Kea Villas

Perched above the island's main village, Ioulida, this small complex of rooms and well-equipped self-catering suites would be the ideal spot to relax after a sightseeing break in Athens (only a couple of hours away by road and ferry) or a longer holiday. It's worth splashing out a little extra for one of the larger, two-bedroom suites that surround the shared pool. Indoors and out, the hotel's feel is modern Cycladic, with white walls and polished concrete floors softened by coconut-fibre mats, comfy sofas, very restful beds and fast WiFi throughout. Living rooms are fitted with electric radiators for cooler spring and autumn evenings. For hot summer nights, there's air conditioning. Open-plan kitchens have full-sized fridges and efficient ceramic-hob cookers, but for those who don't wish to self-cater there is daily buffet breakfast, and the hotel's own To Spiti tis Hora serves lunch and dinner. Ioulida village offers a choice of good cafés and tavernas, but the village centre is many steep steps below Kea Villas, so less energetic guests may opt to hop in a taxi for the return journey. All in all, this is a friendly, professionally-run little complex with good facilities, breathtaking views, and good food and drink, on an often-ignored island that offers a real sense of discovery.