Greek islands have always held a romantic allure for traveller, and the new Romanos Resort should do nothing to undermine that perception.
The Romanos Resort is located in Costa Navarino, Greece, amidst lush olive groves in the Messinia region on the southwest Peloponnese coast. The resort has 321 exceptional rooms overlooking the sea, landscaped gardens and infinity pools.
The Romanos Resort features extensive grounds with indigenous trees and plants, and overlooks The Dunes Beach. This perfect location to enjoy unrivaled relaxation and experience the authenticity of the surrounding environment.
One of the most unspoiled and breathtaking seaside landscapes, this area has been shaped by 4.500 years of history.
PRESS RELEASE
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., in partnership with TEMES S.A., today announces the opening of The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort in Costa Navarino, Greece. Located amidst lush olive groves in the Messinia region on Greece’s southwest Peloponnese coast, the sumptuous Romanos Resort is the first hotel to open in the new luxury destination of Costa Navarino. The Romanos will be part of a 130-hectare, mixed-use beachfront development called Navarino Dunes, the first of four major developments in Costa Navarino. Navarino Dunes will include the first signature golf course in Greece designed by Bernhard Langer in cooperation with European Golf Design, a 4,000 square metre spa, various restaurants, lounge areas, retail and entertainment options offering families, global travellers and meeting and incentive groups alike, escape and indulgence on the magnificent Mediterranean coast.
The Romanos joins The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts, a glittering ensemble of more than 70 of the finest hotels and resorts across the globe. The award-winning hotels that make up The Luxury Collection include Hotel Danieli, Venice; Grande Bretagne, Athens; Marques de Riscal, Elciego, Spain; The Laguna Resort, Nusa Dua, Bali; Patios de Cafayate, Argentina; SLS at Beverly Hills; and The Phoenician, Scottsdale.
“The Luxury Collection is a portal to the world’s most enriching and desirable destinations, where nothing less than an exceptional level of service, perfect location and indigenous personal offerings will do,” said Paul James, Global Brand Leader, The Luxury Collection and St. Regis Hotels & Resorts. “The Romanos adds yet another jewel to The Luxury Collection’s Greek portfolio for global explorers to enjoy.”
Set in stunning landscaped gardens with an array of indigenous trees and plants, The Romanos features 321 luxurious rooms and suites, including 121 with individual infinity pools. Almost all rooms offer spacious furnished terraces with beautiful views of the Mediterranean. Guests staying in the suites will enjoy access to the resort’s Butler Service.
For the ultimate in opulence, the resort’s 660 square metre beachfront Royal Villa Koroni features a private infinity pool, a secluded barbeque area, a spa treatment suite with steam room, private fitness facilities and an elevator. Guests of the Royal Villa Koroni will also benefit from a 24-hour dedicated Butler Service.
The Romanos Resort offers an array of culinary delights, including a destination restaurant featuring ethnic and indigenous cuisine based on local organic ingredients, a Greek restaurant complete with a well-stocked wine cellar, extensive lounge areas and a lobby bar. The resort will also have outdoor areas for grilling offering a serene, romantic and casual mood for outdoor dining.
Roeland Vos, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East (EAME) comments: “We are delighted to have partnered with TEMES S.A. to create a new luxury destination at Costa Navarino. Our long-standing partnership, combined with the strength of The Luxury Collection brand, will put Costa Navarino on the map as the Mediterranean’s newest destination for global explorers. The opening of this magnificent resort also further underlines Starwood’s market leading position in the region, operating a total of nine luxury hotels and resorts in Greece.”
Costa Navarino has put a strong emphasis on environmental responsibility. All of the properties being developed in the destination must meet strict environmental standards in order to protect the idyllic landscape for future generations. In addition, Costa Navarino boasts two pioneering environmental developments, the Navarino Environmental Observatory, which will be dedicated to the study of climate change and its impact on the natural environment in the Mediterranean region and the Navarino Natura Hall (opening in 2011), a nature-focused interactive exhibition centre developed to raise awareness of environmental issues.
Achilles Constantakopoulos, Managing Director of TEMES said:
“Costa Navarino is an environmentally sustainable destination, developed in harmony with the natural surroundings as well as the local history, culture and traditions. The resort offers travellers high-end amenities coupled with authentic experiences in one of the most breathtaking seaside landscapes in the Mediterranean. We strongly believe that Costa Navarino will set a new quality standard for Greek tourism.”
Navarino Dunes will also be home to Greece’s first signature golf course, “The Dunes Course”, designed by former US Masters Champion and Ryder Cup captain, Bernhard Langer in association with European Golf Design. Managed by Troon Golf, this 18-hole championship golf course will have a fully-equipped 3,500 square metre clubhouse. Troon will also manage a second golf course, called “The Bay Course”, designed by the award-winning international golf course architectural firm, Robert Trent Jones II. The Bay Course is set to be completed later this year and will be available for play from spring 2011.
Adventure seekers have plenty to enjoy with the resort offering a mountain biking, nordic walking, hiking and racquet sports, as well as many water-related sports and recreational activities. Indoor activities available include Ten Pin bowling, squash and basketball as well as extensive areas for meditation and workout classes. For a truly authentic experience, guests are encouraged to discover the beauty and culture of Messinia and engage in traditional activities ranging from fishing to the art of olive-oil and wine-making.
For those looking for rest and relaxation, Navarino Dune’s 4,000 square metre “Anazoe” Spa, features a brand new concept in wellness which combines ancient Greek medicine and philosophy with modern scientific treatments and utilises the area’s unique natural products and revitalising ingredients. Treatments include kinisiotherapy, floating pools, an extensive range of light therapies, ice-grotto rooms, herbal saunas and unique Oleotherapy(R) treatments originating at Nestor’s Palace, dating back to Homeric times. Guests of the resort will have access to a Health and Fitness Centre with a heated indoor pool, indoor Jacuzzi, steam room and fitness facilities, as well as the resort’s spectacular outdoor pool complex.
The ideal venue for meetings and events, The Romanos will offer access to the multi-functional and highly versatile conference centre, “The House of Events”. This dedicated space extends over more than 5,000 square metres and can accommodate up to 2,000 guests. The ultra-modern meeting and event space includes a grand ballroom, 11 meeting rooms, a large exhibition area as well as 3 atriums with a spacious adjacent outdoor event space. The resort is easily accessible for international travellers, located about 50 kilometres from Kalamata International Airport and within driving distance of Athens and the port of Patras.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts currently operates eight luxury hotels and resorts in Greece under the company’s Luxury Collection, Westin and Sheraton brands. These include the Arion Resort & Spa, Astir Palace, the Hotel Grande Bretagne and The Westin Athens Astir Palace Beach Resort in Athens, Mystique and Vedema Resorts in Santorini, Blue Palace Resort & Spa on the island of Crete, the newly opened Sheraton Resort in Rhodes and Santa Marina Resort & Villas in Mykonos.
The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort, is the first of two Starwood properties to open in Costa Navarino this summer. The Westin Resort, Costa Navarino will open on July 1st bringing another luxury resort to this exciting destination. In 2012, Starwood will introduce its W Hotels brand to Greece with the opening of W Athens, Astir Palace Beach.
About The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts
The Luxury Collection(R) is a selection of hotels and resorts offering unique, authentic experiences that evoke lasting, treasured memories. For the global explorer, The Luxury Collection offers a gateway to the world’s most exciting and desirable destinations. Each hotel and resort is a unique and cherished expression of its location; a portal to the destination’s indigenous charms and treasures. Magnificent decor, spectacular settings, impeccable service and the latest modern conveniences combine to provide a uniquely enriching experience. Today, The Luxury Collection is a glittering ensemble of more than 70 of the world’s finest hotels and resorts in more than 30 countries in bustling cities and spectacular destinations around the world. The Luxury Collection includes award-winning hotels that continuously exceed guest expectations by offering unparalleled service, style and class in some of the most desired destinations in the world. Most recently, Mystique, a Luxury Collection Resort, was honoured with the 2008 Travel + Leisure Design Award for Best Small Resort in the world. All of these hotels, many of them centuries old, are internationally recognized as being among the world’s finest. For more information, please visit www.luxurycollection.com.