Eressian Hotel & Hammam Spa

The village of Eressos, on the Greek island of Lesvos, is most famous for having been the birthplace of the poet Sappho. Tourism, here, is perhaps of less concern than it is in, say, the Cyclades. But the Eressian Hotel & Hammam Spa is every bit the equal of its counterparts elsewhere in the Aegean; from design to setting to comforts, it’s an extraordinary hotel offering a first-rate experience.

It’s set in an 1850s mansion, one whose style is rather more classical and colorful than the Greek-island norm, and whose windows look out over the ruggedly beautiful landscapes of the southwestern corner of the island. With just two rooms and two suites it feels more like a private residence than a boutique hotel; the pool deck, with its pint-sized swimming pool, never feels busy — the whole villa can be booked by a single party, and sleeps up to ten.

For such a small hotel, it’s got a fairly elaborate spa program, with offerings ranging from self-directed baths to full-scale hammam and massage treatments. Breakfast is the extent of the in-house food and beverage program, but it’s an impressive one, and for lunch and dinner Eressos’s restaurants are at your disposal.