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GREECE IS THE WORD

With Greece likely to be one of the first destinations to open up to UK travellers, we’ve started plotting our dream Greek getaway. From an adults-only hideaway on the Dodecanese island of Kos, to a boutique Cycladic retreat on Mykonos and a family adventure on the Peloponnese, we’ve handpicked our favourite properties to ignite wanderlust for the summer ahead…

March 2ndGREECE

*BEST FOR ADULTS*
OKU KOS – OPENING 24 APRIL
OKU Kos, which will be fully operational from 5 April 2021, is an adult-only village-style beach hideaway located on the shores of the Aegean. Inspired by the Greek way of life, it offers 100 spacious guest rooms, including suites with private and semi-private pools and a handful of private two-bedroom villas for the ultimate in secluded luxury. When it comes to R&R, guests will love the OKU Spa, which includes a heated indoor swimming pool, relaxation area and a hammam for unique rejuvenating rituals. The spa is complimented by a carefully curated movement programme which includes an array of group fitness classes in addition to yoga, which is offered on a complimentary basis daily at either the beachside yoga pavilion or open air terrace. When it comes to dining, Executive Chef Mark Vaessen, formerly of SUSHISUMBA, has overseen the menu of the beach club, bar and restaurant, To Kima. A relaxed setting which boasts dramatic views of the ocean, here guests can enjoy cuisine inspired by local traditions and produce, using the freshest ingredients to create farm-to-fork Greek specialties and international favourites with a modern twist.  Kos is an enchanting island, with lots to discover and experience. Highlights include a boat trip around the stunning Lipsi Archipelago – home to turquoise waters, the islands of Arkoi and the caves of Makronisi; a hike to the remnants of a Byzantine castle or to the top of Mount Dikaois, and local wine tasting at family-run vineyard, Hatzimmanouil. A stay at OKU Kos allows travellers to live like a local whilst experiencing the island’s treasures and best-kept secrets.  Sister property OKU Ibiza will be launching in May this year.
www.okuhotels.com


*BEST FOR DESIGN LOVERS*
KALESMA, MYKONOS – OPENING 29 APRIL 2021
Set to elevate the desirable island of Mykonos, Kalesma is a brand new 25 suite and two villa hotel, opening 29 April 2021. ‘Kalesma’, meaning ‘inviting’ in Greek, is perfectly suited to the ethos of this boutique, privately-owned property. The whitewashed designed collection of houses have been created to resemble a charming Mykonian village, tumbling down a slope to Ornos Bay, just a short walk from the beach. The look and feel of a traditional village is deliberate, as Kalesma is all about making guests feel at home and encouraging a neighbourhood vibe, enhanced by laidback weekly supper clubs. Inspired by Cycladic architecture, combining tradition with contemporary elements, Kalesma is a design aficionados dream – offering sleek and minimalist interiors using locally-sourced materials. Spectacular sea views are promised from every part of the hotel and its location is truly unique, with guests being able to see the sunrise and sunset from the same spot. Kalesma’s accommodation is in the form of suites and villas and it is the only hotel in Mykonos where each room comes with its own private heated pool.  All accommodation features original artwork and expansive bathrooms with freestanding bathtubs and an outdoor shower on a private patio. Created by the Greek owners of acclaimed Athens restaurants, Pere, Ubu and Sea Spice, Kalesma will feature a modern destination restaurant, leading the food scene on the island. Kalesma prides itself on providing guests with exclusive access to lesser-known hotspots, within the sought-after destination of Mykonos. The bustling Mykonos town, covered with bougainvillea, is just 3km away. The hotel team has a deep-rooted connection with the island and Private Experience Managers are on hand to help guests discover the hidden gems of Mykonos. Upon request, private yacht charters and helicopter transfers are also available for those who wish to experience the island from a different perspective.
www.kalesmamykonos.com


*BEST FOR FAMILY FUN*
DAIOS COVE, CRETE
Tucked along a craggy cliff overlooking a private sandy cove, Daios Cove is a collection of contemporary villas and suites with private pools and beautiful sea views of the sparkly clear waters of Daios Bay. Ideal for families, there is a choice of one, two or three bedroom villas set across two levels, each with a heated private saltwater pool and private terraces. Villa guests can indulge by opting for premium all-inclusive, which offers everything from unlimited cocktails or champagne and endless ice cream to healthy juices – allowing a truly stress free holiday for all. While parents sit back and relax, children from 4 months and upwards can enjoy the Scott Dunn Explorers kids club. The childcare team will organise fun and exciting activities for all ages, from archery and trips to a local olive farm for the older children, and treasure hunts and games on the beach for the younger guests. If guests are not relaxing by their own private pool, there is an outdoor infinity pool and children’s pool. For sports enthusiasts there are also two tennis courts, a fitness centre and Spa with an indoor pool. Daios Cove has four restaurants, all of which have a children’s menu. The traditional Cretan fishing village of Plaka, opposite the island of Spinalonga, is home to authentic tavernas and local artisan shops and is well worth a visit. Slightly closer are the bustling shops, bars and restaurants around the marina of Agios Nikolaos.
www.scottdunn.com


*BEST FOR ADVENTUROUS KIDS*
EAGLES PALACE, HALKIDIKI
Set on its own sandy beach on the unspoilt Aegean coast, Eagles Palace is an intimate and charming family-run hotel, with villas that are particularly suitable for families. Eagles Villas are located up in the hills – 40 in total – all with private pools, amazing views over Ammouliani Island and two separate restaurants. The focus at Eagles Palace is the beach and crystal clear waters. The water sports centre has a brilliant range of equipment and also offers private tuition – guests can charter their own motorboat to explore the surrounding coastline and beaches, or even a skippered yacht, whilst the resort’s dive centre offers PADI courses and trips out into the waters surrounding Halkidiki, which are teeming with aquatic life. Guests who prefer to relax on the beach can order food and drink just by pressing a button on their parasol. The more adventurous can join one of the tailor-made excursions from mountain biking and hiking to sea kayaking. In the restaurants, fresh, local food is the order of the day. Younger children and active teens will love the Scott Dunn Explorers kids club for children aged 4 months to 11 years, and Aqua water sports programme, available during May half term to early September for children aged 5 to 13. Guests can choose from a 6-day or, new for 2021, 3-day water sports programme that will see younger guests paddle boarding, windsurfing, sailing and snorkelling led by fully qualified instructors. While children are divided into groups according to age, Junior and Senior Groups run alongside each other, so that siblings can join the club together. The expert team will ensure that children have a truly adventurous holiday, making friends after time spent in lockdown and on screens.
www.scottdunn.com


*BEST FOR ACTIVE TEENS*
COSTA NAVARINO, THE PELOPONNESE
Amidst olive groves overlooking the Ionian Sea sits Costa Navarino – The Romanos, which offers a super time for families, with Scott Dunn’s renowned Explorers kids club and a variety of water sports. The Romanos stretches along the beautiful and uncrowded Dunes Beach – an area largely untouched by mass tourism – making it the perfect place to unwind and enjoy everything that this part of the Peloponnese has to offer. The Costa Navarino Villas offer absolute privacy, each with a private pool. With ten to choose from, all take inspiration from the beautiful countryside surrounding the resort. Master Infinity Villas have direct access to the beach, while Villas Koroni and Mehoni comprise three bedroom, private Spa facilities, gym and 24/7 butler service The Scott Dunn Explorers Kids Club keeps children from 4 months to 11 years busy, while children and teenagers above the age of 11 can try out the CREW programme on selected dates – with adventurous activities ranging from wake-boarding to go-karting and beach volleyball. Guests of The Romanos can enjoy the heated outdoor and indoor swimming pools, two championship golf courses, an outstanding on-site cycling centre, indoor climbing wall, and tennis centre, along with dedicated indoor and outdoor areas for children. For fun family rides, kids can join in too with tag-alongs, baby seats and stabilisers on the scenic traffic-free routes around a nearby lagoon.
www.scottdunn.com


…AND TO BE REVEALED SOON…
THE ROOSTER, ANTIPAROS – OPENING JUNE 2021
More than a resort, The Rooster is the vision become reality of an inspiring woman, driven to create a destination with depth, value and relevance to today’s traveller.  It is a retreat for the discerning traveller on the unspoilt Greek island of Antiparos – a place that embraces ‘slow living’ through sustainability, organic food, wellness, learning and fun.  The Rooster is all about space and privacy: just 17 individual suites, villas and houses of differing size, each offering stunning views of the Aegean Sea and private gardens; enchanting raw beauty with sustainability at its heart; working in harmony with the local community with wellness at its core.  A place to arrive, completely relax away from the stresses of everyday life, and leave rejuvenated and renewed.
theroosterantiparos.com/

More News

A New Chapter for Italian Hospitality: Perowne International Partners with Aldo Melpignano

March 18th

A New Chapter for Italian Hospitality: Perowne International Partners with Aldo Melpignano

A New Chapter for Italian Hospitality

Perowne International Partners with Aldo Melpignano

Italy

Perowne is delighted to announce its partnership with Aldo Melpignano – the visionary force behind Borgo Egnazia and one of the most compelling voices in contemporary Italian hospitality.

Across Italy, a group of independent hotels have been brought together under Aldo’s creative and strategic direction, each carrying a distinct identity shaped by its own culture, traditions and landscape. These are not properties united by brand – they are united by a shared belief that the finest hospitality is rooted in place. In 2023, Aldo formally established Egnazia Ospitalità Italiana to extend his family’s three-decade hospitality legacy and support this growing network of exceptional independent hotels across the country.

With the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics drawing global attention and new direct US flight routes launching to Milan, Naples, Bari and – for the first time ever – Sardinia, there has never been a better moment to discover what each of these remarkable places has to offer.

La Tiara di Cervo | Porto Cervo, Sardegna New Opening, May 2026
Opening just above Porto Cervo, La Tiara di Cervo introduces a quieter, more intimate side to the celebrated Costa Smeralda. Set within a protected three-hectare private estate, the property offers 26 impeccably designed one, two and three-bedroom apartments, each with expansive sea views and the support of a dedicated concierge team. It blends the privacy of a standalone residence with the attentiveness of a refined hotel – a genuinely new hospitality concept for this gilded coastal destination.

Santavenere | Maratea, Basilicata Celebrating 70 Years
Marking its 70th anniversary in 2026, Santavenere occupies a rare stretch of the Tyrrhenian coast in Basilicata – one of Italy’s most quietly treasured and largely unspoiled regions. Its 26 rooms carry the charm of decades of coastal heritage, while terraced Mediterranean gardens fall gently toward a fully equipped private beach. A gateway to the soul of Southern Italy.

Castel Badia | San Lorenzo di Sebato, South Tyrol First Full Season, 2026
Unveiled at the end of 2025, Castel Badia reawakens a thousand-year-old former Benedictine convent in the Puster Valley. With 28 rooms and suites plus a private three-floor chalet, the restoration carefully balances preservation and reinvention – honouring original stonework and sacred architectural details while introducing refined modern design. A spa carved into natural rock, seamless access to Plan de Corones and a contemplative atmosphere make it a quietly unconventional gateway to the Dolomites, year-round.

Hotel Ancora | Cortina d’Ampezzo, Veneto Celebrating 200 Years and Thoughtful Design Transformation
Now under the ownership of Renzo Rosso and managed in partnership with Aldo Melpignano, Hotel Ancora has reclaimed its place at the beating heart of Cortina’s social scene. Interiors by Vicky Charles layer contemporary sophistication over Alpine heritage across 38 beautifully curated rooms. With a destination terrace restaurant, spa, gym and an exclusive invite-only club, Ancora is both a landmark and a living hub – celebrating 200 years while breathing new energy into Cortina’s renaissance.

Hotel de Len | Cortina d’Ampezzo, Veneto
A certified 22-room ClimaHotel and one of the region’s most forward-thinking wellbeing destinations, Hotel de Len is architecturally designed to enhance sleep and recovery. Its biocompatible construction, advanced sleep-support technologies and panoramic rooftop spa make it a natural fit for Cortina’s Olympic moment – and a compelling destination long beyond it. Built with local wood and Dolomitic craftsmanship, it sits at the centre of town with the slopes within easy reach.

Borgo Egnazia | Savelletri di Fasano, Puglia
One of Italy’s most influential hospitality benchmarks, Borgo Egnazia is deeply rooted in the architecture, traditions and rural heritage of Puglia. Regeneration sits at the heart of its philosophy: the property maintains fully regenerative gardens, biodiversity corridors and agricultural practices supporting a self-sustaining ecosystem. In 2026, it becomes the first hospitality destination in Italy to host the full seed cycle on site through The Seed House, its pioneering seed-to-soil initiative. At flagship restaurant Due Camini, regional cuisine is not only celebrated but actively safeguarded through a fully vegetarian menu rooted in the land.

Masseria San Domenico | Savelletri di Fasano, Puglia Celebrating 30 Years
Where the story began. Transformed in 1996 from a fortified masseria, distinguished by its 15th-century Knights of Malta watchtower, Masseria San Domenico is one of the pioneers of luxury hospitality in Puglia. Set within 40 hectares of ancient olive groves, it offers a secluded retreat defined by its renowned thalassotherapy spa, longstanding coastal traditions and cuisine rooted in genuine regional flavours. Thirty years on, it remains as essential as ever.

INTRODUCING BALLYFIN

March 9th

INTRODUCING BALLYFIN

INTRODUCING BALLYFIN

Six hundred acres of stillness and history.

Ireland

Set at the foot of the Slieve Bloom Mountains, just over an hour from Dublin, this is a family-owned masterpiece that feels less like a commercial enterprise and more like a private invitation. After eighty years as a boys’ school, Ballyfin was acquired in the late 1990s by the Krehbiel family. Their goal was simple but ambitious: to restore the house as a living home to a standard Ireland had not yet seen.

It took ten years. Supported by historians and master craftsmen, the project was an act of preservation. Today, the house is filled with museum-quality Irish and European art, Chippendale antiques, and the iconic Richard Turner conservatory — a glass-and-iron anchor that connects the interior to the 614-acre estate.

With just 21 rooms and suites, the house remains intimate. Each room tells a different chapter of the estate’s history:
The Sir Christopher Coote Suite: Features 18th-century Chinese panels once owned by the Prince of Hanover.
The Sir Charles Coote Room: Conceals a Roman marble sarcophagus bath beneath a cantilevered staircase.
The Tapestry Room: Hung with 17th-century Flemish tapestries overlooking the lake.

Ballyfin’s character is shaped by its people. Many of the team, from butlers to landscapers, first knew these halls as students during the school years. They have returned not as staff, but as custodians. This continuity lends a rare authenticity to the house – a sense of stewardship that guests often cite as its most defining quality.

At the center of daily life is the eight-acre walled garden. In early 2025, the kitchen’s commitment to this land was recognised with a Michelin star. Executive Chef Richard Picard-Edwards works with the seasons, serving dinner in the candlelit State Dining Room and lunch in the Turner Conservatory.

The house sits within 614 acres of parkland and woodland, arranged around Ireland’s largest man-made pleasure lake. Guests move through the grounds on foot, by horse-drawn carriage, or by boat.The pursuits here – falconry, clay pigeon shooting, archery – are intrinsic to the estate. For those seeking the theatrical, an extensive collection of period costumes from the Lyric Opera of Chicago is available for exclusive-use guests to host dress-up evenings, nodding to the house-party spirit of the 19th century.

INTRODUCING EXPLORA JOURNEYS: LEADERS IN ULTRA-ELEGANT OCEAN TRAVEL

March 1st

INTRODUCING EXPLORA JOURNEYS: LEADERS IN ULTRA-ELEGANT OCEAN TRAVEL

EXPLORA JOURNEYS

A New Standard in Maritime Luxury

Explora

Explora Journeys is the privately owned luxury ocean travel brand of the MSC Group, defined by space and privacy. At the heart of the brand is the Ocean State of Mind – a philosophy shaped by time at sea, thoughtful design, and the freedom to choose how each day unfolds. Immersive itineraries pair celebrated destinations with lesser-travelled ports, allowing for deeper exploration and a more fluid style of travel.
Across the fleet, Explora Journeys delivers an all-oceanfront experience, with spacious suites, penthouses and residences conceived as refined homes at sea. Floor-to-ceiling windows, private terraces, and residential-style interiors create a strong sense of openness, while an abundance of space and privacy is a defining hallmark of the Explora Journeys experience, with more open-air deck space per guest. The ships also offer an industry-leading host-to-guest ratio, with almost one host per guest, supporting an unhurried onboard rhythm.

Culinary experiences span multiple dining environments, from elegant restaurants to relaxed all-day venues, complemented by a collection of bars and lounges designed for different moments throughout the day. Wellness is fully integrated into life on board through dedicated spa and fitness facilities, outdoor decks and a holistic programme that reflects the brand’s deep connection to the ocean. Service is intuitive and discreet, informed by Mediterranean sensibilities and Swiss hospitality standards.

The fleet currently comprises EXPLORA I, launched in July 2023, and EXPLORA II, launched in September 2024. Expansion continues with EXPLORA III launching in summer 2026, followed by EXPLORA IV and EXPLORA V in 2027 and EXPLORA VI in 2028.

The next chapter for the brand arrives with EXPLORA III, launching in July 2026. An ultra-elegant expression of ocean travel, that benefits from LNG-powered technology, EXPLORA III will introduce a standout Owner’s Residence designed by internationally acclaimed architect Patricia Urquiola, as well as new culinary concepts, enlarged spa and fitness facilities designed for a more immersive wellbeing experience, and elevated onboard retail, including Chopard’s first boutique at sea. EXPLORA III will sail an exclusive Mediterranean Prelude before heading to Northern Europe, Iceland, and Greenland later in 2026.

Perowne International celebrates expansion into Latin America with Mexico City Launch

February 27th

Perowne International celebrates expansion into Latin America with Mexico City Launch

Perowne International celebrates expansion into Latin America

Mexico City Launch

Mexico

Perowne International has officially expanded its global footprint into Latin America, marking the milestone with a series of launch events in Mexico City. The move follows a period of significant growth for the consultancy, strategically linking its flourishing Milan and Madrid operations with the rising influence of the Spanish-speaking luxury market.

INTRODUCING SANDFONTEIN, NAMIBIA’S HIDDEN WILDERNESS

February 12th

INTRODUCING SANDFONTEIN, NAMIBIA’S HIDDEN WILDERNESS

INTRODUCING SANDFONTEIN

NAMIBIA’S HIDDEN WILDERNESS

Namibia

Beyond the classic safari trail and set within 97,000 hectares of privately protected land in southern Namibia, Sandfontein is a vast wilderness reserve and exclusive-use lodge positioned along the Orange River, cutting through sweeps of mountains, basalt outcrops and desert plains.

 

This is a landscape with deep geological time and human history layered into its terrain. River terraces and volcanic rock formations speak to millennia of tectonic change, while archaeological traces reveal early hunter-gatherer communities who relied on the Orange River as a corridor for trade and survival. In the early 20th century, the area became a strategic site during the Nama-German conflicts and the opening stages of the First World War, with battlefields and graveyards still preserved within the reserve today.

 

Available exclusively for private use, Sandfontein Lodge accommodates up to 18 guests across five suites, each with private outdoor living spaces and star beds, alongside the remote Lost Poet Villa, perched on a hilltop with uninterrupted 360-degree views. Locally sourced materials were used throughout the eco-conscious construction of the lodge and villa, minimising environmental impact while blending with the surrounding landscape. With no neighbouring properties, minimal infrastructure and zero light pollution, Sandfontein is recognised by Quiet Parks International for its profound silence and dark skies, offering complete seclusion.

 

Days unfold with guided hikes tracking wildlife on foot – from oryx and springbok to ostrich and giraffe – or historical explorations that reveal stories etched into the terrain. Along the Orange River, time slows further: kayaking, fishing, or drifting quietly downstream offering a different perspective from the banks. Conservation shapes every experience; in recent years, Sandfontein has expanded its boundaries and reintroduced native species, allowing the wilderness and its wildlife to flourish. As daylight fades, the reserve’s silence deepens. Guests can camp beneath the stars or retire to the lodge’s iconic outdoor StarBeds, immersed in the desert’s stillness and vast, starlit skies.

 

This is African travel stripped back to its raw essence, where the luxury is space itself. No crowds, no neighbouring lodges, just access: to land, to history, and to a rare and enduring sense of place, with the freedom to move through it at an unhurried pace.

SIBBJÄNS ARRIVES ON GOTLAND, SWEDEN

February 2nd

SIBBJÄNS ARRIVES ON GOTLAND, SWEDEN

SIBBJÄNS ARRIVES ON GOTLAND, SWEDEN

A REGENERATIVE FARM STAY SHAPED BY SEASONS, FRIENDSHIP AND CRAFTSMANSHIP

Sweden

Sibbjäns began quietly, the combined dream of Jonas Nordlander and Sanna Rönn, who with close friends and many meaningful couples Pontus and Kina Zeidler share a life between Stockholm and Gotland. Over the past four years, they have steadily transformed this former horse farm into a regenerative stay that feels singular to anywhere else in Scandinavia.

After a soft opening in 2025 for friends and family, the farm stay now enters 2026 as its first full season, opening more intentionally to a like-minded global community drawn to nature, food, and thoughtful design.

 

A PLACE TO REST

 

22 individually designed rooms sit across the Hotel and ‘The Bunkhouse,’ each named after important women in the family and among their friends. Adorned with classic Scandi touches of sheepskin throws, limewashed walls, soft palettes, and contemporary art, the spaces are designed for comfort.

Buildings are framed by wildflowers and constructed using traditional methods, much of the work completed by hand, with local craftsmanship central to the process. Architect Maja Berg has been a key contributor, working alongside Erik Larsson, a Master of Gotlandic Craft Heritage, who built some of the original buildings himself and continues to pass on traditional building knowledge to the next generation.

THE KITCHEN FOLLOWS THE FARM

At the heart of Sibbjäns is a working farm home to hens, Mangalitza pigs, horses, and sheep, with agriculture guiding both the kitchen and the guest experience.

In the gardens, lead gardener and local Karin Winarve brings a quiet hand to what thrives here across meadows, vegetable beds, and fruit-growing plots. Produce is grown on-site and harvested seasonally, forming the backbone of a true farm-to-table approach—one that pauses entirely during the winter months when the land rests.

 

EXPERIENCES & ‘VIKING WELLNESS’

New for the 2026 season, wellbeing at Sibbjäns is restorative rather than prescriptive. Inspired by Nordic traditions and the physicality of outdoor life, the evolving wellness offering includes:

  • A hand-built yoga barn

  • A wood-fired sauna

  • An outdoor gym

  • Recreational spaces

  • The beginnings of what will become one of the world’s most beautiful tennis courts.

The surrounding landscape invites guests to engage with nature on its own terms, from cycling or horse riding across open farmland to kitesurfing along Gotland’s windswept coastline (widely regarded as one of the finest spots in Europe for the sport). This is ‘Viking wellness’ in spirit—elemental, grounding, and quietly transformative.

 

SWEDEN’S ‘SUNSHINE ISLAND’

Gotland is Sweden’s sunniest destination, known for its distinctive light, limestone landscapes, and strong ‘right to roam’ ethos. Open from Easter through to Christmas and closed entirely during the dark winter months, Sibbjäns follows the natural calendar rather than resisting it.

Reaching it is part of the journey:

  • A short flight from Stockholm to the island’s capital of Visby, followed by a drive across the island.

  • A ferry crossing that reinforces the sense of arrival somewhere distinct and deliberately unhurried.

  • For those preferring a more direct approach, arrival by helicopter is also possible.

At its core, Sibbjäns remains a place for friends old and new built slowly, grounded in nature, and designed to endure.