Visitors who immediately venture to Greece's coastal islands are overlooking the extravagance that this specific location offers.

Journeyers who immediately set course for Greece's island destinations are overlooking the allure of this exclusive retreat.

Particularly in Costa Navarino, an extensive luxury expansion with four resorts (one being the initial Mandarin Oriental in Greece), golf courses, retail centers, dining spots, and wellness facilities, is found. This area, situated in the Messinia region approximately a three-hour journey from Athens, was formerly recognized for its rural scenery, Kalamata olives, ancient sanctuaries, and a significant naval battle. Now, it's progressing into a globally admired tourist destination, supplying a rich history, untouched hamlets, and pristine beaches, in addition to its evolving luxury facilities.

Costa Navarino is a multi-resort and housing development that encompasses The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort, a W, and a Westin. Spread across the 1,000 hectare complex, this wealthy diversity also includes a lively waterfront marketplace named Navarino Agora. This hub provides a vast array of shopping, dining, and cultural experiences, involving events like wine tastings and concerts, all of which are readily accessible and free for the general public.

Costa Navarino is beginning to emerge as an option on the extravagant getaway list, alongside St. Tropez, Capri, and Ibiza, yet without the overwhelming crowd.

Ambitious Aspirations

This ambitious plan is the brainchild of a single person, Captain Vassilis Constantakopoulos.

Born and raised in the village of Diavolitsi in Messinia, Constantakopoulos led the world's largest independent private cargo shipping company. Touched by his homeland's potential, he dedicated his life to revitalizing Costa Navarino while taking sustainability into consideration. The idea of transforming Costa Navarino into a premier luxury travel destination emerged in the 1980s. In 1997, Constantakopoulos acquired most of the land required for the Costa Navarino project and founded development company TEMES. The project commencement followed, and he spearheaded this undertaking until his passing in 2011.

“He aimed to bring people back to Messinia,” complemented Giota Spiliotopoulou, communications manager of Athens-based TEMES. Costa Navarino is TEMES Group’s flagship project, and the company has thus far invested more than 1.25 billion euros (approximately $1.4 billion) in the development.

The swimming pool at the W Costa Navarino showcases and maximizes its breathtaking surroundings.

Captain Vassilis' vision has led to the creation of an all-inclusive destination that appeals to various preferences, including families, golf enthusiasts, and adults seeking tranquility. Accommodation options cater to various preferences, ranging from the grown-up-focused W hotel to the newly launched Mandarin Oriental, which opened in August 2023.

The destination engages in an intense competition with other Mediterranean glamour spots, but unlike these well-established attractions, Costa Navarino was constructed with a sustainable perspective.

“Captain Vassilis was an environmentally-conscious individual. We relocated 7,000 olive trees, 9,000 diverse tree species, and 1,000,000 indigenous plants during constructing and subsequently replanted them. Only 10 or 15 olive trees were lost,” Spiliotopoulou stated.

Plastic waste is non-existent across the complex, and conservation measures were taken by constructing three reservoirs to optimize water usage and waste reuse. Costa Navarino collaborates with the University of Stockholm on an on-site environmental observatory that measures the effects of climate change.

If you build responsibly, guests will come, according to Spiliotopoulou, citing an upsurge in visitors from the UK, Germany, and France who have opted for this lesser-known alternative, choosing the southwest Peloponnese over more well-visited destinations such as Mallorca in Spain or the Algarve in Portugal.

Furthermore, in contrast to other Southern Mediterranean locations, Costa Navarino has not reached Capri-inspired pricing. Some hotels still offer affordable rates within the three digits.

At Barbouni within The Romanos resort, fresh components take center stage.

Example room rates include starting prices of 345 euros (approximately $385) for 2024 at The Romanos for high-season stays of 700 euros (approximately $770). The ultra-private Mandarin Oriental, nestled on the serene Navarino Bay, boasts low-season suite rates starting at 1,000 euros (approximately $1,115).

The gastronomic options are plentiful, with more than 40 restaurants, cafes, and bistros available to explore.

Greek fine dining is offered at the Mandarin Oriental's Oliviera, which stocks olive oil, indigenous to Messinia, and wine with the same dedication. Some of the culinary fare for all resort dining establishments is sourced from a nearby farm, which features vibrant orange eggs with tomatoes (a traditional dish, known as kayana) and Greek pies concocted with flour from the property's very own stone mill.

At The Romanos, you'll find the sun-drenched beachfront Barbouni, a laid-back yet elite lunch spot, acclaimed as the "most beautiful restaurant in Greece" by the travel blogger voyage_provacateur.

Navarino Bay, the stretch of coastline hosting the Mandarin and W Hotel, is an idyllic location for nature lovers and history enthusiasts. Drop anchor at Chrisi Ammos Beach, situated in the quiet, remote side of Gialova, for a serene swim in the azure waters or enjoy leisurely time at the pristine, natural beach. Scattered strategically among the three rugged, uninhabited islands, the bay is home to four peaceful war memorials – one for each foreign navy – honoring the navies that assisted Greece in its quest for independence during the 1820s by ambushing the Ottoman navy in Navarino Bay.

If you need to spot a scene, you'll have to strain your eyes a bit. A five-minute drive from Costa Navarino will lead you to Gialova, a peaceful and charming village. Although Gialova is serene, the waterfront restaurant Kochili is rather lively, popular for its fresh seafood that you can personally select. The lax atmosphere of the place makes it quite relaxed, almost to the point where shoes are more of a suggestion than arequirement.

Undeniably, Voidokilia Beach is a must-visit in this locale.

Rich in heritage

Costa Navarino is nestled in the larger context of the southwest Peloponnese, which boasts a 4,500-year-old history. The area is dotted with historical landmarks, like the unspoiled Pylos village that seems to be trapped in time. The region also houses unspoiled beaches, uninhabited islands, and a serene landscape adorned with olive trees.

Just a few minutes away from Costa Navarino lies the iconic Voidokilia Beach, shaped like a horseshoe or omega. This pristine beach is a paradise for snorkeling enthusiasts and is considered one of Greece's finest beaches. Perched above Voidokilia's dunes is a tomb believed to belong to Thrasymedes, the son of mythical King Nestor, famous in Homer's Odyssey. A short car ride into the hills will take you to the ancient Temple of Nestor, a historical landmark that's a must-visit.

Kalamata, the region's capital, has transformed from a nearly abandoned town two decades ago to a well-connected city with numerous flights to and from major European hubs, thanks to its growing Kalamata International Airport. The city hosts an international dance festival and is home to the Aerides jewelry store, an artisan workshop run by Katerina Karampela and Constantinos Diamandis, selling their handmade pieces.

The region is full of hidden gems, like waterfalls nestled in the forested hills beyond the coastal settlements. Kalamaris Waterfall, about three miles from Gialova, is accessible by bike or car and offers a refreshing swim as a reward for reaching it.

Many pristine coastlines, where beach chairs are currently free or nonexistent, can be reached from any of the Costa Navarino properties using various forms of transport. Longer boat trips can take you further out into the Ionian Sea.

Following the strenuous trek, the breathtaking Kalamaris Waterfall serves as an enchanting retreat.

For those still yearning for an island getaway, a 20-minute drive from Costa Navarino will lead you to Methoni, where you can hire a private boat for around 50 euros to reach the uninhabited Sapienza, known for its crystalline waters and potential sightings of dolphins and migrating flamingos from North Africa in September. What you won't find: overpriced beach chair rentals like those in Mykonos, charging 200 euros a day.

The new Mandarin Oriental, with its luxury facilities and pristine beaches, is attracting travelers seeking high-end vacations, making Costa Navarino a rival to popular destinations like St. Tropez and Capri.

In line with Captain Vassilis Constantakopoulos' vision, Costa Navarino includes eco-friendly measures such as relocating olive trees and constructing reservoirs to optimize water usage, making it an attractive choice for travelers who value sustainability.