Ios Plage

Ios Plage sits at the far end of Mylopotas bay, one of the longest and most popular beaches on Ios, positioned on the hillside above the sand at the area known as Psili Ammos. The hotel has been here since the 1970s, making it one of the earliest purpose-built hotels on this part of the island, and its traditional Cycladic architecture — white cubic volumes, terraced into the slope — fits the landscape as naturally as the rock it's built on.

Every room comes with a balcony, and because the building rises above the beach on the mountainside, that panoramic view of the Aegean is genuinely available from whichever room you book. The port at Ios is roughly 8 km away by road, and the Chora — the hilltop village with its windmills, maze of lanes, and most of the island's nightlife — sits about 5 km from the hotel. A bus stop is within a one-minute walk of the property, putting both the port and the village on a straightforward public route.

With a 4.7-star rating from 79 Google reviews, Ios Plage earns consistently high marks for its position, its views, and the personal character that comes with a property that has been part of the Mylopotas landscape for more than five decades.

What to Expect

The hotel is built in the Cycladic idiom: whitewashed walls, terraced layout, balconies oriented toward the sea. Rooms are distributed across the hillside above Mylopotas beach, giving each one unobstructed water views. The property does not sit directly on the sand, but the beach is immediately below and accessible on foot within a few minutes.

Breakfast is a buffet served each morning from 08:30 to 10:30. The spread includes local honey, seasonal fruit from the hotel's own garden, homemade marmalades, and standard continental items. Guests can take breakfast on their balcony if they prefer. There is a bar on the premises serving espresso drinks and cocktails — a practical convenience given the hotel's position at the quieter end of the bay, away from the main cluster of Mylopotas beach bars.

Daily room cleaning is included. Parking is available in the lot directly in front of the hotel. Wi-Fi is available throughout the property. The on-site team can advise on the best spots around the island, from lesser-known beaches to boat trip operators working out of Mylopotas.

The overall character of Ios Plage is low-key and settled. It is not a large resort with a pool deck and entertainment programme; it is a well-located, long-established property where the view, the beach access, and the proximity to Ios village combine to make a practical and comfortable base for exploring the island.

Facilities and Location

• Beach access: Mylopotas beach is directly below the property. The beach itself is a long arc of golden sand with calm, clear water, lined with sunbed operators and beach bars closer to its northern end.
• Breakfast: Buffet served 08:30–10:30 daily, with garden fruit, local honey, and homemade preserves; balcony service available.
• Bar: On-site bar offering espresso and cocktails.
• Parking: Dedicated parking area immediately in front of the hotel.
• Wi-Fi: Available throughout.
• Daily housekeeping: Included.
• Bus stop: Within a one-minute walk, connecting to Ios village (Chora, 5 km) and the port (8 km).
• Contact: +30 2286 092475 | [email protected]

How to Get There

Ios is reached by ferry from Piraeus (Athens), Santorini, Naxos, Paros, and Mykonos. Most routes dock at Ios Town port, which is roughly 8 km from Mylopotas along the main road that loops through the Chora. The journey from port to Mylopotas takes around 15 minutes by taxi or car.

Public buses run regularly between the port, the Chora, and Mylopotas throughout the day in summer — the schedule intensifies from June through August. The bus stop serving Ios Plage is a one-minute walk from the hotel entrance, making it straightforward to reach without a rental vehicle.

If you are driving or have hired a scooter, follow the main road from the Chora down toward Mylopotas and continue to the far, southern end of the bay toward Psili Ammos. The hotel's parking area is in front of the building. Taxis from the port cost a fixed rate and are available at the port and in the Chora; the hotel can arrange pickups if contacted in advance.

Best Time to Visit

Ios has a short but intense tourist season. The island is lively from mid-June through late August, when Mylopotas beach is at its busiest and temperatures regularly exceed 30°C. Sea breezes along the bay help in the afternoon, but midday heat is significant in July and August.

May, early June, and September offer noticeably quieter conditions: the beach is accessible, ferries run reliably, and the Chora retains most of its restaurants and cafes without the high-summer crowds. Water temperatures in September are at their warmest of the year, typically around 25°C, making it a practical time to base yourself at a beachside property.

The hotel's elevated hillside position means morning light on the balconies is excellent, and the south-facing aspect gives long afternoon and evening views across the bay. The Meltemi wind, which blows north-to-northwest across the Cyclades from July through August, can be brisk at this end of the island, but the Mylopotas bay is partly sheltered by the surrounding hills.

The hotel is closed in the off-season (October through April), in line with most accommodation on the island.

Tips for Visiting

• Book early for July and August. Ios Plage has a small number of rooms and a strong repeat-guest following. The peak weeks fill well in advance — contact the hotel directly via email or phone if the website calendar is not showing availability.
• Use the bus. The stop is a one-minute walk away, and the route covers port, Chora, and Mylopotas. You do not need a car or scooter to reach the village or port from this property.
• Take breakfast on your balcony at least once. The morning sea view across Mylopotas is the reason to stay here. The buffet runs until 10:30, which gives you time to linger before the day heats up.
• Bring sun protection for Mylopotas. The beach faces south and receives full sun from morning until late afternoon. The hotel's hillside position means you return to shade easily, but the beach itself offers limited natural cover.
• Ask the team about boat trips. The web snippets in the research data reference watersports operators and beach-hopping boat tours departing from Mylopotas. The hotel staff are well placed to point you toward current operators.
• The Chora is 5 km away, not walkable in summer heat. Plan your evenings around the bus schedule or organise a taxi in advance if you want to be out late. Ios village nightlife runs very late in peak season.
• Pack a light layer for evenings. The Meltemi wind off the Aegean can make hillside balconies cooler after sunset than the temperature in the Chora, which is sheltered by its topography.
• Contact the hotel for special requests. With a small, family-style operation, direct communication before arrival tends to get better results than third-party booking platforms for room preferences or early check-in.