A hotel has the power to make or break your holiday. While I am partial to an Airbnb or a rustic cabin, I can’t resist a boutique hotel every now and then. But, with every other hotel now claiming to be the epitome of luxury, finding places that live up to the hype can be a challenge.
I’m sharing three of my favourite boutique hotels, each of which exceeded my expectations and I would recommend them to anyone looking for a blissful break with a smidge of luxury.
F ZEEN in Kefalonia, Greece
It’s hard to really sum up this hotel without sounding like an undeclared paid ad, which this isn’t, by the way. I wish it was. F ZEEN is a luxury, boutique hotel nestled above Lourdes beach on the south coast of Kefalonia. From the moment you arrive, you can physically feel the stress leave your body and your soul transcends to a level of peace that you’ll be chasing for the rest of your life.
We arrived slightly battered and bruised after four days of exploring the island and thought to ourselves that, perhaps, we weren’t the hotel’s usual clientele. Think Instagrammable perfection mingled with wellness and an air of overt opulence. Then imagine my husband and I rocking up on a 125cc scooter balancing our backpacks wherever we could manage.
Here’s the thing though, while we most definitely didn’t fit in, we never felt like we didn’t belong. We stayed for four nights in 2022 and, let me tell you, we’ve not shut up about it since.
The facilities
The hotel is set across a complex divided by a small road, one side is their original premises and the other is where they expanded their facilities. I realise this doesn’t sound ideal but it’s not a big deal and you barely notice it when you cross from one side of the grounds to another.
The original side of the complex houses the reception, one of the restaurant and bar areas and an infinity pool. There are also several of the OG rooms on this side and they also offer outdoor movie nights here.
Our room was located on the newer side of the complex, which has more rooms, an outdoor gym, two more swimming pools, access to their private beach and yoga facilities. I’m probably missing something but the above gives you a good gist of the amenities.
Located further from the main areas, there’s also a tennis court for those who can drag themselves away from the pools.
What we loved
It feels almost impossible to single out anything as exemplary when the entire experience was otherworldly. However, something I have to emphasise is the design of the complex. I wouldn’t claim to be particularly interested or know much about architecture but wow, FZEEN absolutely nailed it. It doesn’t feel like a hotel, instead, it’s like you’re stumbling around some sort of serene haven that happens to have hotel facilities.
The attention to detail transcends just the design and is ingrained in the wonderful team, who deliver next-level service. Bartenders remember your orders and, more often than not, have a beer ready and waiting before you even reach the bar, the waiters are charming and knowledgeable, and the reception team are extremely helpful.
Any feedback?
We decided to go fairly bougie and book their forest retreat room which can only be described as a tranquil paradise with Grecian charm. We booked it mainly for the hot tub which was more of an outside bath and required the staff to fill it up and preheat it whenever you wanted to use it, which they willingly and graciously do.
If we were to do it all again, we would book one of their garden rooms. With so many amazing spaces around the hotel, you don’t need a fancy or extravagant room to make the most of your time here.
Paradise Cove Boutique Hotel, Mauritius
We stayed at Paradise Cove Boutique Hotel in Mauritius for the last few days of our honeymoon after spending eight days in La Réunion. Having booked Airbnb for the first portion of our trip and embarking on what can only be described as an action-packed honeymoon, we knew we needed to wind down with a few days of pure luxury.
Hello, Paradise Cove.
Perched at the very northern tip of Mauritius, this hotel was a little slice of heaven and was the perfect place to rejuvenate and relax before we flew home. Living up to its name, the colonial-style hotel encircles a sheltered cove which works as a focal point across the complex.
The facilities
The hotel has two separate pools, one is an infinity pool that overlooks the ocean and is, quite frankly, dreamy. The second is next to the main dining area and is the bigger of the two.
As the name suggests, the hotel boasts its own private cove, which is pretty cool and allows you to swim in the ocean while still feeling relatively protected. Surrounding the cove you’ll find several little nooks, where you can revel in the sunshine in privacy.
Offering several dining options, the hotel has a main restaurant and three other dining areas, including private cabanas that perch over the edge of the cove.
If this all wasn’t enough, there’s a decent hotel gym, tennis courts, a spa and a watersports centre. So, you’re not stuck for things to do at the very least.
What we loved
Believe it or not, we’ve never booked more than a breakfast-only at a hotel. But as part of a honeymoon package, we were given a great deal for their half-board option. The food was great and arguably the best we’ve had at a hotel. We only stayed five nights, which meant we ate at a different restaurant every night and only repeated a night at one. I think had we stayed any longer, we might have grown restless with the food, but that’s more to do with our travel style rather than a reflection of the hotel.
The private nooks around the complex were another huge draw. It was nice to have so much space and you often felt like you were completely on your own, despite the hotel being full.
I know people argue that your room shouldn’t matter, that a holiday is about the location, but if you book a fancy hotel you want a room that delivers. Our bedroom was gorgeous and nicer than I anticipated. Overlooking the private beach, we had a little patio, a seating area with a huge TV, and one of the comfiest beds we’ve ever slept in.
A final touch that we loved was the daily biscuit and tea station. Located in the main lobby area, every day you could sample a selection of sweet treats and cold teas to keep you refreshed.
Any feedback?
We actually don’t have anything about the facilities or the hotel we would change. It was as close to perfect as it could be, our only slight disappointment was we missed out on booking some of the hotel-arranged activities.
Situated at the north of the island, Paradise Cove overlooks Gunner’s Quoin and they run a catamaran excursion for guests to visit the island’s famed islets. We were only at the hotel for five nights and the tour was fully booked when we arrived, meaning we missed out on the experience. It would be a good option to allow people to pre-book these to prevent disappointment.
Orabel Suites in Santorini, Greece
This was our first experience of a swankier hotel back in 2019. I remember painstakingly trawling through endless lists of hotels in Santorini and feeling overwhelmed by all the options. Staying in the island’s main town, Fira, was proving to be wildly expensive so we looked further afield and found Orabel Suites.
Located near Perivolos Beach on the south coast of Santorini, Orabel exudes serenity. A haven of privacy, the hotel only has 11 rooms, all of which boast their own hot tub and a generous amount of outside space. The walls are whitewashed and the decor is understated while being distinctly Grecian.
The facilities
Orabel has one swimming pool that most of the rooms face. Surrounding the pool are several sun loungers, a small dining area and the hotel’s bar. The space isn’t large but it still manages to not feel crowded, even if all the guests are gathered at the pool.
Guests can choose to have their breakfast served in the small outside dining area or brought directly to their room’s patio or balcony. Small lunch items can be ordered but there are no evening options, instead, local restaurants are a short walk away.
Each room has a hot tub that blends seamlessly into the hotel’s decor. Using the iconic Greek whitewashed stone, there’s not a plastic tub insight!
What we loved
Breakfast was a particular highlight. When we stayed, they operated a ‘breakfast at any time’ policy. Their private chef visits you on your first day to discuss any requirements or preferences and then every morning, you can just call reception and let them know when you’d like your breakfast.
Of all the hot tubs we’ve had the pleasure of trying, this one will always remain our favourite. The setting was sublime, the size generous, and the bar so, so close. The combination? Pure, unadulterated bliss.
Orabel is the most affordable of the nice hotels we’ve stayed in but that isn’t an indication of quality. It’s undoubtedly one of the most impeccably cared-for hotels I’ve ever stayed in and balances luxury with charm perfectly. Five years since we first visited, I am still raving about it now and have booked a one-night stay with them this year en route to another Greek Island.
Any feedback?
Honestly? Not really. Our stay was exquisite and I have recommended Orabel to everyone who tells me they’re travelling to Santorini. The team who run the show are the pillar of excellence and you feel cared for from the second you arrive to the moment you leave. The breakfast is easily one of the best I’ve experienced, the cocktails were ridiculously moreish, and the rooms beautiful.
My only note would be if you want to be central this isn’t the spot for you. Personally, the sanctuary away from the madness of Fira and Oia was a major plus, but each to their own!
*All accommodation information was true at the time of my visits (FZEEN 2022, Paradise Cove 2023, Oracle 2019), please note facilities, policies and practices may not be the same and you should always do your own research before booking accommodation. My views are my own opinions and should not be taken as fact.
Leave a Reply