These dreamy hotels in Greece will make you want to go this summer
Home to more than 6,000 islands and promising at least 300 sunshine-filled days a year, Greece is the word when it comes to great holidays and thanks to our roundup of the best hotels in Greece and the Greek Islands, you'll be on your way to soaking up that sun in no time.
Fabled as the ancient home of Greek gods and legends, Greece's holiday destinations offer some incredible historic sites spanning four millennia.
On the mainland, you can stay in the capital and be bewitched by the Acropolis, which can be seen from almost every street corner in Athens. Take a hike up Mount Olympus, the mythical home of the Greek Gods, or venture towards Thessaloniki and enjoy sailing around the crystal clear waters of the Pelion Peninsula.
Many travellers use the mainland as a springboard to the islands, where you'll find charming fishing villages of white-washed and wisteria-strewn houses, lush groves of native olive trees and narrow cobbled lanes leading down to some the most beautiful bays in the Mediterranean.
From luxury beach resorts to rural boutique guest houses, here's our pick of the best hotels in Greece found on the mainland and on the Greek Islands.
Whether you're looking to explore Rhodes, Crete, Corfu or Halkidiki, you'll want to check out our favourite hotels in Greece.
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If you're looking for five-star Hellenic glamour then look no further than the Grand Bretagne in the Greek capital. Built in 1874, this notable pile is righteously referred to as Athens' grande dame and considered one of the best hotels in Greece. It occupies a fine spot on Syntagma Square, overlooking the Hellenic Parliament where you can see the famous changing of the guards. It's also close to the National Gardens. Inside, find period glamour with stained glass ceiling, potted palms and a wealth of antiques.
There's an outdoor pool on the seventh floor, a fancy spa with mud chambers, thermal suites and steam rooms, and the Wine Library bar. After a night in one a palatial rooms, enjoy breakfast on the rooftop terrace overlooking the city.
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Tucked away down a medieval cobbled lane in Rhodes' Old Town, this charming boutique hotel was originally a knight's residence with origins in the 14th century. Kókkini Porta Rossa is ideal for exploring the Old Town's historical highlights, like the Palace of the Grand Master and the Church of Our Lady of the Castle.
Surrounding a leafy courtyard, this tranquil hotel has just six spacious suites, all named after family members who have lived there. Each one is beautifully decorated in a rustic-chic manner with painted wood ceilings, rough sandstone walls and tiled floors adorned with plush Persian rugs and covetable antiques. The Michalis suite, named after the carpenter, has its own garden. While there isn't a restaurant, breakfast is an unmissable event and served in the courtyard under the shade of an ancient mulberry tree.
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Perched on the very edge of one of Santorini's volcanic cliffs near the tiny village of Imerovigli, this oh-so stylish cave hotel has incredible views of the Aegean Sea and neighbouring islands. Carved out of the caldera wall, small boutique hotel Iconic Santorini evokes the island in its purest sense with traditional blue-and-white decor, natural stone and wood, and the odd palm tree.
But really, it's all about those views. On the terrace, there's an infinity pool (with those views), a small alfresco restaurant (more views) and a tiny cave spa in case you need further pampering. Stay in one of the 19 cave suites, featuring vaulted ceilings, serene whitewashed walls and driftwood; some have private plunge pools, and guess what, those incredible views.
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On the westernmost fringes of Halkidiki peninsula, the Afitis Boutique Hotel has been wooing visitors since it opened in 1969. A stylish Greek hotel with a rare private sandy beach, you can spend halcyon days lounging around the two palm-lined pools or paddling in the sea. However, it's well worth venturing out and exploring the nearby Petralona Cave and thermal springs, or having a long leisurely lunch in Afytos village, a short stroll away.
With just 50 rooms, this is far from a sprawling resort and is more intimate than most on the mainland. It offers good restaurants, Daphne and Mesogeios, both of which champion the region's home-grown produce. Rooms are serene and individually styled, some have a hint of the hotel's original 60s' vibe.
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Located in a 14th-century Venetian village of Old Perithia on Corfu, this small but elegant boutique guesthouse is a great alternative to the beach sprawls the island is known for. Housed in a fully restored 17th-century building, once a tradesman's bazaar, the rustic-chic Merchant's House has just six suites, all with a refined vibe: think beamed ceilings, cast iron beds and dark wood furnishings. Breakfast is served in the courtyard garden and while there isn't a restaurant, the hotel is within walking distance of a handful of excellent tavernas in the village.
There's plenty to see nearby, including the Megali Grava cave. While the highest mountain on Corfu, Mount Pantokrator, is right on the doorstep, offering some of the island's best hiking and cycling trails.
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‘Kalesma’ means 'inviting' in Greek, and despite its luxury appeal, this contemporary boutique hotel in the Aleomandra region of Mykonos is as warm and as welcoming as they come. Designed by the acclaimed restaurateur Aby Saltiel, who created this beautiful space overlooking the Aegean Sea, it's deliberately away from the liveliness of Mykonos Town.
Stay in one of a clutch of white-washed villas, which has been laid out like an old Mykonian village, except that all have decent-sized pools and views over the Aegean. Kalesma also has a tiny chapel, in-room spa treatments and Pere Ubu, the hotel's chic restaurant. It's moments from Ornos Beach, where you can watch both the sun rise and set, while Agios Ioannis, the famous beach from the movie Shirley Valentine, is a short sandy skip away.
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For a chic island escape look no further than Ypseli Anafi Hive on the small island of Anafi, just east of Santorini. Perched on the south coast of the island, near the beach of Roukounas, this oh-so stylish boutique hotel is named after the traditional clay beehives found on the island. Steps from a handful of beautiful and secluded beaches, there are just eight suites, but each can sleep up to six and comes decorated with a deliciously rustic vibe: think raffia chairs, natural woods and macrame light shades, plus a private terrace with spectacular views over the Aegean.
Although there's no restaurant, a traditional Anafi breakfast is included and can be enjoyed by the pool and under the gaze of Mount Kalamos, one of the highest rocks in the Mediterranean.
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Tucked away on the quieter south coast of Rhodes, this sprawling spa resort built into a lush hillside has all the essentials for a relaxed Greek getaway: sweeping sea views, an abundance of dining options and a fantastic spa. The rooms at Atrium Prestige are airy and comfortably furnished, while classic in style. The top-shelf suites come with private pools.
From yoga on the beach to scuba instruction in the PADI dive centre and relaxing by the brace of lagoon-style pools, there's plenty to keep guests attached to the resort. However, don't miss an excursion to the nearby village of Lindos and exploring the acropolis, the ruins of this ancient citadel where the remains of the goddess Athena lie.
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Overlooking Agios Stefanos on the island's craggy northwest coast, this contemporary wellness hotel built into the cliff face offers some of the finest sunset views on Corfu. Set in lush tropical gardens, Delfino Blu Wellness Hotel offers the choice of three pools, each overlooking the navy sweep of the Ionian Sea. However, the highlight is the luxe outdoor spa, where you can bathe in a crystal steam bath or book a natural thalassotherapy experience.
There are 15 rooms and suites, most have sea views, while some even have fireplace and a large terrace for lazy sundowners. Breakfast is a true Greek feast, complete with champagne, while dinner in Kohili is an elegant Mediterranean affair using local, seasonal produce.
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For the epitome of luxury Greek living, look no further than Abaton Island Resort and Spa in Hersonissos. It's tempting to hunker down for the week and enjoy the brace of sea-facing infinity pools with wet beds and day beds, a swish Elemis spa with a heated indoor pool. There's also a private beach to play on.
A rash of low-rise, white-washed buildings house the 152 beautifully serene rooms, and almost half have their own heated saltwater pools. There are five restaurants to dine in, including Elemes, famous for its Cretan specialities like zucchini blossoms stuffed with feta and mint, and strapatsada, eggs with Cretan sausage and sour mizithra. Meanwhile, the rustic-chic Bony Fish is a popular beachfront seafood restaurant.
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Famous for its beautiful pine-fringed beaches and Ekatontapyliani, a Byzantine Monastery known as 'the church with the hundred doors', Paros is known as the gateway to the Cyclades. For sleek Greek style look no further than Parīlio Hotel, a member of Design Hotels it simply oozes whitewashed Greco chic. Doze by the cross-shaped swimming pool, relax in the small by perfectly formed spa or dine out on exquisite Mediterranean and Greek delights in Mr E restaurant.
The 33 suites are serenely styled with a natural palette, stone floors and soft woods. All offer outdoor space; some even have private pools or whirlpool spas to relax in. And if you can bear to tear yourself away from the facilities, visit the soft blonde sands and crystal clear waters of Agioi Anargyroi Beach or explore the Venetian fortress of Naoussa.
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Perched on a soft, sandy cove on the northern coast of Kos, a short wander from Marmari village, this beautiful adults-only resort has become a holistic haven thanks to its stunning spa and wellbeing centre. At Oku Kos, you can enjoy fragrant body scrubs and relaxing massages, steam away in the saunas or polish up your yoga skills with daily classes on the beach.
The rooms are a delight. Simply furnished using local textures and natural woods, while the suites come with their own private pool. There are two additional outdoor pools, while the exquisite spa also offers an indoor pool and hammam. After a busy day of doing very little, enjoy farm-to-fork dishes from Grecian specialities to sparklingly fresh local fish pulled straight from the sea.
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Tucked away in the foothills of Mount Taygetus and surrounded by pine forest, this luxury spa retreat is just the ticket for a relaxing wellbeing escape. Close to the fortified town of Mystras and the ancient city of Sparta, Euphoria Retreat also makes an ideal base for exploring the archeological attractions of the Peloponnese peninsula.
The rooms are comfortably stylish and warmly decorated with swathes of natural stone, wood and onyx marble. While The Gaia Restaurant serves nourishing organic dishes made with local produce. At its heart is the spa, which uses the philosophy of ancient Greece and China, and offers healing treatments, yoga classes and acupuncture. However, a highlight for many is to float in the spectacular indoor pool with its vast domed ceiling inspired by the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
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With panoramic views of the Aegean Sea, this elegant and sustainable boutique hotel on the eastern coast of Sifnos is just the spot for some Greek-style R&R. Unlike the buzzy islands of Santorini and Mykonos, Sifnos is all about serenity and quiet escapes. At Verina Astra, you'll want to relax by the seawater infinity pool, which has mesmerising views of the sea, and dine out on mezedes, Greek-style tapas made from locally grown produce.
As a nod to astra, the Greek word for stars, each suite is named after a constellation and is decorated in natural materials, with exposed stone, scrubbed wood and warm, neutral tones. If you can drag yourself away from that incredible view, the charming village of Artemonas is three kilometres away, while island capital Apollonia features beautiful blue domed whitewashed churches and ancient temples dedicated to Apollo's sister-goddess, Artemi.
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Perched on a private beach on the northern coast of Crete, this sprawling yet stylish resort awash with palm-fringed pools and acres of natural stone offers an ideal retreat for all the family. A short hop from Heraklion, Amirandes Grecotel Boutique Resort makes an ideal base for exploring northern Crete, including the ruins of the Palace of Minos at Knossos, where legend says King Minos sent children to fight the minotaur.
The rooms, bungalows and villas scattered around the resort are all light, airy and stylishly decorated, while the swankiest villas offer direct beach access or a private pool. Whether it's relaxing by the olympic-sized seawater pool complete with Greco columns, kicking back in the Elixir Alchemy Spa, which offers a range of Ayurvedic treatments, or enjoying one of the many beach bars, restaurants and tavernas dotted around the place, a relaxing time for all is guaranteed.
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Moments from Skiathos' sandy Koukounaries Beach, this chic hotel originally built in the Sixties was once the stylish hangout of Jackie Onassis. Surrounded by pine trees, Elivi Skiathos features a brace of pools, including an infinity pool with a poolside bar, an outdoor yoga studio and a spa, while the beach taverna is buzzy and fun in the evenings. Rooms are light and neutrally decorated with natural woods, while the Grace suites built into the hill offer uninterrupted views of the sea; some even have private pools.
The hotel is perfectly placed to explore Lake Strofilia, the island's protected wetland, where you'll find cormorant, egret and the island's famous black swan. Don't miss a trip to Kastro, the oldest town on Skiathos. Abandoned in the 19th century, its ruined streets are scattered with cannons, crumbling churches and even the remains of a Turkish-era mosque.
(Booking.com)The best hotels in Greece and its islands for 2023 if you're looking for couples', all-inclusive, family and luxury hotels. Here's where to stay in Greece.