A rebrand is a hard thing to pull off. Abercrombie & Fitch managed it, ditching brashly branded tees for clean basics. Alexander McQueen to McQueen? A pivot that still has me on the fence. Zante, however, has grown, matured, undergone a glow up that should be recorded and later celebrated. Stripped of its teenage party status, it now functions as a tranquil retreat from reality that locals would prefer you call ‘Zakynthos’.
For context, I retired from clubbing years ago. Some label me boring — others understand the peace of waking up without a day-damning hangover. So a Greek getaway to one of the country’s 200-plus (inhabited) islands, previously most famous for its shot-fuelled strip? Not on my summer hit list.
Thankfully, the Olea All Suite Hotel shares my values: a prioritisation of rest, relaxation and, as an added bonus, a Pinterest-ready view. Made up of 89 suites or individual servings of luxury, many accessorised with their own infinity pool, this resort isn’t about getting to know your temporary neighbours. Essentially, if you weren’t already comfortable in your own company, a three-day vacay here is the time to learn.
Sophie Donovan
Sophie Donovan
Walking across the threshold, you’re greeted by a band of creeping cacti — an early induction that the only way to take in the entire venue is to look up. Behind that, a concrete mecca, softened with climbing wooden beams and cloudless July sky.
Consider it a beachier version of The Barbican, digging deep into the Brutalist era for inspo. And these design notes are evident around the entire hilltop resort, with eight miniature versions of the main building decorating the 4,000 sq m pool. At times, the crowd of concrete outhouses can feel a little cold — some might say clean or perhaps clinical. But for the minimalist-leaning, it’s a perfect picture.
Walking into our Executive Private Pool Suite, the cotton throws and an occasional Aztec cushion offered the comfort we were craving. Although those details were swiftly overlooked when spotting the ocean-framed infinity pool mere steps from our bed.
As mentioned, there was no need (or option) to greet those holidaying next door each morning. Our poolside activities — for those wondering, fiction deep dives and the occasional game of Rummy — were protected via concrete privacy screens that left only an uninterrupted view of the Ionian Sea.
Pretty much from our entry into our room, we’d non-verbally agreed to spend the majority of our stay poolside, only relocating to refuel. You’ve got options when it comes to food: Flame is supposedly best-suited to the ‘free-spirited’, and is the more casual dinner venue of the three. Serving premium meat cuts and a selection of Greek ‘first impressions’ — both the Grilled Mastelo Cheese Skewers served with hot honey and the Spicy Chicken Gyros should be ordered for the table — ticked our ‘culinary tourism’ box.
Flow Dine & Wine offers a more romantic setting, and for those craving a grid-worthy grab, it’s here. However, it’s more focused on serving up contemporary gastronomy — slowly, so you can enjoy the entire sunset and explore the hidden corners of your companion’s brain. Food-wise, think eye-widening amuse-bouches, including a peach-topped corn tortilla we compared every other bite to.
Sophie Donovan
Sophie Donovan
Breakfast, an expansive buffet served in the Omikron Restaurant, is a more American affair, with Eggs Benedict, pancakes, and overnight oats available to grab at your leisure. The same can be said for the Cocoon Restobar (Flame’s AM alter-ego), which offers up poolside classics including a club sandwich and a Caesar salad, listed alongside a few locally-inspired dishes such as pinsas and an 11/10 Greek salad.
The only other pull away from regular plunges? The Olea Royal Spa. Here, two treatment rooms sit alongside another near-private pool, a waterfall, and shaded loungers. For those chasing romance and a chance to physically renew, there’s the option to enjoy a 50-minute massage together, or individual full body scrubs, facial drainage and body wrapping.
Marketed as a retreat ‘for the modern soul’, the ‘architectural masterpiece’ certainly lives up to its name. This is certainly not a holiday haven for budget-conscious, considering a single sleep starts at €296 a night. However, for a generous serving of silence, respite and escapism from literally everything, there seems to be no harm in splurging.