Luxury Explorer Review

5-Star Hotel Review

Amanzoe

Greece

Overlooking the turquoise waters of the Aegean sea

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Amanzoe
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Amanzoe

Location

Porto Heli on the east coast of the Peloponnese

Travel Information

Athens airport - 2 hours and 30 mins drive, or 2 hours on a hydrofoil from Piraeus
It is also possible to charter a helicopter which takes just 25 mins from Athens airport

Top Tips

Make the most of the private beach club and also visit the islands of Hydra and Spetses

5-Star X-Factors

The gargantuan proportions and sense of space are breathtaking

Amanzoe's Peloponnese panoramas

Amanzoe is a 2.5hr drive from Athens, hydrofoil is a little quicker and by Amanzoe's helicopter it's just 25 minutes. That's a short time spent travelling to reach somewhere quite so panoramic and, frankly, jaw-droppingly awesome.

The weather is generally pleasing out of high season here, and our days at Easter were no exception; azure blue sky, blissfully warm midday ending in cool evenings with fuchsia pink sunsets. All this sunshine had brought out the delights of spring; carpets of daisies with poppies, jade green spring shoots, lambs and, sadly, a few early mosquitos. Yes, even they felt it was warm enough to taste the delights of us pale Brits. 

The dreamlike location

Amanzoe is perched high on a hilltop near the town of Porto Heli on the east coast of the Peloponnese, the heart of Greece’s classical landscape. This was supposedly the playground of the gods and it’s easy to see why. In fact you could say that staying at Amanzoe feels quite heavenly. In early April the mountain tips were still displaying their white peaks, while the Aegean Sea shimmered a sensational sapphire blue, a striking contrast to the green and brown hills, clad with olive trees amidst raw and unfettered terrain. You appreciate a true panorama here, all (almost) 360 degrees of it, and I don’t believe you could ever tire of its arresting position.

The dramatic architecture

In true, simple, slick Aman style, the hotel is distinctly imposing. It reflects the architecture of ancient Greece, but it’s very definitely contemporary in comfort. There is a modern Acropolis feel here, with soaring columns and a Parthenon-styled entrance, while the 38 pavilions are designed amphitheatrically to maximise on the sea view, each with striking water features and heated private pools to reflect all this beauty, while the huge main pool is also divine. Space is a luxury to be enjoyed everywhere at Amanzoe, crafted into breathtaking public spaces and exquisite suites by long-time Aman architect, Ed Tuttle.

This place is also not without natural drama. One evening a strong sea breeze whipped up the petrol blue water features from tranquil to tempestuous, creating a surreal contrast against the still, theatrically lit, soaring columns. There is certainly a sense of ‘out of this world’ at Amanzoe.

The Beach Club, restaurants and spa

The exclusive Beach Club feels truly ‘Onassis’. It is totally private to hotel guests and villa owners, or by invitation-only. A short and very pretty drive through pine forests and fields and you arrive to a warm welcome - it’s easy to see why you would spend whole days here. The beach commands an entire private cove with pristine sapphire Aegian waters and a casting-sugar soft beach and offers all the facilities for a perfect beach retreat day out.

Back at the hotel, the main restaurant is, again, dramatic in its soaring proportions and opulent display of grey marble with floor to ceiling windows to maximize the stunning views. The cuisine focusses on elegant Greek and Mediterranean dishes featuring really fresh local produce. The wine list features the best of Greece, which can be very, very good. A memorable bottle was a local Peloponnese Anax 2009 Chardonnay, which surpised as much as it delighted us. There is also a lounge bar with a stunning sundowner terrace for pre and post dinner moments and the simpler pool restaurant offers a relaxed vibe with some quintessentially Greek dishes and healthy salads on the menu.

The spa enjoys lavish treatment rooms with sun-drenched courtyards, a Watsu pool, steam rooms, a hair salon and more besides. It’s deeply coveting and the therapists are truly top notch. If you can imagine how the ancient gods were pampered then this is your spa. Everything is natural, holistic, organic and the experience leaves you beautifully uncluttered.

Our interconnecting ‘suite’ pavilions

You want for nothing in your slick milk-and-honey-toned Pavilions. All have stonewalled gardens at the front, which lead into your high-ceilinged pavilions with terraces, a covered pergola and each has a private infinity pool. Deluxe Pool Pavilions offer 12 metre pools and direct sea views, but we opted for two interconnecting Pool Pavilions to house our family group of two sons and a daughter. The bathrooms in all Pavilions are sumptuous, enjoying, too, the latest high tech lavatories which warm your derriere as well as freshen it (the gods would definitely have approved). Our boys loved their ablution time, which seemed to last longer than at home.

Room service was prompt and extremely accommodating, while the attention given to the children was outstanding. The resort is, however, a romantic haven and whilst children are wonderfully accommodated here, you are allowed to enjoy this holiday within your own private universe. It is a glorious retreat, with spectacular views, a fabulous restaurant, and every Aman luxury. It is also only a ten-minute drive from the vibrant town of Porto Heli, which is a pretty, natural harbour on the eastern side of the Peloponnese, a short crossing to the islands of Hydra and Spetses, which we visted and enjoyed immensely.

If you enjoy being on the water and exploring the coastline, then Amanzoe's own Wally One and Pershing 62 power boats are available to charter.

Amanzoe – private villas, too

Amanzoe is Europe’s first Aman to offer private villas, either as private residence investments or for rental. There are a limited number of villas still for sale, but several are also offered by their owners for private rental, including 9-bedroom Villa 20, arranged over six floors with six, yes, six swimming pools. Each villa is situated in a stunning setting with all consuming panoramic views and benefit from all Amanzoe's resort services, including a private chef. Again designed by Ed Tuttle, these villas offer astonishing style and cossetting comfort, and since we visited they should now all be almost complete.

Contact our concierge if you are interested in the perfect Peloponnese private rental.

It’s easy to see why Amanzoe is hailed Greece’s most exclusive resort…it could rival any in Europe!

Sophie Marchant
Sophie Marchant


Luxury Explorer
Luxury Explorer
Luxury Explorer