Journal
Fifty shades of azure blue water
28 June 2021
On a hill overlooking the sea on the Greek island of Zakynthos, you’ll find Olea All Suite Hotel. An adults-only luxurious boutique hotel.
After a private transfer from the airport, we arrive at Olea All Suite Hotel around 10 minutes later. There’s a welcoming drink at one of their restaurants called Omikron. This is where they serve a breakfast and dinner buffet full of fresh vegetables, fruits, cheeses, salads, puff pastries and chicken and meat dishes. Also you can order omelettes, French toast and much more from the additional menu. The first thing you’ll notice is the architecture: high ceilings, lots of wood and the in- and outside melt perfectly together.
The Greek architectural studio Block722 is behind the design of the hotel. The main concept stems from the diffusion of boundaries. There are no clear boundaries between the indoors and outdoors and water flows seamlessly along the entire design, instead of just clearly defined areas. You’ll notice that immediately if you walk towards the heart of the hotel where you’ll find Cocoon Restobar, an easy-going beach bar partially covered with sand. Around the bar there are several swimming pools connecting the sun beds and the rooms.
There are some suites without a direct connection to the water (those junior suites do have a balcony, and you can use the sun beds that surround the Cocoon Restobar), but the rest of the suites are so-called Swim Up Suites. We’ve stayed at a Superior Suite Swim Up (Pool View) and I really loved the room (we stayed in room #104) as the sun beds had slightly more privacy than the Superior Water Suite Swim Up category which were really loved by people with Insta-famous bodies. Lots of sun, lots of photo-opportunities. If you want even more privacy, you can choose Executive Suites that have a private pool. And the Honeymoon and Presidential Suites are the most luxurious options with a jacuzzi, and of course a private pool and spacious terrace.
Apart from Omikron and Cocoon Restobar there’s also Flow Dine & Wine, a fine dining restaurant with a view over the other side of the island. The view is absolutely magical especially because of the sunset. The menu consists of the best and most creative Mediterranean dishes.
And then there’s the Royal Spa with a private pool, gym and massage treatments. We’ve tried the Cretan Massage, a massage with oil made from olives and raki (!). You just let them know if you like a soft or an intense massage and they will do the rest. After the treatment you can enjoy the lounge beds, whether inside or outside. Or take a dip in the private pool with another amazing view.
Check out: www.oleaallsuitehotel.com
Find more recommendations in Greece in Petite Passport Magazine #02
