Review of Amanzoe

Amanzoe is located on a secluded hilltop with 360-degree views of the Peloponnese countryside, a 15 minutes’ drive from traditional fishing villages and a short boat ride from the islands of Spetses and pedestrian-only Hydra. 

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Epidaurus and its ancient amphitheatre is a 50 minutes’ drive away and it is just an hour’s drive from the seaside town of Nafplio, the former capital of Greece. 

The property is 2.5-hour drive from Athens International Airport or a 25-minute flight by helicopter from Athens.

The helicopter ride is spectacular, and you can arrange to see some of the most famous historical sites in the world including the Parthenon – from the sky. Your luggage meanwhile is driven to the resort. 

Direct flights to Athens are available from all major European and selected international cities.

Drawing on classic Greek architecture with strong lines and a pared back aesthetic, Amanzoe’s standalone Pavilions all open out onto terraces with private plunge pools, pergolas for shade and views of the surrounding land and sea. Each is accessed via a stone-walled courtyard leading to a high-ceilinged interior while villas feature open terraces with marble floors, dry stone-clad walls and concrete columns and cornices with a chef and a host on hand to serve each guest. 

The Pool Pavilion offers views of the countryside with a private six metre swimming pool, spacious open-plan living and sleeping areas; Wi-Fi, televisions with video on demand and facilities to accommodate guests with disabilities. The Pool Pavilion Premium View, as the name suggests, includes dramatic views of the Aegean Sea. Moving up the categories, the Deluxe Pool Pavilion offers an inviting 12 metre private pool set into an expansive terrace with luscious views of the Peloponnese countryside whilst the Deluxe Pool Pavilion Premium View offers more of those spectacular sea views again. 

Amanzoe’s luxury Villas are lofty, spacious abodes – Mediterranean homes surrounded by extensive gardens overlooking the glittering Aegean Sea. Each of the one-to-nine-bedroom private villas features a large swimming pool, an open terrace and outdoor space with sand-coloured marble floors, traditional dry stone-clad walls and concrete columns and cornices. A discreet team of staff serves each property alongside a dedicated private chef and Villa host. 

A villa like no other, Villa 31 (one-bedroom) features an immersive “Sky Space” by world renowned artist James Turrell. This cubic Sky Space in dramatic grey and black marble with its vast aperture to the intense blue sky, is for the private use of villa 31 guests only. Villa 31 also offers extensive 360-degree views from sunrise to sunset and comprises a master bedroom suite, an oversized infinity pool, extensive shaded terraces, a reflecting pool, a large outdoor living area, a kitchen and an outdoor breakfast bar. Four-to-six-bedroom villas meanwhile offer views of the sea or countryside; private 20 – 25 metre pools; poolside pavilions with media and spa rooms; a living room; a dining room; a study; a kitchen; a laundry and a dedicated chef and host. 

The premium accommodation has to be Villa 20. Perched high on the Peloponnese peninsula like a modern-day acropolis, Villa 20 is a masterpiece of elegant indoor-outdoor living designed by Ed Tuttle and Marios Angelopoulos to meld with the landscape. With a private spa, six pools, a gym with Technogym equipment and a multitude of dining spaces including two outside barbecue areas and a typical Greek taverna under olive trees, Villa 20 is the perfect retreat for groups of friends or family. And to look after you … 18 members of staff including a dedicated chef. Just imagine the parties!

Amanzoe’s private beach and Beach Club lie below the hilltop resort, overlooking a sheltered bay, perfect for calm waters and ideal for all levels of swimming, snorkelling and diving. Complimentary transfers from Reception take guests down to the Aegean, where facilities include two lap pools; two children’s pools; multiple lounging areas; non-motorised water sports (from windsurfing and kayaking to snorkelling and paddleboarding); spa treatment rooms; a small fully equipped gym and a boutique selling a range of beachwear and accessories. There is also a dining area with a Greek Taverna vibe.

Situated directly on the beach, the spacious air-conditioned Beach Cabanas provide all the comforts of a pavilion, combined within an expansive terrace, swimming pool and direct access to the sea just 30 metres. Guests can enjoy a day at the beach, with a stone-walled courtyard and garden providing privacy and shade while inside, a king-sized bed and spacious bathroom form an intimate retreat.

Amanzoe’s highspeed watercraft are perfect for excursions to explore the islands, pristine beaches and ancient towns along this famous stretch of coastline, which depart from the beach. Half and full day charters are available on Amanzoe One, a sleek Wally One Powerboat while customised full day charters can be arranged aboard Aquazoe, a Pershing 62.

The car-free island of Spetses is known for its sea-faring traditions, neoclassical mansions and horse-drawn carriages. Explore this quaint village and verdant pine forests by scooter, quad bike or bicycle. A little further offshore, picturesque Hydra is also car-free and beloved for its vibrant dining scene and nightlife.

The wealth of nearby archaeological sites includes Epidaurus with its UNESCO-protected amphitheatre and Sanctuary of Asklepios – the most renowned healing centre of the ancient world. The legendary citadel of Mycenae, the ancient capital of Nafplion, the village of Didyma, the Temple of Hera close to Argos, the Byzantine monastery of St Dimitrios and many other sites also rest in close proximity to the resort.

For those who like to cook, there are culinary classes, a hands-on activity for the whole family beginning at the local market to sample the region’s fruit, honey, olives and other delicacies when choosing your ingredients with Amanzoe’s chef. Back at the resort, pick fresh herbs from the kitchen gardens and prepare a Greek feast for lunch either at the Pool Restaurant or your private villa, learning recipes passed down through generations. For oenophiles, take a trip out to the Nemea wine region and explore the superb wines of Domaine Skouras. Established in 1986, Skouras offers beautifully maintained vineyards and informative tours and tasting experiences.

Take a trip out to the farm of the Bairaktaris family, just 10 minutes away, and discover their apiaries. The family has been keeping bees since 1914 and supplies Amanzoe’s delicious honey. Enjoy a detailed tasting including the farm’s renowned clove and thyme honeys and explore their range of natural propolis moisturisers infused with local herbs. There is a bee museum on site and any trip can be enhanced with an Amanzoe “Honey Bee Picnic” taken in the shade of a beautiful old carob tree.

For those who like to hike, the Peloponnese is renowned for its beautiful hiking trails, all boasting magnificent views. There is minimal signage so it is best to trek with a local guide who knows the paths well and can tailor routes to suit fitness levels and interests. An Amanzoe driver will drop you off and collect you, bringing along a picnic lunch to enjoy en route.

Amanzoe is perfect for families with activities to suit all ages. Babysitters are available for younger children and a regular calendar of organised activities is offered for older children ranging from arts and crafts and storytelling to games and sports. Teenagers are also catered for. Amanzoe’s games room appeals to the young and young at heart with its extensive collection of books, puzzles, boardgames and other forms of entertainment. The screening room alongside offers a broad range of movies, television series and documentaries for those wishing to escape the sun.

For those who prefer a pool, there is a 25-metre main pool at the heart of the resort whilst for pampering, the 2,850 square metre Spa combines diet, gymnastics, exercise, massage and sea bathing with modern, all natural products and treatments. There is an extensive menu of ancient Greek beauty rituals with Asian techniques and throughout the season, Amanzoe welcomes a host of wellbeing experts and healing specialists to offer guests exclusive treatments and therapies from reflexology to craniosacral therapy to traditional Chinese medicine. Facilities include six treatment rooms, some with steam rooms, a Thai massage room, Watsu pool, a hair salon and a finishing salon. Changing areas feature hammams, sauna, cold plunge pools and steam rooms. Enjoy a wide range of private and group movement classes as well as the full-moon yoga classes held in the resort’s amphitheatre.

Constantly working to innovate their approach to wellness, the resort has introduced several new treatments using modern science and state of the art technology with instantly visible results including Cellgym and MesoJet for Cellgym Energy, Cellgym Active Energy, MesoJet Red Carpet Jet Facial, After Sun Cooler and a range of new, non-invasive facials designed for those seeking a more hands-on approach.

The property also offers a fully equipped gym, a Pilates and yoga studio, two hard-court floodlit tennis courts - there are summer tennis clinics available, a two-story marble library with over 1,000 books, a youth centre and a boutique with Greek handicrafts, jewellery, fashion and local produce.

Aman style is instantly recognisable for its legions of global fans: minimalistic and beautifully uncluttered contemporary style with discreet but attentive staff who magically appear to cater to your whims before dissipating before your very eyes. 

Amanzoe is perfect for those seeking privacy and pampering – it’s Zenlike isolation keeping any prying eyes away and allowing for restful and peaceful recharging of batteries. There is low key local colour in the form of nearby fishing villages, visits to neighbouring islands and ancient history in the form of the amphitheatre of Epidaurus an hour’s drive away or Mycenae, about an hour and a half by car. 

The villas however are so tempting you might not want to leave them at all and if your neighbours feel the same, it might give the impression that you are moored in your very own private sanctuary, a blissful escape from the everyday, with ghostlike staff invisibly servicing rooms or delivering sustenance. I can feel my heartbeat relaxing just thinking about it.

Guests at Amanzoe are spoilt for choice when it comes to eating and drinking with six venues available including The Restaurant, The Pool Restaurant, The Beach Club, Nama, The Bar and The Amphitheatre.

The Restaurant seats up to 65 people for breakfast and dinner and features a medley of modern Greek, Mediterranean and international favourites using products from Amanzoe’s network of skilled regional purveyors to ensure only the freshest, highest quality ingredients year around. The Restaurant offers an indoor/outdoor space with high ceilings, enormous picture windows and a terrace with panoramic views for al fresco dining. Fireplaces are lit in the winter months.

Overlooking Amanzoe’s magnificent hilltop swimming pool with breathtaking views over the Aegean coastline, The Pool Restaurant seats up to 40 people and is open daily for casual, light Mediterranean lunches based on fresh fish and meat, vegetables cultivated in the resort’s own organic gardens and Greek seasonal delicacies.

Open for lunch, The Beach Club seats up to 80 for lunches serving a traditional, yet sophisticated Greek Taverna menu or a pizza direct from the wood-fired pizza oven at the restaurant’s heart. During the summer months, the venue hosts Greek BBQs.

Japanese restaurant Nama seats up to 40 guests and is located poolside with almost 360-degree views of the Aegean Sea from its hilltop setting. Serving exquisite washoku cuisine for dinner, Nama offers both indoor and outdoor dining. 

The Bar has a capacity of 60 and is open throughout the day and evening. The cocktail menu is inspired by seasonal local herbs and aromatics. The venue features wraparound floor to ceiling doors open to the elements during summer and there is also a firepit terrace for sunset drinks. During the cooler months, there are cosy fireplaces.

The Amphitheatre seats up to 100 people and is also available for intimate romantic private dining within a curved stone embrace beneath the stars, perfect for Greek degustation menus with wine pairings.

Private barbecues can be arranged on Pavilion terraces or in a Beach Cabana with freshly caught lobster, king prawns, wild sea bass, calamari, octopus, lamb chops and various port cuts. Alternatively dine on a tailored five course menu just metres from the sea at the beach, in the glow of candlelight and tiki torches.

As a company, Aman cares about its guests, employees, suppliers and the environments and communities that surround their properties. Their underlying ethos is a belief in the sustainable well-being of people, society and planet earth.

Aman’s sustainability strategy consolidates all the projects of their hotels and resorts around the world and organises them through the prism of the following four pillars – local heritage, local culture, environment protection and social responsibility, as recommended by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.

Their Environmental Protection plan respects and preserves native milieus and ecosystems with tree planting, protection of mangrove, coral and sea turtles, clean beach initiatives, and preservation of open lands. They are also committed to waste management by reducing, recusing and recycling rubbish; composting food waste; preserving water with low flow equipment and use of grey waters; using LED lighting in all properties for energy efficiency; eliminating single use plastics; providing education programmes for young guests at Aman’s Nature Discovery Centers and growing organic producing within kitchen gardens at resorts.

With local heritage, 15 UNESCO World Heritage sites are on or close to an Aman property and the group supports them actively either in kind or financially and well as protecting man-made, natural or spiritual landmarks and supporting them.

With local culture, all the hotels support local artisans through purchasing and encouraging guests to do the same. They also celebrate local cuisine in at least one restaurant in every property with cooking classes dedicated to the local cuisine; activities for guests in the kitchen gardens and at local farms where they choose the produce to cook and then eat. 

Their social responsibility programme promotes gender equality and diversity; protects children; have programmes to tackle issues for women, children, against poverty and hunger. All properties support local school programmes and orphanages and offer support for female led businesses to create economic independence. Hotel employment priority is given to locals, supporting local agriculture in culinary art, purchase of local products, fair trade and using only cage free and free-range products.

All properties offer healthy, sustainable, organic, seasonal food for guests and staff as well as proving the healthcare of employees and local communities.