Gundari Brings Off-Grid Luxury Within Reach on the Greek Island of Folegandros
On the Greek island of Folegandros, Gundari is a luxury cliffside retreat that combines five-star comfort, design-forward architecture, and a strong commitment to sustainability. Since opening in 2024, the resort has set a new benchmark for considered, high-end travel in the Cyclades, offering guests thoughtfully crafted spaces and experiences that connect them to the lesser-explored island’s rugged landscape and tranquil rhythms.
Gundari has emerged as a rare example of attainable off-grid travel – a style designed for those who want to step off the beaten track without stepping into complexity. Whether well-versed in the world’s most celebrated destinations or approaching journeys with a more considered, conscious lens, a growing number of guests are placing value on environments that allow for time, attention and reflection.
Off-grid luxury, in this context, is about inhabiting a space that feels removed from the everyday, where Folegandros’ raw cliffs, quiet bays, and sparse villages create a sense of distance from the usual cadences of life - all without having to journey to the ends of the world.
Despite its lesser-known name, reaching Folegandros – and Gundari – is refreshingly straightforward. Travellers can fly into Athens or Santorini, with regular ferry connections linking directly to the island, with the journey from Santorini taking just under an hour. Private boat transfers can also be arranged, delivering guests into a setting that feels simultaneously removed from everyday life without requiring remoteness or complicated logistics.
Recent research suggests more than 60 per cent of high-value travellers are seeking stays that combine restorative environments with cultural resonance, reflecting a desire for travel that is deliberate, replenishing and grounding. Gundari embodies that shift, offering a setting where the landscape itself shapes the experience and each visit allows guests to prioritise presence rather than pace.
Since opening in 2024, the clifftop retreat has attracted international attention and a succession of industry accolades, including recognition on the Condé Nast Traveler Hot List and the 100% Hotel Design Award for Best Resort. Set across 80 acres of protected Cycladic landscape, Gundari is positioned to maximise both privacy and exposure to the island’s natural beauty, providing an environment where guests feel a tangible sense of connection to the land and sea.
The resort’s architecture, conceived by Athens-based studio Block722 Architects+, is integrated into the hillside, with suites carved into the cliffs and terraces that frame uninterrupted Aegean views. Natural materials – hand-finished stone, timber, and neutral palettes – allow the buildings to merge with the terrain, creating spaces that feel part of the landscape rather than imposed upon it. Accommodation is deliberately limited, with cliffside suites and private villas that feature infinity pools and expansive outdoor terraces, granting each stay a feeling of privacy and containment.
Gundari extends this connection to the environment through its approach to sustainability. Native vegetation has been protected and reinstated throughout the property, and the layout preserves natural contours, ensuring minimal impact on the landscape. Guests experience the island’s ecology directly, from walking paths that reveal hidden coves to mindful design choices that prioritise local materials and energy efficiency.
Experiences at Gundari are designed to complement the setting. Sunrise yoga and meditation sessions take advantage of the cliffs’ dramatic panoramas, while the spa offers restorative treatments inspired by Greek wellness traditions, from olive oil massages to body rituals that encourage slower, more deliberate rhythms. Guided hikes reveal secluded beaches and remote villages, and private sailing excursions offer a different perspective on Folegandros’ coast.
Culinary experiences draw on the island’s produce and traditions. The resort’s restaurant, curated by Greek chef Lefteris Lazarou, celebrates seasonal ingredients and fresh seafood, and guests can participate in cooking classes that explore regional techniques. Each meal, framed by sweeping sea views, reinforces the connection to place and the slow rhythm of the island.
Gundari’s Australian founder, Ricardo Larriera, describes the ethos in concrete terms: “Our guests consistently tell us they want to experience the geography of a place rather than navigate the logistics of a trip. They want a setting that allows focus, reflection, and immersion. Folegandros promises that because it has never been developed to accommodate mass tourism. It is a place you inhabit; where you live according to the local pace.”
