Sharing is caring – sage phrases they could be, however who desires to be sage when you would snag a chief sunbathing spot as an alternative? We’ve performed non-public investigator and compiled an all-star line-up of Europe’s finest stays with unique seashores, from bucolic borgos to Greek island grottos.
So when you’re feeling a little bit shellfish (sorry, persist with us) relating to your summer time hols, dive into our high non-public seaside picks right here – the world’s your oyster (see)…
BORGO SANTANDREA
Amalfi coast, Italy
Paparazzi chase you out of Positano? Look, we get it. It’s powerful going being this glamorous. Fortunately for you, cliffside pad Borgo Santandrea delivers star high quality with out skimping on the seclusion. Subtle blue and white interiors make a valiant try at stealing the highlight, however floor-to-ceiling French home windows preserve the cinematic sea views firmly centre-frame.
The truth is, between the library-cum-bar, patio restaurant and balconies searching over Sophia Loren’s former villa (after all), you’ll be able to’t transfer for shut up-worthy backdrops. And when you should be papped, let it’s mid-Negroni on the Med-facing pool terrace.
Down on the shore, the resort’s sandy seaside is strictly VIP – essential paddler, clearly – however absolute solitude seekers can all the time jet off on a ship tour of Amalfi’s film-star coast from the non-public jetty.
PUENTE ROMANO BEACH RESORT
Marbella, Spain
Stand down, veterans of the Costa del Sol sunlounger wars, your days of parasols at daybreak are over. At Puente Romano Beach Resort you’re assured a spot on Marbella’s unique Golden Mile. Days on the Fendi-designed seaside membership are finest spent mainlining cocktails and the catch of the day – delivered straight to your sunbed – and perhaps, ultimately, stirring your self for a little bit snorkelling or stand-up paddle boarding.
All going swimmingly to date, however there’s extra to this Andalusian A-lister. Tear your self out of your tanning spot of selection – actually, there’s no have to bagsy it with a seaside towel – and get exploring.
Breaking step with the outsize resorts subsequent door, Puente Romano rocks a breezy seaside village vibe – we’re speaking whitewashed buildings, wave-to-your-neighbours ambiance and a wealth of Mediterranean views. However there’s nothing small-town in regards to the clay tennis courts, lengthy beloved by the likes of McEnroe and Djokovic (no strain), nor the tally of 20 eating places and bars, which vary from Nobu to an NYC loft-inspired nightclub.
After an evening of extra, exorcise your woes on the Six Senses spa, then take a sunny flip in regards to the sub-tropical gardens and – oh, however you’re again on the seaside already… Honest sufficient.
DANAI BEACH RESORT
Halkidiki, Greece
You might hit the Hamptons one 12 months and Halkidiki the following, however why not have your honey cake and eat it, too? As soon as a personal household vacation house with a preppy pep in its step, Danai Beach Resort & Villas has laidback luxurious baked into its bricks and mortar.
Greek and French high-quality eating set the cosmopolitan tone, as do suites suited out with classical paintings, chandeliers and vintage objets d’artwork, however pleasant workers and a chilled-out ambiance cease issues from leaning stuffy – although the champagne at breakfast and a sommelier-guided rummage within the wine cellar will assist with that, too.
Shoreside, butter-soft sands, palatial cabanas and the breezy beachfront bar beckon. Resist the siren tune of the cocktail shaker in your method to the water and also you’ll be rewarded with light waves and a full roster of watersports. Little Smiths can chart their very own odyssey, too – children’ membership quests vary from snorkelling to ice cream-sampling. Higher but, commandeer the resort’s non-public yacht to see Sithonia en famille.
BORGO EGNAZIA
Puglia, Italy
Excellent news! You’ve simply been granted three vacation needs. First up? A personal seaside in Puglia – nice selection. Second? Go on, then, make it two. However save your last want for high-quality climate, as a result of Borgo Egnazia has all of the fairytale trappings lined. Right here, a mock-mediaeval village carved from cool tufa rock makes up your 40-acre realm – suppose fortress towers, cobblestones and candlelit alcoves.
Royal privileges embrace a Roman-inspired spa, 4 swimming pools and a Michelin-starred restaurant that makes majestic use of the resort’s home-grown produce; golf followers can observe the breadcrumbs to the championship course subsequent door. However fortunately ever after hours, the fairest of all of them flock to the olive-shaded pool for a signature Apulian sundowner.
Heavy is the pinnacle that wears the crown, and the query of which seaside to colonise first is kind of the poser – sandy lounger-lined shores or glossy hangout atop a rocky outcrop? Hop on the seaside membership shuttle to make your selection, however be warned – upon getting an aperitivo in hand and the Adriatic at your ft, you may discover it doesn’t actually matter in spite of everything…
METT HOTEL & BEACH RESORT
Bodrum, Turkey
Over on the Aegean, your reign as king of the fortress continues – nicely, king of the cove with views of the fortress, anyway, and seems that’s probably even higher.
Occupying a chief spot on Bodrum’s balmy coast, Mett Hotel and Beach Resort counts a standard Turkish hammam, trendy artwork gallery and a sea-facing infinity pool amongst its hoard of treasures. Three eating places provide a tempting triptych of views – Italian overlooking the fortress, pan-Asian plates excessive above Haremtan Cove or fresh-caught fish proper on the shore. Fittingly for a resort that makes a lot of its environment, issues are stored sustainable with solar energy, native produce and Turkish-grown timber.
The jewel within the crown, after all, is the white-sand seaside – non-public, naturally, so there’ll be no Recreation of Thrones-style skirmish in your sunlounger. Entrance-row seat secured, cosy up on the deck for a sundown tipple, soundtracked by laidback Balearic beats.
ANGSANA RESORT & SPA
Corfu, Greece
Determine of speech? Sorry, by no means heard of it. Once we say Angsana Corfu is a superlative keep, we imply it actually. First cease, Corfu’s largest spa – full with super-size pool, floor-to-ceiling sea views and a mighty menu of remedies. Subsequent up, the island’s largest infinity pool.
By this level, we will virtually hear the refrains of ‘measurement isn’t every little thing’ to which we are saying, certain. However take a look on the glossy deck and breath-snatching views and inform us that, when you understand how to make use of it, it isn’t just a bit seductive. Come nightfall, saunter as much as – you guessed it – Corfu’s highest rooftop bar for a sundowner and a spot of panoramic sightseeing.
And now, all the way down to Corfu’s largest seaside! No, solely kidding. However spend a day right here swimming and sun-soaking, rounded off with lazy beats and a lingering seafood supper on the seaside membership, and also you may simply declare it the island’s finest.
VERDURA RESORT
Sicily, Italy
Goethe reckoned that Sicily is the clue to every little thing, but when the maximalist MO of Verdura Resort is something to go by, every little thing may be the clue to Sicily. First issues first, rockstar hotelier Rocco Forte presents the final word seaside better of each worlds – a seaside that’s half stony, half sandy. Lastly, pebble-skimmers and sandcastle-sculptors could exist in sunny concord.
This everyone-pleasing method is par for the course right here – and we’re not simply referring to the 2 championship 18-hole golf programs, plus a nine-hole course as well. If you happen to draw a line within the sand at sports activities in your summer time hols, head to the holistic spa.
There, the hammam alone might home a complete household – however when you’d moderately soak and steam solo, we received’t blame you. The massive children’ membership can’t cease selecting up accolades, so little Smiths received’t need for their very own adventures anyway.
Bells and whistles abound nevertheless you slice it right here, however guide a villa for the total works – we’re speaking one-to-one concierge, non-public seaside cabana, and private golf carts to hold you off into the Sicilian sundown.
MASSERIA CALDERISI
Puglia, Italy
If you happen to fancy a fling with Mom Nature, there are worse locations to be wooed than Puglia. Spend some alone time on Masseria Calderisi’s non-public stretch of golden, Adriatic-lapped sand and inform us you’re not lovestruck.
The swoons preserve coming again at this Seventeenth-century former farmhouse, surrounded by olive and almond groves fairly sufficient to appeal probably the most reluctant treehugger. Within the spa, remedies are laced with homegrown herbs, and a dalliance with the farm’s best produce beckons on the restaurant.
Need to make issues unique? Take dinner à deux within the citrus orchard and also you’ll be so cherished up with the lemons, you’ll danger making a gooseberry of your precise date. And simply in case you thought this couldn’t be any extra of a feel-good affair, enable us to introduce the property’s pair of rescue donkeys. Oh, and – severe smug factors incoming – the entire resort is plastic-free and furnished by native artisans.
ONE&ONLY PORTONOVI
Herceg Novi, Montenegro
It appears doable that Montenegro‘s One&Only Portonovi is taking part in a recreation of one-upmanship with itself – in that case, we’re all of the winners. The non-public seaside has sugary sand and crystalline sea, certain, and for probably the most devoted do-not-disturbers, some villas even have their very own non-public seashores and butler service. However throw in a seaside membership with floating cabanas, a sultry sake bar and speedboats able to take out for a spin and the ante is nicely and actually upped.
Issues escalate additional within the Chenot Espace spa, the place two labyrinthine storeys conceal a hammam, hydrotherapy swimming pools and a bunch of promisingly high-tech remedies. Heady it could be, however right here, luxurious doesn’t imply diluting the native flavour. The 2 waterside eating places provide Italian and pan-Asian treats, however out on the palm-studded veranda, you’ll discover a menu of finely-spun Montenegrin fare.
For the ultimate flourish, take your choose of eyebrow-raising excursions. A wine-tasting tour in Tito’s Rolls Royce Silver Shadow would set you up for lifelong success in fun-fact icebreakers, however when you ask us, it’s all aboard the resort’s superyacht for a spot of Adriatic island-hopping.
Need to get much more secluded? Discover our information to the world’s best hidden beaches
Amy Martin is a author, actor, and journey buff, based mostly between London and Cornwall. When she’s not lurking round a theatre or scribbling in a pocket book on the Penzance to Paddington line, you’ll discover her on the cinema, on a protracted coastal stroll, or watching Satisfaction and Prejudice (1995 or 2005 is ok).
