Symi is a small island in the Dodecanese, just a short ferry ride from Rhodes, known for its steep, pastel-hued harbour town and quiet bays. Historically a sponge-diving hub and later a centre of shipbuilding, it retains an air of understated charm, with neoclassical mansions that climb the hills like stacked sugar cubes and narrow cobbled streets that feel untouched by time. Visiting outside peak season, the island feels intimate, quieter, and entirely yours. The Anchor House, perched above the harbour, offers a boutique stay that’s personal without any fuss. From the moment we arrived, it felt less like a hotel and more like stepping into a home that had been quietly waiting for us. It is a place which is often sold as a day trip, but seriously it’s *the* place to stay for at least a couple of days.

The Anchor House, Symi: The Rooms

 

The rooms at The Anchor House are deliberately simple, letting the truly wow breathtaking view take centre stage. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the harbour, fishing boats, and neoclassical houses tumbling down to the water, with the hills rising behind them. Interiors are airy and understated, with soft linens, hand-finished details, and thoughtful touches that feel considered rather than staged. Morning light spills across the floor, making it impossible not to linger over a cuppa of English Brekkie on the balcony. We slipped into the refreshing sea for sunrise swims, returning to rooms still warm with the day’s first sun. Evenings are equally compelling: the day-trippers have gone, the harbour is still, and lights from the houses reflect in the water.

 The Anchor House, Symi: The Food

If you take one thing from this review, it’s this: Jenine, the housekeeper, is the beating heart of the place. Thoughtful, intuitive, endlessly kind, she made us feel like insiders rather than visitors. Each morning, she crafted a little ritual that became a highlight of our stay: lactose-free yoghurt topped with fresh fruit, nuts delicately sprinkled, a breakfast that felt personal, nourishing, and indulgent all at once. It’s rare to find service so effortlessly warm, and it made every day start with a quiet smile.

The Anchor House, Symi: The Verdict

The Anchor House positions you perfectly to experience Symi in its softer, quieter moments. Early mornings, before the ferry boats arrive, offer empty streets, calm waters, and a peaceful intimacy. Nights, once day-trippers have departed, are equally rewarding: the harbour glimmers, the pastel houses are reflected in the water, and the island’s subtle rhythms become apparent. Symi’s history and character emerge most clearly in these moments, from the small chapels tucked along steep lanes to the remains of sponge-diving businesses that hint at a busier past. The Anchor House isn’t about spectacle. Its strength lies in personal touches, Jenine’s service, the harbour views, the quiet corners for reading or reflection, and in giving space for the island itself to shine. It’s a boutique stay where you feel noticed, comfortable, and quietly spoiled. For anyone who wants to experience Symi on its own terms, at its natural rhythm, this is a place that lets you do exactly that.