Twentyone Hotel, 21 Kolokotroni street, Athens (00 30 210 623 3521; www. twentyone. gr). Doubles start at 190, including breakfast.

Belvedere Hotel, Mykonos More grown-up than the quirky Theoxenia and cosier than Mykonos Blu, the Belvedere is the island's most elegant boutique hotel, a vision of billowing white drapes and theatrical styling. The allwhite design encompasses 36 rooms and suites decked out in a kind of 'Victoria Beckham does Greek Goddess' look . . .

which is just the kind of clientele the hotel attracts. If you want flashbulbs to pop when you make an entrance at dinner (at the branch of Nobu), this is the place to come. Recent pool-side poseurs are said to have included P Diddy.

Belvedere Hotel, Mykonos Town, Mykonos (00 30 228 902 5122; www. belvederehotel. com). Doubles start at 105, including breakfast.

Emelisse Hotel, Cephalonia Forget your standard choice of room or suite: at Emelisse, maisonettes and family apartments are also down on the list. The hotel is surrounded by cypress and cedar trees on Cephalonia's rugged coast. Its smart but cosy interior has an almost Scandinavian feel, with teak furniture and light, airy styling. Of more local provenance are the smart Korres toiletries. The outside spaces are what really make this hotel, though. Especially at night when you can lounge on one of the terraces and indulge in star-gazing. Other facilities include bars, restaurants, a gym, tennis courts and two swimming pools.

Emelisse Hotel, Emblissi Bay, Fiskardo, Cephalonia (00 30 26 740 41200; www. arthotel. gr). Doubles start at 303, including breakfast.

Rocabella Suites, Santorini At this collection of bungalows and suites clustered at the top of a dramatic cliff, the star attraction is the view. You gaze down on the remains of a volcano that tore this part of the Mediterranean apart. It is especially powerful at sunset. Do not expect the same degree of luxury as some of the other boutique hotels, though the honeymoon suites feature some intriguing one-off pieces of furniture. The Rocabella is a property apart for several reasons:

reasonable prices; attractive, locallyinspired architecture (heavy on whitewash and stone) plus sparkling blue pools; and remaining open all year.

Rocabella Suites, Santorini (00 30 228 602 3711; www. rocabella. gr). Doubles start at 165, room-only.

Sani Asterias Suites, Halkidiki One for the high-maintenance jet-setter rather than lovers of hippy chic, the 50 suites feature marble flooring, classical rather than fashionable furnishings, and access to a private marina and white-sand beaches. One of the main attractions is sport. Facilities include clay tennis courts, a mountain biking centre and access to catamarans, diving, waterskiing and kayaking. Afterwards, guests can dine in the hotel's gourmet restaurant, or arrange a candlelit dinner on their private terrace.

Sani Asterias suites, Kassandra, Halkidiki (00 30 237 409 9500; www. saniresort. gr).

Suites start at 182, including breakfast.