Checking In: Anemi, Folegandros

Anemi Folegandros blends contemporary Cycladic design, thoughtful wellness experiences, and effortless island living in one of Greece’s most authentic destinations. Here’s what to expect.

Folegandros occupies a quieter corner of the Cyclades. While neighbouring islands have evolved around tourism, Folegandros has held onto much of its traditional character. Life here moves at a slower pace.

Whitewashed villages cling to dramatic cliffs, old stone paths connect beaches and hilltop churches, and the landscape remains largely untouched. It’s an island where the appeal lies not in what has been added, but in what has been preserved.

It’s fitting, then, that Anemi Folegandros feels deeply connected to the island around it. During my stay, I found a hotel that delivers luxury without sacrificing authenticity. It’s polished and refined, but never showy. Everything from the architecture to the wellness offering feels rooted in place. Here’s what you need to know before booking your stay at Anemi Folegandros

*This ‘anemi folegandros’ hotel review may contain affiliate links, meaning I might make a small profit if you choose to book at no extra cost to you. This helps me to keep providing you with top-quality content for free. This article was written in collaboration with Anemi Hotel.

Read more: Where to Stay in Folegandros

What to Know Before You Go

Anemi is Folegandros’ leading luxury hotel and one of the island’s most established addresses. The property first opened in 2007 and underwent its most recent refurbishment in 2023, refreshing many of the public spaces and accommodations while preserving the character that made the hotel successful in the first place.

The hotel has 44 rooms and suites spread across a low-rise village-style complex. Unlike many luxury resorts in the Cyclades, Anemi doesn’t feel like a single building. Instead, it unfolds like a miniature Greek settlement, with pathways, courtyards, gardens, and terraces connecting the various spaces.

The atmosphere is best described as barefoot luxury. Guests arrive seeking relaxation, privacy, wellness, and a deeper connection with the island rather than nightlife or scene-driven travel, but then again, Folegandros isn’t that type of island.

Location

Anemi occupies a privileged position above Karavostasis, the island’s port village and one of the prettiest harbors in the Cyclades. The location makes arrival remarkably easy. Within minutes of stepping off the ferry, I was checking into the hotel rather than enduring another lengthy transfer.

The setting also gives the hotel a practical advantage. From here, it’s easy to explore the rest of Folegandros, whether that means wandering the cobbled lanes of Chora, hiking to the Church of Panagia, discovering secluded beaches, or heading out on a boat trip around the island.

Unlike neighboring Santorini, whose volcanic caldera and black-sand beaches attract huge crowds, Folegandros has intentionally remained more understated. There’s a stronger focus on local culture, sustainability, and preserving the island’s identity. That distinction becomes apparent almost immediately.

When to Book

The ideal time to visit is between late May and early October.

July and August bring the warmest weather and the fullest island atmosphere, but June and September are particularly appealing. During these shoulder-season months, temperatures remain ideal for swimming, hiking, and outdoor dining while the island feels noticeably calmer.

For families, the Junior Suites are among the most sought-after room categories and tend to book well in advance during summer holidays. I’d advise you to book your stay as soon as you cement your plans.

At the Hotel

One thing I appreciated about Anemi is that it’s possible to be as active or as relaxed as you like.

The hotel features a large swimming pool, a fully equipped outdoor gym, tennis and basketball courts, and a dedicated yoga centre set among the property’s vineyard. Morning yoga sessions take place here during the summer months with resident instructors leading classes beneath the vines.

You can also arrange a variety of island experiences through the hotel, including boat excursions, snorkeling trips, cycling routes, and guided hikes. For a destination built around nature and outdoor living, these experiences feel like a natural extension of the stay.

Adding another layer of authenticity, Anemi cultivates its own grapes on-site and collaborates with a local winery to produce its own wine. It’s a small detail, but one that reflects the property’s commitment to creating genuine connections with the island.

Anemi Folegandros Hotel Review

The Hotel & Its History

Anemi opened in 2007 with a clear vision: to create a luxury hotel that respected the character of Folegandros rather than competing with it.

The architecture was conceived by Alexandros C. Samaras & Associates, while the interiors were designed by Stage Design Office, led by Stavros Papagiannis and George Kyriazis. Their approach was to reinterpret the traditional Cycladic village through a contemporary lens.

Nearly two decades later, the concept still works beautifully.

Instead of imposing a resort onto the landscape, the buildings appear to emerge from it. The hotel follows the natural contours of the hillside, creating the feeling of a small settlement overlooking the sea rather than a conventional luxury property.

Read more: The Complete Folegandros, Greece Travel Guide

Design

The architecture draws heavily from traditional Greek island settlements, with whitewashed volumes, courtyards, pergolas, and pathways arranged like a Cycladic village. Yet there is nothing nostalgic or overly rustic about the execution.

The contemporary interiors introduce cleaner lines, curated furnishings, and a restrained palette that feels sophisticated without becoming sterile. Throughout the property, the design balances heritage and modernity well.

One of the most unique details for me appeared in the guestrooms themselves. The custom headboards feature imagery inspired by traditional village life on Folegandros, creating subtle visual connections to the island’s culture and history.

The result is a hotel that feels unmistakably Greek without relying on clichés.

Rooms & Suites

Accommodation at Anemi is spread across a collection of rooms and suites designed to feel more like private residences than hotel rooms.

Even entry-level rooms offer generous outdoor space, while higher-category suites introduce sea views, larger living areas, and private pools.

Families gravitate toward the Junior Suites, which provide additional space and flexible layouts that comfortably accommodate children. For couples, the sea-view suites offer some of the most memorable stays on the property, particularly those with private pools overlooking the Aegean.

Across all categories, the atmosphere remains bright, airy, and distinctly Cycladic.

Practical touches haven’t been overlooked either. Beach towels are provided for guests heading off to explore Folegandros’ coves and beaches, making spontaneous swimming stops effortless.

Dining

Breakfast was the only meal I experienced at Anemi, but it set the tone for each day. The spread combined Greek staples like thick yogurt with honey, local cheeses, fresh fruit, and pastries, alongside cooked-to-order eggs and fluffy pancakes.

I found myself lingering over breakfast most mornings, enjoying a second coffee and the relaxed pace and pool views that seem to define life on Folegandros.

Andelea Spa

The newest expression of Anemi’s wellness philosophy is Andelea Spa, a contemporary sanctuary designed around relaxation, mindfulness, and restorative treatments. The spa was created as an extension of the guest experience rather than an add-on amenity, making wellness a central part of the stay.

The interiors combine soothing blue tones and softly lit treatment rooms with steam facilities and wellness spaces that encourage you to slow down.

Massage therapies are particularly popular, especially the deep tissue treatment, which many guests book after days spent hiking the island’s trails. The spa also offers facials, holistic rituals, couples treatments, and signature therapies inspired by Greek ingredients and local traditions.

Wellness extends beyond the treatment rooms. Anemi is home to what was established as Folegandros’ first dedicated yoga studio, where guests can participate in summer yoga sessions alongside personalized healing treatments and wellness experiences.

Anything Else Worth Mentioning?

Anemi was Folegandros’ first luxury hotel and continues to lead the island’s hospitality scene, combining thoughtful design, elevated service, and a deep connection to the destination’s character.

How to Book

Your stay can be booked directly through Anemi Folegandros’ website.

For the best room selection, particularly if you’re travelling during July, August, or school holidays, I would recommend booking several months in advance. Junior Suites and private pool categories are often the first to sell out.

---

Now more than ever, make sure not to leave home without travel insurance. For the last few years, I’ve been using Safetywing Nomad Insurance for all my individual trips and digital nomad lifestyle, and there’s no better company for all my insurance needs. Cover starts from as little as $42 per month. Get your quote below now.