If you’re not ready to surrender to colder days just yet, the Mediterranean promises a variety of stylish retreats for those in search of late-summer sun. September through late October is the clever traveller’s season: the crowds have drifted away, the air feels lighter, and the sea is still warm enough for morning swims. From whitewashed Cypriot villages to Sardinian hilltops and Ibiza’s most discreet bay, these six escapes deliver the perfect blend of warmth, style, and soul — and best of all, they’re only a short flight from Switzerland.
1. Anassa Hotel, Cyprus
Tucked away in the charming village of Neo Chorio, on Cyprus’s UNESCO-protected Akamas Peninsula, Anassa Resort is a masterclass in Mediterranean elegance. The resort has long attracted celebrities and discerning families alike with its palatial take on a traditional village, complete with terracotta rooftops, bougainvillea-draped balconies, and a warm service. Rooms and suites are light-filled and spacious, with marble floors and sprawling sea views, some with private pools for added seclusion. Culinary options span from refined Asian plates at Basiliko to French-Mediterranean gastronomy at Helios, with a traditional Cypriot buffet spread in the replica village square during themed nights. At the Thalassa Spa, seawater therapies and forest-sourced ingredients honour the island’s natural bounty, while water sports, diving, and sailing near the island’s famed Blue Lagoon promise adventure for those who can drag themselves away from the pools and tropical gardens. With its Byzantine-style chapel, beachside privacy, and timeless interiors, Anassa isn’t just a hotel — it’s Cyprus distilled into one sophisticated retreat.
2. Villa Marie, Saint-Tropez
Perched above the sparkling Pampelonne Bay, in a pristine forest just minutes from the heart of Saint-Tropez, Villa Marie is the Riviera’s best-kept secret — a bohemian luxury hideaway close enough to the glamour, yet wrapped in true Provençal calm. Marking its 20th anniversary, this Sibuet family-owned boutique hotel feels more like a whimsical country house than a five-star retreat, with interiors curated piece by piece from antique markets. Each room has its own personality — think four-poster beds, vibrant tones and plush velvets— but all share the sea-salted breeze that drifts through French doors. Outside, exotic gardens tumble beneath the pines, and the hotel’s crown jewel — a swimming pool carved into natural rock, shaded by pine trees and dotted with iconic red parasols — is pure Riviera theatre, perfect for a sun-soaked pause. When evening falls, Dolce Vita restaurant sets the stage for candlelit dinners that prove romance is alive and well in Saint-Tropez. Close enough to dip into the glitz, yet far enough to sigh with relief, Villa Marie is a Provençal sanctuary with boho spirit and Riviera polish.
3. Mandarin Oriental, Bodrum
Bodrum has long been Turkey’s answer to the Riviera — a dazzling peninsula where pine-clad hillsides meet the Aegean, whitewashed villages spill down to turquoise coves, and megayachts fill the harbour. It’s here, tucked into a lush hillside overlooking Paradise Bay, that the Mandarin Oriental Bodrum makes its home. More than a resort, it feels like a glamorous seaside village: two private beaches, sculpted gardens, and sprawling suites (many with plunge pools) that are among the most spacious in the region. The design showcases a balance between contemporary calm and warm, natural textures, with stone and wood framing sea views at every turn. Dining spans from Mediterranean terraces to a sleek asian outpost of Hakkasan, while the vast spa — enhanced by a pioneering partnership with the Mayo Clinic — raises the bar for wellness in the region. By day, guests drift between sound-healing sessions at the Alo Yoga beach club and barefoot lunches by the water; by night, they slip into a rhythm of sunset cocktails and world-class dining. With its blend of polished luxury, mindful living, and Aegean beauty, Mandarin Oriental Bodrum is less a hotel, more a way of life.
4. Four Seasons Astir Palace, Athens
Once the glittering haunt of Brigitte Bardot and Elizabeth Taylor, the Four Seasons Astir Palace has reclaimed its title as the crown jewel of the Athens Riviera. Following a $250 million transformation, the 75-acre resort now marries sixties glamour with contemporary luxury, offering three private beaches, a collection of pools (including an adults-only infinity stunner carved into the cliffside), and restaurants that swing from Nobu Matsuhisa’s Japanese perfection to New York’s beloved Beefbar. Rooms and suites spill across two wings, their sleek lines softened by views of the Saronic Gulf, while the spa revives ancient Greek healing rituals through cupping, hot stones, and revitalising wraps. Days unfold between shaded cabanas, seaside martinis, and quiet coves, proving that Athens isn’t just about ruins and rooftop bars — it’s also Europe’s most stylish late-summer escape.
5. Six Senses, Ibiza
Nestled on the northern tip of Ibiza, Six Senses Xarraca Bay redefines what it means to live well, fusing longevity science with the island’s free-spirited soul. The 116 rooms and cliffside Cave Suites lean into organic minimalism, designed to frame soul-stirring sunsets over the bay. Wellness here is anything but traditional: RoseBar, the resort’s futuristic longevity clinic, offers everything from genetic screening to red-light therapy, while the sprawling spa adds energy healing and biohacking to its Bond-esque design. Dining is rooted in hyperlocal produce from the Six Senses farm, whether you’re sipping kombucha at the Pharmacy Bar, feasting under olive trees at La Plaza, or vibing to live music at the Beach Caves over Latin American plates. Add in music residencies, retreats, and sustainable fashion pop-ups, and you have a community hub that feels less like a hotel and more like the Ibiza we all dream about.
6. AYA Resort, Cyprus
In sun-soaked Ayia Napa, where powdery white beaches meet dramatic sunsets, AYA Resort stands out as a serene, adults-only sanctuary blending Mykonos-inspired design with exotic tranquility. This boutique hideaway, part of the All&More Hotels group, features 45 spacious suites and three striking overwater bungalows, each crafted for ultimate relaxation. Interiors lean into soft, neutral palettes and natural textures, with private terraces designed for slow mornings and sunset cocktails. Dining is a stylish affair at Manna, the resort’s signature restaurant, where Mediterranean flavours meet Asian influences in a setting that feels effortlessly cool. With live DJ sets and poolside beats throughout the day, this is a sophisticated stay miles away from the bustle of Ayia Napa.
7. Petra Segreta, Sardinia
High above the famed Costa Smeralda beaches, Petra Segreta is Sardinia’s Relais & Châteaux jewel — a rustic-chic hotel where romance is measured in sunsets and stillness. Just 27 stone cottages make up this hillside hideaway, each one blending into juniper bushes and granite boulders, with suites offering private heated pools and panoramic terraces. Interiors are refined yet earthy, in tones that echo the rugged hills, while the Balinese spa ensures advanced wellness therapies. Culinary pleasures are at the heart of the experience, with Michelin-starred Il Fuoco Sacro under the guidance of chef Luigi Bergeretto, where Sardinian farm-to-table dining becomes food art. Guests can also set sail on the hotel’s elegant motorboat to tour the local islands— but honestly, with such Italian charm, the hardest decision might be leaving the poolside at all.