Avanti

Hotel Avanti sits in the upper quarter of Ios Chora, the island's hilltop main town, where whitewashed alleys climb toward windmills and the views open out over terracotta rooftops to the Aegean. With 17 rooms, a pool, and a rating of 4.9 out of 5 from 144 reviews, it is one of the more consistently praised places to stay on Ios.

The hotel's position in Chora puts you within walking distance of the town's bars, restaurants, and churches without placing you in the noisiest section of the settlement. That balance — proximity to everything without the late-night soundtrack — is one of the most practical arguments for choosing it, especially if you are not visiting Ios primarily for its nightlife reputation.

Ios has a well-established identity as a party destination, but the island also has excellent beaches, a strong hiking trail network, and a genuinely attractive hilltop town. Hotel Avanti is calibrated for travelers who want to use the island fully rather than sleep through the daylight hours.

What to Expect

The hotel describes itself as an intimate small luxury property, and the 17-room count bears that out. Rooms are organized into at least two distinct categories — island-view rooms and sea-view rooms — plus a suite tier, based on the property's own navigation structure. The design language across all room types is minimalist: clean lines, restrained color, and the kind of decoration that does not compete with the view outside the window.

Common areas include a pool and bar area, which serves as the social center of the property during the day. Given Chora's elevated position and the hotel's placement in the upper part of town, the pool terrace likely offers the same panoramic view of Ios's rooftops and the sea that the rooms advertise.

The hotel's own description emphasizes small decorative details — corners planted with flowers, considered lighting, unhurried service — that lean toward a boutique-guesthouse atmosphere rather than a resort. Staff are described consistently in reviews as friendly and professional, which aligns with the high aggregate rating.

The address places the property at the plus-code P7CJ+5F9 in Chora 840 01, which corresponds to the upper residential and hotel zone of Ios Chora, above the main plateia and the densest cluster of nightlife venues.

How to Get There

Ios port (Ormos) is roughly 2 kilometers from Chora by road. Buses run regularly between the port and Chora throughout the day in season, with the journey taking around ten minutes. Taxis are also available at the port and can drop you directly at or near the hotel. If you are arriving with luggage, a taxi or a pre-arranged transfer is the most straightforward option, since Chora's upper lanes are narrow and some sections are pedestrian-only.

Flying into Ios is not an option — the island has no airport. The nearest airports are on Santorini (roughly 30 minutes by high-speed ferry) and on Mykonos. Ferries from Piraeus (Athens) take between four and eight hours depending on the route and vessel type, docking at Ormos port.

For drivers arriving by ferry, note that parking in Chora is extremely limited. Most hotels in the upper town have no dedicated parking, and guests typically leave vehicles in the designated lots near the port or at the edge of town.

Best Time to Visit

Ios is a seasonal island. The main tourist season runs from late May through September, with July and August representing the peak period for both visitors and heat. During these months, daytime temperatures regularly reach 30–35°C and sea temperatures are warm enough for comfortable swimming from June onward.

For a stay at Hotel Avanti specifically, the shoulder months of late May, June, and September offer the clearest advantage: Chora is still lively, the pool is fully operational, and room availability is easier to secure without booking months in advance. The nightlife crowd thins noticeably after mid-September, which makes the town quieter and the streets more navigable during the day.

Ios can be windy, particularly in July and August when the Meltemi blows from the north. The elevated position of Chora means you will feel the wind more than at sea level, but it also keeps temperatures bearable on the hottest days.

Tips for Visiting

• Book directly through the hotel website at ioshotelavanti.gr or by calling +30 2286 091165 to confirm room type and availability; the property has only 17 rooms and fills quickly in peak season.
• Request a sea-view room if views are a priority. The hotel lists both island-view and sea-view categories, and the difference in outlook is meaningful given the Chora's orientation.
• Arrive at the port prepared to transfer. The bus from Ormos to Chora is cheap and frequent in season, but if you have heavy luggage the taxi queue at the port is a better choice.
• The pool and bar are the main daytime common areas. If you plan to use them frequently, ask about the pool's hours and whether sunbeds need to be reserved when you check in.
• Chora's nightlife peaks late. If you are a light sleeper staying in the upper town, it is worth asking which rooms face away from the main bar street. The hotel's position in the quieter upper zone already helps, but room orientation matters.
• Email the hotel before arrival at [email protected] for specific requests such as early check-in, airport or port transfers, or room upgrades — a small property is more likely to accommodate these when notified in advance.
• Bring appropriate footwear. Chora's lanes are cobbled and sometimes steep. Sandals with grip are more practical than flip-flops if you plan to walk through town in the evenings.
• The nearest pharmacies, ATMs, and supermarkets are all within walking distance in Chora's main plateia area, a few minutes below the hotel on foot.

Facilities and Location

Hotel Avanti's confirmed facilities include a swimming pool, a pool bar, and 17 individually styled guest rooms across at least three categories (island view, sea view, and suite). The hotel is located in Ios Chora, the island's principal settlement, which means guests have direct pedestrian access to restaurants, bars, cafes, the main church of Agia Irini, and the paths that lead to Mylopotas beach (approximately 2 kilometers on foot or a short bus ride).

The hotel's compact size means the experience is closer to a quality guesthouse than a hotel chain property. There is no conference room, spa, or large lobby, but what is present — a well-maintained pool area, attentive staff, and a view that most larger hotels on the island cannot match — is consistently noted by guests as the reason for the near-perfect rating.

For direct contact: the hotel's website is ioshotelavanti.gr, phone is +30 2286 091165, and the general enquiry email is [email protected].