Chora Resort Hotel & Spa

Chora Resort Hotel & Spa puts you in the middle of Folegandros Chora, the clifftop village that is the island’s real heart, about 200 metres from the old Kastro. That alone would be reason enough, but it also manages to fit a pool with hydromassage, a spa with sauna, a gym and its own restaurant into 3,000 square metres of gardens. The squares, the tavernas and the evening walk up to the church of Panagia are all within a few minutes on foot. For anyone who wants village life with resort comforts, it is hard to beat.

The experience

The appeal here is the balance between the village outside and the facilities within. Chora is one of the most intact villages in the Cyclades, all whitewashed lanes and shaded squares, and staying in its centre means you can wander out for a drink or dinner without thinking about taxis. Back at the hotel, there is an outdoor pool with hydromassage and a pool bar, a children’s pool, an indoor jacuzzi and a spa offering massages, facials and beauty treatments, plus a sauna and gym. A minibus meets ferries at the port. It is a sociable, practical base, and for many travellers that is exactly the right call.

The rooms

There are 23 rooms and suites, all with a private balcony or veranda, and the line-up runs from doubles and triples to suites and bungalow-style rooms. Expect air conditioning, satellite TV, a fridge, a safe and a hairdryer, with hydromassage in some rooms. The design mixes traditional Cycladic touches with modern comforts rather than chasing a big design statement. Being in the village means you will hear some of its life in the evenings, so light sleepers should ask for a quieter room. For most guests, that trade-off is well worth it.

Food and drink

Pirotira is the hotel restaurant, serving Greek cooking from breakfast through lunch and dinner in a traditional, rather romantic setting. The pool bar takes care of drinks and snacks in the afternoon. The bigger draw, though, is that Chora’s tavernas and bars are a short stroll away, so you can eat somewhere new every night. Having both options so close together is the hotel’s quiet advantage.

The neighbourhood

Folegandros Chora is the island’s most complete village experience, with traditional squares, narrow lanes, good tavernas and cliff-edge views over the Aegean. The sunset walk to the church of Panagia starts on the edge of the village. Karavostasis port is about 3 kilometres away, and the beaches need a car, bus or taxi. Folegandros has no airport, so you arrive by ferry. Staying here, you will barely need wheels in the evenings.