Four must-stays for an odyssey through Southern Europe
Words by LESLEY McKENZIE
cyclades / greece
Kalesma Mykonos
Just a mile from the beach and tucked on a secluded peninsula near Ornos, KALESMA MYKONOS rises from the hillside: a vision of sun-bleached stone and stark white walls, with unfettered views of the Aegean. Although its footprint resembles a classic Mykonian village, what lies within is a thoughtful ode to modern Greek design.
Crafted by K-Studio and Studio Bonarchi, every detail feels considered and organic. Earthy textures, sculptural forms, and natural materials anchor the 25 suites, 15 villas, and an outpost of Athenian Riviera dining hotspot Pere Ubu in their surroundings. Inside, hand-cut marble sinks, woven rope light fixtures, and bridle-inspired headboards reflect the island’s heritage, while Californian-Parisian designer Rick Owens’ furniture makes a scene-stealing appearance in the lobby — Kalesma Mykonos is, notably, the only hotel in the world to feature his work.
Just in time for this summer, Kalesma, which opened its doors in 2021, enters its next act, nearly doubling in size through renovations that include 21 additional rooms and suites, a new pool, and a traditional all-day taverna serving dolmades, dakos, and saganaki under the stars. kalesmamykonos.com.
Every detail feels considered and organic.
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mallorca / spain
Hotel Corazón
Set between the villages of Deià and Sóller on Mallorca’s rugged west coast, HOTEL CORAZÓN is fast becoming the island’s most compelling creative retreat. Located in a renovated 18th-century finca surrounded by citrus groves and the Serra de Tramuntana mountains, the 15-room bohemian escape is part hotel, part working farm and art space made for the free-spirited.
Founded by photographer Kate Bellm and artist Edgar Lopez, both first-time hoteliers, Corazón trades polished, traditional opulence for barefoot luxury. Interiors by Mallorca’s Moredesign studio emphasize sculptural curves, lime-washed textures, and a fluid movement between indoor and outdoor spaces. Each room (with names like Sage and Smoked Cedar) is individually conceived, free of televisions, and oriented toward mountain, garden, or sea views.
In the 50-seat restaurant, newly reimagined for 2025, chef Eliza Parchanska turns to the on-site farm for inspiration, offering seasonal plates such as charred peaches with burrata and a lavender vinaigrette. A new farmer-in-residence program, launched in collaboration with Los Angeles–based Flamingo Estate, highlights the property’s regenerative approach to farming and dining.
Throughout the grounds, guests move between sound baths under palms, reiki sessions, yoga on the outdoor deck, and slow afternoons by the cactus-lined pool, with vintage loungers in hues of sun-faded terra-cotta. With an artist-in-residence offering and a regular rotation of exhibitions, Corazón operates as much as a creative hub as it does a hotel. hotelcorazon.com.
Hotel Corazón trades polished, traditional opulence for barefoot luxury.
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ravello / italy
Caruso
Perched high above the Amalfi Coast, CARUSO, A BELMOND HOTEL is a restored 11th-century palace where timeless grandeur meets modern Italian elegance. Set on the cliff’s edge in Ravello, the property — which debuted as a hotel in 1893 — appears to hover between sea and sky, framed by terraced lemon groves and centuries-old olive trees.
All 50 rooms and suites blend historic architectural details such as vaulted ceilings with hand-picked antiques and four-poster beds. Most open onto private terraces with sweeping views of the Tyrrhenian Sea, and many with secluded gardens. For those craving more privacy, Villa Margherita is a two-suite guesthouse with its own chef and butler.
Days at Caruso unfold with cliffside swims in the heated infinity pool — home to Amalfi Coast’s newly debuted private luxury pool club, La Piscina, and two new exclusive cabanas — followed by spa treatments. End the day with a meal at one of the property’s two restaurants — think Neapolitan pizzas at the casual Caruso Grill or classic Campania flavors such as sea bass filet in an acqua pazza reduction at Ristorante Belvedere. belmond.com.
Timeless grandeur meets modern Italian elegance.
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nice / FRANCE
Hôtel du Couvent
What do you get when you combine the serenity of a convent built by nuns with the spoiling service of a high-end getaway? HÔTEL DU COUVENT, a newly debuted 88-key property set amid two and a half acres of terraced gardens in Nice’s old town that places a premium on peace and tranquility.
Four centuries since its inception, the sanctuary’s three historic buildings have been meticulously restored in a decade-long effort led by Perseus founder Valéry Grégo, with contributions from Studio Mumbai, Studio Méditerranée, and Festen Architecture. A fourth newly constructed structure, crafted from wood, hemp, and lime, nods to the property’s original aesthetic.
Paying homage to the Roman ruins of Cimiez, Hôtel du Couvent’s thermal circuit leads guests through a series of baths, culminating in the unctuarium: an anointment room offering treatments that marry ancient rituals with modern practices. The hotel also features a lap pool tucked into the garden, a plunge pool, and the Movement Studio—a sunlit space for dance, yoga, and grounded, intentional movement.
Meanwhile, Le Restaurant du Covent, one of a handful of onsite dining options, offers a thoughtful take on Mediterranean tradition; dishes are crafted with ingredients from the hotel’s own farm, bakery, and garden, emphasizing simplicity, seasonality, and sustainability. hotelducouvent.com.
The buildings have been meticulously restored.
Feature image: The Hotel Corazón exterior.
This story originally appeared in the Summer 2025 issue of C Magazine.
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