Review: Avant Mar

_Location: The property sits on Piperi Beach in the quaint fishing village of Naoussa on the trendy island of Paros. Avant Mar is a short walk from the centre of the village, so is a great base for clients who like to be close to local life.

_{First impressions:} Having opened its doors at the end of last summer, I was aware that the property was still in its infancy when I visited six weeks into its inaugural season. It is sleek, contemporary and aesthetically impressive. The interiors are minimalist, but perhaps a little too much so, with rooms and suites lacking in some areas. The property has huge potential but currently sits at more of a four-star level, albeit with five-star dining. Once tweaks are made, Avant Mar will establish itself as a great option for high-end clients.

_{The facts:} The hotel has 38 rooms and suites, including seven suites with plunge pools. Some rooms have terraces, but neither the terraces nor plunge pools are private, as they are easily overlooked by other guests passing by.

The in-room amenities include Aesop toiletries, yoga mats and a workout kit. Guests are given reusable water bottles, although staff fill these up from single-use plastic bottles. The dining is exquisite and will see the property become a draw for locals and those staying elsewhere on the island. Mediterranean venue Thymes will have you devouring dish after dish of Greek delight, while Matsuhisa Paros is a new outpost from Nobu Matsuhisa that serves divine Asian dishes.

_{Ideal for:} Foodies will adore the offering at Avant Mar. It’s also a great option for island-hoppers keen to make their way around several Greek isles. Paros is easily combined with trips to Antiparos, Mykonos and Naxos.

_Explore: Head into Naoussa, home to countless gorgeous boutiques and buzzing restaurants and bars. There are lots of great beach clubs in Paros, and if that suits your client, recommend they venture to Monastiri or Faragas.

_Wow: The food is spectacular and a real standout feature. The main pool is also impressive, running almost the entire length of the property. The hidden-away hydrotherapy pool is a nice addition.

_{Book it:} Rooms start from €600 a night.
avantmar.com