ABATON ISLAND RESORT & SPA – GREEK PARADISE
November 6, 2022
"I wonder how long it will take me to describe how amazing it was"—these were the thoughts that ran through my mind after visiting Abaton Island Resort & Spa. Abaton Island Resort & Spa, where do I begin? Abaton had been on my bucket list for three months until the trip finally happened; within five minutes of arriving, I knew the hotel would live up to my expectations.
When I first arrived at Abaton Island, I was greeted with a warm, friendly welcome and received a glass of ice-cold Sangria while I made my dinner and spa reservations. What a wonderful first impression. Shortly afterward, I was given a tour of the hotel and shown where everything was. They also recommended some lovely places to eat on the island if I felt like it.
I stayed in a deluxe guest room with a pool; it had a gorgeous bathtub in the middle of the room and a walk-in shower. My room was perfect; the interior was minimalist, spacious, and clean. All amenities were within easy reach. I couldn't have asked for anything more, as I had everything! The minibar offered a large selection of snacks and drinks, so I didn't have to go anywhere. I took a bubble bath every evening of my stay; otherwise, I would have regretted it! I relaxed and caught up on my favorite book with a glass of red wine.
The hotel offers a wide selection of treatments at the Anapnoe Spa; couples often enjoy shared treatments, as it's a popular honeymoon hotel. There are so many options: Turkish bath detox therapy, facial resurfacing, hot stone massage, Elemis ocean body wraps, and more! They have five treatment rooms and a relaxation room with an indoor pool if you want to unwind with your favorite book.
I opted for a luxurious reflexology treatment at their spa called Anapnoe, which is the Greek word for "breath." Breathing is a powerful tool for learning to be "here and now" and helps relax the mind; Anapnoe Spa incorporated breathing techniques throughout my stay. My treatment lasted 60 minutes, and within those 60 minutes, I fell into a state of complete relaxation. Reflexology is one of the most underrated treatments, and the benefits are endless. I felt great after the treatment and received a wealth of helpful advice that I was able to use later.
For dinner, you can dine at the hotel's main restaurant, F-Zin Ivy League, or one of the four independent restaurants: WOW, Buddha Bar, Elemes, and Bony Fish. There's no need to leave the island, as everything you need is within easy reach. Of course, if you fancy a night out and dining in Hersonissos Town, it's only a 5-minute drive away. Here, you can have the best of both worlds: an intimate dinner overlooking the beach, or a visit to the town and finding a restaurant for your meal.
During my stay, I had the pleasure of dining at WOW, Buddha Bar, and Bony Fish; it would be impossible to choose a favorite among the three. Every place I ate at had such impeccable standards; even choosing one would be a crime!
My first evening, I dined at a steakhouse called WOW; my meal truly captured the "wow" factor! This restaurant is very lively and has a great atmosphere. I felt overwhelmed throughout the meal because each course complemented the other so perfectly; I couldn't have dreamed of a better first meal at Abaton.
What I ordered:
Appetizer: Tortellini with creamed corn, truffle, parmesan pannacotta, and mushroom broth.
Main course: medium rare rib-eye steak with truffle macaroni and cheese, kale with greens, and grilled broccoli.
Wine: a robust red Zinfandel.
I would have liked to order dessert after dinner (if all that wasn't enough), but I was so stuffed from the delicious steaks that I left no room for sweets. The waiter recommended the Zinfandel; it paired perfectly with the entrecote and brought out all the flavors. I recommend everything I ordered; it was simply impeccable.
Buddha Beach Bar is one of the most popular spots on the island – now I understand why! It was my favorite place to spend the day. It has an infinity pool surrounded by beautiful wooden loungers, situated right on the private Abaton Beach with unobstructed views of the Aegean Sea, and offers the most sublime sunsets!
By lunchtime, I was in my element. I relaxed by the pool, soaking up the sun, while enjoying the "best piña colada" served in a giant toasted coconut and devouring mouth-watering sushi; now you know why this is a favorite spot on the island.
What I ordered:
Ginger shot
Spicy edamame
Bao buns with shrimp and basil mayonnaise
Salmon and sashimi sushi
Avocado rolls
with salmon shrimp sushi
When I ordered, Claudia, the lovely waitress, was very insistent that I try the shrimp bao buns. I was thrilled to follow her recommendation, as of all the dishes we ordered, it was my favorite. The next day, I returned to Buddha Bar for lunch to try the bao buns again; they pack so many flavors!
Something I found particularly interesting during my stay was that all the teas, juices, smoothies, and shots are prepared daily in the Abaton laboratories and then bottled. I opted for the ginger shot because it has many detoxifying health benefits that help boost metabolism.
Bony Fish was the last restaurant of my stay, and what a way to end such a memorable trip! This seafood restaurant specializes in classic cuisine. All ingredients are delivered fresh from the Aegean Sea the same day, making it even more special.
What I ordered:
Saganaki with shrimp
Lobster Risotto
Red wine Einomaypo
I don't know where to begin. First, I sincerely apologize if my mom is reading this, because the risotto was the best I've ever tasted. Mom, however, makes a delicious mushroom risotto, so she can take the crown on that one. Returning to the lobster risotto, it arrived at my table on a trolley while the waitress began to break open the lobster in front of me. I was then kindly instructed on how to extract more meat from the lobster myself using cutlery. It wasn't very good; I don't think it's my forte, but I'm glad I learned this skill. If you ever eat at Bony Fish, you have to order this dish; I promise you won't regret it.
There's so much to do in Abaton and Hersonissos, as everything is right on your doorstep. If you don't want to leave the resort, you're spoilt for choice with fantastic shops like Hellene Chic, Riveria Concept Boutique, Designer Jewellery, and Man of Honor. I had an Abaton beach bag and a straw hat and wore them throughout my stay; it was fantastic.
One of the things I particularly enjoyed about this hotel was its privacy. While there are plenty of places to socialize if you want, you can also discover many cozy spots where you can enjoy a special moment with your loved one. Whether you choose a spot on the beach watching the sunset or cozying up in front of the enormous pool, which dazzles with lights in the evenings and offers a stunning view of the coast, you'll create the best memories here.
This hotel is one of a kind; my entire experience was so special that I understand why people choose to spend their honeymoon here. Abaton Island stole my heart. Everything you could wish for in a hotel is right here at Abaton. Every staff member I met was so lovely, it was hard to leave. I didn't want to leave, but as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end; until next time, Abaton!
AND; Themistokleous Avenue, Chersonisos 700 14, Greece
T: +30 2897 026410
W: Abaton Island Resort & Spa
Daniel Tobin
