Best food & drink

1. The Taverna

The Taverana is The Wild Hotel’s main restaurant where a delicious breakfast of fluffy omlettes, cold-pressed juices and acai smoothie bowls is also served. But, I’d recommend paying a visit for a laidback, post-sunbathe dinner – not least because it’s so easy to wander here from the poolside, but because the menu is thoughtfully created and the ingredients all come from local surrounding farms.

Embracing the slow food philosophy, there are so many Greek classics to choose from, with highlights including the baked feta dripping with local honey and the perfectly-golden zucchini fritters. The phyllo pistachio parfait is handmade and comes dotted with caramelised peanuts and sea salt. Some of the dishes change daily, and we stare enviously at the huge plates of fresh fish and octopus carried high as we sip on our rosé by the pool.

2. RAW

Always wanted to eat stunningly fresh sushi perched atop a dramatic cliffside? The hotel’s second and newest dining option is all about the drama. This restaurant curves around the rocks, with tables that cascade down through the pine trees, overlooking the sea.

We arrived to low-lit lanterns and a romantic atmosphere. The menu is Japanese-Mediterranean fusion – led by Japanese-Greek chef Kazuaki Shitamori – and the plates are full of flavour, colour and texture. As the name suggests, most ingredients are served raw and I loved the tangy seaweed salads with kimchi and the tender seabass ceviche served with plenty of fresh coriander, lime and watermelon. You’ll find all the sushi classics too, like Cali rolls and spicy tuna, and the summer mochi are a must-try – go for creamy coconut, salted caramely and yuzu lemon.

3. Hippie Fish

This stylish spot is over on the west side of the island (around a 20-minute drive away from The Wild Hotel). It was a must-visit for me, as it’s one of the key locations where iconic 90s romcom Shirley Valentine was filmed.

The restaurant now known as Hippie Fish has had a huge update since then and is a cool, laidback spot, right on the beach. The menu is vibrant with a heavy focus on fresh seafood from ceviche to sashimi. We also had their incredible burrata salad and the homemade kefetedes (mouthwatering Greek meatballs with local cheese). We booked a sunbed on the beach after our meal, complete with a couple of glasses of chilled Assrytiko wine.

Stay

The Wild has 40 rooms to choose from – all with sea views and each decorated in soothing sand and terracotta, with plenty of natural textures. From deluxe doubles to suites with plunge pools, there’s also a unique two-bedroom suite with its own outdoor stone bath.

We stayed in a junior suite with a separate lounge, beautiful beamed ceilings and a sweeping terrace, helping us feel instantly relaxed as we stepped over the threshold. The bathroom was smart and simple with Malin+Goetz products and The Wild Hotel vanity kits. A Nespresso machine and branded robes and slippers brought the finishing touches. Out on the terrace, my husband could barely pull me away from the views of the Aegean, the cove below just waiting for us to explore.