Ilio Maris

Ilio Maris is one of the longest-standing hotels on the island, which means the hotel’s lovely and attentive staff know what they’re doing. A 2010 renovation has helped keep the place looking fresh. It combines traditional Cycladean design – whitewashed walls, natural materials like stone and wood – with clean, modern lines and a minimalist aesthetic.

The rooms are decorated in a unique style, with cool grey textured walls and modern furnishings. The Sea View rooms come with a private balcony, as do some of the Family and Triple rooms. The latter category overlooks the swimming pool and is well-suited to friends traveling together.

Said swimming pool is large and offers excellent views of the sea, and a swanky poolside bar is on hand to keep you cool with iced drinks. The continental breakfast is very good, with a wide variety of options.

The hotel is a short walk from Little Venice and the island’s iconic windmills and about 15 minutes from the town’s gay nightlife. Even better, Chora’s Southern Bus Station is under a 5-minute walk, giving you extremely easy and convenient access to gay-popular Super Paradise beach and the island’s main resort hub, Platys Gialos.