W Costa Navarino – Peloponnese, Greece
Right on the beach of the very stunning crescent shaped Navarino Bay, the W brand has stamped its inimitable and effortlessly cool mark. Angular buildings from local stone and wood sit between ancient olives, gazing out over the seductive blue Ionian, whilst contemporary styled interiors are no less striking. Branded as an “escape”, it blends warm Greek hospitality with a vibrant atmosphere – the relaxed beach club being the place to spend much of your time. It’s a place to immerse yourself in and be pampered.
At A Glance
Luxury Hotel
Why We Love It:
We love W Costa Navarino for its great water sports facilities and healthy ethos to dining.Style:
Designer Mediterranean luxe.Location:
On the beach in Messinia, in the southwest of the Peloponnese.Rooms:
246 distinctive & vibrantly styled rooms, suites & villas.Swimming:
A beachside infinity pool, a 25m lap pool & the glorious bay.Children:
Families with children aged 12 and over are welcome.rooms
From rooms with balconies, or with a shared pool from their private terrace, to airy one & two-bedroom suites & villas sleeping up to six, with private pools, some right on the beach, the uber stylish accommodation here is inspired by the region’s architecture. Blending in with their surroundings, they look over the bay, marina or the surrounding hills, and come with eco-friendly Korres products and well-stocked mini bars.
food
Relaxed and convivial sums up the dining experience at W Costa Navarino. And with the plentiful Ionian right in front of you, and fertile land all around, produce is sea and farm to table fresh. Begin your day at Platia – a casual al fresco village square style restaurant with a bakery, coffee shop and deli – where you’re greeted by mountains of homemade bread and pastries, all kinds of Greek yoghurt and breakfasts cooked to order.
Parelia is a buzzing beach club, with live music often playing, and serving contemporary Greek cuisine – the focus very much on sharing platters. For lazy days by the pool, Between serves delicious light snacks and seafood, or relax at W Lounge. Cookery serves very good steak and sharing dishes, then end the evening at WET deck for some dancing.
activities
You won’t be short of things to do at W Costa Navarino, whether you want to explore; take a bit of exercise, or just lie on the beach with a good book. Just off shore is the uninhabited island of Sfaktiria and not far away at Koroni and Methoni are Venetian fortresses. The Peloponnese has its fair share of historic sites, and further afield you are spoilt for choice with UNESCO World Heritage Sites, from ancient Olympia to the amphitheatre at Epidaurus.
Naturally, water sports are a big draw and from the water sports “hub” you can sail, kite and wind surf, paddle board, dive and snorkel. There are a four golf courses from which to choose, with the Dunes Course just a few moments away. The 18 hole, 71 par Bay course is designed by Robert Trent Jones II. There are three tennis courts, a 25m lap pool at the gym
family
W Costa Navarino welcomes children aged 12 and over. The suites, interconnecting rooms and villas work very well for families, however there are no specific facilities for children.
sustainability
Messinia has one of the highest biodiversity ratings in Europe, with one of the most significant wetlands on the continent close by. The resorts at Costa Navarino are committed to the protection and preservation of the natural environment, striving to minimise the use of natural resources. In construction, over one million endemic shrubs were planted, whilst the design and architecture of the buildings ensures minimum energy use – with planted roofs, insulation and energy efficient lighting.
Water saving measures and an extensive waste management and recycling system are in place. The resort has also partnered with WWF Greece to limit single use plastics. From a social perspective, over 70% of the resort’s employees, and the majority of its suppliers are local.
Location
Messinia
On the beach in Messinia, in the southwest of the Peloponnese – 40 minutes from Kalamata airport & just over three hours from Athens.
