Hotel Aegeon

Two buildings set among plants and playgrounds give Hotel Aegeon a relaxed, practical feel on Mylopotas Beach. You have a swimming pool, a pool bar and the beach close by, so the day can move from sea to lounger without much ceremony. That is often exactly the right level of ambition when your main achievement has already involved a tank, a mask and several hours underwater.

An English-speaking hotel team makes communication straightforward from arrival onwards. The setting also works well if you are travelling with family: family rooms, playgrounds, an indoor play area and board games are all part of the picture. For a couple, the combination is simpler still — beach nearby, a balcony for a quiet drink and the nightlife of Ios within reach when you actually fancy it.

You are in Mylopotas, Greece, on the waterfront at the centre of Mylopotas Beach. The sand is about 50 metres away, reached on foot, with sun loungers and parasols available on the beach. Katsiveli Beach is around 0.7 miles away on foot, while Kolitsani Beach is about 1.4 miles away. Yialos Beach sits roughly 1.8 miles away on foot, and Valmas Beach about 2.1 miles.

The location keeps daily essentials uncomplicated. Far Out Village is around 450 metres away, and the surrounding area includes restaurants and bars for nights when you want to eat or drink elsewhere. For something with a little more history, the archaeological site of Skarkos is about 1.6 miles away on foot, while Homer's Tomb is roughly 6 miles away. Ios is known for its nightlife, but you can choose your distance from it rather than having it dictate every evening.

The rooms are arranged for practical sharing rather than romantic furniture mythology. The Twin Room has two single beds, while the Triple Room and Quadruple Room use three and four single beds respectively. That makes the larger rooms a sensible choice for friends or families who want everyone under one roof, although couples should check the sleeping arrangement carefully if a double bed matters to you.

Every unit has air conditioning, a refrigerator, coffee-making facilities and a balcony or terrace. A cold drink waiting in the room is a small thing, but it earns its keep when you return warm, salty and ready to sit down. There is also a seating area, free WiFi, a private bathroom with shower or bath, towels, toiletries and a hairdryer. Daily housekeeping keeps the practical side of the stay moving.

Views vary by room and may look towards the garden, city or a local landmark. Soundproof rooms and soundproofing are available within the accommodation mix, useful when the island's evening reputation becomes more energetic than your own. Upper floors are reached by stairs, and the rooms also include wardrobes, a safe for a laptop, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels and a wake-up service.

Breakfast is included and served as a buffet with a continental selection. It gives you a simple start before a morning by the sea or a day arranged around diving elsewhere. The hotel also serves lunch and dinner, so you can keep more of the day on site when changing out of swimwear and going in search of food feels like unnecessary logistics.

Aegeon Restaurant works with Mediterranean cuisine and fresh local ingredients, served on a terrace with sea views. The dress code is casual, which is the sensible answer when your wardrobe has spent most of the day dealing with salt water. Room service is available, with limited hours.

There is one bar: the Pool Bar. It serves cocktails and snacks beside the outdoor pool, including from its swim-up position. In other words, you can move from the sea to the water, then order something cold without making a formal decision about trousers.

The main outdoor pool is the obvious place to spend the hours when you have decided that further exertion would be poor judgement. It has a swim-up bar and a separate hydromassage area, which also functions as a children's pool. Pool and beach towels, sun umbrellas and loungers or beach chairs are available, giving you the basic equipment for a proper recovery session.

The beach adds more than a view. Snorkelling, kayaking and paddleboarding are available, and boat excursions can be arranged alongside equipment hire. These are useful options for a surface interval with a little movement in it, particularly if you are travelling with someone who does not want every holiday hour organised around scuba.

For dry-land time, the tour desk and concierge can help with island tours, while babysitting and a children's menu make family arrangements easier. The garden, sun terrace, patio and shared lounge provide several places to sit with a book, a coffee or the very deliberate decision to do absolutely nothing.

Check-in runs from 14:00 to 00:00, and check-out from 06:00 to 11:00. Luggage storage is available, which is useful if your arrival or departure does not match those windows. An airport shuttle is available for an additional charge; arrange the service directly with the hotel. Car hire is also available if you want to explore beyond Mylopotas and its nearby beaches.

WiFi is free throughout the hotel. Laundry and dry-cleaning services are available, and the property has a reception safe, daily housekeeping and room service with limited hours. Payment is accepted in cash, Visa and Mastercard.

Children of any age are welcome. Children aged three and above are charged as adults, while a cot can be requested for children aged up to two years. The hotel has family rooms, babysitting and an indoor play area, but upper floors are accessible by stairs only. That is worth keeping in mind when choosing a room, particularly if you are travelling with young children or prefer to avoid stairs after a long travel day.