A converted 1860s sponge factory where maritime history meets boutique comfort and poolside charm.
Just two minutes' walk from Hydra's harbour (and crucially, with no steps to climb), it sits in a peaceful spot that feels worlds away from the hustle and bustle, yet you're right in the heart of things.
The hotel has 25 rooms arranged around a charming courtyard garden and pool, each room is individually designed to work with the original structure, so they all have unique layouts and character. Expect whitewashed walls, rough-hewn cedar beams, traditional woven rugs, and antiques.
Some rooms are on one level with garden access, others are cosy maisonette-style suites with mezzanine floors. The showstopper is the Grand Virani Suite on the top floor – a 60-square-metre space with hand-painted friezes dating back to 1756. Rooms have proper modern bathrooms (some with bathtubs, most with walk-in showers), air conditioning, and all the contemporary comforts you'd expect, but the heart of the place is definitely old-world charm.
The Bratsera Restaurant, set in a restored traditional water mill called 'Magganos' in the garden, serves excellent food in a gorgeous setting. Breakfast is a generous buffet served poolside – think continental classics alongside Greek treats like bougatsa (custard pastries) and made-to-order omelettes. The à la carte lunch and dinner menus blend Mediterranean flavours with a modern twist.
The pool itself is a decent size for a cooling dip, surrounded by sun loungers and a gorgeous jasmine scented garden – a genuinely peaceful retreat in the heart of town.
Hydra's famous car-free atmosphere means getting around is done on foot, by donkey, or water taxi, which gives the island a wonderfully unhurried feel.
