Far from the crowds of Santorini, the island of Paros is quietly becoming one of Greece’s most enchanting honeymoon destinations. At its heart sits Andronis Minois, a serene five-star sanctuary where design, dining and deep relaxation meet the shimmering Aegean. Our resident globe-trotter and Honeymoons writer, Lisa Perkovic, steps inside this intimate hideaway today and discovers a romantic escape crafted for couples seeking beauty, tranquillity and a touch of indulgent Greek magic. Enjoy your weekday escape to the Greek Islands Dotties! 

It’s early to be out and about, especially in Greece, but we’ve been lured from bed by the wafting smell of fresh pastries. We follow our noses down small winding paths and lush gardens until we stumble upon beautiful tables stepping down to the sea. Waves lap against the rocks. It’s quiet and dramatic all at once. This isn’t a bakery in the back streets of a Greek village. It’s the Andronis Minois, a five-star hotel tucked into a quiet pocket of Paros.

Honeymooners might flock to Santorini, a three hour ferry ride away, but this morning this lesser known Cyclades island feels close to paradise. With two main villages, Parikia and Naoussa, both with harbours, tiny cobblestoned streets to get lost in and quaint white washed buildings, Paros has charm in spades. Its many sandy beaches and clear waters have also put it on the map.

When it comes to honeymoons, the island’s mix of untouched beauty and laid-back bohemian energy offer up plenty of loved up moments. As I bite into a buttery Greek donut, with my special someone at my side, I’m feeling pretty loved up myself. Pastry is the way to my heart, but the setting is doing some heavy lifting too.

Breakfast at Andronis Minois starts in the family kitchen – at least that’s what it feels like when we walk into the open plan dining connecting the hotel pool and a large patio overlooking the sea. A big curved kitchen island is stocked with cereals, yoghurt, pastries, donuts, cookies, fruit and traditional Greek pies. We sit out on the patio, the ocean breeze in our hair, whilst sipping fresh orange juice and mango smoothies. After a few more pastries than I care to admit, we tuck into a la carte dishes like chocolate crepe and Greek potato omelette. As much food as possible is sourced locally on the island.

It’s love at first sight for me when it comes to the rest of the hotel too. With just 44 rooms, the entire space is designed like a Greek village, centred around the pool and restaurant. Rebuilt from an existing hotel in 2023, every inch is well manicured in a relaxed way. The pool is surrounded by day beds, bean bags and lounge chairs. There’s rattan rugs on the ground and fringed towels. The white plaster Greece is famous for is everywhere. From the curves of our bed and the walls of our suite; the bench seats and bar of Olvo Restaurant, even the reception and lobby are plaster too, so the entire space seems to flow seamlessly.

If you’re staying in one of the 9 suites with private plunge pools, your bedroom leads straight out to some of the biggest private pools I’ve ever seen. With lounge chairs inside the water, and a shallow edge, it’s similar to having your own private beach.

But it’s not just about the pools. The hotel team are quick to help you find some of Paros’s famous beaches. They point us in the direction of the local beach just a five minute walk away and tell us about the beach club bars on the sand. There are  also free shuttles that run guests into the two main towns every two hours from 12pm until into the evening. At Andronis you’re hidden away in a special private pocket of the isles, but they’re also keen for you to get out and explore this special place.

We venture out into Naoussa but quickly hightail it back for an afternoon by the pool. Dinner has us following our noses again down to the very front row seats of Olvo restaurant. Side by side, our seats look straight out to the view, where waves crash on a rocky headland that reminds me of the Australian coastline. My special someone’s Tropical Temptation cocktail is topped with a coconut foam that’s almost too pretty to drink.

We have no hesitations at all diving into dinner – grilled Artichokes with vegan basil pesto, slow cooked beef cheeks and carrot puree and thinly sliced rib eye slices are a taste of the sharing menu where modern Greek dishes put produce on show. There’s plenty of seafood, like sea bream carpaccio, grilled octopus and lobster pasta as well as dessert. It you haven’t fallen in love with Andronis already, this is where it happens. A jumbo sized Greek Bougasta – layered sheets of pastry and custard, drizzled in chocolate sauce is a perfect blend of crunch and cream.

The pistachio profiterole is also made for giants but we’re not shy about polishing it off. As the sun sets behind the headland  we watch the sky turn a deep purple into darkness.  We are well fed and feel well loved by a place that seems to want to hold you in its arms.

Thank you to the lovely Lisa Perkovic as always. This hidden gem in the Greek Islands, delivers a getaway that feels both indulgent and grounding. For couples dreaming of a honeymoon that balances adventure with tranquillity, it sounds like that this is a destination that truly delivers! 

About Lisa Perkovic: Lisa has spent the past decade travelling the world writing for Australia’s leading newspapers, magazines, and blogs about all things travel. Her own honeymoon was her pièce de résistance – an epic journey to the Maldives and South Africa. Now she loves nothing more than sharing destinations and tips to help other newlyweds work out how to have the honeymoon of their dreams.