Drinks 

The Lupino Restaurant blends traditional and contemporary Mediterranean dishes prepared with the best local products and exquisite ingredients. Here the chef invites guests to a gustatory experience through the heritage and flavours of the Mani peninsula. You can enjoy cocktails, classic aperitifs and a customized selection of snack menus offering tempting delectable light meals and freshly prepared salads. Dishes served during lunch are bright, fresh, stunning and complete, ensuring to satisfy any craving; and wine lovers can discover the best wines from the exclusive list.

Ideal for…

Couples, business trips and anyone who wants to explore the beautiful Mani area. Not only is the hotel in prime position for relaxation, but it’s also only a short drive to some of the peninsula’s most alluring sites. Discover the spectacular flooded Caves of Diros. Walk along the seafront before savouring just-caught octopus in a taverna in Gythio. Swim in sapphire waters in Limeni. If you’re after on-the-doorstep seclusion, head to nearby Skoutari. It is the ideal getaway for guests seeking peace, seclusion, privacy, quality service and strict hygiene. 

Facilities & Services 

  • Outdoor pool
  • Indoor heated pool
  • Private beach area with Sunbeds & Umbrellas
  • Spa treatment rooms 
  • Sauna
  • Restaurant 
  • Bar 
  • Lounge
  • Gym facilities
  • Manicure & Pedicure room
  • 24-hour front desk 
  • Free parking
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Bar
  • Sun terrace
  • Garden
  • Luggage storage
  • 24-hour business centre
  • Heating
  • laundry services

A: Anatoliki East Mani, Peloponnese 

Step Inside Ermoupoli’s Most Elegant Boutique Hotel

Housed in a stunningly restored mansion in the historical centre of Ermoupoli, the Aristide Hotel, which opened in mid-2020, combines old-world elegance with contemporary design and comforts. 

The mansion, with its show-stopping marble staircase and Doric columns, is an architectural gem highlighting Greek neoclassical and art deco styles. Not to mention the open-air and garden-style terrace, with its divine luxe style furniture facing out towards the Aegean Sea, neighbouring Cycladic islands and the aristocratic neighbourhood of Vaporia. 

Having been beautifully restored by its owners- from the moment guests arrive- they are able to enjoy the airy and inviting features of a grand mansion that’s been delicately filled with celebrated interior design pieces and a private art collection. 

Location 

Set in the Vaporia neighbourhood, the beach is only an eight-minute walk away, as is the town centre and the imposing main square of Ermoupoli. Located near the waterfront in the heart of the city, Aristide Hotel is well placed for seeing the major sights of this elegant town, known for its neoclassical architecture and vibrant cultural scene. Syros (two hours with a fast ferry from Athens) boasts lovely beaches and a cosmopolitan lifestyle; and the hotel is close to the Industrial Museum of Ermoupoli, Miaouli Square and Neorion Shipyards. 

Style & Feel

Luxurious, chic and aesthetically pleasing, the grand mansion makes you feel as though you’ve stepped back in time with stunning ornate ceilings and Doric columns, combined with contemporary furnishings, lighting, and a wonderful collection of vivid artwork on display. This old-world charm blends in beautifully with the modern materials, textures and colours used to enhance the original architecture. Greek marble is at the heart of the hotel (nine types of local marble has been used throughout) adding an opulent finish.  

Suites 

Having been transformed into a luxury hotel, the mansion features nine charming suites, each individual in its design. All present bright and bold colour schemes, designer furnishings and eclectic paintings on the walls. Full of character; almost all suites boast five-metre high ceilings, sea views, balconies or terraces, and private plunge pools or stone bathtubs. All suites also feature rain showers, marble bathrooms, solid oak flooring and doors, dimmable lighting and Bluetooth speakers.

Food & Drinks 

The hotel offers a buffet and à la carte breakfast, champagne breakfast, and brunch, with a focus on local, seasonal and organic ingredients, and Cycladic recipes. The menu includes dishes such as Tirititim eggs, San Michali saganaki and tomato spoon sweet, or zucchini tart with yoghurt. Breakfast is served in the garden and in the evening guests are invited to the rooftop bar, with its stunning views of the sea and neighbouring islands. The cocktail menu is developed in collaboration with renowned bartender Christos Gkolfis and is focused on well-executed classics, while the wine list offers the best of Cycladic and Greek wines. 

Ideal for…

Aristides is the ideal place for guests seeking luxury, privacy, quality service and comfort. It’s also the perfect place for a romantic escape, and for those who truly appreciate design, arts and culture. 

Facilities & Services 

In addition to the nine suites, the boutique hotel with a focus on design, art and sustainability, hosts an art gallery, an artists’ residence and workshop, and two bars. 

  • Airport / Port Transfer Service
  • Wi-Fi
  • Art Gallery
  • Bar Restaurant
  • Snacks, Light Meals
  • Beach Towels
  • Beauty Treatment (on request)
  • Boat Trips
  • Car & Motorbike Rental
  • Concierge
  • Garden
  • Laundry & Ironing Service
  • Library
  • Lobby Lounge
  • Massage

A: Babagiotou 27, Ermoupoli, Syros