“I feel like I’m in a luxury rehab centre,” I whispered to myself, as I sipped a botanical tea and took in my home for the next few days. 

The aesthetic of King Jason Zante, the latest addition to Louis Hotels’ Exclusive Collection in Greece, is no accident. A crescent of sandstone villas, each one overlooking the Ionian sea, sit stoically amongst platelets of gleaming water. Robed guests, the few I see, seem to float from daybeds to infinity pools in a trance-like state. Everything is still or slow, and that’s exactly how it’s meant to be here. 

Located in the quaint village of Tsilivi, King Jason Zante is on a mission to create a sanctuary from our high-speed, consumption-driven world. You won’t find any chandeliers or caviar here; instead, light pours through the floor-to-ceiling windows, and seafood is caught locally. Staff are professional yet laid back, and interiors are sleek without being gaudy. Wallets can be left in the safe, with the all-inclusive board covering meals at all three restaurants as well as snacks, brunch and drinks. 

The goal of the resort is to educate guests on the ‘art of slow living’, and despite having opened just three months ago, it already seems to be doing a masterful job.

Space and silence 

King Jason Zante is shaped like a half-moon, ensuring that all the resort’s 87 villas have unobstructed sea views and an elevated degree of privacy. There are 33 swim-up deluxe and superior suites, all of which include direct access to the main pools from their terrace. Guests staying in the pool-view suites needn’t worry about missing their splash however, as all are within a few metres’ walking distance of water.

There are also currently a number of island villas with private pools being built as part of the resort’s summer 2025 expansion plans. 

Inside, everything has been designed for an optimal sensory experience. The temperature is perfect, controlled by a thermostat that might as well be a magic wand in the 35C heat. The king-sized bed is crisp and plush, with cool sheets that feel like aloe vera against my sun-hit skin. Linen dressing gowns by Vamvax, a high-end Athenian textiler, and natural toiletries, also made in Greece, only add to the therapeutic atmosphere.

Culinary fusions 

Without a doubt, food is where King Jason Zante’s crown truly shines. The resort is home to three restaurants, all of which offer al-fresco dining and impeccable service. Haroub specialises in Levantine cuisine, introducing guests to recipes from across the Middle East through a nine-course tasting menu. Expect small plates of Manakeesh (a flatbread topped by either meat or tomatoes) fresh falafel with creamy hummus, pearl couscous topped by cherry tomatoes and kebab skewers of garlic mushrooms. 

The international flavours continue at Pisco, which offers Peruvian fusion dishes with a Japanese twist. Guests will be treated to a tasting menu of sweet potato dip with tortilla chips and Cuzco corn, vegetable maki rolls with rainbow salad and crunchy deep-fried aubergine. There’s also a ceviche bar and an open kitchen with a state-of-the art Josper Robata-grill.

The most informal restaurant at King Jason Zante is Watergarden, the property’s all-day buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Here guests can expect all the hallmarks of Mediterranean cuisine; picture a salad bar with bountiful vegetables, a charcuterie of deli meats and cheese, and a dessert counter with Greek pastries such as baklava and cream tarts. Chefs prepare local delicacies such as lamb moussaka and loukaniko (orange-spiced sausages), and to please the more British palate, roast chicken and pork chops.

There’s also a small vegan and vegetarian section with lighter dishes like rice pilaf, chickpea stew, and potato croquettes, as well as a wine cave which hosts regular tastings. For afternoon refreshments and nightcaps, you can head to the poolside bar, where cocktails and coffees are served alongside the glistening waters to the music of a live guitarist. An unlikely menu highlight is the fresh lemonade, which tastes like it’s made from lemons plucked straight from the tree.

Slow wellness  

The pools are a standout feature at King Jason Zante, with their 10,000sqm of water weaving through the resort like turquoise moats; there’s also a hydrotherapy nook with massage jets and two aqua bikes.

For fitness, guests can avail of the fully-equipped gym or participate a morning yoga class. This workout space is adjacent to the Purai spa, which offers treatments such as olive seed scrubs, Mediterranean wraps and cryotherapy. There’s also a sauna, steam room and relaxation lounge, all of which share the suites’ sea views.

For experiences that reflect the ‘slow living’ ethos of the resort, guests can try one of the workshops such as pita bread making (booking essential) or enjoy a tranquil picnic under a Cypress tree. It’s worth noting that some activities are still being developed; for example, the olive leaf tea ceremony has yet to be launched. 

As I packed my belongings after a blissful three days, I realised I hadn’t purchased anything to mark my time in Zante. This is partially due to the fact I rarely left the resort (why would you?) and therefore had less opportunity to check out the shopping scene, but it’s also because I hadn’t even had the impulse to spend money in the first place. With all my needs taken care of at King Jason, shopping seemed so far down my list of priorities. 

But standing in the airport departure lounge, I had a moment of weakness - I reached for a fridge magnet in a store, only to instinctively pull away. It was at that moment I realised I didn’t need anything to take home with me, because I’d already found the perfect souvenir - a happier, calmer version of myself. And that beats a magnet, any day. 

How to book it

Nightly rates at King Jason Zante start from €329 per room per night on an all-inclusive basis. 

King Jason Zante can be booked through easyJet Holidays. Flights to Zante can be booked at easyjet.com