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Naxos experts - pros and cons of Kymata vs. Agios Prokopios Hotel

Naxos experts - pros and cons of Kymata vs. Agios Prokopios Hotel

Old Feb 15th, 2017, 05:39 AM
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Naxos experts - pros and cons of Kymata vs. Agios Prokopios Hotel

We are debating to stay at either the Hotel Kymata or Agios Prokopios hotels in Naxos during the first week of September 2017. Two adults, two boys (4 and 6).

Right now, both hotels would run about 450 euros for a four night stay.

Kymata seems appealing because it is close to St George's beach. But it doesn't have a pool. It is also close to Naxos town.

Because interested in Agios Prokopios Hotel because it was recommended by Matt Barrett's Guide and because it has a pool. I don't know if MB has a agenda or is trustworthy. Some people on this forum prefer this beach to St George. We have small children but they aren't toddlers. Also, from what I have read, there are nice tavernas, etc. within walking distance.

Thoughts?

Additionally, Anthony Bourdain just did a Parts Unknown about Naxos. It's ondemand right now in the United States. It gave a neat perspective on the people of Naxos.
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Old Feb 15th, 2017, 08:37 AM
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Agios Prokopios Hotel is much newer and very well appointed. I am sure it will be lovely place to stay if you are looking for a resort kind of place.

Logistics will be important. Given the location of Prokopios to get into town or to visit other places in the island You will need a car or use the local KTEL bus which runs every half hour to Naxos town or of course you can take a taxi.

Kymata on the other hand is 75 meters from St George beach which will be full of young children at this time of year. It is definitely not a resort but it is a nice hotel. It is a family run hotel with a good personal touch from the owners.
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Old Feb 15th, 2017, 08:48 AM
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You will get the best recommendations for Naxos hotels right here on the Fodor's forum from regulars such as stanbr. Many people want a hotel with a pool, but with the beautiful beaches on Naxos, and the clean, crystal-clear water of the Aegean Sea, I don't see the point of one. The sea water will be perfect for swimming in September.

Regarding St George (Agios Georgios) Beach vs Agios Prokopios, that's a toss-up. I like the Agios Prokopios beach better myself, but always stay in the St George area, because it's only a 10 minute walk into Naxos Town, and evenings are magical in town. It's easy to get to Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna, and Plaka beaches during the day by bus.

I saw the Anthony Bourdain show on Naxos, and frankly found it very strange. It got a mixed reaction from people who live on the island. Naxos is better than that!
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Old Feb 15th, 2017, 08:48 AM
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Haha, your ears must have been burning, stanbr!
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Old Feb 15th, 2017, 09:58 AM
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I had to run an errand and got cut off so didn't finish my reply. Right you are Heimdall. I too prefer Plaka beach and Prokopios to St George they are better beaches. On days where we want to spend all our time on the beach we just hop the bus and head out around 10 and return for late afternoon rest at St George before walking into town. Like you we believe the beach town combination is unbeatable particularly with kids.

Hopefully some images will help you decide.
St George Beach Hotels Naxos http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7632162394787/
St George Beach Naxos http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7632113170279/
Naxos Town http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7632094558042/

Aggia Anna and Ag Prokipos beach areas https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr...57656297072028
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Old Feb 15th, 2017, 10:13 AM
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You folks are so helpful with my million questions.

I'm wondering if I can find something more resort-y than Kymata but not as expensive as Nissaki in the St George area.

The Kymata seems perfect for me but Mr. Overit might want something more upscale...
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Old Feb 15th, 2017, 06:05 PM
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Heimdall, I agree with you totally, I thought the Bourdain video on Naxos was completely Weird -- did not at all give visuals of the dramatic beauties of the landscape & beaches -- didn't really convey the bounty of local produce or seafood or lamb or wine etc etc. And ended with a beach bonfire that is totally illegal. Feh. I'm still waiting for a good video on Naxos (but let us PRAY there never will be a movie made there or tour busses will arrive!).
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Old Feb 16th, 2017, 09:08 AM
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Very near Kymata at St George check out Naxos Resort Beach Hotel.
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Old Feb 16th, 2017, 09:53 AM
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Thanks for all of your suggestions and your patience with me. I know you've offered many recommendations - I look everyone up, trust me!

I finally figured out how to get street views, which made evaluating the hotels so much easier.

It seems like it makes more sense to stay near the town, with the kids, even though the Prokopios and Plaka beaches are better.

I looked at the Naxos Beach Resort Hotel - it's very pretty! About 200 euros a night for my dates, which is doable but some reviewers found it impersonal with not enough value for the money.

I'm wondering about St. Vlassis. I looked it up on the streetview thing and it seems tucked back from the beach - but that might not be a bad thing if we get more for our money further from the beach. The hotel seems to be beautiful and the owners are said to provide a personal touch. Price is good for our dates.
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Old Feb 16th, 2017, 06:12 PM
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I have never even bothered to look at St Vlassis. It is a newer hotel built in a farmers field. That means two things it is new and upscale and you need a car to do anything else but stay at the hotel. It in fact gets good reviews and the images clearly show a lovely hotel.

It all comes back to what I said earlier. If you are resort type of people meaning you want to spend virtually all your time at the hotel complex then this is a good place.

If you want a Greek experience with your kids meeting new friends on the beach every day and are able to walk into town whenever you want to see how Greeks live then Kymata or something else at St George is what you should do.

You keep finding resort types of hotels. Thats OK if that's what makes you happy.

Being tied to the hotel for most of my activities is the last thing I would ever want so I am biased. Everyone is different.

I keep thinking about your kids and the beach and the town activities and hope you choose simple over fancy but you need to go with your gut.
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Old Feb 16th, 2017, 07:26 PM
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Frankly Greece isn't a "resort hotel" type of country. Part of the charm is walking around town, visiting local shops, and eating in family-run cafes, tavernas, and restaurants. People who isolate themselves in a resort miss the best part of Greece. It's only recently that these large hotel complexes have started cropping up, and frankly that alarms me.
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Old Feb 17th, 2017, 01:52 AM
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I'm glad you are being patient with me.

For many years, my husband and I travelled on shoestring budgets throughout Europe and Asia, staying in small and dark hostels, apartments, and not-very-clean places. I guess I'm still scarred by being trapped in a damp little apartment in Barcelona for four days with a shower that didn't work.

We've never done a beach vacation, ever, so I'm guessing I have no idea what to expect. We've also never gone on vacation with kids.

St. Vlassis looks lovely on the inside but the streetview shows a field in the middle of nowhere. It's really offputting. And I cannot bring myself to book at the Naxos Resort Beach Hotel. I tried.

We haven't gone on a vacation in five years - and can go maybe once per year - maybe it's dumb to try and shoehorn everything into this one trip. I'm inclined right now to stick to Kymata, where we have a reservation, and save the resort-type place for our next beach vacation.
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Old Feb 17th, 2017, 05:09 AM
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I failed to say that Naxos Resort while lovely appears to be a more corporate hotel and our experience was the staff wasn't particularly friendly. Your instincts could be quite perceptive.

I can give you other options. Another resort type hotel is Galaxy. Its at the other end of the beach from Kymata back 200 meters from the beach. It gets good reviews but is priced like it was on the beach.

Right next door is the little gem, Hotel Spiros. It is a tourist class hotel. No resort feel, very Greek Meaning family run by people who are happy you are there. It has a pool and a great breakfast. We have visited it several times and many of the top floor units have ocean view. It has kitchenettes which is great for kids who might need servicing anytime.

Both Galaxy and Spiros are in the St George beach album I posted above.
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Old Feb 17th, 2017, 08:53 PM
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Another option is Hotel Argo, which is near Naxos Resort Hotel and one street away from St George Beach. The rooms are immaculately clean, and have great showers. Hotel Argo is owned by a very nice Greek-Swedish family who have always been helpful to me. When I let them know what ferry or flight I am on they are there to meet me with free transport to the hotel.

Hotel Argo is likely to be cheaper than the hotels mentioned by stanbr. I understand it has been renovated since I was last there, and now bills itself as a boutique hotel.
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Old Feb 18th, 2017, 02:40 AM
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Argo looks like it might bridge the gap between me wanting a family-run place, smaller by St George's beach and Mr. Overit wanting something immaculate and well-appointed. From the reviews, its seems we may need earplugs. I booked a suite and messaged them to let them know we are two adults and two kids. We will see what they say.
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Old Feb 18th, 2017, 03:52 AM
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Unless something has changed drastically since I was there, you won't need earplugs at Argo! I've been there in May and June, and don't recall any noise at all, in fact remember it being very quiet.

I've now read some reviews with complaints about noise on booking(dot)com, but frankly they surprise me. Perhaps Argo has a new building that isn't as well soundproofed as the older ones, which I thought were very nice. Check for availability of apartments at Argo, which I believe are in a separate nearby building.
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Old Feb 19th, 2017, 03:05 AM
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Yes, there apparently appears to be "Argo Apartments" and "Argo Boutique," with the "Boutique" being the renovated part and more expensive part.

Good recommendations.. now am deciding between Kymata and the Argo...you two (and travelerjan) have convinced me it's best to stay by St George's because it's close to town.

Last night at dinner, I was discussing with my husband whether we should book a hotel with or with our a pool in Naxos and my six-year old (a Pisces) lit up when he heard the word "pool."

I was thinking I would take the boys to the pool in the morning when they are up and full of energy. Mr. Overit likes to sleep in and then when Mr. Overit gets up, all head to town or around the island. Then lunch, nap, beach, town dinner....
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Old Feb 19th, 2017, 03:25 AM
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Overlt, last time I stayed at Argo was before the pool was built, so perhaps my recollections are outdated. I stayed in ordinary rooms in a building next to the reception and breakfast facilities. I do remember they also had apartments, which I think, but not sure, were in another building across the street.

If Argo has added a new section with poorly soundproofed rooms, that would put me off too. I doubt the apartments would be noisy, though.
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Old Feb 19th, 2017, 03:39 AM
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Maybe the boutique is the renovated hotel and the apartments have not been renovated. I'm not so concerned with soundproofing, as we live in the middle of a city, garbage and delivery trucks rumbling by at 7 AM on weekend mornings - noise is normal for us. Armed with earplugs and eye mask we'll be fine.

I think three of the four of us want a pool, despite having the beach so close, so I'm resigned to looking for a hotel with one.
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Old Feb 19th, 2017, 03:47 AM
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Should you wish to contact Hotel Argo directly, here is their own website with contact phone number and email: http://www.argo-hotel.gr/index.php?lang=en

Calls to a landline with Skype aren't all that expensive, and may be worth a few dollars to insure you get what you want. I always prefer dealing directly with a hotel rather than through a third-party booking agency. If you decide to call, remember the time difference, which is GMT + 2 hrs in Greece.
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