Pino di Loto

Rooms

There are 4 Suites in a pair of low bungalows above the pool, and 2 newer X_ecutive Suites one level below the pool. We love the look of these newer suites, with their chic white decor, generous size (2 bathrooms, kingsize bed), and secluded patios - each with its own plunge pool - looking out over the glistening Aegean Sea. Perfect honeymoon material.

The older suites are more than fine for the rest of us. There's a sitting room with attached kitchenette, a double bedroom behind a folding screen, a (smallish) bathroom with shower, and plenty of patio space out front. Expect comfy beds, dove-grey shutters, polished cement floors and a scattering of antiques from the family home, which is next door under the shade of the homonymous pine. There's a bit of art on the walls, and maybe a driftwood monolith or a smooth white beach stone to prop open the French doors. If you're being picky, you might find the bathroom tight; and don't expect to whip up 4-course meals in the kitchenette. But overall it feels comfy and unpretentious, not trying too hard to be boutique.

Whichever you choose, you get A/C, Korres toiletries, free bottled water, stacks of towels, a good bottle of wine and some Turkish Delight.

Features include:

• Bluetooth sound system
• Hairdryer
• In-room treatments available
• Minibar
• Mosquito net
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

Served around the pool, breakfast is a classy, locally sourced spread of freshly baked bread, Syros hams and jams, Cycladic cheeses (try the flavour-packed San Michali) and a local daily special – we had loved the juicy portokalopita (orange pie - don't ask, just try it!). Drinks-wise you get just-squeezed orange juice, freshly brewed coffee and beautifully presented teas (which included a blossomy loose-leaf green tea when we visited). It's all very flexible and nearly all local; you can ask for muesli with yoghurt if that's your thing, plus eggs cooked any way.

They offer a few options for a light lunch at the pool - maybe dakos or Greek salad - not a huge selection, but both our dishes were light, with fresh local ingredients; perfect for an afternoon bite.

For dinner, stroll down to Kini (5-10 mins) and you've a choice of 2 fantastic seafront tavernas (Tzitzikia and Allou Yialou), plus a couple of simpler eateries a block or two back. We loved Tzitzikia's refreshingly different salads (minted tabouleh with cucumber and tomato, or lentils with grated carrot and orange), its fresh fish (we had the most delicious sargos whose flesh is so soft and white it was like melted snow), and home-cooked dishes like courgette fritters with cheese and herbs. And at buzzing, super-friendly Allou Yialou we had one of the best meals of our holiday: slow cooked lamb with chickpeas.

In your suite, you'll find a small kitchenette - a functional all-white affair with fridge, sleek 2-ring hob, Nespresso machine, basic pans and crockery - where you can prepare a light lunch or snacks: maybe a Greek salad or pasta dish. During the day, fresh salads and snacks are on offer from the bar. There's a mini-supermarket in the village, a fantastic deli in Ermoupolis (Prekas), and you can dine outside on canvas chairs overlooking the pool and valley (or perch on stools inside).

Features include:

• Bar
• Breakfast
• Fridge
• Kitchenette
• Restaurants nearby
• Room service

Activities

• Wander down to the sandy beaches at Kini or Loto (5-10 mins' walk); both are sheltered and safe, with parasols, showers and eateries. Swimming and snorkelling is wonderful
  
• If they're too crowded for your liking (possible in July-August, when Kini fills with holidaying Athenians), follow the small path from Kini's fishing harbour around the headland to Delfini beach (30 mins' hike): it's stonier but there's some sand at the far end, by the lovely seasonal taverna (which you can also reach by car)
  
• Better still, take the Perla speedboat (normally leaves around 11am in summer, or on demand) to the secluded beaches of Lia and Grammata in the north of the island; backed by rugged stony hills (there's no road access) and a brilliant green fringe of pines, they feel blissfully remote and Crusoe-ish
  
• Take the taxi or bus into Ermoupolis (9km) to explore this gracious town, the administrative centre of the Cyclades island group, with its handsome Neoclassical town hall, whose marbled square becomes a de facto playground for pigeon-chasing, scooter-riding kids; browse the pedestrianised alleys where fish stalls sit cheek by jowl with Swarovski outlets; climb to the summit of Ano Syros, a winding hillful of photogenic, pastel coloured lanes topped by the Catholic church of St. George
  
• Explore some of the old footpaths - the Anavasi map marks them all - which bissect the terraced hillsides of the interior; one takes you from Ermoupolis, past the sleepy hamlets of Richopo and Plati Vouni, to a Bronze Age hill fort; others from San Michali / Papouri to the coves of Grammata / Aetos respectively
  
• There's horse riding in Manna, a windsurfing school on Voulgari Beach, and pedalos and kayaks in Galissas
  
• Spend some time relaxing at the hotel's Wellness Corner, which features a small Jacuzzi for two and an indoor space with workout equipment. Massages, personal training, yoga, Pilates and aqua fitness sessions are all on offer

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Boat trips
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Horse riding
• Kayaking
• Sailing
• Shopping / markets
• Snorkelling
• Swimming
• Windsurfing

Kids

Only teens aged 15 and over are accepted.

Distances:

• Hospital: 15 minutes
• Nearest shop: 15 minutes

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Pino di Loto is at the top of the village of Kini on the west coast of the Greek island of Syros, in the Cyclades group. It's 9km from the main town, Ermoupolis, and 11km from Syros airport. Syros is nearest to Tinos and Mykonos; and also has ferries to Naxos, Paros and Andros.

By Air
Either fly via Athens into Syros (domestic flights only), or fly to Mykonos / Athens and take a ferry across to Syros (Mykonos is closer than Athens). Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving these airports.

By Sea
There are sailings (daily in high season, not necessarily in low) from the port of Rafina, a short taxi ride from Athens airport, to Syros. Most go by way of Andros-Tinos-Syros-Mykonos-Paros-Naxos and sometimes on to Santorini or other islands. There are also a few sailings from Piraeus, on Athens' west coast, to Syros.

We advise that you check boat timetables before confirming your hotel booking; and if flying back from Athens / Mykonos, it is always wise to have at least 1 night there before your flight (in case strong winds delay boat sailings).

From Syros Airport or Port
Take a taxi (very cheap) or hire a car.

By Car
For car hire see our car rental recommendations.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

More on getting to Greece and getting around.