Ammos Naxos

Ammos Naxos is for travellers who want peace more than a beachfront address. It sits in the countryside near the Aliki and Agios Arsenios area, a short drive from Agios Georgios Beach and a bit further from Plaka, and the booking partner describes the setting as rural. The property has an outdoor pool with sun loungers and umbrellas, a poolside bar, a terrace, a garden, a spa offering massages, facials and nail treatments, a hot tub and a library. Free WiFi, air conditioning and self-parking are included, bikes can be rented, and there are barbecue grills for guests. A free ferry terminal shuttle is a useful extra on arrival day.

Guests rate the property around nine out of ten from a small number of reviews, with very high marks for cleanliness and facilities and praise for the owner, the pool and the garden. Location is the weak score, and for good reason: this is not a place you can walk from.

Common complaints include the remote setting, limited breakfast options and occasionally slow WiFi. If you have a hire car, those points matter less, because the beaches, the port and the town are all a short drive away, and you return each evening to a quiet garden.

It works well for couples who want a retreat and for travellers who plan to spend time at the pool, with a book from the library and a drink from the bar. Families with young children should think about the lack of nearby restaurants and the need to drive. A shuttle from the ferry terminal is mentioned as free, but confirm the arrangement and timing in advance, especially for late arrivals.

Ask the hotel for restaurant recommendations, because the best tavernas in this part of the island are small and local. Book early for the summer season, since a small property has few rooms, and consider visiting in spring or autumn when the garden is at its best. Check seasonal opening dates and spa availability before you travel. Pair the stay with day trips to the villages, the Temple of Demeter and the south-west beaches, all easy by car from this side of the island.

The best use of this hotel is as a rural retreat. Spend slow mornings by the pool, take an afternoon at a beach a short drive away and return for a barbecue or a quiet drink in the garden. Guests who enjoy cycling can rent bikes for the flatter coastal roads.

Ask the owner about local producers, wine, cheese and farm shops, because a small hotel in the countryside is often connected to the people who grow and make the food. Bring a torch or phone light for walking in the dark, since lighting is minimal.