Gundari

There’s something rare about a hotel that doesn’t compete with its surroundings but becomes part of them. Clinging to the cliff edge of Folegandros – one of Greece’s most quietly compelling islands – Gundari is exactly that. This grown-up hideaway channels the raw beauty of the Cyclades through earth tones, natural stone, and barely-there architecture. Wellness, gastronomy, and sustainability sit at its core, yet nothing feels worthy. It’s cool, considered, and profoundly removed from the world – which is precisely the point.

LOCATION

Folegandros sits quietly between the Cycladic islands of Santorini, Milos, and Paros – but far less frequented, it offers a perfect pause between busier stops on an island-hopping itinerary. Gundari occupies the island’s rugged southeastern clifftop, roughly 20 minutes by road from Chora, the picture-perfect main town known for its castle and flower-draped squares. No cruise ships, no airport – just ferry connections and open sea.

YOUR ROOM

All 27 suites and villas command sweeping sea views, and every room comes with a private pool. Interiors draw on the Cycladic vernacular – rough-hewn stone walls, hand-thrown pottery, wooden furniture, and muted palettes – while marble bathrooms and quality sound systems bring a quiet urban edge. Book a cave suite for total privacy. Carved into the cliff itself, these subterranean hideaways have the most arresting views on the property, and many come with double rain showers, vintage turntables with records, and stocked cocktail bars.

WHO IT SUITS

Gundari suits adults who travel to actually stop. Couples will find themselves lost in long, unhurried days beside their private pool, the Aegean spreading endlessly ahead. Those who’ve tired of Santorini’s crowds will feel instantly at ease here. The spa draws on ancient Greek therapies infused with wild herbs from the surrounding hills – a genuine reward for anyone in need of proper restoration. For guests who prefer to engage with the island, e-bikes are available to borrow, boats can be hired to reach secluded beaches and coves, and hiking trails lead to panoramic viewpoints. This is not a hotel for late-night entertainment.

WHY WE LIKE IT

The sunsets here are the stuff of genuine memory – wide, unobstructed, and best watched from a cliff-edge pool with a drink in hand. But Gundari earns its place well beyond the view. Michelin-starred chef Lefteris Lazarou leads Orizon, the resort’s restaurant, drawing on produce grown in Gundari’s organic farm alongside local fish and seafood. Shuttles to and from town make it easy to explore Chora, among the finest villages in the Cyclades. And while Santorini is just 50 minutes away by fast ferry, most guests find they have very little reason to leave.

SUSTAINABILITY

Gundari’s commitments span carbon monitoring and EarthCheck certification, renewable solar energy for hot water and pool heating, a low-carbon vehicle fleet, and a biological wastewater treatment and recycling system. Over 600 seedlings were nurtured and reintroduced before opening to regenerate the land with indigenous plants. Most meaningfully, Gundari employs local residents where possible and sources key ingredients – including fresh seafood and traditional cheeses – directly from Folegandros farmers and fishers. A bird conservation program, launched in partnership with the Universities of Crete and Athens, works to protect nesting species.