Greece is always a good idea. Now, more so than ever, with travel hotspot Costa Navarino welcoming a string of new luxury hotels to its scenic coastline. None has captured the world’s attention more than the brand-new Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino. Read on to find out why.
Ormos Beach Club at Mandarin, Oriental, Costa Navarino
About Costa Navarino
Until recently, few travelers had heard of Costa Navarino, which is located in Messinia in the southwest Peloponnese of Greece and characterized by its breath-taking seaside landscape and 4,500-year-old culture.
While Costa Navarino may qualify as a "new" destination as far as international travel goes, it has a fascinating history as old as Greece itself. In mythology, King Nestor, the ruler of ancient Pylos, was named in the Odyssey as the founder of Greek hospitality, generously bestowing gifts, food, and transportation on the Ithakan Prince Telemachos, son of Odysseus. As Telemachos described it, Nestor "gave me hospitality, and loving free attention, as a father would to his own beloved son". This philosophy will no doubt resonate with modern-day travelers familiar with that warm Greek welcome.
A beach in Costa Navarino.
Sustainable travel destination
These days, the Costa Navarino tourism philosophy is driven by a desire to preserve the natural beauty and heritage of Messinia. A carefully planned environmental policy aims to uphold the highest standards of social responsibility and protect the environment and natural resources, while, at the same time, seeking to benefit the local community.
Newly established as a high-end, luxury travel destination, Costa Navarino aims to deliver authentic experiences, while respecting the nature and culture of the area.
The Admiral's Lounge at Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino.
The destination currently comprises four luxury hotels: The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort, The Westin Resort Costa Navarino, W Costa Navarino and, since August 2023, the most recent addition to the mix, Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino. Meanwhile, Navarino Agora is a curated marketplace featuring more than 20 handpicked retail outlets, restaurants and street food venues, and an open-air cinema. Costa Navarino is also home to a variety of outdoor and cultural activities, including four 18-hole signature golf courses.
This is Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino
Open since August, Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino combines contemporary elegance, superb service, and warm Greek hospitality in a postcard-perfect setting in Navarino Bay, on the southwest coast of the Peloponnese. Set among lush, verdant olive-tree-adorned hills, the resort’s bioclimatic design makes use of locally sourced materials and embraces green living concepts, inspired by local agricultural traditions and the region’s rich cultural heritage.
A guest room at Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino.
As for the 99 light-filled suites and earth-sheltered villas, each one features either a spacious terrace or a private pool overlooking the glittering deep blue of the Ionian Sea with its dazzling sunsets. The beautifully handcrafted living spaces are a seamless blend of contemporary design with locally sourced, handcrafted elements, echoing the warmth of the Peloponnese.
Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino is also home to five restaurants and bars, alongside a vibrant beach club and state-of-the-art fitness facilities. The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino, is a sanctuary of calm offering a range of relaxing and energizing holistic treatments, an 82-foot swimming pool, which traverses from indoor to outdoor, a Hammam, cold bath, and herbal sauna. Food and culture buffs will delight in the variety of experiences on offer in and around the hotel, from olive oil tastings, to traditional cooking classes, and visits to various local historical sites, while golf enthusiasts will appreciate the 18-hole Bay Course and its stunning coastal views, in addition to three further signature golf courses across the destination.
A villa at Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino.
Costa Navarino all year round
While sun seekers tend to head to Costa Navarino during the scorching summer months from June to September, the area is blessed with balmy springs and mild winters. With an average air temperature of 77°F, sea water temperatures typically in the 70s until late October, and almost endless year-round sunshine, Messinia is not just a beach destination, but also an ideal vacation spot for lovers of culture, history, food and outdoor activities. The picturesque town of Pylos is a ten-minute drive away, while the Messinian capital Kalamata (of olive fame) is just under an hour from Costa Navarino.
Kalamata is also home to the only international airport in the region, with a limited number of flights from several major European hubs. For those wishing to combine Costa Navarino with the Greek capital as part of a multi-stop vacation, Athens is just over three hours away by road.
