Sun, warmth and long, languid days — the Mediterranean does it better than anywhere. The right hotel can turn a good holiday into a great one, whether that’s a countryside retreat surrounded by olive groves, a design-led boutique hotel in a historic town, or a laid-back bolthole with an outstanding swimming pool.

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We’ve picked 10 of the best hotels across the Med for a truly sun-soaked escape, from Greek island favourites to Italian classics and lesser-known gems.

For more travel inspiration, check out our picks of the 10 best Mediterranean islands for foodies and best French food trips.

10 best hotels for a sun-soaked Mediterranean getaway

Lou Calen, Provence, France

Relaxation is taken seriously at this rustic chic country estate, an eco-friendly, nature-led retreat steeped in history and Provençal elegance that makes the perfect sunny summer getaway. The grounds are lush with greenery: vines from which you’re encouraged to pluck grapes, heady lavender fields to amble through and gardens where produce for the kitchen is grown, all interspersed with pools and relaxation areas.

Restaurants are dotted around the estate, with Lou Calen Bistrot as an elegant option for dinner. Sit on the terrace with a pear liqueur spritz as the sun sets behind the Cotignac hills, before tucking into the likes of pork ribs with hand-cut fries and housemade BBQ sauce. For a special occasion, book an evening at Jardin Secret Restaurant to try a tasting menu of elevated Provençal cuisine celebrating seasonal ingredients from Alain Ducasse alumni Benoît Witz. For casual brews and bites, La Tuf Festive Bar offers house-brewed beers using seasonal ingredients such as mimosa flowers, and regular pizza and taco nights. Finish the night in the O’Fadoli Pastis Bar, with over 80 anisette and pastis varieties to try.

For a retreat in nature you can stay in the Mico Hamlet – a collection of converted châteaux, some with bedrooms carved into limestone caves. The Providence rooms exude French farmhouse chic with luxuriously large beds, free-standing baths, waterfall showers and locally made olive oil toiletries.

The hotel has an ever-changing calendar of things to do to keep you busy in the sunshine, from sound baths to concerts, clay-modelling and watercolour painting. Next door, visit the Centre d’Art La Falaise to admire the art before popping down to the Mirabeau winery for a tasting experience – grapes are farmed regeneratively to produce refreshing wine.

From £200 a night, check availability at booking.com or loucalen.com

Swimming pool set in the French countryside with sun loungers

Vetera Matera, Basilicata, Italy

Nestled among Matera’s ancient caves, this boutique retreat from Relais & Châteaux brings quiet five-star luxury to Italy’s oldest city. The 23-room hotel is built into the Sassi di Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, blending the ruggedness of the mountains with plush modern interiors.

Rooms on the Noble Floors have a contemporary feel, with high ceilings, exposed brick and large windows that offer panoramic views of the Sassi. For a more immersive Matera experience, stay in the Hypogeum where the underground suites are carved directly into the ancient rock. Three of the master suites also have private pools.

Expect dishes that pay homage to Basilicata produce at Artema Ristorante, where two tasting menus are on offer from chef Eduardo Estatico (à la carte is available for parties with three guests or fewer). Stand-outs include a soufflé paired with Vesuvian costoluto and yellow cherry tomatoes, and Murgia goat mozzarella, as well as rockfish soup with sweet and sour vegetable terrine, seaweed and Matera sourdough bread. Salads, sandwiches and charcuterie are served in the Lounge Bar for casual lunches and dinners. Breakfast consists of a buffet of breads, pastries, cereals, fruit, yogurt or Med vegetables and Italian cheeses for a savoury option, as well as fresh juices and coffee.

The hotel spa is a highlight. The largest of its kind in the Sassi, the Elysium Spa is home to hydropools, a caldarium, sauna, hammam and cold plunge pool, as well as treatment rooms for massages and facials. Wine tastings can be also booked in the cellar, where an expert sommelier will guide you through labels from around the region and beyond.

From £220 per night, check availability at booking.com, expedia.co.uk or veteramatera.com

Sun loungers on a terrace with a view of the village on the hill in the background

Argos in Cappadocia, Turkey

Luxury pays homage to the primeval past at this extraordinary cave hotel in the hilltop village of Uçhisar, the highest to demark the volcanic moonscapes and fairy chimney landforms of Cappadocia.

The contemporary mingles seamlessly but strikingly with the ancient throughout Argos in Cappadocia’s spaces. Most of the hotel’s 71 rooms are architectural hybrids, making use of caves hewn into the rocky hillside (often millennia ago), interlaced with contemporary stone frontages. Rooms described as standard are anything but. Suites may take the form of single-storey warrens, with barrel-vaulted stone sitting areas concealing cave-hewn grotto bedrooms; others are duplex, with rooftop balconies spilling out onto the hillside. Some have their own pool or hot tub.

Nahita is the first farm-to-table restaurant in the region, where all ingredients are sourced from within a 60km radius. The menu centres on the reclamation of the ancient, traditional and local: think succulent lamb cooked in a tandoor for 12 hours, aubergine testi (dough-sealed clay cooking pots) kebabs and pillowy, smoke-scented breads. An array of savoury sweet-sour salads, drenched in viscous, clingy dressings, is an unexpected highlight too. Pan-Mediterranean sister restaurant Seki also retains Nahita’s commitment to local sourcing.

Served in Nahita, breakfast is a feast for the senses, with breads, pastries, salads, dips, meats, cheeses, fruits, nuts and cereals presented on patterned ceramics. The cooked to-order menu offers classic Turkish fare like menemen: eggs scrambled with spices and tomatoes.

Argos’s cave spa offers guests a surreal sojourn into a world of subterranean escapism, while dining privately in the hotel’s ancient converted monastery, though an indulgent add-on, represents a truly one of a kind gastronomic experience. For oenophiles there’s also the largest natural underground wine cellar in Europe, with accompanying pickle room.

From €375 per night, check availability at booking.com or argosincappadocia.com

Argos Cappadocia

Gran Hotel Mas d’en Bruno, Catalonia, Spain

In the vine-laced hills of Catalonia’s Priorat region, Gran Hotel Mas d’en Bruno is a bold reimagining of the traditional Spanish manor house. Once a 12th-century estate, this Relais & Châteaux property now houses 24 suites that strike a harmonious balance between monastic calm and contemporary elegance. Think arched stone walls, custom-made furniture, cool marble interiors, local ceramics and an infinity pool in the silhouette of a wine bottle that is the perfect place to while away a sunny afternoon.

At Vinum, the hotel’s fine-dining restaurant in the main building, chef Josep Queralt elevates local ingredients with quiet precision. The Sent Soví tasting menu is inspired by a medieval recipe book from 1324 and one of the earliest records of Catalan gastronomy. Standout dishes include candied leeks with Bellmunt del Priorat cottage cheese and confit egg yolk, and poultry broth enriched with roasted Reus hazelnuts. Poolside Tarraco is a more relaxed space serving the likes of watermelon and tomato gazpacho, citrus-cured sea bass ceviche and creamy rice layered with ibérico pork loin and Piquillo peppers. At Bruno’s Bar bespoke cocktails and robust Priorat reds are served beside sculptural fireplaces and a terrace that spills into the landscape.

Book Bruno’s Suite for its vaulted ceilings, panoramic vineyard views, freestanding bath and olive oil based local amenities. The in-room bar (yes, a full bar, no mini here) is stocked with bold regional wines and snacks sourced from nearby artisans. Breakfast is a lavish yet unfussy affair: cooked-to-order eggs, flaky ensaïmadas, cheeses from Montsant farms and house-made compotes.

The cellar-level spa is an atmospheric sanctuary offering grape seed treatments, while cycling enthusiasts can borrow the hotel’s electric bikes, making Priorat’s undulating hills a little more forgiving.

Rooms from €350 per night, check availability at masdenbruno.com, mrandmrssmith.com or booking.com

Gran Hotel Mas d'en Bruno, Torroja del Priorat, Tarragona, , Spain The Pool Aerial View

Eliamos, Kefalonia, Greece

Eliamos is an all-villa hotel that blends privacy with five-star hotel luxury and uninterrupted views of the Ionian Sea. Designed to feel like a home away from home, 12 secluded villas are set on the hillside, divided by lavender-lined paths to create a village atmosphere. Expect high ceilings and open beams, generous bathrooms with olive oil toiletries to use in waterfall showers and floor-to-ceiling bi-fold doors opening onto private terraces with saltwater pools that boast uninterrupted sea views.

The on-site open-air restaurant Olais (named after the birds that visit the surrounding olive trees) forms the heart of Eliamos, with all meals enjoyed outdoors with views of the sea, Wake up early to watch the sunrise for breakfast here, where the à la carte menu includes a range of egg dishes and avocado on toast variations, along with Greek specialities such as bougatsa thessalonikis (vanilla cream and cinnamon filled pastries), fresh pita and pancakes with local honey and apricot jam. Enjoy impressive salads at lunch and Kefalonian specialities for dinner, from tomato fritters to Kreatopita (meat pie) with layers of crunchy pastry and tender ragu.

Unwind with in-room spa treatments, walk down a secret path to the secluded beach cove or hop on an e-bike to explore the island. The open-air gym is great for an outdoor workout or guided Pilates class. For a hands-on experience, join a Mediterranean cookery class on the Olais restaurant patio.

From £650, check rates and availability at eliamos.com, booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com

Eliamos, Kefalonia

Villa Paola, Tropea, Italy

Discover rustic luxury at Villa Paola, a pink-hued former 16th-century convent set among the cliffs and hills of Calabria at the southern tip of Italy. From crisp white linen bedding to cool marble bathrooms, a secluded infinity pool and serene courtyards, it is the perfect location for some R&R in the sunshine. Terraces look out to the Costa Degli Dei (coast of the gods) and over the farmland below, where the restaurant grows a lot of its produce. Meander down through the tiered gardens to the hotel’s own hives, and spot Tropea’s famous red onions.

Superior rooms overlook the hills of Tropea and Parghelia, just off the main courtyard, with bird song to gently wake you and white wooden shutters to throw open in the morning. Deluxe rooms offer more sweeping panoramas of the towns, the executive room has a private terrace with views straight out to sea, and the Eremita suite has its own Turkish bath as well as a veranda.

There’s a bistro-style menu on offer during the day with dishes such as sourdough pizzas, red onion salads and club sandwiches. Enjoy an aperitivo overlooking the sea after spending time on the beach or wandering around Tropea. De’ Minimi restaurant offers more refined tasting menus, meticulously designed with seasonality at the forefront and an emphasis on local produce and zero waste. There are various menus but think charcoal-grilled spaghettone with artichoke, fresh sea trout with beetroot and hay, and, to finish, a dessert of goat’s curd ice cream and local honey.

At breakfast, a three-tiered stand of daily-changing treats arrives to the table for enjoying with your morning cappuccino. There’s also a continental buffet of fruit, pastries and cakes, with à la carte options including omelettes and local honey, which is the star of the show here – make sure to load your yogurt with a generous drizzle.

Villa Paola offers rooms from £285 per night, check availability at villapaolatropea.it or booking.com

VILLA PAOLA HR 2018 PH ERIC 27 copy

Iniala Harbour House, Valletta, Malta

Malta's capital city Valletta is one of our new favourite destinations, and still somehow feels like a hidden gem – plus, it's one of Europe's sunniest destinations, with over 300 days of sunshine a year. For five-star luxury, stay at Iniala Harbour House. Situated right on the harbour front, it's the perfect base for exploring the vibrant city.

Made up of four discreet townhouses, there are a range of luxurious rooms and decadent suites to choose from. Rooms and suites within each of the houses vary by design, from bold splashes of colour and eclectic artwork to moody wooden panelling and custom tapestries. The best rooms come complete with private plunge pools and Maltese balconies to sit and watch the boats go by. Enjoy an atmospheric massage in the spa set in the hotel's historic stone vaults or cross the road for holiday fitness in the fully equipped gym.

Book a reservation at Ion Harbour, Simon Rogan's two Michelin-starred restaurant on the rooftop, to enjoy a 12 course tasting menu. Run by Simon Rogan of L'Enclume in the Lake District, the restaurant aims to carry the principles of L'Enclume over to Malta. There is a strong focus on sustainability, working with small local producers and a specialist head of sustainability, forager Keith Abela, to make the most of lesser known local plants and herbs. Breakfast is also served on the rooftop with a short menu of classics to choose from – order an omelette to your liking and pair with a fresh green juice while soaking up the sun.

Doubles from £463 per night, check availability at booking.com, mrandmrssmith.com or expedia.co.uk

Iniala

Casa Cook, Rhodes, Greece

Tucked into the mountain-fringed landscape near Kolymbia, Casa Cook Rhodes is an adults-only retreat that blends soulful design with a connection to nature and community. The hotel's architecture leans into simplicity – whitewashed structures, organic textures and calming pools merge beautifully with olive trees and rugged hillsides. Every room has a unique offering but the shared pool suites are particularly clever – semi-private thanks to verandas and greenery.

Casa Cook takes the Greek concept of parea – a gathering of friends sharing ideas and moments – and infuses it into every aspect, from the communal tables at its Kitchen Club restaurant to the layout of its pools. Food is fresh and thoughtful, with a focus on seasonal ingredients. Breakfast is a standout: local honey, thick yogurt and freshly baked breads sit alongside international options. The Freddo, a blended iced coffee, is also not one to miss. For lunch, Olive restaurant offers a relaxed, poolside setting serving meze plates. Come evening the beach bar pulses with laid-back DJ sets, the ideal backdrop to sip on sweet local Rhodian melitio wine.

Wellness is central here: morning yoga sessions, a tranquil spa and the ever-present backdrop of the mountains create an atmosphere of serene escape. For those seeking a bit more adventure, climb up to the Tsambika Monastery. Along the way you’ll brush shoulders with mountain goats pecking at olive trees until reaching a hilltop with panoramic views across the island’s landscape, where mountains roll into turquoise bays.

Rooms from €209, check availability at casacook.com or booking.com

Casa Cook Rhodes - Main Pool

Royal Hideaway Corales Villas, Tenerife

Framed by panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and bold volcanic peaks, this boutique luxury hotel in the south of Tenerife offers a holistic experience designed for those wanting to recharge and disconnect in the sunshine. It’s sleek and minimalist, a neutral colour palette taking inspiration from the rugged landscape of the island. Large windows and a pool framed with palm trees further the hotel’s spirit of reconnecting with nature.

Junior suites have Nordic-inspired interiors, swim-up pools and sea views. For further privacy the two-bedroom deluxe suites or two- and three-bedroom villas are spacious yet secluded, all equipped with a kitchen, vast terrace, private pool and outdoor lounge areas. At the spa, book highly personalised treatments or spend time in the fully equipped gym, sauna and yoga patio.

Restaurant Bonfire boasts 360-degree island views and light bites such as beetroot carpaccio with feta and grilled almonds, caviar and smoked seabass sandwiches, and steak tartare with grilled bone marrow. For elevated dining, Crater serves two set menus, each paying homage to a different island in the Canaries. Signature cocktails at Materia Elemental Bar are inspired by the four elements – earth, water, fire and air – enriched with subtle Canary Island influences. Alternatively, book paella from scratch cooked in your villa by a private chef.

Expect a lavish breakfast buffet each morning with Canarian cheeses, cured meats, breads and pastries, plus a smoothie bar, hot crispy churros and eggs in any style. There’s even an option to have a floating tray breakfast in your private pool.

Doubles from £297, check availability at booking.com or britishairways.com

Tenerife

Les Sources de Caudalie, France

Twenty minutes’ drive from Bordeaux, Les Sources de Caudalie is the epitome of French country chic. There’s a stone manor house at its heart, a small lake, and a hard-working kitchen garden, plus a hamlet-like extension of suites. Great food and wine are the focus at this gastronomic getaway, but even the finest dining (the hotel’s main restaurant, La Grand’Vigne, holds two Michelin stars) is done without fuss.

The newer, cabin-like suites (designed to reflect the oyster fishermen’s huts of Cap Ferret, in the nearby Arcachon Basin), with their whitewashed timber walls, retro-influenced furniture and spa-like bathrooms, are the ones to splash out on; in the evenings you’ll be serenaded by frogs as you return to your room along flower- and water-lined pathways. In the mornings, step onto your private terrace to soak up the sunshine and watch carthorses ploughing the vines just outside.

The three restaurants at Les Sources have most tastes covered. Celebrate a special occasion with dinner in La Grand’Vigne and enjoy a meal where even the table salts stick in the memory (one of ours, blended with Bordeaux pimento, was the colour of roast peppers). The cheeseboard comes with fresh cottage cheese, from a local dairy, served with a dot of cherry jam.

Doubles from £272, check availability at booking.com, mrandmrssmith.com or expedia.co.uk

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