There is a particular kind of Greek island holiday that a lot of travellers are looking for now: a small, stylish hotel rather than a big resort, and a pool that is yours alone — for the early-morning swim, the after-beach rinse, the glass of wine at dusk with nobody else around. Paros is very good at this, but “private pool” covers a wide range of things, and the photos do not always tell the whole story.
As a boutique hotel near Naoussa with several private-pool suites of our own, we know the questions guests wish they had asked before booking elsewhere. Here is what to look for.
Why choose a private pool on Paros?
Paros is an island of excellent beaches, so a private pool is not a substitute for the sea — it is a complement to it. It comes into its own:
- Early and late in the day, when you want a swim without going anywhere
- On windy days in July and August, when the Meltemi makes some beaches choppy but a sheltered courtyard stays calm
- On honeymoons and anniversaries, when privacy is the whole point (see our Paros honeymoon guide)
- For families, when a contained pool right outside the door makes nap times and evenings easier — with the usual supervision, of course
What “private pool” can actually mean
Read listings carefully. In Paros you will come across:
Private pools. A proper small pool, typically 8–15 sq. m or more, in your own courtyard or on your terrace. Big enough to float, cool off and swim a few strokes.
Plunge pools. Smaller and shallower — for a dip rather than a swim. Perfectly pleasant, but check the size so you are not surprised.
Outdoor jetted tubs. A hot-tub-style pool with hydro-massage jets, usually on an upper terrace with a view. Less about swimming, more about sunsets.
“Semi-private” or shared pools. A pool shared between two or three suites. Not the same thing; make sure you know which you are booking.
Seven things to check before you book
1. The actual dimensions
Any hotel proud of its pools will state their size. If a listing does not, ask.
2. How private it really is
Can neighbouring terraces or a public path see in? Look for walled or planted courtyards and staggered layouts. Photos taken from inside the pool area, showing what surrounds it, are more revealing than close-ups of the water.
3. Sun and wind
A pool in permanent shade stays cold; a pool on an exposed north-facing clifftop can be unusable when the Meltemi blows. Walled courtyards at ground level tend to be the most sheltered; roof terraces have the best views but catch more breeze.
4. The view
Sea view, garden view, or wall? All three exist. Decide what matters to you.
5. Distance to the sea
Some pool suites are inland villas, a drive from any beach. Others are right on the shore. If you want both pool and sea within steps, check the map rather than the description.
6. Location relative to restaurants
A beautiful pool half an hour from the nearest good dinner gets old by night three. On Paros, being within a few minutes of Naoussa gives you the most choice in the evenings. Our guide to where to stay in Paros covers the pros and cons of each area.
7. Service
Boutique should mean personal. Can breakfast or dinner be served at your suite? Will someone arrange a boat, a car or a table for you? At a small hotel, the answer should be yes.
The best areas of Paros for private-pool stays
Around Naoussa is the prime area. The old town itself is too dense for pools, but the bays and peninsulas on either side of it — towards Kolymbithres on one side, Xifara and Santa Maria on the other — have the space, the sea views and the proximity to the harbour. This is where most of the island’s boutique pool suites are found.
Above Parikia and along the west coast, a number of hillside hotels and villas offer pools with sunset views. It is a convenient area for ferries, less so for the northern beaches; see Naoussa vs Parikia.
The east coast and the south are mostly about villas rather than hotels: good for groups and longer self-catering stays, less so if you want hotel service.
Private pools at Paros Comfy Suites
Since you are reading this on our site, here is exactly what we offer — judged against the checklist above.
We are a fourteen-suite boutique hotel on the Xifara peninsula, 2 km (about five minutes’ drive) from Naoussa. All suites are fully renovated and have sea views. Those with private water are:
- Standard Double Suite — ground floor, up to 2 guests, 35 sq. m private yard with a 10 sq. m private pool and direct access to the beach.
- Double Suite with Private Pool — ground floor, up to 2 guests, 30 sq. m yard, 10 sq. m private pool, direct beach access.
- Triple Suite with Private Pool — up to 4 guests, 30 sq. m yard, 10 sq. m private pool, direct beach access.
- Superior Family Suite — up to 3 adults and 1 child, a generous 50 sq. m yard with a 10 sq. m private pool and direct beach access.
- 360° Double Suite and 360° Family Suite — top-floor suites with outdoor jetted tubs (3.5 and 5 sq. m) on terraces with all-round views over Naoussa bay.
The ground-floor pools sit in stone-walled courtyards, which keeps them sheltered and private; the sandy beach of Siparos is 50 metres away, and Santa Maria beach is 2 km up the road. Beds and linen are by COCO-MAT, bath products are natural Greek olive-oil based, and private dining in your suite is available for the pool suites. We can also arrange boat trips, car hire and port or airport pick-ups, and there are free bicycles and private parking.
When to come
Private pools are at their best from June to September, when sun-warmed water needs no help. September is a particular sweet spot — warm sea, warm pool, fewer people — as we explain in Paros in September. In May and October the air is mild but unheated pools are fresh; the sea, oddly, is often the warmer option in autumn.
Book early, and book direct
Pool suites are the scarcest rooms on the island: most boutique hotels have just a few, and they are the first to go for summer dates. Booking directly with the hotel means you can ask about a specific suite, mention a special occasion and sort out transfers at the same time.
To see ours, browse the suites and book direct at paroscomfysuites.com. If you are not sure which suite fits your trip, send us a message — we will give you a straight answer.
Frequently asked questions
Are there hotels in Paros with private pools?
Yes. Paros has a growing number of boutique hotels and suites with private pools or outdoor jetted tubs, mostly on the coast around Naoussa and on the hillsides above Parikia. They are limited in number and are usually the first room types to sell out.
Private pool or plunge pool — what is the difference?
There is no official definition, so always check the dimensions. A plunge pool is typically a small, shallow pool for cooling off; a private pool of around 10 sq. m or more lets you float and take a few strokes. Outdoor jetted tubs are smaller again — made for soaking with a view rather than swimming.
Where is the best area in Paros for a hotel with a private pool?
The coast just outside Naoussa. You get the space and sea views that pool suites need, while staying a few minutes from the island's best restaurants and beaches. Inside the old towns, buildings are too tightly packed for private pools.
Are private pools in Paros heated?
Most are not, and from June to September they do not need to be — the sun keeps the water pleasantly warm. If you are travelling in May or October and heating matters to you, ask the hotel directly before booking.
When should I book a private pool suite in Paros?
As early as you can. Hotels typically have only a handful of pool suites, and for June to September the best ones are often reserved months in advance. Booking directly with the hotel lets you request a specific suite.