Amanzoe in Porto Heli piques the interest of privacy-seeking guests and provides a life of tranquility and momentary escapism. Here lies Aman’s Grecian property, a luxury property dropped in on by the wealthy.
September in Amanzoe, due to its moderate temperatures and welcoming weather, is known to be the best month for a visit. The island exists as a three-hour drive from Athens, near the east coast of the Peloponnese; a region admired for its many classical ruins, undulating olive groves, and glistening blue seas.
Having opened in 2012, the Peloponnese hideout became the Mediterranean playground for many celebrities including the Beckhams, the Biebers, Sean Connery, and Cristiano Ronaldo amongst a plethora of other well-known names. Although the property is not located on a commonly visited island in comparison to many others in Greece, a distinct ambience of ‘island life’ engulfs Amanzoe. The atmosphere is concentrated on the emotions associated with seclusion and exclusivity; an area one visits to escape the life of distraction and ‘go unnoticed’. Utilising the eye-catching hilltop topography and creating architecture that appreciates the nearly 350-degree view of the brilliant Aegean Sea, Ed Tuttle’s work on Amanazoe further refines his label as a renowned architect and long-term Aman Resorts collaborator.
A Peek into a Luxury Resort
‘You get the sense that you’re walking among ancient Greece.’
The resort which holds a hotel, villas, and a beach club stretches over 96 hectares of land. Accentuating the ancient Greece aura, tall marble colonnades stand by the numerous corners of the resort, whilst stone agricultural walls are also prevalent. Whereas, the natural aspects of the island remain flourishing, with vegetation such as pine forests, maquis, and phrygana in abundance. To top it all off, an amphitheater is used for special occasions.
“Aman’s philosophy pays great respect to the places where the resorts are located, wanting the guests to feel they are ‘there’ rather than ‘anywhere’,” states Amanzoe’s landscape architect, Doxiadis+ in his design literature. Each pavilion is carefully designed with various shapes and sizes so that they are reminiscent of a penthouse of sorts. This is accompanied by a private pool providing a grand view of the hills and olive groves significant to Porto Heli.
At Amanzoe, dining is exclusive. Each morning at ‘The Restaurant’, both traditional Grecian fare and ‘Western’ options are served for breakfast and dinner. Speaking of lunch, the ‘Pool Restaurant’ specialises in preparing Mediterranean cuisine with central flavours from fresh seafood and meats and vegetables sourced from the resort’s own organic gardens. Whilst feasting on favoursome meals, a hilltop view is a part of the experience, appetising both the eyes and tastebuds. If relaxing by the pools does not align with your interests, fortunately, the resort offers a gym, spa, art gallery, pilates studio, boutique shop, and tennis court, guaranteeing that no guest is left in boredom.
This ‘island for the wealthy’ features the most exotic of experiences and ensures all worries are forgotten with beautiful architecture that effortlessly blends into the greenery as part of the appreciation of the natural scenery.