24 Best Hotels in The Sporades, Greece

With chic and ultracontemporary properties spread out over the tiny town of Steni Vela, Ilya dominates the hotel infrastructure here without ever being imposing—in fact, you'll be hard-pressed to even see the residences when walking around the town. Each apartment faces out either to a tranquil olive grove (Botanic Suites) or to the sea (Suites by the Sea), and all are within a very short walking distance to the pebble beach. There are villas available to rent, too.

The floriferous exterior of the hotel sets the tone for the inside: each room has bright and cheerful decor, with balconies that offer incredible views of the port and its energetic goings-on. The beds are large and comfortable, with excellent air-conditioning.

It's a bastion of taste and comfort, with soothing Cycladic whites and soft green trim, a dazzling seawater pool, elegant bar terrace, and handsome furnishings in the sophisticated guest rooms. Suites come with hydromassage baths, and two have private pools. Nefeli's restaurant serves organic food from its own local farm, with outstanding service.

The owner's attention to detail shows in the beautifully tended flower garden; the immaculate, attractive rooms with pine furniture and handwoven linens; the country dining room; and the museumlike lobby decorated with antiques and traditional costumes. This peaceful retreat is a three-minute walk from the beach.

A wonderful choice for budget travelers, these clean, cozy, and graceful studios and maisonettes are a short walk up from the harbor—and come with a beautiful vista of the town from the large, living-room-like terrace. Breakfast includes jams made with fruit from the hotel's garden, guests can hire bicycles for island exploration, and a small pool is a welcome perk on a hot day. As an added bonus to booking your stay here, 5% of your payment will go to the charity Camphill, which works with people with disabilities on the island.

There's a perfect marriage of old-world charm and contemporary cool in the spacious suites at this apart-hotel, with dark wood vaulted ceilings looming over sleek white-tiled floors and cool-hued, minimalist furniture. The suites have gorgeous sea views, and the walk is less than 10 minutes' walk to Votsi's beach and harbor.

Romantically inclined twosomes who settle into this hillside hideaway will be excused for thinking they've landed in their own grand Mediterranean villa, since that's what the large, comfortable suites and lovely gardens are all meant to do. Adding to the spell are original Greek artworks, balconies with sweeping views, a stunning pool, a private launch for shoreline touring, and an excellent outdoor candlelit restaurant, Pelagos.

Airy, light-filled rooms are steps from a lovely beach and have views of the turquoise sea and lush mountains, all providing the essentials for a laid-back getaway. Traditional-style decor, with weavings and hand-carved wooden furniture, add a lot of local character, and a nice pool is surrounded by a flowery terrace.

These simple but bright and airy apartments offer a feeling of a stay at a friend's summerhouse, with such idyllic touches as a beautifully maintained garden, filled with bougainvillea and lemon trees, and an enormous swimming pool, with a retro swim-up bar. A fruit-and-vegetable patch provides ingredients for the tasty, homemade fare for an evening meal, preceded by a cocktail under the shade of an olive tree at sunset.

Offering excellent access to Skiathos Town, this hotel fits the bill for those looking for a smart, contemporary, well-serviced hotel within a stone's throw of all local amenities. Rooms are large and the beds enormous, and many have balconies with views out to the harbor. The hotel has undergone a recent renovation, so the decor is fresh, clean, and tasteful. Around the hotel there are plenty of spaces to chill out, and shelves are stacked with fiction that you're welcome to read over the duration your stay.

This stunning hillside retreat tucked away in gardens and pine groves above the south coast seems like a private villa, with lots of wood and stone enhancing the airy public spaces, a beautiful pool terrace, and sharply decorated rooms and suites—all with balconies and patios, some with private pools, and most with extensive sea views. Despite the hideaway location, Skitathos Town is an easy bus ride away, and the golden-sand beach of Agia Paraskevi is just down the road.

Contemporary style and luxurious ambience comes to the fore in the island's bastion of chic. There's a snazzy cocktail lounge; crisp, cool, clean accommodations; and a laid-back courtyard pool that could hold its own in South Beach. Service, under the watchful eyes of brothers Dimitris and Giannis, is the best example of old-fashioned Greek hospitality.

The summer residence of the gods, according to Greek myth, is now home to one of the city's top hotels. Originally built in the 1960s it was fully renovated to five-star standard in 2005, located just east of the marina. Rooms come with mountain, city, or sea views, and a relatively demure design scheme that doesn't try to compete with the deep blue water outside—in fact, it accentuates it with blue bed clothes, curtains, and furnishings on a sand-colored wood floor. The award-winning Dreamway Spa has a hydrotonic pool that includes special therapies for specific parts of the body. The hotel's rooftop garden, Yacht Club, is a hot spot for the local well-to-do.

Although it has just three stars, the Aegli clearly has aspirations for something more; the hotel offers a suprising amount of comfort, space, and design savvy across its three floors. You enter into a cocktail-lounge-like reception area and cafeteria on the ground floor before going up to the rooms and suites above, which may be a bit short of five-star polish, but adopt a 21st-century tone in their light wood furnishings and ensuite bathrooms. The best rooms have balconies that directly overlook the port, right in front of the building.

Easy luxury and designer charm pervade these soothing accommodations, which are situated in a "village" of eight buildings that are dressed in warm, summery shades and surrounded by an expansive garden of lemon trees and other Mediterranean plants. The pool is delightful, but within an easy walk are some of the island's best golden-sand beaches. A playground, kids' pool, and some especially large suites make this spot a favorite with families.

This cozy, restored old Skopelete house on the waterfront is inexpensive and casual, with tiny rooms looking onto one of the hotel's two courtyard terraces. Breakfast is not offered, although you are welcome to bring your own food and use the communal kitchen.

Large, bright, and traditionally decorated rooms overlook the big blue and its charming harbor, at this hotel just a stone's throw from the sea front. There are sun loungers on the larger balconies along with retractable curtains and canopies to help shade from the heat of the sun. Maria and her family run the business, and their dedication to the guest experience can be felt throughout the property. 

Simply decorated, tasteful rooms and apartments come with many comforts—private terraces, a pretty, lush garden with plenty of shade, and a refreshing pool, all just steps from the beach and a 15-minute walk to Skyros Town. Breakfast is included with some accommodations, or you can prepare your own in the handy kitchenettes with a trip to the nearby minimarket.

Understated glamour and polished island chic rule at this luxurious getaway spreading above Agia Paraskevi Beach. The striking modern architecture accents the many balconies that overlook a magnificently green garden, or face the sea. A pool bar serves light snacks all day, while beach lovers can relax on sun beds until dusk. The island's most luxurious resort also offers spa services, live entertainment, family friendly Kid's Club activities, and much more.

Set on a pine-covered cliff facing out to the bay of Koukounaries, this hotel is expansive without ever feeling as though it imposes on its spectacularly beautiful surroundings—the pool area is the highlight here: it's set on a large balcony with sun loungers, umbrellas, a pool bar, and two enormous rhododendron shrubs that set a pink glow over the surroundings. Rooms are paired back and functional, and most have balconies with a sea view.

With a big pool and near a gorgeous, isolated beach, this cluster of white, cubist houses is a water lover's dream, and though the simple, traditionally furnished guest rooms are pleasant, they don't quite live up to the hotel's name. One palatial luxury is the terrace or balcony off each room, perfect for enjoying the lush grounds and the mountain and sea views.

The accommodation offers a chic and contemporary take on traditional Greek island charm; rooms are bright and breezy, and have an understated luxury. There's plenty of outdoor space about and, in many of the suites, sea views. Two swimming pools tucked away in pretty gardens each have a children's section, and food is served throughout the day at the Agioli restaurant, with a once-a-week rembetika recital. Film fan? You'll be pleased to know that the cast of Mamma Mia! (2008) stayed here.

The family-run self-catering accommodation is equipped with all necessary essentials, and each apartment has a terrace, with all facing the beautiful nearby beach of Rousoum Gialos. The owner Kostas is friendly and helpful, and his family help to run the nearby restaurant, Votsalo, which is popular with locals.