by Where?
It is located along the idyllic coast 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 the iconic mountain islands of Sfaktiria.
Take a quick 45-minute drive from Kalamata airport, or fly into the more accessible Athens airport and enjoy a three-hour car transfer through stunning mountain scenery.
Style
Perched on a beautiful hill and spilling out onto the seashore, the hotel’s immaculate architecture blends with nature, with grass-topped apartments and meticulously maintained landscaping (the olive trees are divine). The complex comprises 99 rooms and villas, with the villas boasting their own private pool to swim in first thing in the morning with your Greek coffee. Each room is beautifully decorated with the elegance you would expect from Mandarin Oriental with earthy, natural colors and large bay windows to soak up the views.
Food & drink
Choose from seven on-site restaurants and pubs each with a unique offering of modern art. Breakfast is served in the Oliviera, with its elevated panoramic views and an authentic Greek menu using local and sustainable produce. The Greek Egg Florentine flavored with spinach and feta is a must. And as a Greek coffee connoisseur, these are some of the best I’ve tasted (with the exception of my Greek family, of course).
We enjoyed the Ormos Beach Club for a more casual lunch, and the newly opened Tahir for an exquisite Levantine lunch. Famous executive chef Daniele Cason makes the Pizza Sapienza that serves cheese pizza with no less than six types of dairy. We chose the Oliviera for dinner and the Stuffed Kalamari is a must. ]
Each restaurant also mixes 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 twist on a martini has long been my favorite with notes of bergamot and Greek Salt in place of the olive. It is an advantage that the staff know nothing about the ingredients and the dishes, although their service is warm and welcoming. Do you not want to leave your apartment? Room service is on hand at the push of a button.
Facilities
Electric bikes are included with your stay, so you can navigate the complex, from your villa to the other offerings, without stress. There are two stunning pools in the beach area – and in the heart of the complex – to relax and wake up the atmosphere with chilled Ibiza-style tunes playing softly in the background. Chill on one of the many sun loungers around the pool or along the beach near the heavenly cocktail bar.
Now to the Spa Sanctuary, that is, in a word; divine This is one of the most luxurious spas I have seen with its 25-meter indoor and outdoor pool and a range of thermal cycle rooms. The mineral-infused steam room was my personal favorite and my wife took great delight in filming my 25-second plunge into the cold pool. There is an incredible range of bespoke spa treatments. I chose the 90-minute Oriental Qi body massage, Head Spa Therapist Marianna Chrysikakou, who works on the energy of the meridians using essential oils adapted to your mood and needs. It was both authentic and very refreshing. Try the couples massage for a synchronized experience.
Feeling energetic? Head to the on-site gym or join one of the daily yoga, pilates or functional training classes. One of the most relaxing aspects of the stay was the 24 hour Whatsapp messaging service which enabled us to arrange our travel itinerary.
extra curricular
Local hiking and cycling tours are a must if you want to further explore the serene surroundings of Costa Navarino, with the base located two minutes’ walk from the hotel. We chose some water sports on the private beach. Stand up paddleboarding provided a great experience as we soaked in the views. But the private kayak tour is an experience that will stay with us forever. Rowing around the coast, we got close views of the natural beauty with local knowledge from the tour guides (moraitisbeach.com).
The local town of Pylos (15 minutes away by taxi) is well worth a visit with its local square surrounded by amenities and a castle and church. If you have time, make sure you take a trip to the archaeological site of Olympia, famous as the birthplace of the Olympic Games. The hotel is also close to one of Greece’s four golf courses, so grab your clubs!
Which room?
We chose the Bay View Pool Villa for its stunning views. Located on the base of the hotel and overlooking the sea, with a timeless and soothing decoration, we felt isolated from the rest of the world. A greeting. The outdoor sunrooms ensure we could fully relax and the bathroom’s outdoor waterfall shower and luxurious bathtub added to the villa’s sophistication. Sliding doors welcome you to the large patio area to enjoy nature.
Best for…
Couples who need a well-deserved break from the daily grind and love nothing more than slipping into a state of deep relaxation. Families are also welcome here and there is a dedicated children’s play area (although even our 48-year-old can enjoy the table football!).
Details
Suites start from €900 and Villas from €1500 per night. mandarinoriental.com
