Despite Hydra’s cosmopolitan élan and close proximity to Athens, the best hotels on the island remain refreshingly elemental. The timeless charm of Hydra unfolds around its historic port, winding through narrow cobblestone streets where the absence of cars preserves the island’s slow and peaceful rhythm. Vogue’s guide to the best hotels and Airbnbs in Hydra reveals a destination that has long captivated artists and writers, inspiring them to create a home within the island’s iconic guesthouses. Coperni designers, Sébastien Meyer and Arnaud Vaillant, are among those who have long vacationed on Hydra, eventually choosing it as their wedding location. Today, this idyllic Aegean hamlet has become a favorite destination for the fashion set, evidenced by the seasonal arrival of fashion brands each summer. This season, By Malene Birger will be activating its high summer pop-up at Melisses Gallery from June through August, showcasing their collection alongside special collaborations with local curators and artists, including Josh Hickey of Hydra Book Club, ceramicist Vittoria Berardinone of Potteryinhydra, artist Tom Powell, and Rafalias, the local pharmacy dating back to 1890 known for their olive oil soaps.
Given Hydra’s allure for the art world, fashion lovers and contemporary art enthusiasts should visit Deste’s Hydra Slaughterhouse Project. Part of the Deste Foundation, established in 1983 by art collector Dakis Joannou (“deste” meaning “look” in Greek), this project occupies an old slaughterhouse since 2009. Visitors during the summer season – June through October – can attend site-specific art exhibitions featuring solo and group artists; previous installations have brought renowned artists like Jeff Koons, Urs Fischer, and Kara Walker to the island.
Accessing Hydra and experiencing its medley of charming boutique stays is as simple as taking a one-hour ferry from Athens port or booking a private transfer with the beloved yachting brand Cyanos. No matter how you choose to arrive, you’ll have an array of idyllic hotels to choose from. Below, we highlight our favorite hotels and Airbnbs to live like a local on the Greek island of Hydra.
Hotel Miranda
Located on the main street connecting the harbor with Kala Pigadia, Hotel Miranda is housed in an old mansion originally built in 1810 as a wealthy sea captain’s residence. Since transforming into a 14-room boutique hotel in 1961, it has hosted a rotating cast of politicians, artists, actors, and writers, becoming one of the island’s most beloved hotels for its warm homespun atmosphere. The hotel’s charm lies in its 18th and 19th-century furniture, antiques, and paintings by famous Greek artists.
Four Seasons Hydra
At the heart of Four Seasons Hydra lies a centuries-old stone mansion nestled on a sprawling property between mountain and sea. This eight-room boutique hotel boasts a taverna restaurant open for all three meals beneath the shade of a pergola, offering stunning views of the property’s secluded beach. When guests are ready to explore the island, the port of Hydra is conveniently located nearby and accessible via the hotel’s own boat.
Bratsera Boutique Hotel
Originally a sponge factory in 1860, Brastera has been thoughtfully restored into a boutique hotel. Its name reflects the place where fishing fleets once embarked on sponge harvesting expeditions. Today, the hotel’s 25 ethereally designed rooms surround a central garden with a pool, a unique and inviting feature for a hotel located in the heart of Hydra’s old town.
Mandraki Beach Resort
Opened in 2023 on the only sandy beach in Hydra, Mandraki Beach Resort is one of the first luxury resorts of its kind on the island. Situated just a 3-minute sea taxi ride from the port, it occupies a meticulously renovated historic building featuring 17 contemporary luxury suites with terraces, private pools, and a Greek restaurant.
Orloff Hotel
The Orloff house, ideally located on the west side of the port, underwent a thorough restoration in 2022 after initially opening as a hotel in 1986. Today, the property features six modern rooms, two suites, and various common spaces, patios, courtyards, and a garden. Each accommodation is decorated with respect for the original structure of the home, showcasing high ceilings, large windows with traditional blue window frames, and a cozy atmosphere.
Airbnbs
Dimitri’s Stylish Island House
This tastefully decorated stone home in the quiet Bouagia neighborhood, just a 15-minute walk from the port, was designed by two award-winning Greek architects. The two-story house consists of two separate buildings, each with high ceilings, connected via a beautiful bougainvillea-filled courtyard with an idyllic outdoor dining area.
Captain Elias’s Traditional Hydraian House
Unlike most homes on the island, there are no stairs required to access this stylishly designed home in the Kala Pigadia neighborhood, making it particularly appealing. The house is split between two floors connected by an external staircase. The ground floor features an open plan kitchen, a dining room, a spacious living room with a patio view, and a bathroom, while the upper level boasts the master bedroom with high ceilings and a second bedroom with antique brass beds. The serene nature of the home extends into its outdoor areas, from a patio with an al fresco dining area shaded by olive and lemon trees, to a private yard and terrace with four sunbeds for enjoying the evening views.
Hydra House With a Magical View
While the magical view house, located on a quiet hillside just a 10-minute walk from the port, is comfortably furnished and well-equipped with essentials, its main attraction is, as the name suggests, the view. Watching the sunset from the large outdoor terrace is a memorable experience for most guests. There’s also a smaller terrace on the first level where guests can read under the shade of a fruit tree or enjoy their morning coffee. For guests seeking privacy, there’s a third bedroom located in the intimate red cottage in the garden, recently renovated with A/C and its own private bathroom.
Historical Stone Manor on the Ground Floor
This historical stone manor in the old city of Kiafa, a 15-minute walk from the port, is situated in a 16th-century palatial complex that has hosted famous guests like Leonard Cohen and Jackie Kennedy-Onassis. It is split into two listings (ground floor and first floor), with the option to inquire about booking both together. The ground floor listing features two bedrooms and two bathrooms with a fully equipped kitchen, boasting Italian design and premium SMEG appliances, along with an adjoining dining room. The spacious living room includes both a fireplace and a wood oven, creating a cozy ambiance. Outside, a meticulously landscaped garden offers panoramic sea views, enjoyed from the various dining and lounging areas beneath two pergolas.
Villa Francesca
Villa Francesca is ideal for larger groups, boasting a spacious and well-designed layout that includes three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a grand living room with a cozy fireplace and a sleeping alcove perfect for children. Additionally, there’s a generously-sized kitchen with a dining area, along with three distinct terraces: one with a large dining table accommodating 12 guests, a tranquil jasmine and wisteria-shaded terrace featuring a hammock, and an open-air terrace adjacent to the living room offering unobstructed views to the west towards the islands of Dokos and Spetses.
Magnificent Seaview Stone House
This traditional stone house overlooking the small picturesque Kamini port features a comfortable living room with a stone fireplace, an open-plan kitchen equipped with porcelain dinnerware, and two bedrooms with king-sized beds and spacious built-in closets. The stone-lined terrace offers some of the best sunset views on the island. While the home is a scenic 20-minute walk to the center of Hydra (on a stone-paved, no-car walkway), guests can opt for a 3-minute water taxi ride that will pick them up and drop them off at the foot of the property.