A rebrand is a tough factor to tug off. Abercrombie & Fitch managed it, ditching brashly branded tees for clear fundamentals. Alexander McQueen to McQueen? A pivot that also has me on the fence. Zante, nevertheless, has grown, matured, undergone a glow up that ought to be recorded and later celebrated. Stripped of its teenage celebration standing, it now features as a tranquil retreat from actuality that locals would favor you name ‘Zakynthos’.
For context, I retired from clubbing years in the past. Some label me boring — others perceive the peace of waking up with out a day-damning hangover. So a Greek getaway to one of many nation’s 200-plus (inhabited) islands, beforehand most well-known for its shot-fuelled strip? Not on my summer time hit listing.
Fortunately, the Olea All Suite Lodge shares my values: a prioritisation of relaxation, leisure and, as an added bonus, a Pinterest-ready view. Made up of 89 suites or particular person servings of luxurious, many accessorised with their very own infinity pool, this resort isn’t about attending to know your short-term neighbours. Primarily, should you weren’t already snug in your personal firm, a three-day vacay right here is the time to be taught.
Sophie Donovan
Sophie Donovan
Strolling throughout the edge, you’re greeted by a band of creeping cacti — an early induction that the one method to absorb all the venue is to lookup. Behind that, a concrete mecca, softened with climbing wood beams and cloudless July sky.
Take into account it a beachier model of The Barbican, digging deep into the Brutalist period for inspo. And these design notes are evident across the complete hilltop resort, with eight miniature variations of the primary constructing adorning the 4,000 sq m pool. At instances, the gang of concrete outhouses can really feel a bit chilly — some would possibly say clear or maybe medical. However for the minimalist-leaning, it’s an ideal image.
Strolling into our Govt Non-public Pool Suite, the cotton throws and an occasional Aztec cushion supplied the consolation we had been craving. Though these particulars had been swiftly neglected when recognizing the ocean-framed infinity pool mere steps from our mattress.
As talked about, there was no want (or possibility) to greet these holidaying subsequent door every morning. Our poolside actions — for these questioning, fiction deep dives and the occasional recreation of Rummy — had been protected by way of concrete privateness screens that left solely an uninterrupted view of the Ionian Sea.
Just about from our entry into our room, we’d non-verbally agreed to spend the vast majority of our keep poolside, solely relocating to refuel. You’ve bought choices relating to meals: Flame is supposedly best-suited to the ‘free-spirited’, and is the extra informal dinner venue of the three. Serving premium meat cuts and a choice of Greek ‘first impressions’ — each the Grilled Mastelo Cheese Skewers served with scorching honey and the Spicy Hen Gyros ought to be ordered for the desk — ticked our ‘culinary tourism’ field.
Move Dine & Wine provides a extra romantic setting, and for these craving a grid-worthy seize, it’s right here. Nonetheless, it’s extra centered on serving up modern gastronomy — slowly, so you’ll be able to get pleasure from all the sundown and discover the hidden corners of your companion’s mind. Meals-wise, assume eye-widening amuse-bouches, together with a peach-topped corn tortilla we in contrast each different chew to.
Sophie Donovan
Sophie Donovan
Breakfast, an expansive buffet served within the Omikron Restaurant, is a extra American affair, with Eggs Benedict, pancakes, and in a single day oats accessible to seize at your leisure. The identical might be stated for the Cocoon Restobar (Flame’s AM alter-ego), which provides up poolside classics together with a membership sandwich and a Caesar salad, listed alongside a couple of locally-inspired dishes comparable to pinsas and an 11/10 Greek salad.
The one different draw back from common plunges? The Olea Royal Spa. Right here, two remedy rooms sit alongside one other near-private pool, a waterfall, and shaded loungers. For these chasing romance and an opportunity to bodily renew, there’s the choice to get pleasure from a 50-minute therapeutic massage collectively, or particular person full physique scrubs, facial drainage and physique wrapping.
Marketed as a retreat ‘for the fashionable soul’, the ‘architectural masterpiece’ definitely lives as much as its title. That is definitely not a vacation haven for budget-conscious, contemplating a single sleep begins at €296 an evening. Nonetheless, for a beneficiant serving of silence, respite and escapism from actually all the pieces, there appears to be no hurt in splurging.
