Photo courtesy of Verina

On a hillside overlooking the Aegean, Verina Astra offers panoramic views of the sea below and the sky above—the boutique hotel even gets its name from the Greek word for stars, astra. Don’t worry about which room to book; each of the 16 showcases the same stunning vista, and the infinity pool boasts sightlines that go on, well, into infinity. You could lounge all day in this tranquil haven—if the cobbled streets of the neighboring Cycladic village of Artemonas didn’t beckon. Or you weren’t tempted follow the hiking paths winding through the ruggedly beautiful countryside down to a beach or up to a chapel for a panegyri, a local festival of eating, dancing, and enjoying being alive. Cooking classes, photo safaris, or excursions to pottery workshops can also be arranged.

 Photos courtesy of Verina

Verina Terra rests steps from the shores of Platis Gialos beach. This means that guests of the 11 rooms, suites, and apartments have olive groves surrounding them, the sea in front of them, and are a short stroll away from the storied oceanfront tavernas that make Sifnos a gourmand’s paradise. Take a class on the yoga deck, surrounded by olive trees. Spend the day relaxing by the pool, sipping the island’s best cocktails. Or ask for a picnic lunch to take to the beach—packed full of delights from the on-site herb and vegetable garden. However you combine sun, sea, and Sifnos, you can’t go wrong.

 

 Photos courtesy of Verina

An elegant compound comprised of three buildings and a total of eight bedrooms, Verina Villa is a luxurious world onto itself, complete with tennis courts, hammam, swimming pool, and plenty of kayaks, canoes, surfboards and snorkels to take right out onto Vathi beach. (There’s also a small yacht dock nearby, should you need a place to moor yours.) When you need a little more excitement than your companions can offer, stroll over to the charming fishing village of Vathi to explore the cafes, restaurants, and boutiques.

Adjacent to the Verina Astra, the award-winning Bostani Bar & Restaurant is the setting for an enchanted evening under the stars—one that will delight all the sense. Tables are surrounded by fragrant herbs and vegetables, in the garden that gives the restaurant its name. (A bostani is a home’s vegetable and herb patch in Greek.) Views of the Aegean Sea and the medieval village of Kastri dazzle the eyes. Listening to the wind in the trees and the sounds of others enjoying life, visitors enjoy chef Nikos Thomas’s elevated take on the traditional Sifnian cuisine that has made the island a destination for foodies the world over. The ingredients are sourced right from the bostani itself, from local farmers, or from neighboring Cycladic isles, allowing visitors to quite literally eat and drink the wonders of Sifnos.

The new Bostani Spa is located at Verina Astra, but open to anyone eager to immerse themselves in total relaxation. Enjoy a view of the sea while indulging in treatments featuring local herbs hand-plucked from the spa’s garden, and award-winning ELEMIS skin care products. Therapies like the Bostani Herbal Myth Massage is guided through powerful natural essences depending on your mood, while the Vegan Superfood Facial is a crafted nutritional boost for your skin. Level up your wellness with a three-day Bostani Detox Escape or five days of the Bostani Ultimate State of Calmness package. And of course, newlyweds will want to book the two-hour honeymooners’ Bostani experience, a blissful start to any marriage.

The boutique hotels located in Sifnos Island, Greece, Verina Astra and Verina Terra are an effortless celebration in the art of slow living. Verina Astra, perched at the edge of the cliff of Poulati offers privacy and tranquility, endless panoramic views of the Aegean Sea and neighboring islands. Verina Astra is also home to the newest culinary and spa destinations on the island. Bostani Bar & Restaurant is a delicious and creative offering, perfect for an early aperitivo or to savor over an evening of flavorful delights that glorify the simplicity of the gastronomic heritage of Sifnos. Partnering with ELEMIS to create Bostani Spa, the result is a merging of world-renowned beauty products with aromatic herbs and plants, used for centuries by locals and sourced from Verina’s very own garden, to offer guests a one-of-a-kind wellness experience. Verina Terra is a relaxing, private, minimalist oasis in the cosmopolitan Platis Gialos where the sophisticated swirl of the world comes to dine. Just a few steps away from the beach, Terra is the ideal option for those looking for ultimate relaxation in this have-it-all Sifnian cove.verinahotelsifnos.comIG:@verinasifnos @bostanibarandrestaurant.