If you build it, they will come. That’s the bet Amanzoe made when they opened in the little-known area on the Peloponnese Peninsula of mainland Greece. Amanzoe was the first true luxury hotel in Greece and brought accommodations to a new level. It was also the first Aman in Europe, which created a whole new additional group of Aman Junkies. With over a decade under its belt, how does Amanzoe measure up now? This is the review.

Atmosphere

Amanzoe opened up in 2012 and was a game-changer in many ways. For Aman, it was their first resort in Europe and introduced their hotel to a larger segment of luxury travelers. Most of the Amans at that point were in remote places in the world, so it was a foray into the mainstream destination of Greece. It translated naturally, where the Greek version of Aman felt like the days of Olympus. The architecture is the signature minimalist. There are Greek elements though like columns and olive trees integrated throughout. What this creates is total serenity and that peacefulness that Aman is known for.

For the hotel industry, Amanzoe was a disruptor in the luxury space. It brought modern luxury into the fray, amongst the traditional Four Seasons and the Ritz Carltons. Aman hotels have always been showstoppers architecturally, but Amanzoe just leveled up luxury hotels when it arrived. I fell in love with the hotel the moment I stepped out of the car and was greeted by the team.

Amanzoe also changed the way people traveled to Greece. Normally you would bypass the mainland and go straight to the islands for your vacation experience. Amanzoe was built and it made the Peloponnese a destination. It was the first mover for a long time for luxury hotels on the mainland. It took almost 8 years before the Four Seasons opened, and over 10 years for the Mandarin Oriental and One&Only hotels to arrive. Aman was the first to plant their stake on mainland Greece and make it a highlight of the Greek vacation experience.

They have created such a peaceful retreat at Amanzoe that it’s still my favorite place in Greece. There is nothing like the sunset view at Amanzoe over a cocktail and conversation with friends. Amanzoe is the kind of place you can return, if even for 2-3 nights every year.

Rooms

I didn’t do much when I was at Amanzoe other than to totally relax. A big reason for this is the rooms, which are some of the most luxurious in all of the Aman portfolio. The rooms are a serene and minimalist retreat, where each is a stand-alone pavilion. There’s a natural flow of the bedroom into the open living room and outdoor terrace. Baths are massive and even the basic room setup is perfect for two.

All Aman rooms are generously sized through the portfolio, but Amanzoe’s are some of the largest. That’s the theme in general with Amanzoe. Amanzoe notably has one of the largest villas within a hotel property. Villa 20 is a 6-level home with 9 bedrooms, 11 pools, and a spa bigger than most hotels. It’s as baller as it gets, and worthy of a Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez wedding.

Dining

There are four dining options at Amanzoe, where you will hit at least three of the four spots. The more casual restaurants are the all-day Greek/international, and a casual pool restaurant for when you just want to chill on the lounger. Their specialty restaurants are Nama, which they have worldwide at Amans and Nura. There’s something about being on vacation that necessitates good sushi, especially during the summer. For me, it was about the freshness of the fish, which made Nama one of my favorites.

I did breakfast at the all-day Greek, ordered snacks at the pool, and had dinner at Nura, as I couldn’t resist ordering a grilled lobster. I did venture out to other local restaurants and ate in Spetses, the charming island nearby during the day. The food was all fresh. However given the nut of Amanzoe, not anything so compelling as to spend too much time off campus. Unless you’re going to go to Hydra which is absolutely worth it, I think I liked keeping it low-key at Amanzoe.

Service

I’ve been to 16 of the Amans around the world, and there’s one thing that’s consistent. The service is always so genuine. There’s something so welcoming for when your car arrives, to have a team waiting to greet you. I don’t need anyone to kiss my a** and that’s not what they do at Aman. Instead, service is engrained in the culture. I like that the staff is more local than international, and at Amanzoe they went out of their way to make sure I had a good time.

Other Hotel Reviews You’ll Like

Mandarin Oriental Paris 
Janu Tokyo
Amangiri

FAQs

Q: Where is Amanzoe located?

A: Amanzoe is located at Agios Panteleimonas 213 00, Greece.

Q: Is Amanzoe open all year round?

A: Amanzoe will close on November 15, 2024, and reopen on April 1, 2025, for the summer season.

Q: What are the dining options at Amanzoe?

A: Amanzoe’s restaurants and bar offer regional delicacies alongside international dishes.