Love To Explore Rating: First Class
Gundari is set on Folengandros, an island that has been relatively undiscovered by tourists. The island itself is rugged and dotted with small villages, with impressive cliffs that meet secluded beaches. Gundari is perched at the top of one of these cliffs, with incredible views of the Aegean Sea.
The hotel has a stylish, minimalist design, utilising red-dust limestone which was excavated on site to ensure the building blends seamlessly into the surroundings. There are 27 suites and villas, each boasting a private, solar-heated infinity pool and calming views of the ocean. Rooms and suites have been bioclimatically designed, partly to ensure they are protected from the summer winds, but also to ensure they are energy-efficient while staying cool.
Facilities at the hotel include a picturesque, heated swimming pool and a fitness centre as well as a spa perched on the cliff-edge. Treatments at the spa are focused on healing and wellbeing, combining traditional Greek massage techniques with homemade infused oils. The spa also offers a hydrotherapy pool and sound healing, meditation and yoga classes.
Orizon Restaurant, the hotel’s poolside restaurant, is led by Michelin-starred chef Lefteris Lazarou. The contemporary Greek cuisine features farm-to-table ingredients from the hotel’s own organic garden, and seasonal produce from the island and surrounding waters. Guests can also enjoy a curated wine list and delicious cocktails at the Orizon Bar or the swim-up pool bar.
Gundari has a strong focus on sustainability, from the extensive plans to ensure regeneration of the land with endemic plants and seedlings to a number of initiatives to minimise the carbon footprint.
Gundari is the perfect destination for travellers looking for a luxurious, eco-conscious retreat that celebrates the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the Cyclades.
At Love To Explore, we would recommend the resort for these unique selling points:
- Sustainable travel focussed
- Private pools with every room
- Stunning cliff top location