Where to Stay in Sifnos: Verina Astra or La Mer?

Every time someone asks me where to stay in Sifnos, my first question back is always the same. Who are you going with? What do you want to do?

Because Sifnos is not a one-size-fits-all island. There are many options and where you stay really does shape the whole trip.

Two of my favourite stays are Verina Astra and La Mer. Verina Astra I have stayed at a number of times and I would have to say it is in my top five favourite places ever. Not just in Greece. Everywhere. La Mer I stayed at during one of the most special times of my life, when my daughter got married there.

Two completely different experiences. Both exceptional. Both feature high in my Sifnos Travel Guide. But they are absolutely not for the same traveller and I want to help you figure out which one is yours.

Verina Astra - Poulati

If you are travelling as a couple or on your own and your idea of a perfect holiday involves doing absolutely nothing, mind and body quiet, all the while staying somewhere exceptional, Verina Astra is your place.

It sits high on a hillside in Poulati, right next to Artemonas. No noise. No strip of tavernas. No action. Just the Aegean stretching out in every direction and an infinity pool that looks straight into it. Those views make you put your phone down. Actually put it down.

The interiors are natural stone, soft timber tones, neutral linens. Beautiful without trying too hard. Breakfast is a la carte with so many good things to choose from and sitting on that verandah taking it all in, is heaven. The restaurant Bostani is onsite and it is genuinely excellent. A lot of the produce comes from its own vegetable patch, a real farm to table experience. The team are attentive without hovering and they go out of their way in ways you do not expect. We were stuck in Apollonia, on night, with no taxi and they came and picked us up. That kind of service.

The first time I stayed here I got up before sunrise, still jetlagged, wrapped myself in a throw and sat outside watching the light come up over the water. This place has the best sunrises. I still think about that morning. It was one of the most soul soothing experiences of my life.

It is a place where you check in and you genuinely check everything else out.

La Mer - Platis Gialos

Now. If you are travelling with a group of friends or family and your idea of a perfect holiday involves everyone being in the same space without wanting to kill each other by day three, La Mer is your answer.

Part of the Fos Collection, three luxury villas sitting right on the beach at Platis Gialos. You open the doors and you are on the sand. That is not a figure of speech.

We stayed in La Mer 1, a three bedroom two bathroom villa, five of us. The interiors are fresh and similar to Verina in feel, soft linens, a beachy modern Cycladic look. But where La Mer is different is the setup. A fully functional kitchen, two living areas, a dining area and a huge deck outside that takes you straight to the sand of Platis Gialos beach.

We stayed here for my daughter's wedding. The bridal party, family and friends all together and the space handled it beautifully without ever feeling cramped. The deck became the gathering spot. The beach was right there. A little strip of great tavernas and cafes steps away. Enough energy around the place to keep everyone happy.

If you are travelling with people who need options and movement and things happening, or with a family, young or old, this is where you want to be.

So. Which One?

Couple wanting to switch off from the world - Verina Astra, no question.

Group of friends or family who want to be in the middle of things - La Mer, every time.

Both are in my Sifnos Travel Guide along with every other place I recommend on the island. The guide covers where to stay, where to eat, the best tavernas, what to do and everything else you need to know before you go.

Καλό ταξίδι. Have the best trip.