Mandarin Oriental Costa Navarino

Built into the hills of Messinia above the Ionian Sea, Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino brings the group’s celebrated service to the southwest Peloponnese through a remarkable collection of earth sheltered suites and private pool villas immersed in the landscape.

This is a resort that reveals itself gradually. The architecture follows the natural contours of the hillside, with planted roofs, local stone and low buildings allowing the olive groves, rugged coastline and immense western horizon to remain the dominant features of the setting.

That relationship with the land gives Mandarin Oriental a character quite different from a conventional Mediterranean resort. Paths weave between gardens and terraces, buildings appear almost to disappear into the slopes, and the Ionian is rarely far from sight, creating an extraordinary sense of space even within the wider world of Costa Navarino.

Rooms & Suites

The accommodation is divided between spacious Junior Suites and an exceptional collection of villas, with the emphasis throughout on outdoor living and privacy. Bay View and Beach Club Junior Suites open onto generous terraces, while connecting options make it possible for families and friends to create considerably larger spaces of their own.

The villas take the experience further, pairing beautifully restrained interiors with private pools and broad terraces facing the coast. Natural materials and earthy colours continue inside, while large expanses of glass keep the landscape constantly present rather than treating the view as something reserved for the terrace.

Mandarin Pool Villas and Bay View Pool Villas are particularly tempting for couples, while the Outdoor Connected villas allow larger groups to stay together without sacrificing privacy. Whichever you choose, there is a wonderful feeling of having your own little piece of the Messinian hillside.

Dining

Dining has enough personality to become an important part of the stay. Oliviera celebrates Greek flavours and the produce of the region, while Tahir looks east towards the cooking traditions of the Levant and Brasserie de la Bay brings a French influence to the waterfront.

Pizza Sapienza keeps things wonderfully informal, while Ormos Beach Club is made for the sort of lunches that begin after a swim and stretch comfortably into the afternoon. The Private Kitchen offers something altogether more personal, creating an intimate dining experience away from the main restaurants.

Three Admirals Lounge is a lovely place to bring the day to a close, particularly when the light begins to soften across the Ionian and the coastline takes on the warm colours that make evenings in this part of the Peloponnese so memorable.

Experience

The sea is central to life here. A private beach and three outdoor pools provide plenty of places to disappear for the day, while snorkelling, diving, canoeing and other water sports make excellent use of the clear Messinian coastline.

The wider Costa Navarino landscape opens up an entirely different side of the stay. Golf, tennis, cycling, hiking and walking routes encourage you into the surrounding countryside, while cooking classes and experiences centred on local culture bring the traditions of Messinia into the resort rather than leaving them beyond its boundaries.

Families are particularly well looked after, with a kids’ club, indoor and outdoor play spaces and babysitting available, yet the sheer amount of space means quieter days beside the water remain very easy to find.

Wellness

Wellness is treated with the seriousness you would expect from Mandarin Oriental. The spa combines a hammam, sauna, steam room and extensive treatment spaces with therapies ranging from massage and body rituals to facials and personalised wellness programmes.

Yoga, fitness classes and personal training provide a more active route into the day, while the landscape itself becomes part of the experience through walking, cycling and time outdoors. There is enough depth here to build a stay around wellness or simply disappear into the spa for a few thoroughly indulgent hours.

Where

Mandarin Oriental sits within Costa Navarino on the southwest coast of the Peloponnese, placing the historic harbour town of Pylos and the wider landscapes of Messinia within easy reach. It is an especially rewarding part of Greece to venture beyond the resort, with olive country, traditional villages, ancient sites and a magnificent coastline giving every reason to make this more than simply a beach holiday.

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