When somebody says “Greek vacation,” you probably think of Athens and all its glorious history or a cruise through the picturesque Greek Isles like Mykonos or Santorini. While the aforementioned destinations are popular for a reason and explore-worthy, there’s a road less traveled waiting to be discovered on the mainland in Costa Navarino.
Here’s everything you need to know about staying at The Romanos Costa Navarino, part of Marriott’s Luxury Collection, nearby properties with amenities you can take advantage of, and the many things to do in this area. Properties designated as part of Marriott’s Luxury Collection have a deep connection to the location in addition to top-notch amenities and comfort.
The open-air patio is the view that greets visitors to Costa Navarino’s The Romanos.
Where is – and what is – Costa Navarino?
Costa Navarino is a brand that encompasses luxury hotel properties and a variety of activities, such as golf, tennis, and other sports activities, as well as a spa, shopping, world-class restaurants, and more. Costa Navarino is located in the Messinia region of Greece in the Southwest Peloponnese.
Your arrival in Greece from the United States will likely be via Athens, and you have options from there. You can rent a car and drive—the distance is roughly 170 miles and a three-hour trip by car. You can also take a domestic flight into Kalamata, around an hour’s flight time. If you’re starting from Europe, there are multiple flight options from European cities into Kalamata. Costa Navarino can also arrange private transfers from Athens or Kalamata.
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Do you need a car?
While having your own car on a trip opens up many possibilities and gives you more freedom, a car isn’t essential. The Romanos Costa Navarino is co-located with The Westin Resort Costa Navarino and both properties share services with W Costa Navarino. Whether you want to go between the properties, play a round of golf, use the tennis center, or just explore, there are shuttles that provide easy transportation. Other excursions help guests explore the local area, such as bike excursions to the beach and cooking classes, and transportation can be arranged for these activities.
Tons of Activities at Your Fingertips
While The Romanos is not an all-inclusive resort, it feels like one because all activities and dining are on the property, and everything is either within easy walking distance or accessible via shuttle or golf cart. The Romanos and The Westin are situated right next to each other and share a common agora, a shopping, dining, and entertainment district. If you feel like doing nothing at all, lounging at one of the resort pools or grabbing a chaise lounge overlooking the resort’s beach on the Ionian Sea, the tranquil vibe of The Romanos is precisely the right atmosphere. If you want a more active vacation or to balance relaxation with exploring, there are nearly endless options.
Golf and Tennis
Costa Navarino has four golf courses, a driving range, and a putting green. Instruction is available, and the resort hosts several tournaments throughout the year.
Tennis anyone? The Mouratoglou Tennis Center has 12 courts, including seven clay courts, four hard courts, and a grass court. There are also pickleball and padel courts. Padel is a cross between tennis and squash played on an enclosed court. A padel court is smaller than a tennis court, and balls can be played off the wall of the court, similar to racketball. Padel is much more popular in Europe than in the United States, and I hadn’t heard of it until my travels to Greece.
I’m a racket sports novice and thoroughly enjoyed my hour of private instruction, even though I’m not very good. Group lessons and tennis clinics are also available. If you want to stay active on vacation, there is no shortage of opportunities here.
Indoor Sports Options
There’s an indoor climbing wall, basketball, indoor volleyball, and bowling. The Westin’s gym also offers fitness classes, which are included in the cost of your stay. I did a 30-minute morning stretching class each morning I was there and found it a great way to start my day. See also I really needed some deep stretching after playing tennis, which used muscles I’d forgotten I have.
Water Sports
Costa Navarino’s proximity to the Ionian Sea makes this a perfect spot for all types of water sports. Snorkeling and diving – including PADI certification – and kayaking and standup paddleboarding are all available. If you’re more of a thrill-seeker and want something more high-octane, such as water skiing, kite surfing, or windsurfing, you can do that, too. On the higher end of the price and experience spectrum, charter a yacht and gain access to private beaches only accessible by boat. There are also bike trips to nearby Voidokilia Beach, which has clear, shallow water that is perfect for swimming.
Culinary Activities
I received a bulletin during check-in outlining all the activities available during my stay. Here are my favorites:
- Wine Tasting: Costa Navarino has an organic vineyard that bottles wines under the 1827 label – 1827 is the year the Greeks won the Battle of Navarino, which was pivotal in gaining independence from the Ottoman Empire, present-day Turkey.
- Olive Oil Tasting: Like wine tasting, but with olives! Learn how to understand the olive industry, plus how to buy, use, and store olive oil.
- Traditional Messinian Cooking Class: Travel to a private Messinian home and work under the supervision of two Messinian women to prepare a traditional dinner.
Kids Activities
Although The Romanos doesn’t cater to children, it is colocated with The Westin, which does. While I wouldn’t call The Romanos not family-friendly—I stayed here sans kids—the Westin is the obvious choice for families traveling with kids and teens. There’s an on-site teen club with organized games, a photo booth, an escape room, and more.
The Westin’s on-site water park has three waterslides and a dedicated kid’s pool. You don’t have to be a kid to enjoy the splash zone, but if you stay at either The Romanos or The Westin with youngsters, they’ll enjoy this space. Guests can travel seamlessly between the Costa Navarino resorts, but going back and forth between The Romanos and The Westin is effortless.
Pools and Spas
The Anzoe Spa at the Romanos
The Anazoe Spa at The Romanos offers a full menu of spa treatments, including massages, face and body treatments, and packages that stack multiple therapies. My therapist questioned me extensively about my health, including the health of my skin and stress level, before we started. He brewed me tea to address my specific physical needs – my legs were super sore from playing tennis without stretching – that I drank post-massage. It was a great massage, but I left feeling more like I’d received a wellness consultation than I’d ever felt after getting a massage. If I could have any do-over on my trip to Greece, it would probably be to schedule more spa treatments!
Four Onsite Pools
Divided between The Romanos and The Westin, there are four pools guests of The Romanos can use. My favorite pool was the Eleon Pool, which my room overlooked. This pool is for adults and young adults 12 and up. This pool was quiet each time I visited, but there were no younger guests using the pool during my stay. An adjacent pool bar serves food, making it an ideal place to laze the afternoon away.
Dining Options
There are 19 places to dine at The Romanos and The Westin Resort. An additional six dining venues are between W Navarino and Mandarin Oriental Costa Navarino, which are easy to reach via shuttle or private transfer. From very casual beachfront eats to more elegant dining experiences, Costa Navarino has a restaurant to suit your mood and tastes. A number of the lounges and pool bars also serve food. If you’re interested in a more elevated meal versus casual dining or grab-and-go, make a reservation.
My favorites
My favorites were Kooc Secrets for elegant Mediterranean-style dining and Flame Steakhouse for delicious cuts of high-quality grilled meat. I also enjoyed the more casual pub menu at 1827 Gastrobar, the souvlaki at the outdoor bistro, and the daily breakfast buffet
The Romanos has one of the most extensive breakfast buffets I’ve ever experienced, with indoor and terrace dining available. The buffet has American favorites, such as an omelet bar and an extensive pastry selection, but it is also an excellent place to try a more Mediterranean breakfast, which is heavier on greens, seafood, and, of course, olives. Olives for breakfast is a big yes, by the way. An endless selection of fresh fruit, juices, and smoothies helps you keep it healthy on vacation.
Review of Deluxe Guest Room
I spent four nights in a Deluxe Guest Room with a pool view. Marriott Bonvoy lists this room as having two twin beds. However, these beds were closer to American double beds. I wouldn’t have wanted to share this bed size with another person, but it was comfortable for a single person. The room had lots of floor space and a clean, Messinian-inspired aesthetic. The room’s interior had a table with chairs and a separate easy chair with a small table. The balcony had a table and chairs and a chaise lounge.
The rooms at The Romanos are outside corridor; however, the entrance to the hotel complex is secure, so there was no concern about security, as there are with some outside corridor rooms. I felt 100 percent comfortable as a solo woman traveler.
I had a large flat-screen television, which I didn’t watch once, and a fully stocked honor bar, which wasn’t included in the room’s price. Other amenities included robes and slippers and nightly turndown service. Each evening, I received a small amenity, such as purse-sized sunscreen or a snack. My bottled water was replenished daily.
Large, Luxe Bathroom
My bathroom was spacious and ideal for two people traveling together and sharing a room—hello, double sink! The bathtub was separate from the walk-in shower, and the toilet was in a separate closet. The towels were thick and fluffy, and there were lots of bathroom amenities, including a vanity kit, shampoo, conditioner, and lotion.
I brushed my teeth with sink water and drank only bottled water in Greece. I might have swallowed a pill using tap water. According to my sources, tap water in Messinia, especially in the tourist areas, is safe to drink. I feel fine.
SheBuysTravel Tip: The cushions for your outdoor furniture are stored inside your room – you just have to hunt for them. My chair pillows were stored in my wardrobe, and the cushion for my chaise lounge was propped up against a wall hidden behind the curtains. You are welcome!
When to Visit
Costa Navaroni’s high season is from June through August. April-May and September-October are shoulder seasons, which are still temperate and popular with golfers and tennis players. I visited The Romanos at Costa Navarino in October and found the resort pleasantly uncrowded. Most other guests were golfers, taking advantage of the mild fall weather.
If I could have a do-over, I’d go in late September or early October to take advantage of the lighter crowds but still have access to warm, sunny weather and easy swimming.
The Costa Navarino properties close during winter. Check the individual hotel websites, but in general, the hotels are closed in the winter and open in late February for early, eager golfers.
Who Should Visit The Romanos at Costa Navarono?
This trip is for the discerning, curious couple or friend group traveler who appreciates luxury and service. I’d encourage couples to seek a bigger bed than I had, but friends traveling together would be happy in the Deluxe Guest Room with twin beds. If you have a larger group, check out suite options or look for connecting rooms. The room I stayed in had a King option, which I would have chosen if traveling with my partner.
Anyone wanting to focus their vacation on wellness or mindfulness will be thrilled with their decision to book The Romanos at Costa Navaronio. The hotel is built for minimal environmental impact, and although the design is gorgeous, you’ll notice the landscape more than you see the architecture. The heavy focus on physical activities, sports, and relaxation and the many options to enjoy movement and relaxation make this the vacation you won’t need another vacation to recover from, although another vacation is always a good idea in my book.
I’d encourage groups with kids to book a room at The Westin Resort Costa Navarino. The kid-forward activities and general family vibe will lead you there. For adults looking for a Zen wellness resort, The Romanos is perfection. Since the location is not over-touristy and not a common destination for U.S. travelers, Costa Navarino has great appeal for anyone who wants a unique experience that’s different from where everyone else went on vacation.
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