Looking for recommendation for lodging in NAXOS, GREECE
 

Hi Fodorites!
Looking for recommendations for hotel or B&B on the island of Naxos. Will not have a car. Prefer walking distance to beach. We will be 2 adult couples, so would consider a 2 room apartment/suite or 2 separate hotel rooms. Kitchenette facilities a plus! Off season - "shoulder season" - early Spring. Any personal recommendations? Thanks!

In early Spring, the farther-out beaches (which really are just strings of lodgings strung along the sand, not proper villages), will be fine for sunning and brief (brisk!) swims, but not really "open for business". Thus we usually suggest staying on St. George (ag Giorgios) beach, directly adjacent to the port town. A number of its lodgings are just what you want -- small family-run places right on the sands or just 20 yards off, 3 floors, 10-20 units that all include balconies with nice views, kitchenettes or kitchen alcoves. These are always in high demand, some even 6 months ahead, so inquiring in late autumn is not too early.

In this category, at the end of the beach nearer town, are Studios Kalergis, Studios Thomais (Note: specify upper floors, since patio level often taken by families w. toddlers). Also Diogenes Studios, Lefkas studios, Studios Panos. Toward the farther end, slightly back from beach but with clear view, Sun Beach, and very attractive, a bit upscale, Villa Naxia. Some that are about 50-100 feet back from beach but with sea views from upper-floor balconies include Hotels Akrogiali, Kymata, Galazia,

Note: most family-owned places will be too busy until September running things to respond to inquiries about Spring & besides may not have set 2018 rates yet. Also,sometimes e-mails go unanswered for awhile in Nov-Dec because hardworking families may take their only "time off" then. However, all these have websites u can browse. PLUS: this link - https://www.booking.com/landmark/gr/...os-beach1.html - has map showing Exact location of all hotels/studios that use this agency. In order to bring up maximum # of places w. vacancies. use "dummy dates" of say, mid-Oct for 3 days for ONE couple,

If by "Off season - "shoulder season" - early Spring" you mean early April, be aware that Orthodox Easter is April 8th in 2018, and transport will be very busy the week before then and until after Easter Monday, April 9th. Ferries to the islands get booked solid the week before Easter, and those returning to the mainland booked solid just after Easter.

Generally I wait until after the New Year to book accommodation on islands like Naxos, because that's when many hotel owners begin to take spring and summer bookings. Sometimes when websites like booking(dot)com show no availability, that means the hotel hasn't yet opened for the season, not that it's sold out.

You will have more luck looking for two separate rooms. Jan has provided the names of several good basic tourist class hotels at Agios Georgios St George beach.
These are beach hotels with easy walk into Naxos town. Actually St George is part of Naxos town which makes it the perfect location for shoulder season.
You don't even need to stay at the same hotel many of these are within a two minute walk of each other.

We normally go to St George in early shoulder season which is late May early June. Its a lovely time of year, nothing is crowded but there are enough people around to create a buzz.

Here are some images of St George beach and several hotels that we have visited.
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/

Thank you! Just what I was looking for - very helpful!