Looking for your next boutique stay in Greece? If you are a big fan of boutique hotels, you will know that there is something inherently exclusive to experiencing such kind of hospitality; essentially, it is all about the personalized atmosphere they create. There is individuality in character that goes hand in hand with impeccable style and sophisticated design, while the typically small size allows you to feel that personal touch that ‘boutiqueness’ aspires to. Our continuous search for boutiques stays has led us to Greece once again. Leaving Athens aside (although it is the main airport that connects to many places throughout the country), here are three Greek boutique stays up to 1 hour from the busy city, that will offer that quintessential intimate experience, on a popular island destination.

Santorini

Santorini, a Mediterranean classic associated with romance above and beyond. The Greek go-to island destination for couples, Santorini never fails to deliver on astonishing visuals and picturesque spots that make visitors want to push the pause button and freeze the world around them, wishing that time could, in fact, stand still even just for a moment. The flight from Athens to Santorini is just under an hour, therefore it is highly recommended to opt for a flight rather than ferry transfer, which can take up to 4 hours. That’s 3 more hours gained in exploring the most dreamy Greek island, bar none. The most iconic Santorinian settlement is, of course, the enchanting Oia, where the sensational, boutique hotel Andronis Arcadia is located. A not-so-typical hotel in Oia that boasts ostentatious displays of luxury, this boutique hotel is characterized by natural harmony while it has been inspired by a certain, pastoral allure. Rustic furniture pieces that are far from plain bring about that more earthy ambience in an otherwise uber-modern stylistic world.

Exterior view of room at Andronis Arcadia Santorini. — Exterior view of room at Andronis Arcadia Santorini

Dining at Andronis Arcadia Santorini. — Dining at Andronis Arcadia Santorini

Mykonos

By way of a 50-minute flight from Athens, you arrive on the ‘island of the winds’. Similarly cosmopolitan, Mykonos has long been considered the Greek mecca for jet-setters seeking a luxurious party destination. Mykonos can provide so many options in terms of high-energy entertainment, while romance can be pursued wherever privacy is guaranteed. Effectively, a holiday in Mykonos does not mean the party never ends, unless you don’t want it to. For those valuing their peace and quiet, staying at the area of Agios Lazaros, where the boutique villa complex of AGL Luxury Villas is located, is ideal. Far away from the midnight noise, you can enjoy undisturbed moments of tranquillity yet it is conveniently close enough to the nightlife scene. These stunning villas offer a true holiday haven on one of the most vivacious of Greek islands. Choosing a villa rather than a hotel for a boutique stay means that although you get to enjoy absolute autonomy, privacy and immensity of space in the confines of your villa, while other services such as housekeeping and in-house dining must be arranged. A small price to pay for securing such expansive, unobstructed views that beckon you to immortalize moments spent in your memory forever.

One of the rooms at AGL Luxury Villas in Mykonos. — One of the rooms at AGL Luxury Villas in Mykonos

AG Luxury Villas lit up at night. — AG Luxury Villas lit up at night

Corfu

Lastly, we travel west, to the Ionian. With just over an hour’s flight from Athens, you can reach Corfu island, the emerald lady, as it is referred to by locals. Not so much cosmopolitan as it is aristocratic, Corfu town used to be an international poll of attraction for the creme de la creme of the previous century’s high society. The remnants of this era’s grandeur are still very much visible today through an array of palaces, villas, historic mansions, manors, estate homes and summer residences. These are not the only landmarks in Corfu, and most importantly, there are two unmissable fortresses that command your attention, from almost everywhere. For staying just on the outskirts of the Old Corfu town’s centre, the boutique hotel of Mayor Mon Repos Palace Art Hotel that borrows the old age elegance and sophistication boasts landmark views that pour into its interiors, simply for guests’ eyes only. Located at the edge of Garitsa Bay, sea views interchange with city views, while it is not called an 'Art Hotel' for no reason. It proudly displays antique furniture and other selected 18th-century artifacts from the famous Achillion Palace, so by staying here, guests are instantly taken back into history, while the reality of sensational experiences remains timeless.

Sea view dining at Mayor Mon Repos Hotel in Corfu. — Sea view dining at Mayor Mon Repos Hotel in Corfu

Sea View Room of Mayor Mon repos Hotel Corfu town. — Sea View Room of Mayor Mon repos Hotel Corfu town

Are you dreaming of exploring the stunning Greek islands? Go Greek island hopping from Athens and discover the picturesque islands of Hydra, Spetses, and Poros, or explore the lesser-known gems of Serifos, Sifnos, and Milos. Explore ancient temples and fortresses in Aegina, Agistri, and Methana or unwind on the sun-kissed beaches of Mykonos and Santorini. Learn more about Greece by reading our blog and start planning your dream trip today!

This article has been produced in collaboration with Helen-Marie Joyce.

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