I'm planning a trip to Greece with my parents and brother in June and I'm having a really hard time finding apartments/villas that will accomodate a large family. We are going to be 6 adults and 3 children under the age of 4. So a place with 3 large bedrooms would work - near the beach with close proximity to a town would be ideal. I've been researching for months now but can't seem to decide on a location. Has anyone travelled with a large group and what have been your experiences?

1) What island would you recommend in the Cyclades that is family friendly? Has anyone stayed in an apartment/villa there?

2) How are the Saronic Islands? Is it better to stay there instead of the Cyclades?

Thank you!

My advice is to Google "Villas in Naxos St. George Beach". That's the shallow beach that is ideal for toddlers, (I have several pix of Swedish & norwegian tots playing on sand & in water).

IT's also directly adjacent to naxos town, so you can stroll in for dinner, shopping, sight-seeing etc. The stroll to town is level, so people take their kiddies in strollers to the waterside outdoor cafes, and let them fall asleep in the push-chairs while the grown-ups linger over a meal.

You might also consider Prokopios beach if you can get accommodation right ON the beach. Speaking as one who did the beach thing with toddlers (how many years ago, I refuse to say), NOTHING is more important for a parent than being able to be a few steps away from lodging, so you can feed a child or put him/her down for a nap, without the parent having to lose out on her sunning and socializing (I say her, because alas it mainly falls upon Mom). So, either on the beach or having a pool -- tho I always feel having a pool in GReece in June is like giving a fridge to an Eskimo.

Just be sure to see a map re location, and pix of any 'sea view."

Good luck!

Traveller Jan has it right about St George beach on Naxos. The beach is soft sand and the water is shallow a perfect location for young children. For that reason it is very popular with young families and one sees many tots on that beach.
For the past three years we have stayed at Hotel Glaros Studios which is about a three minute walk from the beach. One of the kitchonette we viewed has three bedroom. Glaros is likely the best price you are going to find. It is in a residential neibourhood within a minute walk of several small mini markets and has a fridge and stove which allows for lots of eating flexability for all ages. You might also consider taking two units to spread the family out. There are at least three units that have direct access to a large deck. The price of two units there is probably similar to the price of one unit at other hotels in the area. If you want to look into this June is the start of the busy season and Glaros books up early with repeat guests.
The hotel is close to Naxos town and has easy access for strollers.
You might want ot try Hotel Spiros which is about 100 meters further down St George beach. It does have a pool and is a studio however I am not sure it has a 3 bedroom unit. For sure it is a good value but a bit more expensive than Glaros Studios. Both can be found by a Google search.

Thank you for all the insightful comments. I am ok with paying a higher price for a place that is value for money.

I can give you another alternative for a family-friendly island, Antiparos. Go to http://www.antiparos-isl.gr/, click on EN (unless you read Greek) at the top left of the page, then click on 'Houses' in the drop-down menu. Many of these villas are near beaches, but out of the main village, so you would need to rent a car. Tom Hanks stays in a villa at Soros, a beautiful bay in the southeast end of the island.

Great link for Antiparos!