W Costa Navarino opened directly on the beach facing the Bay of Navarino in August 2022, bringing the brand’s vibrant modern fizz to the history-packed Greek Peloponnese. This is the first W in Greece, W’s second resort hotel in Europe, following in the successful footsteps of W Verbier, and the first franchised W hotel worldwide. As the third five-star hotel to open at Costa Navarino, the 246-room W is part of one of Europe’s fastest growing sports and leisure destinations.
A long beachfront and staff infused with famously warm Greek hospitality blend successfully with W’s uplifting design and energy-fuelled reputation. Staff are called ‘talent’, bathrooms are unisex and just being onsite – with the ubiquitous café del mar-style playlist - raises everyone’s cool credentials a notch or too.
Where is it?
W Costa Navarino is in Messinia, the olive tree and vine-filled southwest corner of the Peloponnese, southern Greece’s agricultural and hugely historical peninsula. Kalamata airport is a forty-minute drive – with seasonal flights from BA, EasyJet and Jet2 – and Athens airport is just over three hours by car.
The hotel sits on the beachfront of the Bay of Navarino, a beautiful natural bay that holds a special place in modern Greek history as a key battle site in the struggle for Greek Independence. It’s one of several sites that makes up Costa Navarino. Navarino Dunes, the most established area of Costa Navarino and home to two five-star hotels (The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort and The Westin Resort, Costa Navarino) and extensive sports facilities and Kids Clubs, is a ten-minute drive away, linked by shuttle running hourly between the two sites.
Style
Handsome, angular architecture using roughly hewn local stone gives way to airy and bright interiors, unfussy, contemporary and warm. Pull up to the hotel’s reception, past the W sign made from coloured glass and wood reclaimed from old fishing boats, and the wide blue-on-blue panorama of the Bay of Navarino is the first thing you see. There’s a focus on local artists in the striking art on display and natural materials are used liberally, wood, stone and linens, in step with Costa Navarino’s firm focus on sustainability.
Facilities
Rooms have all the usual five-star pleasures: complimentary tea and coffee-making facilities, dressing gowns and generous bundles of fluffy towels. A big eco-tick goes to the Korres toiletries, a natural skincare brand founded in Greece. Mini bars are admirably well-stocked, WIFI is excellent and the lighting is effective and easy to master.
A light-filled and well-equipped gym with indoor and outdoor training areas looks out over the dedicated lap pool – you’re never far from water onsite – and adjoins the AWAY Spa where seven treatment rooms include ‘rooms for two people’ (W Costa Navarino does not use the word ‘couples’ according to the Spa Manager). The spa is a delight, high ceilings, contemporary wood panelling and a good choice of treatments. A watersports centre is due to open in 2023.
Extracurricular
Sports buffs, history fans and beach lovers will find plenty to do. Costa Navarino has four golf courses, a smart new tennis centre with red clay and hard courts and also the only grass court in Greece. At Navarino Dunes, facilities for children and teenagers are outstanding and there are more restaurants and bars.
Close to W Costa Navarino, explore the uninhabited island of Sfaktiria in the Bay of Navarino, the twin Venetian fortresses at Koroni and Methoni and definitely don’t miss Voïdokilia beach, shaped as a perfect omega of white sand brilliance. The Peloponnese, named for legendary King Pelops, is alive with history and myth. If you can drag yourself away from the hotel’s pools for a lengthy day trip, there are five UNESCO World Heritage Sites to explore including Epidaurus amphitheatre and Olympia, site of the first Olympic Games some 3,000 years ago.
Food & drink
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There’s a focus on excellent meat and fish dishes and local produce as you would expect from a hotel in the agricultural heartland of Greece and a good choice of locations to eat.
Breakfast is served al fresco at Platia, a casual take on a village square where fabulous fresh fruits, breads and pastries, chefs whipping up hot dishes to order and endless variations on Greek yoghurt are served up in four different ‘rooms’ of food. Parelia is their restaurant by the beach, set around a 500 year old olive tree and you can watch the sunset from Between, the bar by the beach or take a sundowner before eating inside at the W Lounge.
Next year, the Navarino Agora is set to open, a public space linked to W Costa Navarino by a short footbridge, with more restaurants, bars and shops. At nearby Navarino Bay area, Costa Navarino’s fourth five-star hotel, Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino, also due to open in 2023, is clearly taking shape.
Which room?
W Costa Navarino has 246 rooms, suites and villas. Room types start from Fabulous Bay Rooms on the first floor with a balcony and include Fabulous Infinity Swim-up Rooms on the ground floor with immediate access to the shared pool from their terrace. WOW Infinity Villas, some directly on the beach, sleeping up to six guests. Rooms have large showers but only the villas have baths.
Best for
Couples and lively groups of friends. Children aged 12 and over are welcomed and the suites and interconnecting rooms work well for families but with no dedicated children’s facilities at W Costa Navarino, most teens would probably prefer to stay closer to the extensive and excellent activities over at Navarino Dunes.
Price
Rooms start from €380 for a ‘Fabulous Bay Room’
Details
W Costa Navarino closes from November to early April although it is hoped that in time this season will be extended.
W Costa Navarino, Navarino Waterfront, Costa Navarino, 240 01, Greece; costanavarino.com