Sandora Rooftop Beach House

Sandora Rooftop Beach House is an aparthotel for couples, families and friends who want their own cooking facilities, a beach at the door and room to gather outdoors. The setting is practical rather than polished to within an inch of its life: private accommodation below, a large shared rooftop above, and the Aegean doing most of the decorating.

The main draw is the 80 m² rooftop terrace, with sea views, an outdoor kitchen, a Weber barbecue, lounge seating and a large dining table. It gives you somewhere to spread out over a long evening, cook something simple, or watch the light change without having to leave the property. The host speaks English and Greek, which makes the basic arrival and day-to-day conversation straightforward.

You are in Agios Prokopios, on Naxos, with direct access to the golden sand of Agios Prokopios Beach. The beach is roughly 0.03 miles away, so a towel, sandals and a short walk are all that stand between your room and the water. Sun loungers and parasols are available on the beach.

The surrounding area is useful for a stay without a car. Traditional Greek Tavern Giannoulis is about 0.1 miles away, Zafiris Bakery Cafe about 0.2 miles away, and Agia Anna Beach about 0.2 miles away. Plaka Beach is around 0.9 miles away. Naxos Island National Airport lies about 2 miles from the property, while Naxos Castle and Portara are each roughly 4 miles away.

The smaller family rooms suit two people travelling as a couple but wanting more than a bare bedroom: each has a king-size bed, a sofa bed, a private bathroom and a kitchenette. Balconies or terraces give you somewhere to sit with a drink, while the refrigerator is useful for keeping water and breakfast supplies cold. Air conditioning matters on a warm island night; heating is available for cooler stays.

For a proper shared base, the Three-Bedroom Apartment with Sea View is the one to look at. It sleeps up to six people and has three bathrooms, which is the sort of detail that prevents a holiday group from queueing for the shower like a badly organised liveaboard. The extra space also makes sense when several generations or friends are travelling together.

The accommodation is non-smoking, with wardrobes, linen, towels and private bathrooms with showers or baths. Free WiFi is available throughout, and private check-in and check-out keep the arrival routine more personal than a key-card conveyor belt.

This is a self-catering stay rather than a hotel built around a restaurant. Your room has a kitchenette and refrigerator, while the property also provides a shared kitchen. That gives you the useful option of sorting out breakfast or a late snack without turning every meal into an expedition.

The rooftop is where the food arrangement becomes more sociable. The outdoor kitchen, Weber barbecue and large dining table are set up for shared meals, with lounge seating for the part of the evening when nobody wants to clear the plates immediately. A minimarket is on site, and local restaurants, tavernas and beach bars are within the surrounding area, including Traditional Greek Tavern Giannoulis close by.

The beach does the heavy lifting here. Direct access to Agios Prokopios gives you an easy place to swim, snorkel or simply occupy a lounger under a parasol, while the rooftop terrace offers a drier alternative with sea views and outdoor seating. After a demanding day in the water, that choice is welcome: you can either get sand between your toes or stay upstairs and let the breeze do the work.

There is also enough around the property to vary the routine. Bicycle hire, car hire and shuttle services are available, while cycling, hiking, horse riding, windsurfing, fishing and boat-based activities can be found off site. Cooking classes, movie nights and live music are also available away from the property. Back at Sandora, board games and the rooftop lounge cover the evenings when the only serious decision left is whether to open another bottle.

Naxos Island National Airport is about 2 miles away, and an airport shuttle is available to arrange with the property. A shuttle service and car hire are also available, while bicycle hire offers a simpler way to move around the local area. There is a minimarket on site, and laundry is available as a chargeable service.

Check-in runs from 15:00 to 18:00, with your arrival time to be arranged in advance. Check-out is from 08:00 to 11:00. Children of any age are welcome, although cots and extra beds are not available. Smoking and parties are not permitted, and pets are not allowed.