Why e book?
To break up your time between discovering a less-hyped Greek island whereas unwinding in a boho-chic sanctuary.
Set the scene
This could be the quickest journey from an airport to a lodge I’ve ever skilled; in truth, the lodge is so near Samos airport that it backs onto the runway (don’t let that put you off—flights are so rare that it feels extra like a novelty than an annoyance).
Casa Cook is ensconced within the northeastern a part of the island. The smooth, angular buildings, clean stone pathways, and darkish picket pergolas felt distinctly completely different from the small, white-washed and sun-beaten properties I handed on the best way. It’s minimal and trendy, with rows of pampas grass that danced within the wind as I made my approach up the concrete steps and into the foyer.
This is the primary a part of the lodge, which did not really feel like a lodge in any respect however moderately a set of low, sq. buildings linked by water—from stretches of shallow water options between the pathways to communal swimming swimming pools. Wide open areas allowed a continuing breeze to movement across the rooms—swaying dried grasses and olive bushes and rippling water created a pleasing sense of motion.
Back out of the foyer and over the street was the seashore home, an all-day restaurant serving a breakfast buffet within the mornings, adopted by gentle lunches after which Mediterranean night meals. A well-stocked bar sat a number of ft away and, past that, neat rows of solar loungers on the slim stretch of sand going through the Aegean Sea. There’s cozy lounge seating in shades of gray and taupe all over the place, with wooden, rattan, and hessian touches. I ordered a Samos beer from the menu (there are a number of from native microbreweries—a nod to the lodge’s sustainability efforts) and sank a little bit additional into the squashy chair whereas chilled digital beats crammed the air.
The backstory
Samos isn’t the primary place that involves thoughts when planning a Greek island escape. A fast ballot of my mates reveals that nobody is aware of the place it’s (simply 40 minutes by boat from the east coast of Turkey, FYI).
It doesn’t obtain anyplace close to the hype of its neighbors, maybe partly as a result of it’s a two-flight journey from London. While it won’t be as sparkly as Santorini and Mykonos, or as fashionable as Sifnos and Milos, this island—verdant, mountainous, boasting historical ruins and sandy seashores, the birthplace of Pythagoras and Epicurus, and famed for producing candy Muscat wine—is the place Casa Cook has launched their newest property. And I’m so glad they did.
This is the fifth Casa Cook enterprise for the Fosun Tourism Group, which acquired the boutique way of life model from Thomas Cook in 2019. The design was massively necessary for this mission, and so Athens-based agency Block722 was employed to create a contemporary look that celebrates Samos (extra on that in a second)—a transfer which landed them a Hotel Design Award at Milan’s 196+ discussion board in June.
The rooms
The format of the lodge relies on conventional Greek homes present in Samian villages known as kamares, with rooms grouped into neighborhoods and linked by swimming swimming pools. There are 128 rooms, starting from swim-up suites with shared swimming pools to permit residents to talk with their neighbours, to rooms with personal swimming pools. There are additionally rooftop suites with scorching tubs if that’s extra your factor.
Our room was stuffed with earthy textures, pure supplies, and muted tones—a mattress lined in linen sat between low, dimmed pendant lights, and an enormous floor-to-ceiling rattan display screen opened as much as reveal a toilet that was all concrete and wooden. Sliding glass doorways from our bed room opened as much as a personal pool with an enormous sunbed jutting out into the water. For analysis functions, I examined the room service through their app—a bottle of chilled wine arrived as if by magic.
Food and drink
Michelin-star chef and Athens restaurateur Alexandros Tsiotinis was introduced on because the culinary guide when Casa Cook opened its doorways in May 2022. His idea is a contemporary tackle Greek delicacies utilizing regionally sourced substances, so count on to see dishes like triple-fried potatoes with feta and wild oregano, and chickpea and lamb fritters with sumac sauce. There’s additionally a Josper grill, flaming pork chops, ribeyes, and octopus souvlaki. The moussaka croquettes are a revelation and began each meal I had throughout my keep, whereas the Greek salad—juicy tomatoes, salty, crumbling chunks of feta, and crispy bread—was a lunchtime staple.
The neighborhood/space
Pythagorion, named after the island’s well-known former inhabitant, is only a 15-minute stroll away, though there’s a taxi rank two minutes exterior of the lodge for those who’re feeling additional lazy. Here you’ll discover conventional tavernas lining the harbor, with households tucking into plates of tzatziki and pita, and {couples} sipping cocktails ordered from the chalkboards propped out entrance. Don’t depart Samos with out taking a visit to Kokkari one night—a quaint fishing village 40 minutes by taxi across the coast, you may sip extra of that sensible native beer in a bar because the sky over the ocean turns a pinky purple.
The service
One of the highlights of my keep. The lodge employs as many locals as it could possibly, both from Samos or from close by islands, that means 98% of the workers are Greek. The workforce is educated concerning the meals, wines, and beers on supply, and all the time completely happy to offer suggestions or enable you to navigate the menu.
For households
The lodge is blissfully quiet, so it’s no shock to see that the visitors are primarily {couples}, though I did spot some households (with grown-up youngsters—Casa Cook is adults solely) and a few small teams of mates.
Eco effort
There are clear efforts to be as sustainable as potential. Plastic is banned, furnishings is made regionally, meals is sourced from close by producers (with a herb backyard within the lodge itself underway), and the workforce will get concerned in cleansing litter from close by strolling trails when the season ends.
Accessibility
The lodge has rooms out there for vacationers with restricted mobility, accessible through a ramp and elevator in the primary constructing. The important lodge entrance is accessible through a ramp, and the restaurant and bar on the Beach House are on road stage, so that they’re accessible too.
Anything left to say?
The lodge, just like the island it inhabits, is unpretentious, and whereas a lot of what Casa Cook gives is an magnificence past its environment, it manages to remain true to the character of this charming island, from the country decor to the nice and cozy and attentive workers. This is laid-back luxurious in a really photogenic setting.
This evaluation was initially revealed on Condé Nast Traveller UK.