NIKKI BEACH OFFERS THE PERFECT GREEK ISLAND ESCAPE
Greece has always been one of those destinations people return to for the obvious reasons — the islands, the sunsets, the food — but this summer, Nikki Beach Hospitality Group is leaning into something that feels a little more personal. With the reopening of Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Santorini and Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Porto Heli for the 2026 season, the brand is presenting two completely different versions of a Greek escape — one rooted in high-energy beach club culture, the other in quiet luxury and slow living by the water.
all images courtesy of NIKKI BEACH HOSPITALITY GROUP
Santorini, reopening May 20th, naturally carries the buzz and movement people associate with the island, but Nikki Beach approaches it from a different angle. Instead of leaning into the usual postcard-perfect clichés, the resort focuses on a more social and music-driven atmosphere set along the island’s eastern coast. It’s the only luxury property in Santorini that combines a private beach with a full beach club experience, creating a setting where mornings drift into long lunches, DJs soundtrack the afternoons, and sunset becomes less about spectacle and more about atmosphere.
The programming this season feels designed around exactly how people actually want to spend summer. There’s “Spritz Escape,” where afternoons revolve around poolside cocktails and an easygoing pace, while events like “Summer Club” bring people together through sharing-style dining and local Greek wines. By the weekend, the energy shifts into Nikki Beach’s signature style with “Disco Daydream,” “Saturdance,” and its globally known “Amazing Sundays” — equal parts beach party and curated lifestyle experience.
The food stays closely connected to the destination itself. Menus highlight simple but fresh Mediterranean flavors, with Santorinian tomato fritters, traditional Greek salads, and locally caught seafood taking center stage. Nothing feels overcomplicated, which is exactly the point.
Then there’s Porto Heli, reopening May 12th, which feels like the complete opposite in the best way possible. Tucked along the Argolic Gulf and still relatively under-the-radar compared to Greece’s bigger island names, the destination has quietly become a favorite for travelers looking for privacy and a slower pace. Just a short boat ride from Spetses, it has an understated elegance that feels increasingly rare during peak summer.
At Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Porto Heli, the experience is less about scene and more about atmosphere. Days move slowly between the pool, the beach, and long meals overlooking the sea. The resort’s rooftop restaurant, Qurio, leans into modern Greek flavors with dishes designed for sharing, while the spa incorporates treatments inspired by ancient Greek wellness rituals. The villas and bungalows add to that sense of privacy, making it easy to imagine staying far longer than originally planned.
What makes both destinations work is that neither tries too hard to fit into a single idea of luxury travel. Santorini offers energy, music, and movement without losing its sense of place, while Porto Heli embraces calm, intimacy, and simplicity. Together, they reflect a version of Greece that feels more thoughtful — less about checking off destinations and more about how you actually want to feel while you’re there.
