Mandarin Oriental to Open at Costa Navarino

The first Mandarin Oriental resort will open its doors in Greece at Navarino Bay, an integrated resort area at Costa Navarino, in the region of Messinia, southwest Peloponnese, amidst a breathtaking 140-hectare natural landscape, overlooking the historic Bay of Navarino.

Insights Greece - Mandarin Oriental to Open at Costa Navarino
Greece’s first Mandarin Oriental to open at Navarino Bay

Set to open in 2023, the beachfront luxury resort will feature 99 guest rooms, including 48 spacious earth-sheltered pool villas, all with outdoor terraces and stunning sea views, along with five restaurants and bars. Crafted by renowned Greek architects, Tombazis & Associates Architects and K-Studio, the unique design is aligned with Costa Navarino’s sustainable principles, featuring planted roofs blending into the natural topography of the land and the use of local materials.

Additionally, this ultra-premium resort is set to feature a 1,500 m2 spa and fitness centre with a stunning 25 m indoor-outdoor pool and sweeping sea views, complemented by state-of-the-art heat experiences and Mandarin Oriental’s signature wellness therapies in specially designed indoor treatment rooms and outdoor pavilions.

The project is owned and developed by TEMES, a leading developer and operator of high-end tourism and real estate destinations in Greece.

“We are delighted to be opening our first property in Greece in Costa Navarino and look forward to sharing this striking combination of unspoiled landscape, olive groves, pristine beaches, and authentic Greek culture in the region with our guests,” said James Riley, Group Chief Executive of Mandarin Oriental. “We are pleased to partner with TEMES, the group that has been responsible for the creation of Costa Navarino as a bourgeoning tourism destination.”

Insights Greece - Mandarin Oriental to Open at Costa Navarino
Located in the heart of Messinia

“Mandarin Oriental is renowned for delivering exemplary service and exclusive experiences in some of the most noted properties around the world,” said Achilles V. Constantakopoulos, Chairman of TEMES. “We are proud to have the Group bring their hospitality expertise for the first time to Greece, signifying the further growth of Costa Navarino, which is becoming a top international destination to visit and to live”.

Guests of Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino will also benefit from the destination’s other resort areas, and experience a vast range of outdoor activities, from biking and hiking to rock-climbing, tennis, and water sports, as well as three more signature golf courses. Additionally, a variety of dining venues and leisure activities are available across Navarino Dunes and Navarino Waterfront.

Moreover, Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino will be adjacent to Navarino Agora, an open marketplace with retail, artisanal street food, open-air cinema, and authentic local experiences by day and night.

Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino 

Skorpios Island Set to Become Home to VIP Resort Club

A 165 million euro investment project on Skorpios island, by Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev, has been given the go-ahead by the Greek government. 

The new development of the Ionian island, formerly owned by the family of Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis, has entered the next phase after a Joint Ministerial Decision was signed on December 31st, 2020.

Insights Greece - Skorpios Island Set to Become Home to VIP Resort Club

According to reports, the construction and operation of the “VIP Exclusive Club” are set to proceed this year and scheduled to be completed in 2024. The project is expected to create new local jobs and benefit the Greek economy. 

The high-end club will include a 5-star luxury resort, an amphitheater, a new helipad, a large road network, the creation of farms, and other infrastructure and leisure amenities on 161 acres of the island. Sports facilities will also be added, and the island’s ports will be expanded.

Rybolovlev’s vision is also said to include luxury villas, an artificial lake, power generating facilities, an orchard, poultry farms, a vineyard, and vegetable gardens. 

In addition to the main building of two levels with seven luxury suites, another 12 new luxury villas will be built between 500 to 1,200 sqm. each. Also, the existing old coastal houses on the east and south side of the island, where many celebrities had been hosted in the past by Aristotle Onassis will be renovated.

Where is Skorpios? 

Insights Greece - Skorpios Island Set to Become Home to VIP Resort Club

Skorpios is a private island in the Ionian Sea off the western coast of Greece and just to the east of the island of Lefkada, right across from Nidri village. Despite its small size, this island has become famous and popular after it was transformed from an unspoiled paradise to a hot destination for celebrities. 

Onassis’ development of Skorpios 

Skorpios was bought back in 1963 by Aristotle Onassis for 3 million euros. He married Jackie O Kennedy, on the island in 1968. The couple loved Skorpios and had a clear vision of what they wanted it to look like. Onassis brought sand from the shores of Salamina and turned the coastline into soft, sandy beaches. He also planted thousands of trees, to create a lush oasis. Onassis also built villas and provided 5-star accommodation to his wealthy guests.

Throughout the years, an array of international celebrities and socialites, including Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, Winston Churchill, Grace Kelly; and more recently, Beyonce and Rihanna, have stayed on the private island. 

After Onassis’ death in 1975, his daughter Christina inherited the island, which was in turn given to his granddaughter Athena in 1988, who sold it for more than 100 million euros. Since 2013, Skorpios belongs to the daughter of Dmitry Rybolovlev, Ekaterina.

*Main image by Eurokinissi