With 2023 now underway, Simon Wittenberg takes a look at some of the most desirable and newest locations for a well-earned break during the coming year.

Kivotos Hotel & Villas on the Greek islands of Santorini and Mykonos
The family-owned Kivotos Hotel & Villas brand offers highly-personalised services and first-class amenities to help guests to relax and unwind. The business operates two luxury boutique hotels on the picturesque Greek islands of Mykonos and Santorini, providing ideal destinations to holiday in the sunshine.

The flagship Kivotos Mykonos hotel is situated along a slope in Ornos Bay, and comes with a secluded private beach, where guests can enjoy the Mediterranean’s emerald waters. The luxury hotel equally boasts a series of wellness facilities and experiences, namely two outdoor pools, a swim-up bar, and a fitness centre.

For those wishing to stay on-site, there are three gourmet restaurants, but arrangements can also be made for private dining experiences, such as an intimate evening aboard the hotel’s yacht or a seaside dinner by the beach.

The five-star Kivotos Santorini property can be found in the idyllic village of Imerovigli in one the most secluded parts of the island, but is similarly only 15 minutes away from the airport. Its unique jet black and smoke grey architecture is a nod to the island’s volcanic origins, and houses ten different accommodation options, as well an array of luxury services, from indoor pools to sunset balconies.

When it comes to gastronomy, Kivotos Santorini’s signature restaurant MAVRO combines the rich culinary traditions of the Mediterranean with modern fusions and flavours. Additional private dining experiences and a champagne breakfast in bed can also be arranged on request.

For more information or to make a reservation, visit www.kivotoshotels.com/mykonos/luxury-hotel-villas and www.kivotoshotels.com/santorini/luxury-hotel-villas.

The Peninsula Istanbul, Turkey
The luxurious Peninsula Istanbul hotel officially opens its doors this Valentine’s Day. Sitting on the banks of the Bosphorus Strait in the Turkish city’s Karaköy district, The Peninsula Istanbul forms part of a regeneration project, which will also include a promenade, museums and art galleries, restaurants, boutiques, and a cruise ship port.

Conveniently situated near historic landmarks, such as Galata Tower, The Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace, there are a total of 177 opulent rooms with bespoke furnishings on offer, spread across its four waterfront buildings.

Guests will also have access to the 1,675 square-metre Peninsula Spa and Wellness Centre, which houses Turkish steam rooms, as well as a dramatically lit 25-metre indoor swimming pool and a 25-metre outdoor pool with lush gardens and private cabanas.

Furthermore, The Peninsula Istanbul has recently announced that Fatih Tutak, the first and only two Michelin-starred Turkish chef, is now in charge of creating deliciously innovative Turk-Asian cuisine in his role as Chef Director of The Peninsula Istanbul’s stunning rooftop restaurant, Gallada.

This stunning venue incorporates a palatial alfresco terrace where pomegranate trees and a cascading fountain deliver unparalleled views over the Bosphorus and Istanbul’s Old City.

For more information or to make a reservation, visit www.peninsula.com/en/istanbul/5-star-luxury-hotel-bosphorus.

Villa Ponta Melagrana in Pržno, Montenegro
Situated in Montenegro, which forms part of the Balkans, is Villa Ponta Melagrana, a luxury, eleven-bedroom property. Found in the quaint fishing village of Pržno, just 28 kilometres from Tivat airport, and near to the renowned Milocer Forest Park and the historical peninsula of Sveti Stefan, the villa can accommodate up to 22 guests, whether it’s families, couples or groups.

As the largest and only villa of its kind in the area with direct access to the turquoise Adriatic Sea, guests can take advantage of the five-star hotel-style amenities on offer, which include on-site chefs, a full-service spa, and indoor and outdoor pools.

Visits can equally be personalised for guests, thanks to the wide choice of fully customisable services available at Villa Ponta Melagrana, spanning on-demand therapists to bespoke menus and meal plans.

For those who prefer to arrive in style, visitors can be flown into the area four kilometres away using the property’s helipad partner. The villa also has its own private mooring, with a capacity to berth yachts up to 100 metres in length.

Prices for exclusive hire of up to six bedrooms at Villa Ponta Melagrana start at £5,980 per night. For more information or to make a reservation, visit www.pontamelagrana.com.

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