Saint Andrea Seaside Resort Hotel ★★★★

Paros is a postcard-perfect example of a Greek island with all the bells and whistles. Flanked by the warm waters of the Aegean Sea, it offers a little slice of paradise fronted with whitewashed houses and gnarly olive trees. Lazy beaches swoon around the coast, too, peppered with cosy eateries serving up a mouth-watering menu of freshly caught fish and light Mediterranean cuisine. As well as an abundance of cute hillside villages and sprawling sea views, Paros is famed for its water sports culture, playing host to summer winds that flutter all manner of sails.

It was this combination of traditional Greek scenes and a dash of adventure that drew me and my other half to Paros in search of a romantic retreat. Wanting a mixture of typical Greek design and sandy shores, we checked into the Saint Andrea Seaside Resort Hotel ****, a cute complex set right on the beach. We arrived just as the sun was beginning to dip low on the horizon, the Saint Andrea rising up like a magical mirage next to the egg-shell smooth waters of the sea. Featuring a stuccoed layout of simple white buildings framed by cobblestones, low-lighting, and bursts of bougainvillea, it was exactly what we were looking for.

Our room was equally as delightful, boasting a flurry of traditional whitewashed walls and a serene mix of muted tones. The calming design crept right out onto our private balcony, where we sipped local wine overlooking the surreal blue of the Aegean Sea. The whole place oozed with intimacy, from the curved archways and flower displays, to the authentic décor and the endless nooks and crannies.

We enjoyed kicking back by the pool, cocktail in hand, whiling away the day in a mesmerising bubble of blue skies and warm sunshine. And, when we wanted to dig our feet into the sand, we ventured the few metres to the beach which welcomed us with empty, open arms. The Saint Andrea offers a private slice of shoreline for its guests which we took full advantage of, setting up our own personal viewing point across the endless waters to the hazy horizon beyond. We packed a little adventure into our trip too, trying our hands at windsurfing along the coast, taking in our own little paradise from a different perspective. We strolled through old towns imbued with a rich tapestry of culture, history, and food, and sipped carafes of wine down narrow, winding streets.

When the romantic veil of darkness swathed the island we propped up the bar in the Saint Andrea, a refreshing gallery of white walls and contemporary design. Dinner in Greece is a delicious date, too, and we savoured the flavours of grilled lamb, juicy vegetables, and dollops of sticky, sweet dessert in the on-site restaurant. Amidst the stone pillars and tumble of greenery, we felt a million miles away from the stresses and responsibilities of daily life. We were locked away in our own little world; a world pieced elegantly together in a mishmash of old and new. We were looking for a romantic retreat and we certainly found it in the intimate arms of the Saint Andrea.