Naxos is one of my favorite islands. In recent years, I’ve visited at least twice in the summer and had a wonderful vacation. I’ve stayed in various accommodations on the island, but one of them piqued my interest. The En Lefko Boutique House could be said to be a charming house with stunning décor and hotel amenities for which dozens of travelers from Greece and abroad have written reviews. And it may be operating from the summer of 2020, a difficult time due to Covid-19, but it managed to garner five-star reviews from tourists who wanted to vacation on the Cycladic island.
Its owner, Andreas, is a man who loves his mother’s place of origin, which is why he chose to build a house for tourists who want to experience Greek hospitality and family warmth. The location of the accommodation is ideal because, while it’s located in the central town of Chora in essence, it’s secluded with absolute quiet! Something, of course, that seems to be preferred by those who want to be in the center of the island and do not have to take their car for their outing.
En Lefko Boutique House: The name and philosophy of the accommodation
Surely reading the name, one understands that white is the color that prevails on the accommodation’s premises. Godfather of En Lefko Boutique House is its owner! “I was the godfather. Since the house is dominated by white, I played with the words and came up with this name. I, also, searched for something that characterizes it and that there are no other accommodations in Naxos with this name”.
In the last few years when Andreas could not go to the island with his family due to increased professional obligations in Athens, he decided to completely renovate the house and decorate it in such a way that it’s minimal and cozy. A charming house that managed, in a short time, to compete with established luxury accommodations is definitely the ideal stay, especially if you are a couple, family, or a group of friends. En Lefko Boutique House is set up in such a way that it feels like home. That’s its great success.
En Lefko Boutique House: Services and hotel amenities
Entering the house, your eye falls on the stunning decor with the absolute dominance of the color white, eternally combined with the traditional element, which in this case is the dark, wooden ceiling. “It’s purely Cycladic with modern elements. In the interior of the house, there’s cement mortar and everything is built in. Specifically, we have built-in sofas, which are located in the living room and can sleep two people, since they have the dimensions of regular single beds with mattresses, a separate bedroom with a built-in queen size bed, and a very nice bathroom that I have fallen in love with myself!”
The house may be only 45 square meters however, it can accommodate 2-4 people. “The living room with the kitchen is an open plan area but it’s nicely separated architecturally. Either two adults or two older children can sleep on the sofas.”
The company Aegean Breeze and its manager, Nektaria Karabatsi, who manages the property, make sure that guests have everything they want at any time. The phone line is open 24 hours a day, something that most of us want when we’re on vacation. “The company and by extension me, take care of everything. Upon entering, customers will receive the welcome package which includes bottled water, seasonal fruit, espresso coffee, raki or a local drink.”
And it may not be a hotel, but En Lefko Boutique House managed to obtain hotel services in a short time. “After consultation with the company, the traveler may have Extra benefits. First of all, there’s the option of picking up the client from the port or the airport and transferring him to the accommodation, whereas if he wishes to rent a car, we give him this option, which is very important as a service. You usually see that in hotels. Also, our partner will give some tips regarding excursions, guided tours, and activities, while suggestions can be made for beaches, excursions to villages, and places to eat. As for the Extra facilities, upon request and Extra cost, everything can be covered. There are partnerships for manicures-pedicures, hair salons, and even yoga and sports such as surfing, kite surfing, scuba diving, and hiking.”
In the fully equipped kitchen, breakfast up to dinner can be cooked. “There’s a supermarket very close by, a mini market, bank, café, and butcher’s shop next to the house. It has everything!”
Five-star reviews from foreign travelers
Many feel that a new accommodation cannot have many reviews and be indicative. And yet, this is the success of En Lefko Boutique House. Visitors who came from England, Germany, and France in the summer of 2020 left with the best impressions, and upon returning to their places of residence, wrote excellent reviews, something that filled Andreas with great joy. “All reviews are five-star. They focus on the decor and cleanliness of the accommodation. In fact, many of them describe it as cozy as it resembles a corner section of a home. In other words, they feel the family warmth. Other reviews refer to its ideal location, as it’s in a secluded centra locale. You can walk anywhere you want. Just think that it will take merely 10 minutes to get to Naxos Castle! Since all the islands, particularly in July and August, have a big issue with parking, by staying at En Lefko Boutique House you have the advantage of being in the heart of Chora, where the entertainment and food are located, in just a few minutes.”
En Lefko Boutique House is a covid free accommodation!
Among the reviews, you will read that this accommodation is spotless. Especially now that both foreigners and Greeks take care to book villas or houses due to Covid-19, this is a major advantage. “We follow the instructions of the local Greek Health Authorities and act in accordance with protocols and hygiene rules that ensure the health of our customers and partners. Due to covid, cleaning and disinfection are done before check-in. Then we do not disturb the customer unless extra cleaning is asked for.”
Attractions you must visit
The house is located in Chora Naxos, at the point where you go to the beaches and the airport. It’s close, just 700 meters, to the beach of Agios Georgios. “Someone who doesn’t want to take a car to go to the most distant beaches, Agia Anna, Plaka, Agios Prokopios, (5-7 km from the house) can walk to this beach”. However, there’s a bus stop 100m from the house that can take you to the beaches as well as to the beautiful seaside and mountain villages of the island. “Naxos, even though it’s where my mother is from, surprises me every time I visit since I discover something new. Last year a friend took me to a village I didn’t know about, and I was surprised because it was as if I was in a mountain village in mainland Epirus Greece, nestled within Platanus trees and waters. It was amazing. That’s why they’ll really like any village one goes to in Naxos. If one comes for the first time, naturally one must visit Apeiranthos, even in the morning for a coffee or a tsipouro with a snack, Filoti, and the island’s other villages, too. There are many villages like my mother’s, Vivlos, that, because the road goes through these villages, the traveler bypasses. For example, if you go down to the square or the alleys, you’ll find it’s very beautiful and traditional.”
Of course, no one leaves the island until they see the sunset from Portara and walk the picturesque alleys of the Castle. Two of the island’s showpieces. “Naxos literally combines mountain and sea. You may see verdant villages, even though they’re in the Cyclades, and in half an hour can be on a golden beach and take a swim.”
En Lefko Boutique House is already waiting for the first visitors from America, while there are also reservations from many Greeks who want to enjoy its services away from the stress and grey of everyday life! What do you say? Shall we sailing for Naxos?
En Lefko Boutique House
Andrea Papandreou, Chora Naxos
Tel 6972442511
[email protected]
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Photographs