Helen Iatrou

With its winning trifecta of sandy beaches, boutique hotels, and unpretentious tavernas, the Greek island of Milos seduces couples, water lovers, and gastronomes alike. There's no denying the Cycladic isle, where the famed Venus de Milo marble statue was unearthed by a farmer in 1820, is breathlessly romantic. Otherworldly landscapes sculpted by wind and sea shot to fame via Instagram in recent years, transforming the once low-profile island into a sought-after hot spot.

Travel + Leisure’s 2024 It List. These new resorts are all about international flair. Escape to a new luxury lodge in Bhutan, an all-inclusive redefining ski vacations in Japan, a rarified resort on Greece’s Ionian Sea, and an Icelandic retreat that’s purposely in the middle of nowhere.

The best new hotels of the year, all visited and reviewed by Travel + Leisure's expert editors and contributors. Our annual guide to the most game-changing hotel openings (and reopenings) has taken Travel + Leisure editors and contributors to 39 countries on six continents. We started with a list of more than 200 soon-to-open hotels, and T+L editors and reporters visited nearly 130 of them over the last 12 months.

A great hotel can define an entire trip. So each year, AFAR’s team of experts selects the world’s best new and renovated arrivals, whether it’s an Edwardian landmark in central London, a high-design hideaway in Marrakech, or a canvas-walled luxury camp set against the Utah desert’s sweeping rock formations.

The 31 hotels we chose all opened in 2023 and were personally visited by our global network of seasoned editors, writers, and travel advisors. We vetted each of the properties for their noteworthy locations, standout design, exemplary service, and remarkable guest experiences.

On this site, in the 1950s and ’60s, shipping magnates, celebrities, and everyday sunseekers gathered at the aptly named Asteria (“stars” in Greek), a mini Monte Carlo–styled, movie-set beach club. Those with the deepest pockets lounged at one of the 100 cabanas offering more privacy.

In the footprint of these cabanas, architectural firms Audo, A6Architects, and K-Studio teamed up with interior design studio Muza Lab to reimagine the legendary seaside location as a five-star resort from the One&Only brand.

Greece’s islands are spell-binding. In his travelogue, The Colossus of Maroussi, Henry Miller said this Mediterranean country made him feel “free and whole.” I only understood his words when I first visited my family’s homeland, over three decades ago. Not long after, I moved to Athens so that I could spend every possible minute exploring and island hopping. I’ve never looked back. Because why would I?

But with more than 227 Greek islands to choose from—and that’s only the inhabited ones—how do you know which spot is for you?

Heli-skiing on virgin snow in Antarctica for a cool $2.2 million. A polar bear safari in an “off-limits” area of Norway’s Svalbard for $300,000. How about tracking snow leopards in the Himalayas with renowned explorers for $100,000?
Big-ticket travel experiences like those are indicative of the “quiet luxury” trend which began in the world of fashion, with timeless lines trumping brand-blaring outfits.
Now, stealth wealth is spilling into the travel industry, as one-percenters are increasingly forgoing glitzy see-and-be-seen destinations, such as Capri, for more discreet getaways.

With their lush hillsides and calm seas, Greece’s Ionian Islands are one of my favorite destinations. I always find myself returning to Corfu to track down a new-to-me beach. Varying from broad swathes of wind-whipped sand dunes to far-flung, pebble-strewn coves, the hardest decision I have to make is where to lay my towel.

Exploring the old city of Rhodes feels like traveling back to medieval times when the streets were ruled by crusaders known as the Knights of Saint John. In an effort to revive the island’s glory days, many of its stone buildings have been completely reconstructed—and I recommend checking them out even if ancient ruins aren’t your thing. Here’s my guide to getting into a medieval mood.

Don’t talk to me about loukoumades. I may be Greek, but deep-fried, honey-dipped Hellenic doughnuts simply make me gag. Hand me a plate of rich, nourishing rizogalo — rice and milk — instead. I’ll take it for breakfast, a snack, or dessert. When it comes to satisfying a sweet tooth, Greece’s deceptively simple yet distinctive take on rice pudding is the ultimate comfort food.

Welcome Aboard!
At Food & Wine, we believe that the very best way to get acquainted with a place and to experience a deep sense of culture and community, is to taste it. Whether it’s a fragrant bite from a food stall, a sip of a cocktail, a meal with your toes in the sand, or a roam around local vineyards, exploring a region through its food and drink is the most intimate way of connecting with a destination and its people.

Explore the Mediterranean from a unique perspective with experts Sunsail as they turn 50 years old…
Ever dreamed about learning to sail or chartering a yacht? Planning an extraordinary sailing holiday with Sunsail is the way to go.
Sailing holiday expert Sunsail is celebrating a very special anniversary this year: 50 years of arranging exceptional sailing holidays worldwide, tailored for everyone.

So, you’re finally planning that dream vacation in Greece but can’t figure out the best time to visit? Many travelers consider the ideal time to visit Greece to be the hot, dry summer months of June, July, and August. But there’s plenty to do beyond this period (which is also the busiest time to holiday in the Mediterranean country).

Fancy without frivolities is how you'd describe Eliamos. Hidden on a fir-blanketed hillside with views of a silent, ultramarine Ionian, this clutch of 12 elegant yet down-to-earth villas is poised to become the island group’s consummate summer retreat. But the biggest surprise is unveiled at its deliriously good in-house restaurant.

Reviving his grandfather’s hotel with Serifian soul and Swiss precision, eco-minded Harrys Spyridakos and wife Bianca transformed the classic whitewashed B&B into a subdued neo-Cycladic hideaway. Inviting communal spaces spur guest interaction while the best rooms afford bewitching Aegean views, from a hot tub no less.