Greece - Korina Miller [338]
Paradise Rooms ( 22860 91621; parios11@otenet.gr; s/d €55/65; ) The family-run rooms here are about halfway along the beachfront, and the beautiful garden is looked after with love and skill. Breakfast costs €3 to €4.
Hotel Nissos Ios ( 22860 91610; www.nissosios-hotel.com; s/d/tr €60/75/90; ) This excellent place has bright and fresh rooms, and wall murals add a colourful touch. Each room has tea- and coffee-making facilities. The welcome is good-natured, and the beach is just across the road. There’s an outdoor Jacuzzi. In front of the hotel is the Bamboo Restaurant & Pizzeria (opposite).
Paradise Apartments ( 22860 91621; apt €90-140; ) These apartments are located a short distance away from Paradise Rooms, and are run by a member of the same family. They’re located in a secluded setting and have a lovely pool and big patio. At both Paradise accommodations, guests can get a 50% reduction at Mylopotas Water Sports Center.
Eating
ORMOS
Peri Anemon ( 22860 92501; mains €5-10) A pleasant little cafe-taverna in the square next to Akteon Travel on the Ormos harbourfront, where you can get snacks and Greek standards.
GIALOS BEACH
To Corali ( 22860 91272; dishes €5-9) Mouthwatering wood-fired pizzas are list-toppers at this well-run eatery that’s right by the beach and in front of the hotel of the same name. You can sit out at tables on the beach. It does pastas and salads as well, and it’s a great spot for coffee, drinks and ice cream.
HORA
Porky’s ( 22860 91143; snacks €2-4.50) Fuel up with toasties, salads, crêpes and hamburgers at this relentless Ios survivor, just off the main square.
Ali Baba’s ( 22860 91558; dishes €7-12) Another great Ios favourite. this is the place for Thai dishes, including pad thai (thin rice noodles stir-fried with dried shrimp, bean sprouts, tofu and egg) cooked by authentic Thai chefs. The service is very upbeat and there’s a garden courtyard. It’s on the same street as the Emporiki bank.
Lord Byron ( 22860 92125; dishes €7-14) Near the main square, this long-standing favourite is relaxing and intimate, and the food is a great fusion of Greek and Italian. Dishes range from shrimp cooked in a tomato sauce with feta and ouzo, to penne with a wild mushroom and cream sauce – and it all comes in generous helpings.
Pomodoro ( 22860 91387; dishes €8-14) Spread over two floors, Pomodoro is just off the main square above Disco 69. There’s a fabulous roof garden with panoramic views. Big helpings are the order of the day and authentic wood-fired pizzas are just part of its excellent, modern Italian and Mediterranean menu.
Pithari ( 22860 92440; mains €9-17) A longstanding local favourite located alongside the cathedral, Pithari has an excellent menu of traditional Greek cuisine given a modern twist. Shrimps flambé vie with filo pastry pies of feta cheese with honey and sesame seeds. They also do lunch, with pastas and other well-sourced local dishes.
There are also gyros (meat slivers cooked on a vertical rotisserie; usually eaten with pitta bread) stands where you can get a cheap bite.
MYLOPOTAS
Harmony ( 22860 91613; dishes €4-12) Few places take chill-out to the honed level of this great bar. Hammocks, deckchairs and discerning sounds set the pace and kids are well looked after here. It’s just along the northern arm of Mylopotas beach. There’s live music too, and Tex-Mex food is the main attraction.
Drakos Taverna ( 22860 91281; dishes €4.50-9) Enjoy reasonably priced fish dishes (although some species are by the kilogram) at this popular taverna that overlooks the sea at the southern end of the beach.
Bamboo Restaurant & Pizzeria ( 22860 91648; dishes €6.50-8.50) Run by a member of the same family that operates Hotel Nissos Ios (opposite), this pleasant place does a good line in traditional mousakas and pizzas, plus a range of other Greek dishes. Breakfasts are €4.50 to €7.50.
Entertainment
Nightlife on Ios is a blitz. No one signs up for an early night in Hora’s tiny main square, where it gets so crowded by midnight that you won’t be able to fall