Alistair Sawdays Special Places to Stay

...Kavos Hotel Naxos Agios Prokopios beach is one of Greece's finest: long and sandy, with clear azure seas and open views past scudding windsurfers to Paros. Once a naturists' favourite, it now bustles with hotels and restaurants. The original and best of these Naxos hotels, set apart on a hill overlooking the turquoise crescent, is Kavos.

Red geraniums, fan palms and scented herb bushes run riot around stone and whitewash houses. Inside they are spacious and split-level, with elegantly painted beds, a sofa'd sitting area, a kitchenette with fridge, and superb showers enclosed in Naxos marble. Earthenware pots and smooth pebbles sit in marble-topped niches; the veranda is enveloped in bougainvillea. Villas have oven, barbecue and additional bedroom. Care is apparent everywhere: full-time gardener, fresh towels daily, regular chlorine testing in the bubbling pool. Homegrown veg, huge salads and fresh-pressed juices are served under wicker umbrellas; for a change from yogurt and honey at breakfast, ask for filled local-egg omelettes. It's peaceful, chilled out, romantic (highly rated by honeymooners). Superbly relaxing.