Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino

Character and identity

Set into a Peloponnese hillside above the Bay of Navarino, this is Mandarin Oriental's first Greek property, opened in 2023 as a low-slung, curving modernist complex that hugs the landscape. Just 99 villas and suites, almost half with private pools, sit among maturing gardens of rosemary and oleander, connected by concrete pathways navigated by e-bike or buggy. Local terrazzo and rattan, latticed wooden bedframes and Greek-inspired textiles ground the design. Eight food and drink venues, a citrus-toned spa rooted in the brand's Eastern traditions, a 250-yard beach and a slick, deeply attentive service culture under a Barcelona-trained GM define the register.

Who's it for

Bottom line

What sets this property apart is the combination of architectural restraint, genuine privacy across only 99 keys, and a kitchen brigade operating well above resort norms, with chef Daniele Cason's eight-course Roman pizza omakase at Pizza Sapienza the standout. Book a Garden Pool Villa for the outdoor shower and uninterrupted bay views, and aim for shoulder season when the new indoor-outdoor spa pool and treatment rooms are fully running.