NEW HOTEL OPENING

Gundari, a fabulous new property on the Cyclades Island of Folegandros, Greece

Folegandros is one of the Cyclades, southeast of mainland Greece. It is a beautiful wild and wind-carved landscape, and home to the sadly endangered Eleonora’s Falcon, one of the fastest birds in the world. The island is lesser-known than Mykonos, Santorini and Syros, but it’s spectacular and special too. And it’s not a bad thing that it’s not as well known, and therefore crowded, as the others.

This past May, with a soft opening, Gundari became the first luxury boutique hotel on the island,. Set in 80 acres of a protected wildlife reserve on the southeast coast, it sits high on a copper-colored clifftop overlooking the Aegean.

The resort has 30 bioclimatic, Cyclade-style suites and villas, including three clifftop villas. All suites and villas have private solar-powered heated infinity pool and sea views. The restaurant Orizon serves a contemporary Greek menu created by Michelin-starred Chef Lefteris Lazarou, with indoor and outdoor options. There’s an intimate wine bar housed in an original farmhouse on the property, and a swim-up bar at the outdoor pool (of course!).

Other facilities and services include a Spa, a Gym, Boat Trips, Beauty Treatments, Car and Motorbike rentals, pool sunbeds, towels and umbrellas. Wi-Fi everywhere on the property — which is almost a disappointment actually, but I suppose they have to offer it, I mean, how else are you going to read WONDERLUST? — and it’s free of charge. So are the Yoga classes, and transport to and from the port or heliport. (Should you want to parachute onto the island, I suggest checking with the front desk about how they’ll collect you.)

Room rates start at $600 per night for double occupancy. For this extraordinary spot, that’s sweet cake.