Villa Notos — Hotel in Municipality of Milos

We picked Milos as the best combination of relatively unspoiled natural beauty and cost among the many Cycladic islands and in general, we were not disappointed.

Unfortunately the lodging was the low point of our stay.

As we arrived from a long and tiresome ferry ride, finding the hotel was easy: it's right there near the port. But you can only identify it by a small sign up there on a high wall. Then you stand in front of two parallel stone stairs, none of them marked "Reception". All this was around 11 am, regular business hours, not the middle of the night.

So we chose one of them and started laboring with out heavy luggage up the uneven, higher than in modern construction, steps. Up the first flight we saw a woman carrying linens: she smiled but offered no help. As we made it to the top of that flight she pointed to a small table and suggested to wait there for the owner. After a little while, he showed up and took us for check in. Which he interrupted when called by someone who was checking out. After another wait, he returned, completed the check in (barely necessary as we had paid via Hotels.com) and took us to our room. Which was higher up the stairs. I counted the steps from the ground: 46. Now, a standard step in modern construction is about 7.5 inches high (19 to 20 cm.), and there are about 14 to 15 steps to a story; I didn't measure these but they were definitely higher, and very uneven. So our room was on the equivalent of a high three-story building, accessed by uneven steps. And I had to carry my luggage all the way up, as the owner was helping my wife and there was no one else to give a hand.

For the reminder of our stay, I dread the prospect of going up and down the stairs. Normally, I would be coming in and out of my room many times a day: but the thought of climbing Mount Notos yet again made me plan far more carefully... on a breezy evening where we were not properly dressed, I had to wait down as my wife went up to pick some jackets.

On checkout day, the nice lady who brought coffee in the morning (upon special request though it's free, don't ask me why) also helped my wife with her luggage. I had to carry mine by myself, while the owner merrily chatted with one of his "regulars". And that is the core of the issue: on many of these small hotels, the difference in treatment between newbies and regulars can be staggering. But when your hotel does not employ any busboy or porter to help old people (I'm old) carrying heavy stuff, being ignored by the owner is simply too much.

I'm an eager traveler always trying something new, so I wasn't planning to return to the same place anyway. Maybe the owner has a great radar, picked my intent and decided I wasn't worth...

I cannot express enough how grateful I was to stay at Villa Notos during my recent trip to the Greek Islands, Milos in particular. My (now) husband and I stayed at the hotel for a few nights the other week, shortly after getting married, and we enjoyed every minute of it! The reasons for our outstanding experience were plentiful but I have outlined some of the key ones below:

Location - You will most likely be arriving via ferry if you are island hopping and, if so, you will be entering the island through the port at Adamantas. For us (with some heavy luggage) It was a huge sigh of relief to see that the hotel is only a short 2-minute walk to the west. The same is true for the trip off of the island if exiting via ferry. There is a bus stop also only a couple minutes away, which can take you to nearly any part of the island you wish to visit. If you are smart, and take these buses to explore, this is a huge benefit! There are also numerous spots for food, drink and other things you might want to buy around the port. Last, but certainly not least, the hotel also overlooks the water, which offers fantastic views, especially during sunset.

Service & Management - Lena is the proprietor of this hotel and we cannot speak enough for how much she contributed to our special week and making our stay in Milos the best. She truly makes everyone feel as though they are a part of her family and makes sure you are well taken-care of. Upon arriving, she takes the time to explain all the places to go around the island, provides genuine advice and suggestions on where to go, where not to go, restaurants previous clients liked and didn't like, and how to navigate the island based on places you want to explore. She is always around to make sure you have everything you need and are comfortable (she lives on the location). Lena - If you read this, thank you so much for all you and your staff did for us. You really did help make our special moment that greater and we will always remember you for it!

Rooms - I can obviously only speak to the room I stayed in but the place seems very well taken care of, clean, and provides spacious accommodations. Most (if not all) rooms have balconies able to view the amazing surroundings, with a place to eat an amazing breakfast if included in your reservation. We had zero problems during our stay and were quick to share pictures of the place with our friends and family.

Lena, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts and plan on coming back as soon as we are able to....

Welcome to Villa Notos, a delightful boutique hotel, where you'll discover a hospitality standard so high it redefines the meaning of 'raising the bar.' This gem nestled in the heart of Milos was the undeniable highlight of our three-week island hopping tour, and the reason can be summed up in one word: Lena.

Lena, the owner of Villa Notos, is the fairy godmother every traveler dreams of having. She treats her guests with the warmth of an old friend and the care of a doting parent. Her generosity knows no bounds, her hospitality leaves the best in the business awestruck, and her determination to ensure your comfort is the stuff legends are made of.

We had an unexpected encounter with our air conditioner deciding to retire unceremoniously in the dead of night. When Lena found out the next day, you'd think we had announced the end of the world — she was that concerned. Apparently, our 'not wanting to disturb her in the wee hours' was akin to blasphemy in her hospitality bible!

When the local laundry service gave us a red signal for our time-bound request, Lena donned her superhero cape and took matters into her own hands (literally). She washed, dried, and returned our clothes, insisting it was 'no big deal' in the same way someone might shrug off running a marathon.

The location of Villa Notos is like the cherry on an already decadent sundae. Just a stone's throw away from the ferry port and walking distance from the bounty that Adamantas has to offer, it is a slice of heaven on earth. With beds that cradle you into dreamland, air conditioning that refreshes like a summer breeze, and smart TVs with free WiFi for your daily digital dose, it's hard not to fall in love with this place.

But what elevates Villa Notos from an 'amazing stay' to 'the ultimate vacation experience' is the heart and soul of the place — Lena. This isn't your run-of-the-mill, cookie-cutter hotel experience. It's personal, it's authentic, it's magical.

So, if you're plotting your next adventure and Milos is on the horizon, trust me, Villa Notos is your destination. Any other choice would be like going to a Michelin-star restaurant and ordering a salad! Book your stay now, and when you do meet Lena, tell her she's got some fans eagerly awaiting their next visit! Because Villa Notos isn't just a hotel, it's home. A home that comes with a...