Hotels in Nydri

Cooking real meals in a proper kitchen rather than eating out every night made a week-long stay far more affordable than we'd budgeted for. My partner, well over six feet tall, finally didn't have to sleep diagonally, which shouldn't be as rare as it is. The short walk to Pasas Beach became a daily habit, quieter than the busier stretch near central Nydri.

The infinity pool gave us a genuinely quiet spot away from the busier beachfront hotels we'd looked at first, worth the short bike ride down to Nidri Beach when we wanted the sea instead. Having a fitness centre on site meant we kept up a routine we'd otherwise have skipped entirely on holiday. The eco-friendly grounds felt noticeably different from the more paved-over resorts nearby, more garden than car park.

Four minutes to Nidri Beach turned out to be an exact figure, not an exaggeration, which we tested more than once with kids demanding a swim before breakfast. The sofa bed in the kitchenette room meant we didn't need to book a second room for our teenager, which kept costs down significantly. Walking to Dimosari Waterfalls one afternoon felt like a bonus rather than a planned excursion, given how close it sat.

Being close enough to walk both to the beach and into central Nydri for dinner made this feel like the most practical base we'd stayed at on the island. The Greek breakfast served in the room each morning was a nice touch we hadn't expected, better than the standard buffet spread elsewhere. Booking a massage through the front desk on our second day turned into one of the highlights of the whole trip.

3 Island View Hotel suits families who want the sea right in front of them, with direct beachfront access and a pool that shares the same view. Family rooms have air-conditioning and free WiFi, and Nidri Beach is less than a kilometre away for a change of scene. The pool is a useful fallback on windy afternoons, and the outdoor fireplace makes cooler spring or autumn evenings pleasant outside. I would pick it for a three-star beach stay.

The rooftop pool was worth the stay on its own, quiet enough with the adults-only policy that it felt private even at midday in August. Concierge service booked us into a restaurant on the other side of the island without us lifting a phone, which felt like a genuine luxury rather than a gimmick. The six-minute walk to Nidri Beach meant we still got a proper swim in the sea, not just the pool.

Hotel Niras is 250 metres from the beach and a kilometre from central Nydri, with a pool and poolside bar overlooking the Ionian Sea, a good mix for families who want both sea and pool. Rooms have a private balcony with sea or pool views. Boats to Meganisi leave regularly from Nydri Port nearby, an easy day trip with children. Free parking is available nearby. It is rated 9.2 from 294 reviews.

Smile Inn is two minutes from Nidri Beach with direct beachfront access and a sun terrace, so families can move between the room and the water easily. Rooms have tiled floors, which are easy to keep free of sand, private bathrooms with free toiletries and extra-long beds, welcome for tall teenagers. Luggage storage helps on arrival and departure days, and WiFi is free. There is no pool or kids' facility listed. It is rated 9.1 from 360 reviews.

Edward Art Boutique Hotel sits 30 metres from Fun Nidri Beach, close enough for children to go back and forth without a long walk. Rooms have a coffee machine, a safety deposit box and balconies with mountain views. The 24-hour front desk helps with late ferry or early departure times, and bike and car hire on site make it easy to explore the cycling and fishing routes around Nydri. I would pick it for an active family that wants the beach on the doorstep.

The main draw at Eva Beach Hotel Lefkada is that some family rooms come with their own private pool, a rare find at two-star level in Nydri. The beach is right outside, and Dimosari Waterfalls are 300 metres away for a cooler morning walk. The restaurant offers vegetarian and gluten-free options alongside Greek and Italian dishes, which helps when children eat differently. I would ask for one of the pool rooms when booking.