Hotel Grotta

Hotel Grotta sits on a hillside at the northern edge of Naxos Town (Chora), directly above the small bay that gives the neighborhood its name. From the hotel, you look straight out over the Aegean and across to the Portara — the marble gateway of the unfinished Temple of Apollo on the islet of Palatia — which turns amber and then deep gold every evening at sunset. That view alone explains why this property consistently earns one of the highest ratings of any hotel on the island.

The hotel is family-run, which in practice means the service is attentive and personal rather than transactional. It positions itself for travelers who want genuine comfort and a sense of place without the price tag of a resort.

What to Expect

Hotel Grotta occupies a hillside position above the Grotta beach area, just north of Naxos Town's main waterfront. Rooms face the sea, and the views — of open water, the Portara islet, and the lights of Chora at night — are the hotel's defining feature. The property describes itself as recently oriented toward direct bookings, and also operates a sister property called Casabella located a few metres away, which gives guests an alternative room configuration if the main hotel is full.

With a Google rating of 4.9 from 914 reviews, Hotel Grotta sits at the very top end of rated properties on Naxos. That volume of reviews at that score is unusual and reflects consistent performance over time rather than a short burst of attention.

How to Get There

The hotel's address is I. Kampanelli 7, Naxos 843 00. From the Naxos Town ferry port, walk north along the seafront promenade past the Portara causeway and continue into the Grotta neighborhood — the walk takes roughly 10 to 15 minutes on foot. By car or taxi, follow the coastal road north from the port; the hotel is signposted in the Grotta area. Parking in this part of Chora is limited, particularly in high summer, so arriving without a car is straightforward given the short walking distance from the port and town center. The main bus station (KTEL) is in Naxos Town, a short walk south.

Best Time to Visit

The hotel operates year-round. Summer — July and August — is peak season on Naxos, with higher rates and advance booking essential. The shoulder months of May, June, and September offer warm weather, calmer seas, and more availability. The Portara-facing sunsets are worth timing your check-in around regardless of season; the view is best appreciated from late afternoon onward. Early spring and late autumn are quieter, and some island facilities reduce hours, but the hotel's location within walking distance of Chora's permanent amenities makes it workable outside peak summer.

Tips for Visiting

• Book directly through the hotel's website (hotelgrotta.gr) — the property actively encourages this and may offer better rates or flexibility than third-party platforms.
• Request a sea-view room explicitly when booking; the outlook toward the Portara is the reason to stay here rather than a hotel further inland.
• If the main hotel is full, ask about Casabella, the sister property a few metres away.
• The Grotta beach is immediately below the hotel and is one of the more sheltered swimming spots near Chora, with relatively calm water compared to the exposed town beach.
• Naxos Town's main market street, restaurants, and the old Venetian kastro are all within a 10–15 minute walk south.
• Contact the hotel directly at [email protected] or +30 2285 022001 for specific room queries or special requests.

What's Nearby

The Portara and its causeway are the most visible landmark from the hotel and take about 10 minutes to walk to from the Grotta neighborhood. Naxos Town's harbor front — lined with cafes, fish restaurants, and the main ferry dock — is roughly the same distance south. The old Venetian kastro, one of the best-preserved medieval fortifications in the Cyclades, sits uphill from the port and is worth an hour of exploration. For day trips, the KTEL bus network connects Chora to the main beaches on the island's west coast, including Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna, and Plaka, all reachable in under 30 minutes.