Where?
Nestled along the idyllic coastline of Costa Navarino, on the west coast of the Peloponnese peninsula, the Messinia region of Greece where the famous Battle of Navarino took place during the Greek War of Independence in 1827. Here, the Mandarin Oriental Costa Navarino hotel overlooks Navarino Bay with its own private beach and faces onto the iconic Sfaktiria mountain islands.
Arrive by a quick 45 minute ride from Kalamata airport, or fly into the more accessible Athens airport and enjoy a three-hour car transfer through the stunning scenery of the mountains.
Style
Sitting on a beautiful hillside and spilling out onto the seafront, the hotel’s immaculate architecture blends seamlessly with nature, with grass-topped apartments and expertly curated landscaping (the olive trees are divine). The complex comprises of 99 suites and villas, with the villas boasting their own private pool to dip into first thing in the morning with your Greek coffee. Each room is decorated immaculately with the elegance you’d expect from the Mandarin Oriental with earthy, natural colours and large bay windows to soak in the views.
Food & drink
Choose from seven onsite restaurants and bars each with a distinct offering of modern cuisine. Breakfast is served in the Oliviera, with its elevated panoramic views and an authentic Greek menu using local and sustainable produce. The Greek Eggs Florentine that are flavoured with spinach and feta is a must. And as a Greek coffee connoisseur, these are one of the best I’ve tasted (with the exception of my Greek family’s, of course).
We enjoyed the Ormos Beach Club for a more casual lunch, and the newly-opened Tahir for an exquisite Levantine lunch. The Pizza Sapienza by renowned executive chef Daniele Cason serves up a cheese pizza with no less than six types of dairy. We opted for the Oliviera for dinner and the Stuffed Kalamari is one not to be missed. ]
Each restaurant also blends up the most incredible Greek mythology-themed cocktails, perhaps best enjoyed at the Three Admirals Lounge as the sun sets. We worked our way through the menu and each one was incredible. The Greek spin on a martini was by far my favourite with notes of bergamot and Greek Brine replacing the olive. It’s a bonus that the staff’s knowledge of the ingredients and dishes is second to none, while their service is warm and welcoming. Don’t want to leave your apartments? Room service is at hand with a press of a button.
Facilities
Electric bikes are included with your stay, so you can navigate the complex, from your villa to the other offerings, no stress. The beach area — and the heart of the complex — boasts two stunning pools to relax and soak up the ambience with chilled Ibiza-style tunes subtly playing in the background. Chilling on one of the many sun loungers around the pool or along the beach beside the cocktail bar is heaven.
Now to the Spa Sanctuary, which is, in a word; divine. This is one of the most luxurious spas I’ve encountered with its 25-meter indoor-outdoor pool and range of thermal cycle rooms. The mineral-infused steam room was my personal favourite and my wife took great joy in filming my 25-second dip into the cold plunge pool. There is an incredible range of bespoke spa treatments. I opted for Head Spa Therapist Marianna Chrysikakou’s 90-minute Oriental Qi body massage, which works on the energy of the meridians using essential oils tailored to your mood and needs. It was both authentic and deeply rejuvenating. Try the couples massage for a synchronised experience.
Feeling energetic? Head to the on-site gym or take part in one of the daily yoga, pilates or functional training classes. One of the most comforting features of the stay was the 24-hour Whatsapp messaging service that enabled us to arrange our itinerary.
Extracurricular
Local hiking and cycle tours are a must if you want to further explore the serene surroundings of Costa Navarino, with the base located just two minutes walk from the hotel. We opted for some watersports on the private beach. Stand-up paddleboarding provided an idyllic experience as we soaked in the views. But the private kayak tour is an experience that’ll stay with us forever. Rowing around the coastline, we got to enjoy close up views of the natural beauty with local knowledge from the tour guides (moraitisbeach.com).
The local town of Pylos (15 minutes away in a taxi) is well worth the visit for its local square surrounded by amenities and castle and church. If you have time, make sure you take a trip to the Olympia archaeological site famous for the being the birthplace of the Olympic Games. The hotel is next to one of Greece’s four golf courses too, so grab your clubs!
Which room?
We opted for the Bay View Pool villa for its stunning views. Situated along the base of the hotel and overlooking the sea, with timeless and soothing décor, we felt isolated from the rest of the world. Bliss. The outdoor sun loungers ensures we could fully relax and the bathroom’s outdoor waterfall shower and luxurious bathtub added to the sophistication of the villa. Sliding doors welcome you onto the vast patio area to meet nature.
Best for...
Couples who need a well-earned break from the daily grind and love nothing more than to slide into a state of deep relaxation. Families are also welcome here with a dedicated area for children to play in (although even us 48-year-olds can enjoy the table football!).
Details
Suites start from 900€ and villas from 1500 euros per night. mandarinoriental.com
