The 8 Best Mediterranean Villas to Stay in this Summer

Whether you’re looking for a romantic break, a family escape or a beachfront getaway with friends, these exquisitely appointed and indulgently spacious villas will make this summer a truly memorable one.

Domes Miramare, a Luxury Collection Resort, Corfu

One of the most relaxing places to stay in all of Corfu must be the adults-only Domes Miramare, a Luxury Collection Resort, Corfu. Renovated with natural materials and decorated with contemporary art, this is an oasis on the island’s east coast – its one-bedroom seafront villas gaze out across the translucent waters of the Ionian Sea to mainland Greece. The villas have contemporary interiors and sleek private terraces and enjoy access to the hotel’s Haute Living Room, an exclusive social lounge rendered in stunning marble and glass that is open 24 hours a day for your enjoyment. When you're ready to explore the island, the northeast corner is a delight. Since some of the most beautiful coves are only accessible from the water, you might hire a speedboat – if you do, pretty Agni Bay should be your first port of call. Away from the water, hiking Mount Pantokrator – also in the northeast – will afford unforgettable views.

Blue Palace Elounda, a Luxury Collection Resort, Crete

Blue Palace Elounda, a Luxury Collection Resort, Crete (Photo: Marriott International)

The largest of the Greek Islands, Crete combines ancient myths, a mountainous interior, superb beaches and a fabulous cuisine that’s said to be the healthiest of all the Mediterranean diets. Take in all of this and more at the luxurious Blue Palace Elounda, a Luxury Collection Resort, Crete, whose refined villas are perched above the Aegean Sea. There are plenty of activities to keep you busy on the island, from visiting the ancient ruins at Knossos to sailing around Spinalonga on a traditional Greek fishing boat.

Mystique, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Santorini

Mystique, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Santorini (Photo: Marriott International)

The only thing to rival the swimming pool at Mystique, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Santorini is the infinity pool at the hotel’s Holistic Villa, which seems to drop off the clifftop and into the abyss of the caldera below. The villa’s interior is equally eye-catching, with sculpted walls and natural furniture made from repurposed driftwood. There are countless enjoyable things to do on Santorini: stroll the lanes of Fira, perhaps, visit the Minoan ruins of Akrotiri, or take a dip at red-rock Kokkini Beach.

The Ritz-Carlton, Abama

The Ritz-Carlton, Abama (Photo: Marriott International)

The largest of the Canary Islands, Tenerife guarantees that most precious of holiday essentials: sunshine, all year long. It's also not short of style, either – particularly if you stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Abama, a Moorish-influenced retreat on the island’s south-west coast. The Ritz-Carlton’s One Bedroom Suite Villa and Deluxe Room Villa are ideal for couples, although they can also host small families – and bear in mind that the hotel is home to the largest Ritz Kids in Europe. Spend your days swimming and your evenings watching the sunset off Abama Beach. Beyond the resort, you could lace up your hiking boots to climb Mount Teide, the highest point in Spain, embark on a whale-watching excursion or go star-gazing courtesy of Tenerife's beautifully clear skies.

Castillo Hotel Son Vida, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Mallorca

Castillo Hotel Son Vida, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Mallorca (Photo: Marriott International)

Whether you're in the mood for a city break or a rural retreat, you have the best of both worlds at Castillo Hotel Son Vida, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Mallorca. Located on the city limits of Palma de Mallorca, Son Vida is a Spanish country estate that dates back to the early 1500s. Overlooking the Mediterranean, the estate is surrounded by a golf course and yet lies just minutes from Mallorca’s beguiling capital. The superb Villa Suite enjoys 300 square metres of beautifully furnished space, Hermès bath amenities and a private wellness centre with sauna and steam bath. When the urge to explore further afield takes you, the entire island of Mallorca beckons, from the Art Nouveau architecture of capital Palma de Mallorca to sunset dolphin-watching trips along the north coast.

Santa Marina, a Luxury Collection Resort, Mykonos

Santa Marina, a Luxury Collection Resort, Mykonos (Photo: Marriott International)

Set within lush gardens, the chic two- and three-storey villas at Santa Marina, a Luxury Collection Resort, Mykonos are either built majestically into the hillside or enjoy splendid views from the clifftops overlooking Oreos Bay. With the Cyclades the home of island-hopping, you might take a boat trip to the Sanctuary of Apollo on nearby Delos, then party the night away at the world’s first-ever Buddha-Bar Beach – just one of the reasons why cosmopolitan Mykonos is home to some of the best nightlife in Greece. Returning to your Santa Marina villa, you can recharge your batteries on the only private beach on Mykonos.

JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa

JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa (Photo: Marriott International)

A villa in Venice? As surprising as it may sound, Villa Rose is exactly that – a two-storey villa set in its own gardens within the award-winning JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa. This is an oasis within an oasis, a secluded retreat with its own swimming pool on the hotel’s private island of Isola delle Rose. The resort provides a regular boat shuttle from St. Mark’s Square and central Venice, meaning that you'll be perfectly positioned for visiting the Venetian archipelago's other islands, from Murano and its glass artisans to remote, atmospheric Torcello. Back at the resort, you might take a cooking class at the Sapori Cooking Academy, which also welcomes children, and then see how the experts do it at fine-dining Dopolavoro Venezia.

The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort, Costa Navarino

The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort (Photo: Marriott International)

Gracing a classic Messinian landscape of olive trees and the azure Ionian Sea, The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort, Costa Navarino enjoys a superb location. This pristine coastline, running along the southwestern part of the Peloponnese Peninsula, is the Costa Navarino. It's where traditional Greece – ancient cities, historic churches, hidden coves – meets a bevy of outdoor activities, from golf and tennis to watersports galore. The resort's immaculate two- and three-bedroom villas, each with its own infinity pool, are perfect for families, while Executive Chef Angelos Kallinteris' sensational restaurants make creative use of ingredients picked the same day from the resort's vegetable garden. When venturing out of the resort, the Costa Navarino's delights await, from the stunning Polylimnio Waterfalls to the turquoise waters of crescent-shaped Voidokilia beach and the rich birdlife of Gialova Lagoon.

Published: March 24, 2023

Last Updated: December 13, 2023