The Rooster is a ‘slow living’ wellness retreat in Greece that combines farm-to-table dining with organic, imperfect interior design. Rose Dykins reports
A new luxury boutique resort called the Rooster is opening on the Greek island of Antiparos – known for its slow living and its fascinating landscape – this summer, on June 1.
The Rooster’s founder and owner, Athanasia Comninos wants the resort to helps foster respectful tourism to Antiparos. Committed to working in harmony with nature and its local community, the property will offer an unpretentious, mindful approach to wellness, centred around the laid-back local lifestyle.
Antiparos is one of Greece’s Cyclades islands (along with Mykonos and Santorini). With sandy unspoilt beaches, caves filled with stalagmites and stalactites, and wide, open fields, the island is less crowded than its Cyclades counterparts in the summer months, meaning it’s a more peaceful choice for a holidaymakers.
The Rooster’s “Wake-up-Call” approach to wellness is about disconnecting from the busyness of everyday life and relishing the pace of slow-living.
This is inspired by Comninos’s own wake-up call moment in her life, where she re-evaluated what was truly important to her, and wanted to create “a safe haven for those who aspire to personal growth through travel, art and culture, where happiness can be appreciated in small details and simple pleasures”. 
The Rooster’s website reads: “Everything is about ease, enjoyment and fulfilment – like waking up to a view of the sea, sharing tasty food prepared with love and care and being affected by the euphoric energy of the island.”
The organic materials used in the hotel’s minimalist construction and décor – such as wood, marble and cotton – create a “wabi-sabi” aesthetic – a Japanese concept for the appreciation for the beauty of things in their natural, imperfect and unaltered state.
The Rooster has 17 houses, villas and suites that vary in size, but each of them has Aegean Sea views, a private garden and an outdoor shower. 
Their furnishings combine eclectic textures and a soothing colour palette, creating a calming, casual vibe.
The Rooster’s farm-to-table restaurant features fish freshly caught by local fisherman, local indigenous vegetables, locally produced cheeses and eggs and fruit from the resort’s own farm – all used to create regional and international dishes.
The Rooster also has an open-air bar, with a nearby “secret garden”. There’s also a picnic menu, where guests will be able to order organic food and drink to take with them to the beach.
The holistic spa will offer custom-made treatments and packages, geared towards helping guests to recharge and rejuvenate their body and mind.
The Rooster’s wellness approach also involves incorporating enriching local experiences, with a guest experience team on hand. Options will include exploring Antiparos’s ancient Despotiko ruins, touring the island’s incredible caves, and even dancing the night away before staying awake and catch the sunrise.
Currently, Greece is set to reopen for tourists this summer, whether they have been vaccinated or not. Vaccinated travellers will not need to take a PCR test or self-isolate upon arrival, and everyone else will need to present a negative test result before travelling.
Photo credits: Yannis Rizomarkos and Nick Nikolaou. Styling: Anestis Michalis