Ypseli Anafi's Hive

Ypseli Anafi’s Hive is an exquisite boutique hotel with wonderfully warm, friendly and informative staff across every area of the hotel’s operation. I was met at the port at 5am by Sofia and together with two others we were taken on the short drive uphill, past the Chora in a comfortable minibus to the hotel with Sofia providing information about this being the very best time of the day and encouraging us to enjoy the sunrise. On arriving at the hotel, the velvety silence was all embracing. I immediately knew I was going to love it there. My suite - Honeycomb - was delightful. Everything was spotless; the bed was marvellously comfy; there was a settee to relax on in the living area/mini kitchen; a coffee machine; and a sink big enough to rinse through costumes/clothes after swims/walks. The en-suite shower room had a very powerful shower and there was a plentiful supply of gorgeous toiletries. I also had a wonderfully shaded patio which I would sit out on to respond to emails in the mornings. The garden was full of flowers which were selected to encourage bees, and I could smell the herbs which also grew there. Breakfast was served on the terrace 8am-10.30am and there were four choices including a vegan option, plus bougatsia and glyka daily. Filter coffee included-if you wanted another type of coffee that was also possible for a small charge. There was advice if you needed it about beaches to walk to - I visited four different beaches in the week I was there - the bus service (limited but available) and restaurants in the Chora. In the evenings staff were happy to call a taxi to get me into the Chora at a charge of between 5 or 8 euros each trip, and I’d ring the taxi myself to arrange a return trip after a dinner in town. On the Saturday of the week that I stayed, the hotel opened their restaurant. I never tried lunch there (I was always out walking somewhere) but I had dinner twice. The pasta dish with local sausage and fennel was delicious and the sea bream risotto fabulous too. It was always nice to sit with a pre-dinner drink watching the colours change as the sun went down. Sofia, Dimitri, Katrina - thank you all for making my visit so incredibly relaxing and enjoyable. Also I don’t think I’ve ever met nicer hotel cleaners - they were so lovely and I enjoyed my morning conversations with them too. I could not have been happier and I was incredibly sad to leave. Ta leme Ypsili’s team

Updating comprises seven little houses set in beautifully manicured gardens. The design in some of the best I have seen in Greece. My unit had a living room with kitchen and bathroom upstairs and semi basement bedroom/bathroom downstairs, plus a large private terrace. I was so taken. by my little house that I saw less of the island than I planned. Outside were beautifully manicured grounds, a smallish communal pool, and a breakfast bar. Staff were delightful and highly professional.