There’s a lovely story about the beginnings of the Danai, which was founded by Ms Danai and her partner almost five decades ago. The couple used to run a gyros shop, and when some travellers were trying, and failing, to find a place to stay, they opened up their home to them. The original home-come-hotel still stands on what exists today – a beautiful, family-run hotel that consists of just 55 suites and villas scattered around the most immaculately, lovingly maintained grounds – think bougainvillaea in five shades of pink, vineyards and sea views.
The family’s younger generations now run the show and are incredibly adept at it. Some guests we meet have been holidaying here for 30 years, and now bring their children and grandchildren with them. The overall feel is grown-up – think swirly marble bathrooms, ceramic lamps, and lots of whites and golds – that warm Greek hospitality shines through in every conversation we have throughout our stay.
Really, though, this is a hotel for food lovers, and perhaps, even more so, wine lovers. Beneath the grounds is a wine cellar – a seemingly never-ending tunnel that makes it the largest in Greece, also housing the largest collection of wines, some 30,000 bottles. The wine list is a Bible-esque folder of recommendations, and five sommeliers work at the hotel – one for every 10 or so rooms. The food here is sensational. There are all the options you’d hope for from a breakfast buffet and then some – not just one type of pain au chocolat but four varieties, each delicious, each different, and baked just minutes ago (you can pop in to watch the process). There are several restaurants to choose from, romantic Mediterranean fine dining at Andromeda to beachside Anithos, which still feels special despite being the most casual of the bunch. You can’t go wrong with any of the dishes here, but the catch of the day, perfectly grilled and filleted, never misses. And then they wheel out the dessert trolley. Utter heaven.
Address: 6JGH+XM THE DANAI, Nikiti 630 88, Greece
Price: From about £460 per night.