When people think of Greece, destinations such as Santorini, Mykonos and Rhodes often come to mind. However, after recently visiting Costa Navarino on my first educational trip, I discovered a completely different side of Greece one that effortlessly combines luxury, authenticity, exceptional hospitality and an incredible range of experiences.

Located in the beautiful region of Messinia in the south-west Peloponnese, Costa Navarino is home to four outstanding five-star resorts, each offering its own unique personality and style:

• The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort
• The Westin Resort Costa Navarino
• W Costa Navarino
• Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino

What struck me immediately was the sheer scale of the destination. Despite being home to four luxury resorts, it never felt crowded. Instead, it offered a peaceful and relaxed atmosphere where guests can truly switch off and enjoy the slower pace of life.

First Impressions

Getting to Costa Navarino couldn’t be easier. We flew with British Airways on a flight of around three and a half hours, followed by a transfer of less than an hour from Kalamata International Airport. It’s the sort of destination where you can leave the UK in the morning and be sipping a cocktail in the Mediterranean sunshine by the afternoon.

From the moment we arrived, it was clear that Costa Navarino has been thoughtfully designed to blend seamlessly with its natural surroundings. Local stone, earthy tones and contemporary architecture complement the landscape beautifully, creating a sense of understated luxury throughout the destination. Despite the scale of the resort, every hotel, restaurant and room feels unique, with its own distinct character and style. The attention to detail is exceptional.

Kalamata Airport itself is relatively small, making arrivals and departures straightforward, although facilities are limited and queues can build quickly during busier periods. However, any thoughts of travel quickly disappear upon arrival at the resort.

What impressed me most from the outset was the hospitality. Every member of staff greeted us with genuine warmth and enthusiasm, and nothing ever seemed too much trouble. It was clear that creating memorable guest experiences sits at the heart of everything they do, and that level of service remained consistent throughout our stay.

One of my biggest recommendations is to download the Costa Navarino app before you arrive. The destination is vast and surprisingly easy to get lost in during your first couple of days. The app makes navigating between restaurants, activities and facilities incredibly simple and quickly became an essential part of the experience.

Despite its size, getting around couldn’t be easier thanks to the complimentary golf buggies and shuttle services that regularly transport guests between the four resorts, restaurants and key attractions. It’s a fantastic way to explore everything Costa Navarino has to offer without ever feeling restricted to one area.

And there really is plenty to explore. With more than 40 restaurants and bars, over 20 swimming pools, award-winning spa facilities and an endless choice of sporting and leisure activities, there is genuinely something for every type of traveller. Whether you’re a foodie, wellness enthusiast, beach lover, golfer or simply looking to unwind, Costa Navarino offers far more than your typical Greek beach holiday.

Four Resorts, One Incredible Destination

One of Costa Navarino’s greatest strengths is the flexibility it offers. Guests can enjoy facilities across multiple resorts during their stay and, if staying on half board, can dine throughout the destination. This allows visitors to experience an impressive variety of restaurants and cuisines without ever feeling confined to one hotel.

You could spend the morning by one pool, enjoy lunch at another resort, book a spa treatment elsewhere and finish the evening dining somewhere completely different.

Each resort offers a distinct experience:

The Romanos

Elegant and sophisticated, making it ideal for couples and travellers seeking a refined luxury escape.

The Westin Resort Costa Navarino

Perfect for families, with spacious accommodation, excellent children’s facilities and activities for every age group.

W Costa Navarino

Stylish, contemporary and adults-focused, making it an excellent choice for couples, friends and honeymooners.

Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino

An ultra-luxury retreat offering breathtaking views, impeccable service and a wonderfully exclusive atmosphere.

Accommodation ranges from beautifully appointed rooms and suites to spectacular private pool villas, ensuring there is something to suit every traveller.

A Golfer’s Paradise And So Much More Than a Beach Holiday

Costa Navarino has firmly established itself as one of Europe’s leading golf destinations.

Its championship golf courses are immaculately maintained and surrounded by stunning coastal scenery. Even if golf isn’t the primary reason for your visit, the beautifully landscaped grounds add enormously to the overall atmosphere and appeal of the resort.

One of the biggest surprises was just how much there is to do.

Guests can enjoy:

• Championship golf
• Tennis and padel
• Water sports
• Hiking trails
• Cycling routes
• Wellness experiences
• Greek cooking classes
• Children’s clubs
• VR gaming
• Bowling
• Escape rooms
• Water slides

One of the highlights of the trip was a guided bike ride followed by a hike overlooking the spectacular coastline, finishing with breathtaking views across one of Greece’s most beautiful beaches. It offered a completely different perspective of the destination and showcased the natural beauty of the region.

Another unforgettable experience was taking part in an authentic Greek cooking class hosted by two wonderful local ladies. More than just a cooking lesson, it provided a genuine insight into local traditions, culture and hospitality, making it one of the standout moments of the trip.

Dining Experiences

Food plays a huge part in any holiday and Costa Navarino certainly doesn’t disappoint.

The variety of restaurants across the four resorts is exceptional, with cuisines from around the world catering to every taste and all designed to stand out in their own way.

The Italian restaurant was a particular favourite, combining excellent food with a fantastic atmosphere.

Ironically, the meal we cooked ourselves during the cooking class was probably the least impressive from a culinary perspective, but it was by far one of my favourite experiences. Sometimes it’s the memories rather than the meal that make something truly special.

Breakfast was outstanding, offering everything you could possibly want and more. The fruit and vegetables tasted incredibly fresh, while locally produced wines and beers provided a wonderful flavour of the region.

Even the coffee deserves a special mention some of the best I’ve enjoyed at any resort.

Catering for Dietary Requirements

As someone with dietary requirements, I was particularly impressed by how accommodating the resorts were.

Breakfast included dedicated vegan and gluten-free sections, while restaurant teams were knowledgeable, proactive and always happy to discuss dietary needs.

It’s always reassuring when a resort takes dietary requirements seriously, and Costa Navarino excelled in this area.

Time to Relax

The spa facilities are exceptional.

Access costs €45, although this fee is waived when booking a treatment.

Facilities include:

• Indoor swimming pool
• Hydrotherapy experiences
• Relaxation areas
• Heated thermal facilities

It’s the perfect place to unwind after a busy day exploring, alongside the excellent selection of outdoor pools available throughout the resorts.

Perfect for Families

Families are exceptionally well catered for.

Facilities include:

• Children’s clubs
• Water slides
• Family swimming pools
• Games centres
• VR experiences
• Bowling
• Basketball school
• Escape rooms

While some children’s club activities carry an additional charge, the sheer variety of entertainment available means younger guests are unlikely to get bored.

A Few Things to Consider

No destination is perfect, and there were a few observations worth mentioning.

The resort is enormous, so comfortable footwear is highly recommended if you enjoy exploring, although the complimentary golf buggy service makes getting around extremely easy.

At The Westin, some of the sunbeds felt slightly less luxurious than expected. However, because guests can access facilities across multiple resorts, there are plenty of alternatives available.

Poolside food and drink service was generally excellent, although there were occasional periods where service felt slower than expected for a five-star luxury resort. At this level, slightly more proactive service would elevate the experience even further.

Final Thoughts

The nearby towns of Pylos and Gialova offer a taste of authentic Greek life, while the city of Kalamata is around an hour away for those looking to explore further afield.

As this was my first educational trip, it truly demonstrated the value of experiencing a destination first-hand. Walking around each resort, sampling the restaurants, taking part in activities and meeting the teams behind the hotels provided a far deeper understanding than any brochure or website ever could. It means I can now confidently recommend Costa Navarino, knowing exactly which resort and experiences would best suit each individual client.

Costa Navarino is luxurious without feeling pretentious, peaceful without feeling isolated, and large enough to offer endless choice while still maintaining an exclusive atmosphere.

Whether you’re planning a family holiday, honeymoon, golfing escape, wellness retreat or simply looking to relax in the Mediterranean sunshine, Costa Navarino delivers an unforgettable experience.

I also think it works brilliantly as part of a twin-centre holiday, combining a relaxing stay in Messinia with a few days exploring another Greek destination for the perfect balance of relaxation and culture.

Having experienced all four resorts, what I loved most was that each has its own distinct personality. No matter your travel style, there is genuinely a hotel that feels perfectly suited to you.

My Top Tips

• Download the Costa Navarino app before you arrive.
• Pre-book popular restaurants and experiences before travelling.
• Make the most of the complimentary golf buggies to explore all four resorts.
• Allow plenty of time to experience everything the destination has to offer.
• Slow down, embrace the relaxed pace of life and enjoy every moment.

A huge thank you to ITC and the Costa Navarino team for hosting such a memorable and insightful educational trip.

If you’d like to find out more about Costa Navarino or discuss whether it’s the right destination for your next holiday, get in touch with our team today. We’d be delighted to help you plan your perfect Greek escape.