Hotel opening: Amanzoe

Amanzoe will open this summer overlooking the shores of The Peloponnese in Southern Greece. Greece has been in the news for all the wrong reasons of late. But the Gods seem to have finally smiled. Amanzoe, the newest Aman resort to open in the Peloponnese, promises to restore old glory.

Rich in ancient history and archaeology as also is in natural beauty, the Peloponnese has become one of the most sought-after destinations in Europe today.

The beach-fringed peninsula in the south of Greece is home to such legendary places as Olympia-which saw the first ever Olympic Games, Mycenae-a major centre of Greek civilization in the second millennium BC, and the flower-blanketed pastures of Arcadia-the mythical home of the god Pan.

It is here, where small mountain towns and quaint seaside villages dot the countryside that Amanzoe finds its home. Comprising a 38-suite resort, an Aman Spa and in the near future a number of Aman Villas, Amanzoe is Amanresorts' third Mediterranean retreat; the Greek complement to Montenegro's Aman Sveti Stefan and Turkey's Amanruya.

Drawing its name from the Sanskrit-derived word for 'peace' and 'zoe', the Greek word for 'life', Amanzoe is situated on a hilltop close to the quaint town of Porto Heli on the east coast of the Peloponnese. Designed by renowned architect Ed Tuttle, the resort offers almost 360 Degree panoramic sea views as well as a private Beach Club in a picturesque bay.

Resort accommodation is in the form of 38 guest pavilions arranged on different levels to maximise privacy and the breathtaking views over the Aegean. Each free-standing pavilion is accessed through a stone-wall courtyard that leads to spacious living and sleeping areas with high ceilings.

Beds are positioned in a marble-walled alcove which, together with the living area and bathroom, opens up onto the terrace, shaded by a pergola. Each Pool Pavilion offers a six-metre pool and each Deluxe Pool Pavilion features a 12-metre pool. Rooms are also available to accommodate guests with disabilities.

The Restaurant is a shaded structure defined by floor-to-ceiling windows that maximise the sea views. It is fronted by an expansive outdoor terrace designed for alfresco dining.

The Lounge Bar is the ideal venue for a quiet aperitif or light bite to eat, while the Pool Restaurant offers a casual spot for all-day dining. The Beach Club also offers an informal restaurant.

Of course, the piece de resistance, is the Aman Spa comprising seven double treatment rooms, two hammams and a hair and finishing salon. Treatments include massages, facials, scrubs and wraps, combining the best Asian techniques with ancient Greek beauty rituals, and using Aman Spa's own range of chemical-free skincare products.

A variety of local ingredients including olive oil, clay and olive seeds, chosen for their natural healing and regenerative powers, are used in some treatments.

If the exquisite beauty does not ensnare you, consider the wealth of ancient archaeological sites to explore: the Medical Sanctuary of Asclepius and the renowned Amphitheatre in Epidaurus; the legendary citadel of Mycenae and the Mycenaean cemetery of Dendra; the historic town of Kranidi; the ancient citadel of Tirynth and its dam, constructed around the 12th-century BC; the early Bronze-Age settlement of Lerna at Mili; the Temple of Hera close to Argos; numerous Mycenaean bridges, and the city of Nafplion itself, the first capital of modern Greece well-known for its neoclassical architecture.

Other activities on offer include island hopping, nature treks, visiting the monasteries of St. Dimitrios and St. George, water sports such as sailing and water skiing, and exploring the local vineyards and farm