One&Only Kéa Island

The arrival is a moment unto itself: as the boat slows down off the coast of Kéa , the coastline draws nearer, and the silhouette of One&Only Kéa Island emerges above the beach, it becomes clear what a timeless island retreat can be. Just 45 minutes from Athens, it feels like a counterpoint to the urban rhythm—a place where the island becomes its own time zone. Nestled between two cliffs, above a sheltered sandy beach, the villa resort opens up like an amphitheater onto Vroskopos Bay.

The architecture is modern Greek and deliberately in harmony with the island . White marble from local quarries, natural stone, light textures—John Heah has designed villas that blend into the landscape rather than stand out from it. Floor-to-ceiling windows, private infinity pools, terraces with fireplaces: everything is designed around sightlines and transitions, from the interior out to the sea and hills, without losing the sense of security. On the other side of the bay lie the Private Homes, retreats with up to six bedrooms that embrace the concept of an extended stay on the island. New additions are the Grand Seafront Villas with three or four bedrooms—two-story homes directly overlooking the bay, designed for families and groups of friends. Each bedroom features its own bathroom and terrace, with a central infinity pool, water features, lounge areas, and an outdoor dining space in between. Inclusive amenities such as private dinners, wine tastings, cooking classes, or yoga sessions transform the stay from a mere villa rental into a luxurious form of temporary communal living. The heart of the resort beats in the Piazza at Atria, the restaurant that functions like a village square. Here, the island’s bounty meets contemporary cuisine: thyme honey, sheep’s cheese, Loza, wild boar sausage, herbs from the resort’s own garden. The selection is vast: Kaiki as a pool bar, Kosmos for a late aperitif, a small speakeasy bar for quiet nights, and the Bond Beach Club down by the water as a gathering spot for long Sundays.



Those who wish to further explore the island and their bodies will find themselves at the three-story One&Only Spa . Sophrosyne—the ancient Greek concept of balance—serves here as the guiding principle for rituals that blend Eastern healing traditions, modern technology, and the natural forces of the surroundings. In between lie all the paths that an island like Kéa has to offer: hikes to Karthea, strolls through Ioulida, boat trips to secluded coves, and dives over shipwrecks. At the end of the day, however, you return to the terraces—to the place where the boat briefly slowed down at the start and you sensed that an arrival might turn into a stay.

oneandonlyresorts.com/kea-island