7 Best Hotels in The Saronic Gulf Islands, Greece

This 19th-century mansion was refurbished into a chic boutique hotel by a descendant of its original Hydriot shipping family, without losing an ounce of charm. Choose from seven uniquely styled rooms and suites—names include Sponges, Pigeon House, and Icons. The Pigeon House suite sports a private hot tub, and every unit features soft beds, warm-brown antiques, and sections of exposed stone that flaunt the original masonry. Breakfast—fresh-squeezed orange juice, warm cheese pies, homemade jams—is served in the shady Mediterranean garden.

Irides is housed in a slightly quirky building, just 30 meters (100 feet) from the seafront, so all guest rooms and studios here get a sea view. Enjoy breakfast on the terrace next to the asymmetric pool overlooking the Saronic Gulf. In the well-kept garden there is an outdoor chess board and nearby is a beach volleyball court that hosts a popular tournament every summer; the owners also host classical music evenings and Greek cooking workshops.

Commissioned in 1796 by Catherine the Great for her lover Count Orloff—who came to Greece with a Russian fleet to try to dislodge the Turks—this archontiko mansion regained its former splendor when it was turned into a small boutique hotel. Antiques in the public (and some private) rooms have been carefully chosen—curvaceous walnut sofas, chairs, dining sets, and highboys; old paintings and lithographs; and gilt mirrors—and are beautifully offset by thick white walls and cornflower-blue window wells. Both the classic double and superior rooms have views of the town or the courtyard shaded by a mulberry tree, where the buffet breakfast is served every morning.

About 9 km (5½ miles) from Aegina Town, at the small port of Souvala, this modern bed-and-breakfast is popular with Athenians seeking relaxing weekends away, and its studios (including one larger suite) can accommodate two to five people each. The overall effect is reminiscent of a modern dollhouse, with bright blues, fuchsia, and pistachio colors distinguishing each studio.

An attentively restored 1779 mansion is located in the center of Aegina town. Owners Dimitra and David have managed to re-create the feel of old Aegina with convenient modern appliances, creative artwork, and splashes of bold colors. Driftwood reimagined into wall lights or table lamps adorn bedrooms accented with strong blue or burgundy colors, that make the bed (in quality white linen, of course) stand out. All the rooms open onto a shady split level courtyard. A diacritic attention to design and an eye for art means that The Boatyard is rather special, rather than tacky. The couple also have two beautiful apartments for guests in Marathonos, where the views onto the sea and the distant mountains are stirring.

With cheerful and elegantly renovated exteriors surrounded by myriad flowers, this charming family-run, boutique-style B&B is only a few minutes' walk from the main harbor and offers great value, especially in the off-season. The clean, air-conditioned, and self-servicing interiors, too, will charm guests with their old-fashioned wooden shutters and beds with wrought-iron frames—just the right accents to set off the cool white, minimalist island-style rooms. Some rooms are more luxurious than others, depending on your budget and their availability. The skilled and friendly hosts make you feel at home with friendly service and an ample breakfast, as well as plenty of tips on what to see and do. And it's open year-round!

The well-sized and simply decorated white rooms of this quaint little hotel have cool stone floors and king-size beds, and the balconies have either sea views or views of the forested mountain, home to the Temple of Aphaia, rising behind the building. This cozy hotel punches above its weight with the excellent breakfast served on the shaded flagstone terrace at the front of the reception. Divine freshly homemade pies, cakes, and organic condiments are served up with the usual Greek breakfast suspects such as fresh fruit, yogurt, and honey.