A Minimalist Hotel Embraces the Natural Beauty of Folegandros Island

Photo by Ana Santl

Looking at the rocky cliff on the island of Folegandros, in Greece’s Cyclades island chain, you might not immediately spot the five-star luxury hotel tucked into the picturesque Mediterranean landscape. But that’s just how Athens-based architects and designers Block722 wanted it. Opening earlier this year after a laborious five-year design process, Gundari is an understatedly opulent island eco-resort with 27 suites and villas and has quickly established itself as one of the best new destinations for those looking to take a high-end approach to their Mediterranean holiday.

Set between the much more visited islands of Milos and Santorini, oft-overlooked Folegandros offers tranquillity, pristine beaches, and a slower pace of life. Block722 wanted to capture the feel of the island in their project, creating a design that balances serenity with a sense of adventure. As an EarthCheck-certified eco-resort, sustainability was at the forefront of planning, from using solar energy and centrally controlled energy systems to supporting bird monitoring and regenerating traditional Folegandros farming techniques on the resort’s 80-acre property.

Photo by Ana Santl

Photo by Ana Santl

Rather than the bright white and cerulean blue of many Greek Island retreats, Gundari is designed in a palette of warm browns and creams with plenty of marble, wood, and clay—the colours were inspired by the hotel’s rocky terrain, and the stone and gravel used throughout were recycled directly from the site to promote cohesion with the landscape.

The compound is made up of low, flat buildings, with suites sunk into the hillside and a just slightly taller main building, which houses the reception and communal amenities. Just off the main building, an inviting infinity pool, with a swim-up bar serving artisanal cocktails, blends into the Aegean Sea beyond.

Each of the 27 suites and villas enjoys stunning ocean views and its own private heated pool. Suites start at the standard version, with nearly 400 square feet of indoor space and 270 square feet of private outdoor terrace, and extend to the superior cave suites, 750-square-foot subterranean rooms on the edge of the cliff with a large pool and 650 square feet of outdoor room. For larger groups, the three- and four-bedroom villas are downright expansive. Each has its own large pool and in-ground Jacuzzi, from which guests can take in views of the landscape, a large sun deck, and indoor and outdoor kitchens. Interiors exude quiet luxury, with marble floors and handcrafted wood detailing. All the bedrooms boast ocean views, a king-sized bed, and an ensuite bathroom with an indoor and outdoor shower.

Photo by Ana Santl

Photo by Ana Santl

Photo by Martha Vosdou

Ancient Greek rituals are renewed at Gundari’s spa, which has a menu of massages, facials, and treatments, like sound baths and energy healings, that rely on native herbs and tonics. A soak in the cliff-side mineral pool alone is sure to leave visitors feeling refreshed and relaxed.

Dining at Gundari is a relaxed affair taken seriously. Helmed by Lefteris Lazarou, the first Greek chef to receive a Michelin star, the Orizon restaurant brings Greek flavours to life with local ingredients. A seafood-forward menu serves dishes like tuna paillard, ceviche sea bream with strawberries in a beet and citrus broth, and octopus carpaccio with fava bean cream. Taking farm-to-table to new heights, guests can even choose their own produce, which will then be prepared for a sunset dinner enjoyed on the farm where their selections were grown. Inside at the bar, guests can unwind to music played on vinyl records, in a tribute to the Japanese Jazz Kissatens.

Photo by Ana Santl

Photo by Martha Vosdou

Whether it’s from a private terrace pool, on the message table, or while enjoying a meal while soaking in panoramic vistas, there’s no shortage of places to unwind at Gundari.

Photo by Ana Santl

SHARE