Travel & Hotspots

KIKI HAS BECOME A LITTLE MORE IN LOVE WITH GREECE

And it’s all thanks to this hotel

A few times a year, I write from the craziest place you can imagine. And that place varies, but it basically comes down to the fact that it’s not in the Netherlands. Hence, Boer Bertie is also taking over my Expedition rambling this week (okay, also because Bertie is a boss), because I couldn’t do this on RTL XL. I’m in Greece. The country I’m crazy about and where I fell crazy in love with my Sander.

The reason? A workation. That’s vacation with ‘work’ mixed in, yes. I’m talking about the cherries on the cake here. The times you’re invited by a hotel to experience the ambiance and write about it. The times you pinch yourself that this is your job. Picture this: you step off the plane (we flew with Aegean Air) and a few hours later you’re already typing in the sun on the terrace of your hotel room. You look to the right and see a private pool, you look to the left and see a little salamander crawling over the wall. It’s dead quiet, except for the sea and a few birds. Alright, you pour yourself a glass of wine halfway through the article, it is still Sunday after all. Feeling it a bit?

Where exactly am I, now for about three days? In the Costa Navarino hotel. A stunning resort with rooms that are so disgustingly large and luxurious that I’m now spoiled for life. I can’t make it any other way. The really, really posh hotels, where just that little extra is done. Where the toilet paper is always neatly folded for you so you don’t have to search, the idea alone on vacation. Where the bath products are so nice that you can’t help but throw them all in your suitcase (ssst) and there’s a welcome note on your bed. That kind of work. Alright, you get it; I’ve fallen in love again in Greece and I’m going to tell you why this hotel is absolutely the shit.

The location

Costa Navarino is located in Messinia, a very fertile region that is largely still untouched by mass tourism. The place is bursting with history and cultural values. And then you have to imagine that your hotel is situated in one of the most beautiful picturesque landscapes along the coast of the Ionian Sea.

The rooms

Let me put it this way: The National Ballet could easily hold a dress rehearsal in just about all the rooms of the hotel. With about eight or ten people. There’s no shortage of space. If you want to go all out during your vacation, you book the Infinity Suites. With a private pool in your backyard. What? Did someone say spoiled? Nah, right?

The celebrities

Because they are definitely still sleeping in the most expensive villa of the resort (where I got a tour). Now I immediately tried to squeeze out names, but as is befitting of well-trained hotel staff: the lips were sealed. I’m guessing Justin. Bieber then, right. He can probably handle that 8000 euros per night for that biggest villa. Swallow. You do get a HOUSE for ten people, including bedrooms for the staff, a chef, and a monstrously large jacuzzi in the master bedroom. Just saying.

Something with an incredibly good spa

From the first minute you walk into the Anazoe Spa, all worries slide off your shoulders. Only the very best professionals are allowed to give treatments here and I must say: you can feel the difference. I had a 50-minute massage with a little smurf of warm honey and ginger and really, those treatments are extremely drool-worthy. And those bubble baths. Man oh man.

The Natura Hall

A very impressive exhibition about nature, in collaboration with students from the University of Stockholm. Definitely take a look, because I was heavily impressed. The Greeks do everything to protect the sacred ground of this region and also show you through interactive images that humanity is not always doing well when it comes to Mother Nature.

And last but not least: the food

HELLO tzatziki. Need to say more? Uh, yes, a hell of a lot more. There are about twenty (!) restaurants at the resort. No ordinary all-inclusive nonsense, but culinary gems one by one. Indi, a Japanese Fusion restaurant. Flame, the hotspot with the ridiculously beautiful view over the Greek landscape. There’s even a Greek coffee house at the resort where a super fun group of women in traditional clothing sings songs, dances, and makes fresh pasta right in front of you. And that is DELICIOUS.

Oh, this post is starting to take on monstrous proportions again. You know what? Soon I’ll bundle everything for you in a video (where hilarious things are going to happen, I’m telling you in advance). Then I’m going to enjoy my last sip of wine in the sun and then back towards the airport. Greece, you were completely yourself again. To fall in love with. And, dear totally Amayzine colleagues of Monday morning (especially office partner Simone), watch your back, this chick smells like GARLIC, you’re almost going to have a stroke from it. So that’s going to be a party again. See you tomorrow!