Set in glorious isolation on one of Greece's lushest islands, The Infinity 180 Luxury Suites is a haven for escapists. Getting here is all part of the experience: First, there’s the ferry ride to Alonissos, whose lush cloak of Aleppo pines and olives marks it out from your usual barren Greek island. Then you bump up a dirt track to 3 luxuriously calming suites that gaze across an infinity pool to the glittering Aegean. Once here, you can take a classic wooden sailing boat out to see monk seals and dolphins in the marine park off the north of the island, or simply sink into a hammock among the pines. In the evening, sip a mojito on your private terrace as you watch the moon rise to the hoots of the island's scops owls.
Alonissos is special, and so are your hosts. This is a true family business run by Sharon and Mark Wood, with sons Justin and Luke - both professionally trained in hospitality in Switzerland. Justin creates gourmet breakfasts and dinners while Luke runs the spa in the luxuriant garden, leaving Sharon and Mark to anticipate your every need. The Woods lived many years in Africa, so there’s a Safari-flavoured theme throughout, from the artefacts on the walls to the open-to-the-elements Tsavo bar-lounge. Wild Africa meets wondrous Aegean, a stunning combination.
Highs
- The Wood family - exceptional hosts who deliver tip-top personal service with genuine enthusiasm
- The heart-skipping views across the infinity pool to the Aegean, with its uninhabited Two Brothers islands
- The award-winning Amani spa inside a safari-style tent in the garden
- The peace - it’s adults only and feels a million miles from nightclubbing Skiathos
- Nature lovers will adore the blooming wildflowers (April and May), plus the seal-spotting cruises are less busy than on other islands.
Lows
- WiFi can be variable - maybe this is the time for a digital detox
- Rates are a little pricey, but you're paying for seclusion
- Getting here can be tricky, and you’ll want to take the track slowly if you’re in a hire car, but it's all part of the adventure
- No proper restaurant, but dinners are available on request and you can dine on your private patio
- Beaches are low key and there’s just 1 sandy beach nearby. However, in the absence of an airport, the Alonissos coastline is blissfully crowd-free
Best time to go
We think April and May are the nicest months to visit. During this time the wildflowers are sensational, it’s not too hot to explore its many well-marked footpaths, beaches and off-shore islands, and the summer holiday crowds haven’t yet arrived. October is also good as the sea is still beautifully warm.
Our top tips
If you’re interested in reading about Alonissos’ history, get hold of a copy of Gates of the Wind by Michael Carroll, which recounts his experience of living among the island's fishermen and farmers. You might also fancy visiting the Bookshop Cafe in the Old Town (Chora), which, as well as serving coffee and tsipouro (the local equivalent of ouzo), sells secondhand books in several languages including English and Greek.
- Boutique Hotel
- 3 rooms
- Restaurant and bar
- No children under 16
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Laundry service
Rooms
There are just 3 suites, each in soothing shades of beige and cream and named after an African tree. All have marshmallow-soft Coco-mat mattresses and linens - and there’s a choice of pillow shapes and fillings, plus lavender sachets if you fancy them.
We stayed in the honeymoon suite, Marula, which is the largest and furthest away and also enjoys its own Jacuzzi with dreamy sea views. If total privacy is a must, go for Baobab, the suite around the back, which has an enclosed patio with views of Skopelos island. Acacia, meanwhile, is a chic open-plan suite with terrace views of the pool and blue Aegean.
Each suite houses stone-basined bathrooms with chromotherapy showers and Greek Apivita smellies, while in the rooms you’ll also find Handy smartphones and wireless Bose sound systems you can link to your mobile. Immaculately-equipped kitchens have Nespresso capsules for an early-morning brew on your own private terrace.
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- Fan
- Hairdryer
- In-room treatments available
- Safe box
- WiFi
Eating
Breakfast is brought to your terrace on a tray - you say when - and might include anything from champagne to freshly squeezed OJ, bread and pastries from the bakery, local cheeses and eggs, honey and yoghurts, and homemade jams and marmalades (we loved Justin’s lemon version).
Dinners (available on request) range from simple salads and pizzas (cooked in the oven in the garden) to 5-course gourmet affairs with Greek wine. We loved our power salad starter which included homegrown beetroot microgreens dressed with the Woods’ homegrown olive oil. It was served with African tribal art napkins in African carved wooden rings.
For lunch, there are several beachside tavernas within easy reach by car, where you can enjoy anything from freshly caught fish to lamb chops or courgette fritters. Our favourite areas for dining were Megalos Mourtias, below the old town (Chora), and the fishing village of Steni Vala up the coast. Or you can choose to self-cater: all suites have full kitchens for rustling up meals.
Features include:
- Bar
- Coffee maker
- Dinner by arrangement
- Dishwasher
- Fridge
- Full kitchen
- Hob or stove
- Lunch by arrangement
- Microwave
- Restaurant
- Toaster
Activities
- Laze by the pool or in a hammock among the pines, or book yourself a treatment in the spa
- In the evenings, marvel at the sunset or play a game of pool in the bar while enjoying one of Justin’s many cocktails (we got hooked on his vodka-based 'Love in the Mist')
- If you fancy the beach, there are 4 or 5 within a quick drive, most with tavernas among the trees. The only nearby sandy beach is Chrisi Milia
- You can also reach other sandy coves if you hire a boat from the main harbour town Patitiri (the Woods will book for you)
- Hire sea kayaks or paddleboards from Steni Vala - it's a great way to reach some of the island’s more inaccessible beaches
- Walk the cobbled muletrack up to hill-top Old Town (Chora) then explore its narrow alleys
- Take a day cruise to spot endangered Mediterranean monk seals and dolphins, and stop off at the Blue Cave en route. Lunch and swimming opportunities are included too.
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Birdwatching
- Cycling
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Historical sites
- Mountain biking
- Plantlife / flora
- Private guided tours
- Scuba diving
- Snorkelling
- Swimming
- Trekking
- Wildlife
Kids
The hotel accepts only children over 16.
Family friendly accommodation:
Acacia has a sofabed in its large sitting area, but privacy will be limited.
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
The Infinity 180 Luxury Suites is set a 15-minute drive from Patitiri, the main port town (where the ferries arrive) on Alonissos, one of the Sporades islands.
By Air & Ferry:
There is no airport on Alonissos. To get there you need to travel by ferry from the nearest airports, which are on Skiathos (2.5 hrs by ferry) or at mainland Volos (3-4.5 hours by ferry). You can also fly to Athens or Thessaloniki and continue via internal flight or ferry.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Skiathos International Airport 57.0 km SKG
Other:
- Beach 1.5 km
- Shops 3.0 km
- Restaurant 1.5 km