Calling Greek island fans out there...

[famousfour]

I am considering options for summer next year - two young DC. Looking for recommendations on hotels, small villas or b&bs... we tend to like the slightly more out of the way low key islands (e.g. Paxos rather than Corfu, Milos rather than Mykonos) and more boutique / family run accommodation rather than AI. Ideally a pool for the DC. We aren't wedded to any particular island, more a combination of the right island / appealing accommodation.

Would love to hear if anyone has any fab places to recommend that might fit the bill?

Don't rule out small resorts on the more popular islands, if budget is important, as they tend to be cheaper to get to. Vasilikos on Zakynthos was lovely. The Peloponnese on the mainland is great too.
I can pm you details of S/C accommodation if you're interested.

We are just back from 21 days on Naxos, Paros and AntiParos.. Had an amazing holiday and really enjoyed the islands. Flew to Athens and got the ferry to Naxos. Stayed in lovely Agia Prokopios in a small hotel with a pool and apartment 50meters from the beach. Then ferry again to Paros and stayed in several small hotels in various parts of the island.. let me know if you would like any info.. fantastic holiday and really good value for a longer break.

Well.... we are huge Paxos fans so I'd always stay there.

But if you wanted a recommendation elsewhere, we also really liked Naxos - stayed at Villa Marandi which I think might suit your requirements.

Thanks very much all. Villa Marandi looks interesting thanks! I've not been to Paxos yet but it appeals... Any recommendations? At first sight it seems more villa orientated.

Paxos is wonderful. We go in September, I think it can get busy in August though - its a favourite haunt of Italians then. There are three main places to stay - Gaios, Lakka and Loggos. Lakka would probably have more facilities for a young family, Loggos is small and so pretty, but quieter. Its a safe family friendly island, great food, a bit expensive compared to some islands but worth it IMHO. It is more villa orientated than hotels, though there are a few hotels. You can go on boat trips, or do what we do and hire a boat, take a picnic and find somewhere quiet to spend the day. The boats all have canopies so plenty of shade for children.

Cant recommend anywhere as we stay in a one bedroom cottage so not much good for you! Glyfada Beach Villas are supposed to be good if you wanted to be with other people around. Oh and there's a FB group for Paxos with lots of accommodation suggestions too. Happy hunting.

summerdaisyboo we are off to the Cyclades next month, would love some tips! Sorry to hijack thread...

Where are you going in the Cyclades?

"Don't rule out small resorts on the more popular islands, if budget is important, as they tend to be cheaper to get to."

This ^^. In recent years we have been to low key resorts in Corfu and Crete, and had fabulous holidays there. In Crete we wouldn't have known that we were only 4 miles from Malia as it was so quiet where we were.

Our hotel was very upmarket and the people running it were fantastic. Sadly they are now a child free hotel otherwise I would have recommended it.

Rethymnon on Crete. With young children you're not going to be wanting to go to airports miles away to fly out or to faff with ferries. It's a lovely town with small places to stay (but check you'll be staying in the town and not the wider area) and a beach.

famousfour flying to Mykynos, leaving there asap, other than that three weeks of no plans yet! Any good suggestions welcomed.

Lakki village on Amorgos, we've just got back and the kids are asking to go back to our 'New home'. Don't know how to get it through to them!
The hotel has a lovely salt water pool, is right on the beach, a short walk to a little town, quiet and gorgeous.
Amorgos is quiet but the food was great and we found plenty to do

We did a fabulous island hopping holiday, started in Milos, then Kilmilos, Naxos then Santorini. We stayed in this villa in Naxos which we loved: www.villadelona.com

Lefkada is beautiful especially the coast near Nidri. Several hotels there.

Thanks all - will look at those although I think another thread on terrible airports has just put me off going to Crete!

Bamboo - in terms of the Cyclades I liked milos and folegandros a lot. Both are smaller (folegandros very small) and lower key (although I imagine everywhere is busy in August). Lots of unorganised beaches and coves for exploring - smaller hotels rather than resorts. Folegandros in particular has very dramatic scenery. In milos I would stay in pollonia where there are some nice restaurants etc. In Folgandros we stayed in the Hora which was great. In both you can just hire a buggy/quad bike type thing to get around. I've also seen good things about Sifnos and Serifos although I haven't been but intend to hopefully at some point.

Esmes what did you think about Naxos compared to Milos?

Ps on Amorgos I once booked the 'wrong ferry' - which meant taking the 'scenic' route between islands... aside from five hours of tedium it did have the benefit of introducing us to a bunch of islands I'd never heard of. Amorgos was one and kifnoussi another!

This is really helpful, thanks so much. Still trying to get me head around island names - Sifnos, Serifos, Syros, Sikonos, yikes!!!!

I preferred Milos famous for the scenery, beaches and walking, the bit in Naxos we mainly chilled out in the villa so we didn't see much of the island.

Sorry to hijack.

Just wondering if any of these islands are quick/easy to get to and can be visited on a budget (£2000-3000, high season for 3 or 4 of us) in basic SC accommodation with a pool?
I really can't stand much more than a 2-3 hour transfer from the airport, which has put me off visiting islands with no airport.

We wanted to go to Lefkada this year, but couldn't find suitable accommodation within budget.

If you love Paxos, as I do, look at Agios Stephanos North East in Corfu. Nothing will ever beat Loggos for me, but its close. Lovely small bays nearby, like Koulourra, Kerasia and Kaminaki. There are some great villas in the area.

I havent been yet, but I think Meganissi near Lefkada is like Paxos.

Ooo another Loggos fan Wish I was sitting at Roxi Bar right now with one of Kostas' G & Ts...

Obviously I need to visit Paxos!

This year will be our fourth on Skiathos. Cannot recommend it highly enough for families. We have previously always stayed at the same place but have chosen somewhere more upmarket this year. Two weeks has cost £2970 self catering for three of us.

OnyK.
A quick look at www.sunshine.co.uk shows some self catering accommodation in Nidri on Lefkas, well within your budget for next year.
I know nothing about the company so do your research before booking.
I've been to Nidri many times and can recommend it for a great holiday - particularly if you like boats.
Transfers take approx 40 minutes by road from Preveza airport.
Can catch buses to visit other places and can rent small motorboats which you drive yourself to potter around the bay and stop off at other small, quiet harbours.
Can catch a public ferry to a place whose name escapes me(!) and can get a very early public car ferry to visit Kefalonia for the day.
Lovely place.

Thanks Winged, I'll take a look.
We always book independently, but I generally start looking at the Travel Agents' sites first before booking directly for cheaper!
Off to The Peloponnese tomorrow...I can't wait.

Nefeli Sunset Studios in Milos

DH and I love it. The owners are so friendly. It's self catering - the rooms and suites are gorgeous, one has a hot tub. It's in a little village with great bars and places to eat - really peaceful and traditional - not built up at all. The views and sunsets are amazing.

You need to hire a car to get around the island - there are so many amazing beaches. There's an amphitheatre and a museum, caves, boar trips and hardly any tourists - heaven. Honestly it's my favourite place on earth