Our sandy shore makes us the best of Hydra hotels on the beach
Mandraki Beach Resort is the most premium of Hydra hotels on the beach. Our sandy beachfront is located one cove over and just a 3 minute sea taxi ride from the port of Hydra, on the historical Mandraki bay. You can reach our hotel either by sea or by a short, scenic walk along the waterfront. We run our own sea transfer for all guests arriving at Hydra port on a complimentary basis, which you can also use to get from Mandraki bay to the port, if you so
wish it. Mandraki bay is also connected to the rest of Hydra island by kaiki boats that tour the island.
Once a place of great strategic importance, Mandraki’s naturally tranquil setting has been enhanced and transformed into a haven of serenity for a holiday imbued with cosmopolitan flair. One thing that makes us one of the best Hydra hotels on the beach is undoubtedly our sandy shore, which is the only one on the entire island. The beach has shallow waters that are sheltered by the winds, thus providing a calm and relaxed environment, like a hideaway far from the stresses of everyday life.
Hydra Island & Town
The stately houses and captain’s manors are imposing, standing proudly, impressing visitors with their grandeur despite their otherwise simplistic appearance. Hydra affluence made it a target for many conquests and for this reason its structures had to be somewhat fortified.
Nevertheless, the slope upon which the settlement has been built creates a charming and photogenic cascading landscape that instantly captivates the visitor. The town is brimming with life; from the fishing boats that dot the port’s shoreline to the plethora of cafes, tavernas, museums, churches, shops and stores. There are plenty of things to peruse at your leisure.
However, the charm of Hydra extends beyond its picturesque port town. It has an array of wonderful beaches and secluded inlets, waiting for you to discover them by boat.
Hydra island is the crown jewel of the Argosaronic sea, a fascinating amalgam of natural beauty, intriguing history and quaint, colourful settlements, known for being a pole of attraction for celebrities and the jet-set. It is a place where there is no traffic, and, being close to Athens city, provides the perfect destination for a relaxing, island retreat not too far from the Greek capital.
Hydra town is the portside settlement that welcomes you, at the heart of a closed bay, built amphitheatrically on a slope, displaying unique harmony between architecture and environment. Sauntering around Hydra town’s cobblestone alleys, you will admire its particular architecture which blends island and mainland traits, as well as effortlessly alternating between stately manor houses and common homes.
Hydra was an affluent island that experienced most of its economic prosperity in the 18th century, which came from naval and nautical sources.
Hydra’s Artistic & Cosmopolitan Charm
The island’s cosmopolitan charm is undeniable. Hydra began to gain international interest in the 1950s and 1960s mostly due to Nikos Hadjikyriakos-Ghika, a native of Hydra belonging to a prominent family, and the most famous Greek modernist cubist artist.
His internationally acclaimed ‘Generation of the 30s’ movement travelled the globe in the form of exhibitions with pieces mostly portraying Hydra island, his primary muse.
The bohemian world was soon to be seduced by a place which appealed to them as a tranquil island retreat, where they could find themselves and be free to express their artistic impulses. The island of Hydra gradually became a haven for international artists, painters, writers, musicians and intellectuals who were instantly taken by its rugged landscapes, quaint settlements and laid-back ambience. It gave them the quietude and space they craved in a blessed setting where they could explore and discover their artistic identities. They included the legendary Leonard Cohen and Henry Miller among others.
Since then, the island has retained its unfaltering charm, drawing many artists, celebrities and people of the film industry, as well as elite individuals who seek to experience something almost intangible; the stunning natural beauty, the indubitable calm and an unconventional way of life, away from prying eyes. Hydra island is most definitely a tranquil and inspiring hideaway in an otherwise busy and noisy world.
