Milestones Naxos

Close to the long sweep of Plaka Beach, Milestones Naxos is a tiny five star retreat of just five contemporary suites, each created around Aegean views, generous outdoor living and the privacy of its own pool or Jacuzzi.

The landscape provides the starting point. Great pieces of Naxian stone surround the property, and the architecture responds with strong white forms, dark stone walls and different levels that seem to emerge from the island itself. It is a bolder interpretation of Cycladic simplicity, particularly striking against the dry hills and deep blue of the sea.

Built in 2022, Milestones feels closer to a collection of private island residences than a conventional hotel. There are no busy communal areas competing for attention, and with only five suites the atmosphere remains wonderfully personal, leaving the architecture, terraces and changing Aegean light to do much of the talking.

Rooms & Suites

Space is central to the accommodation. Interiors are bright and uncluttered, using pale natural tones and simple furnishings alongside darker stone details, while large openings draw the eye outside towards the terraces and sea.

The Sea View Suite comes with an outdoor Jacuzzi, while the Grande Sea View Suite adds its own private pool. The Two Bedroom Sea View Suite gives couples travelling together or families considerably more room without sacrificing privacy, again with a private pool forming the centrepiece of its outdoor space.

For a larger gathering, the six bedroom Estate changes the scale completely. With two private pools and the freedom of a substantial private residence, it is an impressive option for friends or an extended family who want to experience Naxos together while retaining the space and independence that define Milestones.

Dining

Mornings are deliberately unhurried, with continental breakfast served against a backdrop of sea and sky. At a property this intimate, eating on your own terrace feels entirely in keeping with the experience, particularly when the first decision of the day is whether breakfast or the pool should come first.

Plaka takes care of the rest rather nicely. Its long beachfront is dotted with tavernas and relaxed places to eat, while the villages and interior of Naxos open up another side of the island’s food culture, from local cheeses and potatoes to the excellent produce grown across its fertile valleys.

Experience

Milestones is really about having your own piece of Naxos for a while. Days can disappear surprisingly quickly between a private pool, a sun warmed terrace and the sea, with little need for a programme of organised entertainment when one of the Cyclades’ finest beaches is close by.

Plaka itself stretches for kilometres, with clear water and plenty of room to find your own patch of sand. When the mood changes, Naxos rewards exploration more than most Cycladic islands, with mountain villages, ancient sites and a wonderfully varied interior providing an easy counterpoint to days beside the coast.

Wellness

Slowing down happens naturally here. Outdoor Jacuzzis and private pools turn the suites into places where you genuinely want to spend time, particularly towards the end of the afternoon when the heat begins to fade and the terraces come into their own.

The simplicity is part of the appeal. A swim before breakfast, a few hours at Plaka and an afternoon back beside your own pool create precisely the kind of easy island rhythm Milestones was designed around.

Where

The position near Plaka gives Milestones a lovely balance between coast and island life. Naxos Town is close enough for evenings beneath the Kastro or a sunset walk towards Portara, while heading inland quickly brings you into an altogether different Naxos of fertile valleys, mountain villages and winding roads that make having a day away from the beach every bit as rewarding.

Media