White Pebble Suites - the perfect Greek island oasis does exist

On the Greek island of Milos, this Australian-owned hotel echoes the lunar-like landscape with the sparkling sea on the horizon, combining luxury design and relaxed hospitality.

Tucked on a little peninsula near a chic village on the island of Milos, the White Pebble Suites hotel seduces the eye with the sensual curves of its creamy exteriors.

They’re framed with waving grasses which ripple alongside a central saltwater pool that opens out to the Aegean. With its modern interpretation of Cycladic minimalism, the hotel design echoes the lunar-like landscape of Milos.

It’s the vision of three Greek-Australian women, Lefkothea Georgantis and sisters Helen Logas and Aphrodite Lambrou. When they discovered Milos while on a yachting holiday together in 2017, almost on a whim, they decided to utilise their combined travel industry, fashion and hospitality backgrounds to build a hotel.

the outdoor pool at White Pebble Suites, Milos, Greece — White Pebble Suites is a luxe Greek-Australian-owned hotel on the coast of Milos. (Image: Vangelis Pateraks)

“The island was so beautiful. It had an airport and lots of ferries, but no luxury accommodation. We felt like it was an opportunity waiting to happen," says Lefkothea.

“We’re all Australian-born, but we have Greek blood running through our veins," adds Helen. “It just felt like the right thing for all of us to do."

The process was complicated, but they had great advisors to assist with purchasing the land and getting construction permits. And Instagram came to the rescue to help them find the right architects for the job.

the white-washed exterior of White Pebble Suites, Milos, Greece — The organic design is by Athens-based KKMK. (Image: Vangelis Pateraks)

They took a gamble with KKMK, an emerging Athens-based architectural firm founded by Kate Karagianni and Marina Karamali, whose winning proposal envisaged the building’s shell as creamy sun-bleached volcanic rock sculpted by water and wind.

a man jumping into the Aegean sea in front of a volcanic rock — The island of Milos is a sun-bleached beauty in the Aegean Sea, shaped by volcanic rock.

This organic theme was also carried into the interior spaces with curvy walls and built-in furniture. The 12 suites are crafted from warm wood, cool polished cement and marble and are furnished with pebble-shaped stools and tables.

a look inside the Cabana Seaview Suite, White Pebble Suites, Milos, Greece — Each suite is styled with natural elements. (Image: Vangelis Pateraks)

There’s not a sharp angle in sight. Each has a private deck, beautifully screened with wispy vegetation and rows of thick rope that create distinctive patterns of shade. Eight have private plunge pools with jets. Most have serene sea views.

a suite with a plunge pool at White Pebble Suites, Milos, Greece — Sea views from a suite with a plunge pool. (Image: Vangelis Pateraks)

“We were really these young architects’ first clients. Now they’ve gone on to do projects in Indonesia and Singapore and even a Greek restaurant at the Shoal Bay Country Club in Port Stephens," says Aphrodite.

“They’re also working on six apartments for us down the road, which will be called the White Pebble Village, as well as a villa by Sarakiniko Beach."

the interior of Honeymoon PenthouseSuite, White Pebble Suites, Milos, Greece — Inside the Honeymoon Penthouse Suite. (Image: Vangelis Pateraks)

Helen, Lefka and Aphrodite’s parents were among Australia’s post-Second World War Greek immigrants. Now, after living here six months a year, they feel a real sense of belonging to this ancient part of Greece.

“From the beginning, we committed to being friends with everyone in the community. We’ve connected with all the locals, who’ve taken it upon themselves to help these funny Greek–Australian women with their wonky accents," says Lefka.

As a result, they have all the expert sea and land-touring guides on speed dial, which provides an excellent concierge service for clients.

the interior details of White Pebble Suites, Milos, Greece — The hotel is one of the first luxury stays on the island. (Image: Vangelis Pateraks)

“We also have a great rapport with our staff. We pay people correctly and treat everyone with respect. We’re far from home and we know that many people come to Milos just to work for the season, so we try to make everyone feel like they’re part of a big family here."

The three owners have brought a relaxed Australian attitude to hospitality, giving staff opportunities to excel and express their unique personalities in the job.

As for the food, they’ve worked closely with chef Kostandinos Slampakis, who has created a flexible all-day dining menu to be enjoyed around the pool, at tables overlooking the sea or on the suites’ private decks.

a meal platter by the pool at White Pebble Suites, Milos, Greece — The all-day menu is by a local, lauded chef. (Image: Vangelis Pateraks)

Slampakis, who has his own superb waterfront restaurant, Marrone, down the road in Pollonia, has recently been named one of the top 100 chefs in Greece by the country’s Food & Leisure Guide.

Olive Era beauty products from Crete are used in the spa, which also has a marble-clad hammam. The boutique showcases D’Artemide clothing, handmade in Greece.

“We love living on this island, especially when you can watch the sun set over the water right out the front of our hotel with absolutely no crowds. The White Pebble Suites is like an oasis. It almost feels like you’re on a yacht sailing into the deep blue sea."

an aerial view of the Greek Island, Milos — Milos is one of Greece’s lesser-visited islands. (Image: Vangelis Pateraks)

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

White Pebble Suites – the perfect Greek island oasis does exist