Gundari

Gundari, Folegandros, a Michelin Key Selected property, offers a luxurious and serene escape on the rugged Cycladic island of Folegandros. This relatively new resort, opened in May 2024, has quickly garnered attention for its stunning design, breathtaking location, and commitment to slow-living and authenticity.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Gundari is overwhelmingly positive, with guests praising its beautiful design, stunning location, and exceptional food and service. Many describe it as a "gem" offering remote luxury and a unique, untouched Greek island experience. While some minor "kinks" associated with a new hotel have been noted, the overall sentiment is that Gundari provides a truly special and memorable stay.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently rave about several aspects of Gundari:

• Design & Architecture: The hotel's earth-toned exterior blends seamlessly with the island's cliffs, and its low-lying architecture, built with excavated rock, minimally disrupts the natural contours of the land. Interiors are minimalistic yet warm, featuring natural materials like stone, straw, and timber, with a touch of urban gloss from Athens. The design emphasizes a harmonious blend of natural and built environments, with water features bringing the Aegean's blue close. It has won design awards within its first year.
• Location & Views: Perched on a soaring cliff on the island's southern coast, Gundari offers endless, staggering views of the Aegean Sea and spectacular sunsets. The remote, clifftop setting on an 80-acre nature reserve provides a sense of seclusion and tranquility.
• Service & Hospitality: The staff are frequently described as wonderful, helpful, and naturally friendly, going above and beyond to make the stay special.
• Amenities: Every one of the 27 suites and villas boasts a private infinity pool and sea-facing terrace, offering a perfect balance of indoor-outdoor living. Other facilities include a gorgeous indoor-outdoor spa, a main infinity pool with a swim-up bar, a fitness center, and complimentary yoga classes. High-quality sound systems are a welcome feature in the rooms.

3. Room Quality

The accommodations at Gundari are designed for luxurious comfort and seamless integration with the natural surroundings. Each of the 25 suites is remarkably roomy, offering as much outdoor space as indoor. Guests can expect:

• Private Infinity Pools: A defining feature, every suite and villa comes with its own private infinity pool, often appearing to "melt into the Aegean."
• Design & Materials: Rooms feature minimalist, cool interiors with warm accents, handcrafted timber, marble floors, and organic textures.
• Comfort: Beds are noted for their comfort. Rooms are air-conditioned and soundproofed.
• Unique Options: Cave Suites are subterranean rooms carved from excavated stone, featuring bioclimatic design to stay cool in heat and warm in cold. Higher-level cave suites offer extras like double rain showers, vintage turntables, and stocked cocktail bars. Villas provide even larger infinity pools and more seclusion.
• Outdoor Spaces: Spacious terraces with lounge space for sunbathing or relaxing in the shade, and outdoor rain showers, are standard.

4. Dining Experience

Gundari places a strong emphasis on gastronomy, with a focus on fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients.

• Orizon Restaurant: The hotel's modern restaurant, Orizon, serves exquisite Greek and Mediterranean cuisine for lunch and dinner. The menu is crafted by Michelin-starred chef Lefteris Lazarou, with many ingredients sourced directly from Gundari's own organic garden. Seafood is a highlight, with dishes like sea bass carpaccio and ceviche sea bream receiving praise. Vegan and vegetarian options are also readily available.
• Breakfast: A delicious à la carte breakfast is served on the terrace until a leisurely 11:15 am, featuring healthy crowd-pleasers.
• Drinks: The hotel offers an extensive wine list, with a recommendation to try the local Greek wines. The pool menu also includes excellent options, such as a club sandwich, and unique offerings like iced matcha with oat milk.

5. Service & Staff

Guest feedback highlights the exceptional service at Gundari. Staff members are consistently described as:

• Friendly & Welcoming: Guests appreciate the natural friendliness of the staff, noting that "nothing is too much trouble."
• Helpful & Attentive: The team is dedicated to making the stay special and responsive to guest needs.
• Personalized Experience: Despite being a luxury property, the service maintains a genuine and unpolished feel, contributing to the authentic experience.

6. Location & Accessibility

Gundari's location on Folegandros is a key part of its appeal, offering seclusion and an "off-the-beaten-path" experience.

• Island Vibe: Folegandros is described as a "jewel of the Cyclades," known for its wild beauty, dramatic, rugged landscape, and slow-living authenticity. It sees significantly fewer tourists than more popular islands like Santorini.
• Arrival: Folegandros does not have an airport, requiring guests to fly into a nearby island (like Santorini) and take a ferry. Private boat transfers are also an option.
• On-Island Transport: The roads on Folegandros, particularly to the hotel, can be bumpy. The hotel offers a shuttle service to the local town of Chora, which is charged per person per way.
• Seclusion: Gundari is the only resort on the island, nestled within an 80-acre nature reserve, ensuring privacy and tranquility. Guests can easily find secluded beaches, even in peak season.
• Wind: The clifftop location means the hotel can be very windy at times, which can affect the usability of the main pool and even cause ferry cancellations. The hotel is reportedly working on wind measures to improve the guest experience in pool areas.

7. Value & Pricing

As a Michelin Key Selected luxury property, Gundari is positioned at the higher end of the market. While specific pricing varies by date and room type, guests generally feel the experience is worth the cost due to the quality of the design, service, and overall ambiance. A city tax is imposed and collected at the property, which is adjusted seasonally. For example, from November to March, it's EUR 4.00 per accommodation, per night. Guests are advised to check current prices directly with the hotel or through booking platforms for specific dates.

8. Common Complaints

While reviews are largely positive, some minor issues have been noted, often attributed to the hotel being relatively new:

• Cleaning Service Inconsistencies: Some guests experienced issues with cleaning staff, such as only making the bed and not replacing minibar cups or emptying trash. Dirty glasses were left in rooms for several days.
• Wind Impact: The hotel's clifftop location, while offering spectacular views, can be very windy, sometimes making the main pool area less enjoyable and potentially affecting ferry schedules.
• Road Quality: The road leading to the hotel can be bumpy. The hotel is actively working with the municipality to improve the final part of this road.
• Shuttle Service Cost: The shuttle service to Chora is charged per person, per way, which some guests noted.
• New Hotel "Kinks": Some early guests suggested waiting a year or two for the hotel to "work out the kinks" of being a new establishment. Some "snagging" in rooms was also mentioned, expected to be addressed during off-season closures.
• Lack of Privacy in Some Pools: One review noted that some private pools, particularly in the Superior Cave Suites, are not particularly large and do not provide total privacy from adjacent rooms.

Sources

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