Parilio is a design-led hotel near Kolymbithres, on the bay of Naoussa in northern Paros and a member of Design Hotels. It is one of the most talked-about places to stay on the island and for good reason: it reimagines Cycladic architecture with deep arches, concrete columns, thick masonry walls, terracotta floors and local marble, softened by an earthy palette and handmade furniture.
For a honeymoon, it hits a useful middle ground. You get a calm, beautiful hotel with a pool, a restaurant and a spa and suites with private pools in the higher categories. Yet you are only a few minutes by car from Naoussa, the island's prettiest village, with its little harbor, Venetian fort ruins and lanes full of restaurants and cocktail bars.
It suits couples who care about design and food and want evenings out in a lively village, then a quiet return. It is not on the beach itself, though Kolymbithres, with its granite boulders and shallow coves, is close. Prices are high for Paros but usually lower than comparable hotels on Mykonos or Santorini, which makes Parilio one of the better-value design stays in the Cyclades.
Highlights at a glance
- Member of Design Hotels
- Arches, terracotta floors and local marble
- Suites with private pools in higher categories
- Restaurant, bar and spa
- Minutes from Naoussa and Kolymbithres
Why Couples Love Parilio
The design is the first thing guests talk about. The architects took the familiar language of the Cyclades, whitewash and arches and made it heavier and earthier, with terracotta, marble and warm neutral tones. Furniture is bespoke and natural wood, with touches of North African influence. The result feels calm and grounded rather than glossy.
The second is location. Naoussa is the best place on Paros for dinner and a drink and Parilio sits close enough for a short taxi ride while staying properly quiet at night.
Third is the setting itself. The hotel is surrounded by fields and low stone walls rather than other buildings and it is a short drive or a long walk to the boulder-strewn coves of Kolymbithres. Mornings here are very peaceful.
Suites to Book
Parilio is a suites hotel, with several categories that differ in size, layout and outdoor space. The higher categories add a private pool, which is the honeymoon choice if your budget allows.
A few things to ask when booking:
- Whether the suite has a fully private pool or shares water with others.
- How much outdoor space there is, since terraces matter more than square meters inside.
- Where it sits in relation to the main pool and restaurant, if you prefer quiet.
- Bed configuration and bathroom layout, since some design hotels use open-plan bathrooms.
If a private pool is out of reach, an entry suite is still a pleasant base. The main pool is the social center and good for an afternoon swim between beach days.
Food, Drink and the Spa
The hotel has its own restaurant and bar, with Greek and Mediterranean cooking that draws on Paros produce. Breakfast is a slow, generous affair and a highlight of a stay here. In the evening, a drink by the pool is a good start before heading into Naoussa.
The spa offers treatments and is a useful option on a windy afternoon, which happens often in July and August when the meltemi blows across the north of the island.
Naoussa itself has some of the best dining on Paros, from fish tavernas on the harbor to modern Greek restaurants in the old lanes. Book popular places ahead in summer. Paros also produces wine and a tasting at a winery near Naoussa is a pleasant late afternoon.
Why guests fall for it
Things to Do
Kolymbithres is the closest beach, famous for smooth granite boulders that form small natural pools. Monastiri, a little further around the bay, is sheltered and good for swimming.
In Naoussa, wander the harbor at golden hour, when the fishing boats and the ruined Venetian fort catch the light. Small boats cross the bay to quieter beaches.
Further afield, walk the Byzantine path from Lefkes, a hill village in the island's center, down to Prodromos. Parikia, the capital, has the Panagia Ekatontapiliani church and good sunsets over its bay. A day or evening trip to Antiparos is easy by car ferry or small boat and the island's main village is relaxed and pretty. Golden Beach and New Golden Beach on the east coast suit windsurfers.
Getting There
Paros Airport (PAS) has flights from Athens and is about 30 minutes by car from Parilio. Most couples arrive by ferry instead. Boats from Piraeus or Rafina take three to five hours and dock in Parikia, about 15 minutes from the hotel. Paros is a ferry hub, with frequent links to Naxos, Mykonos, Santorini and Milos in summer.
Rent a car or ATV for at least part of the stay, or rely on taxis for trips into Naoussa. Taxis can be scarce on busy summer nights, so ask the hotel to help with bookings.
The hotel operates seasonally, roughly from spring to autumn. June and September are ideal, with warm water and calmer crowds.
Is It Worth It?
For design-minded couples who want a stylish base near Naoussa, Parilio is one of the best choices on Paros. Entry suites usually start around the mid-hundreds of dollars a night in the shoulder season, with private pool suites costing more and July and August rates climbing fast. These figures are approximate.
Those prices are high for Paros, but you get a beautiful, well-run hotel and a location that combines quiet nights with easy village evenings. It compares well with similar hotels on Mykonos at a lower cost.
Skip it if you want to stay right on the sand or walk to dinner every night. For that, a hotel inside Naoussa makes more sense. For a slower honeymoon with good design, it is a strong pick.
Insider tips
- Confirm whether your suite's pool is fully private before booking.
- Swim at Kolymbithres early, before the boulders fill up.
- Reserve dinner tables in Naoussa well ahead in July and August.
- Take a small boat across to Antiparos for an evening.
