Quaint little Tinos remains largely undiscovered by foreigners, but is known among Greeks for its Orthodox significance (one if its churches is an ancient pilgrimage site), its artistic roots and its burgeoning foodie reputation. Legend has it that Apollo and Artemis were born just across the strait from here, on neighbouring Delos island, one of Greece’s best-preserved archaeological sites. What could be more alluring than having the heart of ancient Greece floating on the horizon?
Diles & Rinies sits on a quiet, herb-scented hillside looking directly at its mythical neighbour. More luxury retreat than self-catering complex, this private estate houses eight boutique villas of varying sizes (2-4 bedrooms). Ideal for families, couples or groups, each comes with the added benefit of hotel services, so you have the option to be as independent or sociable as you please. There’s an infinity pool (plus some villas have their own pools), a restaurant offering breakfast and poolside snacks, a wellness kiosk for massages or yoga overlooking the Aegean, and a concierge service for tips on what to see and do on Tinos. Discover the island's creative roots by doing a workshop in pottery, marble art, or basketry; stroll down to lovely Agios Fokas beach (15 mins); or shop for handmade trinkets in the main town, a short drive away. But you’ll want to return for sunset – the sight of golden colours dancing over ancient Delos and untouched Rhenia island is said to be quite the spectacle: a gift from Apollo, the god of light himself, perhaps?
Highs
- Self-contained villas with hotel facilities and the option of daily breakfasts
- Astounding views from every spot: all villas and communal areas face south over the Aegean
- Great for families: each villa has a kitchen, some have bunk beds, and there are lots of creative activities
- Tinos island is a delight – much quieter than neighbouring Mykonos, with lots of lovely beaches, creative roots, sacred Orthodox sites, and a growing gastronomic reputation
Lows
- Although it’s only four kilometres from the port, you’ll probably want a car to get here and to explore (though it is possible to walk to the nearest beach and town)
- The access road to the villas isn't very well lit - something to bear in mind if arriving at night
- Not cheap by Greek standards, and a minimum stay of 2-5 nights
- The restaurant doesn't offer lunch or dinner, but poolside snacks are available
Best time to go
High season is July and August, when the island is a popular weekender destination for Athenian city types; the Meltemi winds blow from mid-July to late August and can make beaches on the north and east coasts a bit choppy. The island gets extremely busy around 15th August, when pilgrims come to visit the Panagia Megalochari church - book well in advance if your trip coincides with this, as festivities take place across Tinos. If you plan to do some hiking, come in April-May or October.
Our top tips
Tinos has gained a reputation for its gastronomy in recent years, having established the Tinos Food Paths, which celebrate the island’s produce. There are lots of good wineries and breweries scattered across the island, too – ask the concierge to book you a tour and tasting.
- Boutique Hotel
- 8 serviced villas (for 2-10)
- Breakfast or self-catering
- All ages welcome
- Closed: November-April
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car recommended
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily Maid Service
- Towels & Bedlinen
- Concierge Service
- Laundry Service
Rooms
The eight villas are very generous in size, varying from 100-180m2. They all face south, span two floors, and have stunning verandas with outdoor seating and sea views. Their topsy-turvy layout, with bedrooms on the lower level and living spaces on the upper, means that communal areas benefit from the finest views. The decor is simple yet chic, with pastel hues, traditional concrete walls, smart kitchens and vintage furniture pieces. Wicker and white linen feature heavily, and fireplaces, barbecues and private parking areas are found in all.
The villas are divided into five categories, ranging from the Two-bedroom Comfort Villa to the Four-bedroom Grande Villa. Some of the larger villas (Grande and Premium) come with their own private swimming pools. Although the villas stand side-by-side in neat rows, none are overlooked, with partition walls and leafy gardens ensuring maximum privacy.
Features include:
- Fan
- Hairdryer
- In-room treatments available
- Safe box
- Washing machine
- WiFi
Eating
A daily buffet breakfast is available at the restaurant and features seasonal fruit salads, yoghurt and local honey, and a variety of egg options. There's no lunch or dinner service, but all-day snacks and drinks are on offer poolside from 11:30-22:00 (closed between 15:00-17:30). If you're coming as a group (min 10 people), staff can arrange private lunches or dinners in the restaurant area.
All villas have well equipped kitchens, and you get a complimentary welcome basket with Nespresso coffee, tea, olive oil, olives, fruit, a bottle of wine and local raki. For supplies, you’ll need to head into the main town, which has plenty of supermarkets and a daily street market.
Features include:
- Bar
- Barbecue
- Breakfast
- Chef on request
- Coffee maker
- Dinner by arrangement
- Dishwasher
- Food blender
- Fridge
- Full kitchen
- Lunch by arrangement
- Oven
- Restaurant
- Shopping service
- Toaster
Activities
- Start the day with a sunrise yoga session, either in a group class or individually.
- Rent bikes to explore Tinos. There are more than 60 villages and 1500 Orthodox and Catholic chapels and churches scattered across the island.
- Spend a day on one of the island’s beaches; Agios Fokas is the closest (15-min walk).
- Discover the island’s artistic roots: browse the on-site art gallery or do a workshop in pottery or marble art.
- Visit Panagia Megalochari church to see the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary. The site is known among Greeks as a sacred place of spiritual pilgrimage.
- See the lunar-like landscape of Volax. The village is also famous for basket weaving – visit a workshop to learn about its heritage.
- Take a day trip to Delos island to see the famous ruins. Daily excursions are also available to the nearby islands of Mykonos, Syros, Andros and uninhabited Rhenia (for great beaches).
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Cycling
- Historical sites
- Museums / galleries
- Well being
- Yoga
Kids
Diles & Rinies is brilliant for families as you get the independence of a villa rental but with hotel and concierge services. The villas range in size, from two to four bedrooms, so there are options for all group sizes, and each has a twin room for kids. The estate itself has plenty of space for little ones to play in, there’s a communal swimming pool with inflatables, and there are special creative play sessions available on request. Tinos offers lots for families to see and do, with great beaches, watersports and day trips to neighbouring islands.
Best for:
All ages
Family friendly accommodation:
Any villa would work for a family, it just depends on how many bedrooms you need. Premium and Grande villas come with additional bunk beds, and some in these categories also have private pools, which might be useful if you've got water babies in tow.
Kids Activities on site:
- Swimming - inflatable toys are available
- Board games
- Toys for little ones (dolls, Lego, teddy bears)
- Creative play available on request: music movement, art & play, face painting and balloon creations
Families Should Know:
Pools are unfenced.
Distances:
- Ferry port: 10 mins
- Hospital: Doctor available on-call, nearest hospital is 10 minutes away
- Supermarket: 5 mins
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Diles & Rinies is located on Tinos island in the Cyclades. It sits on a hillside 4km east of the port in the main town. Agios Fokas beach is a five-minute drive away.
By Air:
You'll need to fly via Athens or neighbouring Mykonos.
By Ferry
Tinos port has ferries arriving from Mykonos (20 mins), Athens (2-4 hours) and other neighbouring islands.
From the port
Transfers can be arranged, but you'll want to hire a car to explore the island - see our car rental recommendations. Alternatively, if you're feeling flush, there's a helipad 800m away.
Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Mykonos International airport 10.0 km JMK
Other:
- Beach 1.8 km
- Shops 1.0 km
- Restaurant 0.8 km