Avant Mar

Right on the beach and yet close to the city, the Avant Mar has what makes estate agents happy: location, location, location. Guests should feel like locals in the pretty harbor town, part of the neighborhood. And it succeeds. It's quiet by the plunge pool of our suite with a side sea view. The communal pool with its thickly cushioned sunbeds is a little livelier. Instead, it's just a few steps to the beach in a small bay, with chairs provided by the hotel. It's hard to believe that the lively center of Naoussa is less than a ten-minute walk away. You don't hear a thing about it. Instead, you can enjoy plenty of privacy and boutique hotel charm, just as it should be. It blooms and smells everywhere: mint and rosemary, oleander and bougainvillea, olive and pomegranate trees - a very well-kept Mediterranean garden contributes to the feeling of well-being. Thyms, meaning thyme, is the name of the restaurant, also a very relaxed place in soft, light natural tones, beautiful tactile materials (this also applies to the suites) and contemporary Greek cuisine, which is convincing from breakfast - buffet plus à la carte; some dishes have to be paid for separately - to the delicious mezes at lunchtime and in the evening. So much so that it doesn't really need a second restaurant. But in the high season, a branch of Nobu opens and doubles the culinary pleasure. "Steki" is the pretty Greek word for "favorite place". There are several of them, such as the elevated open-air bar called The Bridge. With a view of Naoussa and the sea, we feel very close to the Greek heaven of the gods here.

Test highlight: Idleness and culinary delights by the pool