Nostos Guesthouse

Lovers of traditional character, warm hospitality and authentic surroundings will feel right at home at this charming guesthouse, situated in the heart of the little hilltop village of Chora, Kythira's administrative capital. Nostos Guesthouse was created from a listed 19th-century building on Estavromenos Square, opposite the pretty church of the same name. Originally the home of Father Samuel, an eminent clergyman, this handsome old house has been carefully restored and converted into a guesthouse with great attention to detail.

Named after different winds, the seven guestrooms are attractively decorated and tastefully furnished with hand-picked antiques. As you would expect from an old building, they do not have balconies, and vary a little in terms of size, layout and orientation, but each has a compact en-suite shower room and all are equipped with air-conditioning, TV (limited English-language channels), mini-fridges, safety-deposit boxes and hairdryers. Maid service is provided daily, and free WiFi is available.

The cosy breakfast room/café on the ground floor is equally attractive and is open to the public. For hotel guests, a tasty breakfast of local produce and home-baked treats is included every morning, and hot drinks and light snacks are available throughout the day. Your host, the charming Maria, is on hand to offer any assistance or advice to help you make the most of your stay on Kythira.

Chora's landmark Venetian castle is just 150 metres away (the access lane actually runs through the hotel's archway) and is a must both for the structure itself and for the spectacular views offered by its hilltop position. In the opposite direction, you can stroll down the main street past a handful of charming boutiques, craft and souvenir shops and a couple of welcoming cafes to the island's archaeological museum situated at the north-west corner of the village. To the east, the little beach resort of Kapsali with its two bays is approximately half-an-hour's walk away but the return back uphill is quite steep in parts, so you may want to hire a car for part of your stay, or make use of local taxis.