The best boutique hotels on Greek islands

In the heart of bustling Hersonissos, Harma Boutique Hotel is a haven of tranquillity just steps from the glorious Cretan sea. Guests can stay in en-suite double rooms with private balconies overlooking the pool, sea or gardens. The pool and sunbed area boasts an accompanying pool bar and terrace space. The restaurant is open for buffet breakfast and dinner daily. You’re also just a short stroll from myriad bars, cocktail joints, and friendly tavernas and restaurants, not to mention the area’s beautiful beaches and coves.

Right on the sandy beach of Georgioupolis, Crete, the Mare Boutique Hotel is an adults-only venue with an emphasis on luxury and an exclusive feel. The white low-rise buildings of the hotel surround the tranquil pool and chic pool bar for refreshments between meals. Enjoy all-inclusive dining with a breakfast, lunch and dinner buffet, available in the restaurant or out on the terrace for great views. Guests can choose from superior single or double rooms, each with a private balcony and en-suite bathroom, and you’ll have access to beach loungers free of charge too.

Close to both the airport and historic Corfu Town, the Royal Grand Hotel offers fabulous hospitality in a charming space. The 3-star accommodation is housed in a traditional white building, offering lake and sea views, suites, and even discounted rooms for solo travellers. Enjoy the vista from your private balcony or head down to the elegant terrace to sip a drink with a view over the romantic Panagia Vlacherna island monastery. The hotel boasts two pools, a pool bar, in-room spa options, and a breakfast and dinner buffet in the trendy restaurant.

In the Kefalomandouko suburb of Corfu Town, the 3-star Mare Boutique is perfectly situated for bars, clubs and restaurants, just a short stroll from the chic Corfu marina and town centre. This adults-only hotel is eco-certified, with a focus on total relaxation while also caring for the planet. The elegant building is set amidst green gardens with a glorious freshwater pool and sunbathing area, plus an on-site gym for the fitness-conscious. Guests can enjoy fresh, local dishes created with Corfiot produce or enjoy cocktails in the atmospheric bar after sundown.

Cavo Bianco Boutique Hotel is a sophisticated spot in the popular resort town of Kamari, Santorini, just metres from the promenade and a long, spacious beach. Its low-slung white buildings are fashioned in the traditional Cycladic style, incorporating arches and tumbling bougainvillea. Inside, it’s chic and contemporary, with suites featuring jet tubs, indoor or outdoor private hot tubs, and there’s even a suite with a private pool. Enjoy the gorgeous outdoor pool, terrace and pool bar for swim-up cocktails, luxuriate in the spa, or visit the restaurant for modern Mediterranean cuisine.

The crowning glory of the Beach Boutique Hotel, Santorini, is undoubtedly its prime beachfront location in Kamari. You’re just steps from the sand, and the Aegean Sea can be seen shimmering through the palms from the balconies and terrace bar. Guests enjoy a large pool, pool bar and beachside à la carte restaurant – perfectly positioned for sunset dining. There’s also a buffet breakfast and access to the spa facilities at the neighbouring hotel. The team there can book the perfect island experience, with sunset cruises, archaeological bus tours, and private excursions too.

With its whitewashed buildings and Aegean views, Mykonos Blu Grecotel Boutique Resort is a 5-star spot with a spa and access via steps to Psarou Beach. The blue-and-white décor pays homage to Mykonos style, while the rooms, suites and bungalows have private balconies, a hydromassage tub or even a private pool. There’s an infinity pool and steps down to the beach, where you’ll find sunbeds, a changing area, and an on-beach food and drinks service. Choose from two elegant restaurants or order in-villa dining, a villa BBQ, or a private dinner by the sea.

Immerse yourself in Mykonian culture when you stay at Livin Mykonos, conveniently located for great access to beaches and the heart of town. This sophisticated, adults-only accommodation is designed with a focus on style and a nod to the traditional island décor. Guests can book everything from a classic double to a sea-view suite and enjoy the use of a generous pool with a phenomenal ocean vista and a pool bar. Visitors can sample locally sourced produce for breakfast and order delicious light bites from the “à la minute” menu throughout the day.

The 3-star Atlantis Boutique Hotel is a peaceful place to relax in the heart of bustling Rhodes Town. There’s a room for every budget, up to a Junior Suite with whirlpool tub and balcony. Guests can enjoy breakfast and dinner in the restaurant, and there’s also an air-conditioned bar/lounge if you fancy taking a break from the heat of the city streets. The space is all about comfort and modernity, set just a few hundred metres from the Grand Master's Palace, the Acropolis, and the marina and beach.

Haven Beach Boutique Hotel is a relaxed, 3-star spot on the bustling Faliraki seafront. Its air-conditioned, open-plan rooms are colourfully decorated, and most feature private terraces or balconies and sea views. Tuck in to the complimentary continental breakfast buffet or grab a refreshing drink from the lounge-bar. You’re just steps from the sandy beach, and the promenade is speckled with restaurants and bars. You can follow it all the way to the marina to book a boat tour, check out the romantic church, or sip on a cocktail by candlelight.