Celestial Suites

The Ionian island of Kefalonia is a more than worthy alternative to its counterparts on the Aegean side of the Greek mainland. And among the differences are a crop of boutique hotels whose style leans towards the sleek and modern, rather than the whitewashed and traditional. Celestial Suites is one of these. Set on a hillside just above Trapezaki Beach, it’s an adults-only (-ish) escape, limited to guests aged 15 and up — resulting in an atmosphere that’s tranquil enough to be worthy of the hotel’s heavenly name.

Its terraced construction maximizes guests’ exposure to the views, both of the Ionian sea (with Zakynthos in the distance) and of Mount Ainos, the dominating geographical feature of southern Kefalonia. And it gives the suites plenty of space to spread out — each one, impressively, comes with its own plunge pool and private terrace, many of them offering views of the sea. There’s a central communal pool as well, partially covered and illuminated from above with star-like lights. Meanwhile a small spa and a well-equipped gym round out the leisure offerings, while the restaurant, Florencia, serves upscale pan-Mediterranean fare in an open-air space set right by the poolside.