Hotel Anemomilos

Hotel Anemomilos is one of the best-rated small properties on the west coast. It stands in Agia Anna, a minute's walk from the beach and about three minutes from Agios Prokopios, with Plaka Beach around a quarter of an hour on foot. The booking partner lists it as a guesthouse-style property with an outdoor pool with sun loungers and umbrellas, free parking and WiFi, air conditioning, kitchenettes, balconies or patios in some rooms, a library, a concierge, tour and ticket assistance and on-site car rentals. Breakfast is available as a buffet for a fee. Guests give it about nine and a half out of ten across more than a hundred and thirty reviews, with praise for cleanliness, the friendly manager and staff, the pool, the breakfast and the location.

The combination of beach, pool and self-catering makes it ideal for families and for couples on longer stays. The kitchenettes let you prepare simple meals, and the surrounding area has supermarkets, tavernas and bakeries. Childcare services and free infant beds are mentioned, which helps parents of babies. Staying here means you can walk to the sea in a minute, return to a quiet pool and sit on a balcony in the evening.

Be aware of the trade-offs. Some rooms face a dirt road, the access street is described as poorly maintained, WiFi can be slow at times and the area around Agia Anna is lively and busy in high season. There is no lift, so ask for a ground floor room if stairs are a problem. Mattresses are firm for some guests. If you want peace, ask for a room facing away from the road and consider visiting outside August.

The on-site car rental is convenient for exploring the island, as are the tour desk and the concierge. Agia Anna is also a bus stop for Chora, and taxis run from the village. Because the property is small, it sells out early, so reserve well ahead for peak summer. Spring and autumn are good times to visit, with warm water in September and quiet beaches in June. Confirm seasonal opening dates with the hotel if you plan to travel outside the summer months.

Families often return to properties like this, and it is easy to see why. You can swim in the morning, have a late breakfast on the balcony, go to the beach with the umbrellas and return to the pool in the afternoon. The staff can help with tickets, tours and car hire, so you can plan boat trips and village days without leaving the premises. Ask about early check-in and late check-out around ferry times, and note that breakfast is an optional extra, so you can also buy fresh pastries from a nearby bakery.