Hotel Livadia

A beachfront aparthotel in Parikia, Hotel Livadia suits you if your ideal island base involves a balcony, a proper sea view and the freedom to eat out when the mood takes you. The atmosphere is straightforward rather than formal: you are by the water, close to the town, and within easy reach of shops, tavernas and bars for the evening wander.

The hotel team speaks English, German and French, so you can sort out the practical details without resorting to elaborate mime. Rooms, studios and apartments are spread across the property, with air conditioning, Wi-Fi and outdoor space helping you settle in after a day in the sun. A useful address for a stay built around the coast rather than a schedule of grand hotel rituals.

You are on the seafront in Livadia, Parikia, with direct access to a sandy beach. The port is 700 metres away, which keeps arrival and departure relatively simple, while the centre of Parikia is about 2 km from the hotel. The nearby waterfront gives you the practical version of island life: step outside for the beach, then head towards town for restaurants, cafés and bars.

Livadia Beach is close by, and Parikia Beach is about 0.9 miles away. Marchello is roughly 1.1 miles away, with Krios at about 1.3 miles and Delfini Beach at around 1.7 miles. For a change from swimming, the Archaeological Museum of Paros is about 0.6 miles away, while the Archaeological Cemetery is roughly 350 metres from the hotel. Paros National Airport is around 7 miles away by road.

Choose your room according to how much you value the view and how many people need to fit around the beds. Couples can keep things simple with a balcony room, while the sea-view doubles and the deluxe sea-view double make more sense if waking up to the water matters to you. The deluxe option has a king-size bed and a private bathroom, which is a sensible upgrade when the room is doing more than providing somewhere to drop your bag.

For three or four guests, the larger deluxe rooms and the two-bedroom apartment are the practical choices. The apartment's separate bedrooms and ocean view give a group more breathing space than trying to make one sleeping area do everything. Triple and quadruple options are available too, but check the bed arrangement carefully: some use a sofa bed, and there are no extra beds available.

Air conditioning matters in Paros when the walls have spent the day absorbing heat. Each accommodation has modern amenities including satellite television, and Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel. A refrigerator, tea and coffee-making facilities, towels, a hairdryer and daily housekeeping cover the useful basics. Upper floors are reached by stairs only, so a lower room is the sensible request if stairs are not your idea of relaxation.

Livadia Restaurant handles breakfast, lunch and dinner on a terrace overlooking the sea. Breakfast is served as a buffet and is included in the standard formula, while the kitchen works with Mediterranean food and fresh local ingredients. The dress code is casual, which is exactly what you want when formalwear has spent the day losing an argument with salt water.

Pool Bar is the single named bar, with cocktails and snacks beside the outdoor pool. Room service runs during limited daytime and evening hours, from 11:00 to 22:00, and packed meals are available for days when you would rather keep moving. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are catered for. Snacking is not continuous, so plan around the restaurant hours rather than expecting food to appear on demand.

The main pool is outdoors and has a swim-up bar, giving you an easy alternative to the beach when you want a few lengths without dealing with sand. The beachfront itself is sandy, with sun loungers, parasols and a beach bar. Snorkelling, kayaking, paddleboarding and boat excursions keep the water-based options going when you fancy being afloat without making a full production of it.

On land, you can use the fitness centre, join a yoga class, hire a bicycle or set out on a hike. Cultural excursions include Parikia and Naoussa, while live music takes place at weekends. Temporary art galleries and themed dinner nights add a little variety, and babysitting is available for families who want an evening to themselves. The setting also makes a simple stroll into Parikia an activity in its own right: narrow streets, white-and-blue houses and bougainvillea do the visual work without asking you to organise a lecture.

Paros National Airport is about 7 miles from the hotel by road. You can reach the property by taxi or bus from the airport, and airport transfers can be arranged by the hotel as a paid service. Car hire and bicycle rental are available, while free private parking is located nearby and does not require a reservation. The port is 700 metres away, useful if your island itinerary continues by ferry.

Check-in runs from 14:00 and check-out is by 12:00. Booking information also gives an arrival window from 13:00 to 23:30, so tell the hotel when you expect to arrive. Luggage storage, private and express check-in and check-out, daily housekeeping, laundry and dry cleaning are available. Early check-in and late check-out can be requested. Cash, Visa and Mastercard are accepted, and quiet hours run from midnight to 08:00.