There's nowhere quite like the Greek islands. Diving into waters of paradise blue, exploring tiny villages dotted along the weaving coastlines and eating fresh, local food are the kind of holiday memories you'll treasure, and Summer Senses Luxury Resort specialises in creating them. A member of the prestigious group Small Luxury Hotels of the World, as well as Condé Nast Johansens, this elegant location is perfect for anyone longing for an elevated yet quintessentially Greek island experience. It was named one of the country’s top ten resorts in Condé Nast Traveller‘s Readers' Choice Awards in both 2021 and 2022. Here's why you should pay a visit yourself.
You'll marvel at the jaw-dropping Greek island location
First impressions are all important, and Summer Senses makes an excellent one. It's hard to picture a better spot than here, vaulted high above the waves on the eastern shore of atmospheric Paros. Strewn with crawling vines, ancient marble quarries and characterful villages, it's a charming destination wherever you are on the island, but the experience is taken to new heights with a chic stay at Summer Senses. With two freeform pools and wide-open terraces with exceptional views to the neighbouring islands of Naxos, Koufonisia and Ios, plus a sandy beach just steps away, the resort makes the most of its jaw-dropping location.
You'll be inspired by the exceptional design
The hotel is as pared back as its rugged Cycladic surroundings. Architecture is a minimalist reimagining of traditional Cycladic design, with flowing lines and whitewashed walls. Interiors are simple but far from austere – natural materials such as linen, wood, stone and the island’s white marble create warm, inviting spaces. There are 100 rooms and suites across ten buildings, each beautifully appointed with a private outdoor space to catch the sun's first rays or watch it go down in the evening. Any stay here is a smart one, but for an exceptional visit opt for the idyllic Honeymoon Suite, with a private pool, jacuzzi, terrace and awe-inspiring views of the sea. It's the perfect setting for the romantic break of a lifetime.
You'll sample some of the finest flavours on the Aegean
Authentic Cycladian dishes are reinterpreted for a contemporary palette at Summer Senses, with an emphasis on ingredients from independent local producers. Pull up a wicker stool at Hydor pool bar and enjoy cocktails crafted from Greek spirits tsipouro and masticha, or sip juices or local wines and graze on bar snacks at Irida. For something a little more substantial than the light snacks both bars provide, head to all-day spot Gaia. Here, each day begins with a bounty of Greek breakfast classics, followed by a lunch of local favourites such as saganaki, mezze and seafood, before transforming into the ideal relaxed supper spot where guests share plates of orzo kritharoto, quinoa salad laced with saffron and tahini, and local grilled squid. And no trip would be complete without a meal at Galazia Hytra, sister restaurant of Michelin-starred Hytra in Athens. Its menu lives up to the highest expectations, with dishes including sea bream carpaccio and meltingly good lamb shank and tangy salads with dressings that make its exceptional raw ingredients sing. For a special occasion, ask to be seated where you can see the twinkling lights of the harbour as you dine.
You'll be utterly spoilt by the service
Greek hospitality is legendary and Summer Senses combines the cosy, welcoming atmosphere you'd find in a tiny B&B with all the polished professionalism of a five-star hotel. Children (and parents) will adore the nannies and babysitters, and round-the-clock room service means anything you want is just a phone call away, day or night. No task is too big or small for the dedicated staff, from providing home comforts such as daily newspapers in time for your morning coffee, to seamless airport transfers and organising unbelievable experiences such as tours of the island and private yacht charters.
%2520(1).jpeg)
You'll attain complete relaxation in the spa
On the best holidays you go home with not just a tan, but the lightness of spirit you only get after a period of real rest and relaxation. Leaving Summer Senses with this glow is all but guaranteed – if the days by the pool or lounging on the pretty beaches don't quite get you there, the spa certainly will. At Anassa Spa by Idolo, exclusive treatments – inspired by local traditions and the natural beauty of the island setting – promise to rejuvenate guests from top to toe. Choose an Olivo Therapy session with an aromatic orange, olive-seed and grape-seed body scrub, followed by a lavender massage and vitamin E facial, or the Aegean Sea treatment, which uses local seaweed, aloe vera and royal jelly to refresh tired skin. There are even facials to prevent signs of environmentally related ageing, revitalise your complexion after you've had a little too much sun and refresh tired skin to ensure you return home looking like the best version of yourself.
Book now at Summer Senses