In March, the MICHELIN Guide announced their very first hotel honors for Greece, launching the One, Two, and Three Key ratings that are the hotel equivalent of the MICHELIN Star for restaurants. As a Greek-Australian travel writer, I couldn’t help but appreciate the inclusion of so many island hotels that buck their settings’ typical stereotypes.
After all, the Greek people have an innate respect for heritage and tradition, a pride in our country’s extensive and celebrated history. But this is also a country of inventors.
We can’t help but remake the past, infusing tradition with contemporary flair. Each Key hotel below takes what’s typical about their home islands and gives it a twist. On the party capital of Mykonos, you’ll find hotels measured and secluded. In Santorini, renowned for vistas of the famous caldera, you’ll find accommodations that face instead a staggering black sand beach.
Below, I’ve highlighted nine of MICHELIN’s most distinctive Key island hotels (head here for a selection on the mainland). But although they’re in some ways atypical of the scene at large, you can count on them for what ties together every great Greek hotel. We call it filoxenia, the Greek philosophy of warm hospitality: the concept of treating visitors not as strangers, but as friends. The Key spots below have it in spades.
Lesante Cape Resort
ZakynthosSet in the Ionian Sea—home to perhaps the most stunning aquamarine waters you’ll ever see—the island of Zakynthos is known for its vibrant party scene. But on the other hand, it also offers secluded, elegant hotels like Lesante Cape Resort. This one tips its cap, with warm neutrals and traditional architecture, to the feeling of a humble village home. With one major difference—there is nothing humble about these accommodations. They’re palatial, with each room measuring at least 45-square-meters.
Guests enjoy a duality of experiences here. In the morning, you might explore more about your whereabouts by visiting the hotel's onsite museum, which celebrates Zakynthian culture and history. In the afternoon, you can admire the Ionian Sea from a sun lounger on Lesante’s very own private ocean pier.
Book Lesante Cape Resort with The MICHELIN Guide →
Leeda’s Village
ZakynthosHere’s another laidback option on Zakynthos. At Leeda's Village, a series of stone cottages form a rustic, family-run retreat among the olive groves. Guests enjoy the hotel's farm-to-table ethos, with ingredients from its organic farm featured in a variety of classic Greek dishes. You can even ask for a personal tour of the farm—and score a few gardening tips if you’re lucky.
Book Leeda’s Village with The MICHELIN Guide →
Aristide Hotel
SyrosThe fact that it’s on Syros—the lesser-known Cycladic sibling of Mykonos and Santorini—is enough to grab my attention. But this is also the rare Greek island hotel that features a kaleidoscope of pastel, Art Deco colors rather than the classic blue and white palette typically associated with the Greek islands.
Set in the island’s capital of Ermoupoli, this converted mansion is a perfect retreat for those seeking to escape the bustle of the Greek high-season. The topper is—quite literally—Aristide's rooftop bar, blessed with panoramic Aegean Sea views.
Book Aristide Hotel with The MICHELIN Guide →
Kivotos
SantoriniSet in the village of Imerovigli, Kivotos is a quieter alternative to Oia and Fira, the more populous towns that attract most visitors to Santorini, a perennial bucket-list destination. Kivotos stands out for its ambient, cave-inspired rooms—quite the contrast to the typical light and bright island interiors—while still offering the ultimate Santorini experience: spacious suites, private pools, and the famed caldera view. (For reference, the caldera is a large crater formed by an ancient volcanic eruption, now filled with the waters of the Aegean.) The hotel’s moody, romantic tones are particularly popular with honeymooners.
Istoria
SantoriniAnother boutique hotel that confidently diverges from the Santorini's typical trends, this one forgoes the prized caldera view for a look instead over the black volcanic sand of the lovely Perivolos Beach. Each of the 12 suites offers a serene, tucked-away retreat in a natural palette, complete with a lush private terrace.
That's not to say Istoria is avant-garde. You’re here for the joys of Santorini, and Istoria delivers. You have three picks for a swim: your suite's private pool, the grand hotel pool, or the Aegean Sea. To truly live like the Greeks do, take an outdoor shower post-swim before winding down for an afternoon siesta.
Book Istoria with The MICHELIN Guide →
The TownHouse Hotel
MykonosIt’s the building and the location that stands out at the TownHouse Hotel in Mykonos. Once the residence of Mykonos’ first mayor back in the 18th century, its homeliness is enjoyed today through a range of accommodations—villas, suites, duplexes—in the heart of the action within Mykonos’ main town, connected to the vibrancy of the island without indulging in the full-blown party resort vibe with which it’s often associated.
For those who prefer a more laid-back evening, the cocktail lounge downstairs or the rooftop bar are excellent spots for a drink without the need to venture to the clubs every night.
Book the TownHouse Hotel with The MICHELIN Guide →
Palladium Hotel
MykonosAn exclusive resort, the Palladium is an architectural standout in Mykonos. On the outside, it pays homage to the simple, classic whitewashed buildings for which the Cyclades are renowned. Inside, it’s all about character and visual intrigue, with no detail spared in nailing a boho-chic, glam aesthetic.
Activities on-site include a spa, fashion boutique, state-of-the-art fitness center, and—perhaps rarest for Greek hotels—a sauna. Set yourself by the grand pool on a generous sunbed with a signature cocktail from the poolside bar, or make the most of the direct beach access and take a dip at Nammos Beach.
Book Palladium Hotel with The MICHELIN Guide →
Numo
MykonosLike the Palladium, Numo takes typical Greek island minimalism and turns it on its head. Here, the twist is the mid-century design—a blend of stone archways, striped chaises, rich timbers, and geometric artwork. Perched on a hill in Agios Sostis, it’s all advantageously tucked away from the summertime crowds.
Consideration for the environment is also a priority at Numo, with initiatives ranging from water conservation and solar power to recycling. Food is largely sourced locally, and while Greeks love to serve up a feast, the focus here is on à la carte menus as opposed to buffets in an effort to minimize food waste.
Book Numo with The MICHELIN Guide →
Acro Suites
CreteWhat makes Acro so unique are its private suites carved into rock faces—a design choice far more common on Santorini than Crete. In most other ways, Acro Suites embodies Crete at its finest. As the largest island in Greece, Crete is virtually a country of its own, offering enough to fill an entire vacation, from its distinct cuisine to its deep-rooted folk dance traditions.
At Acro, wellbeing is the beating heart of experience. Guests indulge in hammam baths, dry saunas, and yoga sessions or else massages and facials, and experience authentic Cretan cuisine, hikes around the island, and visits to historic and archeological sites.
Book Acro Suites with The MICHELIN Guide →
Top image: An infinity pool sunset at Lesante Cape Resort.
