THE SWANKY BOUTIQUE HOSPITALITY LABEL ADDED A DIZZYING THREE NEW RESORTS TO ITS ULTRA LUXURY LINEUP LAST YEAR, INCLUDING THIS RAVISHING RETREAT ALONG GREECE’S ATHENIAN COAST

BY AMANDA McCOY

Amere 24 miles south of Athen’s buzz lies the Athenian Riviera, a lush, lemon tree-dot ted seaside strip boasting the same coastal charisma as the Greek Isles but with far fewer crowds. Though the 40-mile stretch is reclaiming its reputation as the Hamptons of Greece (the 1960s were considered the tourism heyday of the Greek Riviera), it remains secluded and serene, marked by secret coves, golden beaches, and dreamy sailboat-filled marinas. Many of the globe’s most exclusive hospitality clubs have taken up residence here over the past few years, spurring the region’s riveting revival, including One&Only’s debut resort in Greece. One&Only Aesthesis is a bewildering paradox: lavish yet laid back, hidden yet minutes from Greece’s largest metropolis.

Owned by Kerzner International, One&Only famously hand-selects stunning destinations for its resorts collection, from its launch site in the Maldives to the verdant Wolgan Valley in Australia, the feral jungle of Rwanda, and the sky piercing skyline of Dubai. The Athenian Riviera rivals the esteemed pedigree of its predecessors, offering a quixotic 51 acres of protected forest reserve in Glyfada under the shadow of the Hymettus mountain range. Launched in November 2023, the boutique retreat recalls the unpretentious glamour of the 1960s Riviera. Retro refinery is a clear design theme here: think spacious, sun-soaked bungalows filled with mid-century highlights like modular furniture, wooden accents, and colorful geometric art.

With just over 100 total rooms, Aesthesis leans on the larger side in One&Only’s resort portfolio, though a hyper-attentive staff ensures it doesn’t lose its personal touch. There are 95 beach bungalows, 18 residences, and two palatial villas on property, all finished with expansive open-air terraces, private pools, marble bathrooms, and outdoor showers for bathing amid balmy ocean breezes. Rooms are adorned in earthy Grecian accents like white-washed brick, wood paneling, and fluffy, sand-colored sofas. Thoughtful touches span Esophy chocolates, vintage cocktail shakers, leather-bound vanity kits, and Montroi beauty products.

The largest bungalows, dubbed the Riviera Bungalow Suites, are located mere steps from the cerulean sea, finished with nearly 1,500 feet of al fresco living spaces for lapping up the Grecian sun along with exquisite views (there’s an additional 900 square feet of living and lounging space inside). Stretch out on a dual-person daybed amid a perfumed garden of Mediterranean flora like rose-mary, bougainvillea, and olive trees, or cool off with a dip in your private in-deck pool. Prefer to bathe with the fishes? The sea is only steps away, and there’s also an outdoor fireplace if chilly ocean breezes begin to sting.

Upgrade to either the two-bedroom Villa Nostros or the flagship Villa One, a cavern ous cape boasting spectacular amenities like a rooftop garden (complete with a fire pit), seafront Jacuzzi, outdoor dining, a gourmet chef’s kitchen, personal wine cellar, and a massive central pool. Dedicated butler and private chef service is included, and both villas can be combined to create a four-bed room compound, creating a self-contained resort-within-a-resort.

Mealtimes are taken seriously here, and a pair of destination restaurants helmed by Michelin-starred chefs Ettore Botrini and Paco Morales put their mahi-mahi where their mouths are. Ora, named after the Greek word for “hour” and Italian word for “now,” celebrates chef Botrini’s Greek-Italian roots with classic Mediterranean dishes retold through a modern lens. Breakfast spans decadent plates of fluffy Belgian waffles, caramelized brioche topped with cream, and oatmeal buckwheat porridge, while lunch standouts include fresh burrata with citrus fruits, sea urchin and bottarga linguine, and slow-cooked veal and orzo pasta. At dinner, dive into an ocean of land and sea delights, from black Angus rib eye steak dressed with black pepper sauce to grilled lobster with butter and rosemary. Don’t miss the seafood royale plate, a towering feast of Aegean catches including oysters, lobster, and langoustine, served with caviar.

El Bar, on the other hand, is the brainchild of Andalusian super-chef Morales, a three-Michelin-starred wun derkind from Spain. The laid-back eatery marries Moorish and Mediterranean flavors in a variety of colorful family-style dishes. Think tomato Salmorejo with fresh cheese foam, beef tartare with quail eggs and parm, and fried seabass with house lemon mayo and Padrón peppers. Sweet endings include arroz con leche with hazelnut ice cream, fresh pineapple topped with cardamom, and a decadent panna cotta made with pure cane honey. An impressive list of local and global wines, champagne, and spirits are on deck to accompany both restaurants. Be on the lookout for Manko, a saucy restaurant-meets-dayclub serving Peruvian plates, set to debut this spring. Sunsets are best served at the ultra-glamorous Thimisi bar on the beach, where signature cocktails mirror the colors of the Riviera, from glittering gold to rosé pink. Sit at the circular bar or nab a sofa to catch the sun dip behind the Athenian Coast. Rooms begin at $700 per night. oneandonlyresorts.com/aesthesis