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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.”

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 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.

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.”

Milos is one of Greece’s lesser-visited islands. (Image: Vangelis Pateraks)