Iliana’s By The Beach is exactly as advertised. The pictures in the listing are an accurate depiction of what you get, and of the views you will enjoy. The house is just at the southern edge of Naxos town, and is a 1 minute walk from St. George’s beach where you are at the southern edge of a boardwalk along the beach with numerous restaurants and cafes, all of which have beach chairs and umbrellas for day rental. It is less than a 5 minute walk to a road that takes you towards the harbour and Center of town. You will also find 3 small markets and 3 car/moped/ATV rental shops at that intersection. There is also a very large supermarket about the same distance away, but it’s down a less attractive looking road and you probably won’t stumble upon it by foot. It is about a 10 minute walk to the edge of the town Center, where you will find lots of shopping, restaurants, and nightlife. The house is therefore a great combo of tranquil setting yet ease of access to the action.
What you get is the top floor apartment of the house. The parents and brother of the host live in the ground-floor apartment. The parents are very friendly and generous with the vegetables they grow in their garden. Their dog Achilles is also very friendly and will walk part way to town with you at times. The host and/or her brother Anthony are very responsive to queries via this app. They also arrange and pay for a taxi to pick you up from the port upon your arrival (if by ferry) - you would have to inquire if the same service is offered from the airport.
The apartment will comfortably accommodate 6 people. Each BR has its own balcony, as well as a 4th balcony from the kitchen area. The kitchen is well equipped and allowed us to cook most of our meals.
A car is not necessary for beach time and exploring Naxos town. But if you want to see more of the island (and there is lots to see), a car/buggy/ATV is imperative.
There are a few cons. The wifi signal in the master BR is weak and spotty at times( but worked fine in the rest of the apartment). The outer door doorknob is unusual in that there isn’t one, so you actually end up leaving the key in the lock on the outside just to get in. It is quite contrary to Canadian city-folk sensibilities, but you get used to it. The dryer didn’t seem very effective (may have been us not knowing the correct settings)... but hanging clothes on the balcony was quicker and more effective anyway.
I highly recommend the Iliana by the beach with host Anna, and would go there again if with a large group requiring a 3BR arrangement.