A Greek Getaway

By Sanda Iskander

When most people think about Greece the Acropolis in Athens is the first thing that jumps to mind followed by the idyllic Greek islands with the white and blue architecture of Santorini creating a stunning backdrop for your island getaway. Greece, however, has a lot more, lesser-known destinations to discover including Kalamata, a port city located on the Peloponnese peninsula, and which of course is synonymous to many with the Kalamata olive, and with new destinations to discover come new luxury hotels to spend lazy days in, soaking in the sun and taking in Greek hospitality.

Besides being home of the best Greek olive, Kalamata is home to the airport closest to the town of Pylos where The Westin Resort Costa Navarino is sprawled along the Dunes beach. A luxurious resort, The Westin is an ideal destination for families or couples looking to escape big cities and simply enjoy the best Greece has to offer, great weather, better food and friendly service, making up an unforgettable relaxing summer holiday.

Designed in the spirit of old Messinian mansions, the resort encompasses old world elegance and new world comforts, bringing guests the best of both worlds, transporting you to a land of royal arches and a setting of tranquility that poetically lets the birds’ chirping guide you through the maze of the resort’s gardens.

With the resort nestled along the Dunes beach, you can throw your beach towel on the sand and dive into the sea or opt to laze about one of the resort’s many pools sipping on cocktails served at the bar. If you are a more active guest, looking to do more than just tan, the resort organises many activities including yacht cruises, waterskiing and even cooking classes where you can learn to make authentic Greek dishes. And for wine and olive oil connoisseurs you can take part in olive oil and wine tastings. The resort also boasts two golf courses, which have catapulted The Westin to becoming a luxury golf destination in Greece and so for avid golf players this resort is the ultimate destination, combining a summer holiday with the love of teeing off.

The resort’s heart is the Agora, inspired by the Greek’s word for meeting place, the Agora here groups a number of eateries that cater to all tastes. A standout restaurant if you are in the mood for Italian cuisine is Da Luigi. Serving wood fired pizza, pasta and freshly prepared salads, this restaurant will take you to Italy while enjoying the sweet sea breeze in Greece. The Agora is where you will also find the Branco Bar, a cocktail bar where you can enjoy a drink or two to end a perfect evening.

While the Agora is an inviting and convivial square nothing says summer holiday more than lunch on the beach and The Westin’s Barbouni restaurant is the whole package. Overlooking the Ionian Sea on the Dunes beach, this seaside eatery serves fresh seafood with a breathtaking view. The restaurant is open from 12 to 5.30pm and is where you can enjoy a guilt-free midday cocktail and mouthwatering dishes including halloumi cheese served on a bed of salad and of course the traditional Greek salad tossed with juicy Kalamata olives.

For dinner make sure you reserve your table at Flame, the resort’s fine dining eatery that overlooks the golf course and serves contemporary Greek cuisine. The food here is amazing, with very generous portions keeping you at the table long enough to really take in every inch of the spectacular view the restaurant offers, with the sunset making for a magical moment here.

Of course no stay at a luxury resort is complete without a spa experience and here at The Westin the Anazoe Spa has put together a menu of different treatments that will guarantee to leave you in pure bliss. The spa menu includes facials and massages that use natural ingredients sourced locally and internationally to bring you the benefits of ancient Greek health and beauty practices, which the treatments are based on. The spa menu includes classic treatments as well as signature ones including the Oleotherapy Trilogy massage that uses olive oil to detoxify your body while leaving you feeling relaxed and ready for cocktail hour.

Hotel team :
Executive General Director: Achilleas Dorotheou
Complex Hotel Manager : Roberta Davanzo
Executive Assistant Manager: Andre Scerri
Executive Chef :  Aggelos Kallinteris
Director of Spa : Dora Koromila
Guest Relations Manager: Panayiotis Ieromonachos

The Westin Resort Costa Navarino
Navarino Dunes
Messinia, Costa Navarino
24001 Greece
+30 272 309 5000

All photos © Sandra Iskander