LESANTE CAPE RESORT & VILLAS

Despite a wave of tourism and a proliferation of all-night bars and clubs, the Greek island of Zakynthos is a place where tradition is revered. Nowhere is this more true than at Lesante Cape Resort & Villas, an elegant resort that pays homage to Zakynthian culture, from architecture to cuisine. It’s a village within a village, namely the seaside hamlet of Akrotiri; the hotel has its own taverna, shops, church, café, and central square. And while the grand archways, whitewashed buildings, and scenic olive trees mirror elements of the world outside, there’s a luxurious spin and a modern sensibility to this particular interpretation of the island lifestyle.

Not too many Greek villages have their own infinity pool, after all, let alone three — one with a swim-up bar and all with views over the Ionian Sea. Lesante Cape Resort & Villas also has a private rocky beach, a large spa and fitness center, and a range of high-end restaurants and bars. Rooms and suites, far from the humble simplicity of a village home, are downright palatial. Done up in a palette of beige, cream, and white, and incorporating pale-hued natural materials like wood, straw, and linen, they’re sophisticated and contemporary. All have indoor and outdoor spaces, and the majority have terraces with sea views. Pool suites feature bougainvillea-fringed private pools. A collection of villas, perhaps the swankiest on the island, offer multiple bedrooms and spacious outdoor terraces with full-sized pools.

If lounging around the pool and beach isn’t enough, the hotel has a range of activities to keep guests entertained, from live music to wine tastings to Greek cooking classes and yacht rides. There's even an on-site museum dedicated to Zakynthian history, a welcome diversion on a rainy day.