Where Aegean elegance meets four-pawed adventures – an honest assessment after 3 nights

When I booked our Deluxe Room at Medusa Suites through Booking.com (using that sweet Genius rate for approximately €220 per night), I was expecting the typical Greek island hotel experience. What Daisy and I discovered was something far more special, plus a few considerations every traveling dog mom should know about.

Location & Getting Around: Beautiful but Remote

Before diving into the experience, you need to understand where you’ll be staying. Medusa Suites sits about 20 minutes from Naxos town, which puts you in a peaceful setting away from crowds but creates some transportation considerations.

The Car Rental Reality: We were initially quoted €40 each way for taxi rides, which would have added up quickly. Renting a car turned out to be essential and the best decision we made – not just for cost savings, but for the freedom to explore all of Naxos’s incredible hidden gems.

Important Safety Note: Do not attempt to walk on the roads at night. They’re very dark and genuinely dangerous for pedestrians. If you don’t have a car, make sure you have reliable transportation arranged for evening activities.

The Resort-Only Option: Here’s the thing though – you could absolutely choose to stay put at the resort and have a perfectly wonderful vacation. With the beautiful beach, pool access, dining options, and peaceful atmosphere, there’s enough here to keep you and your pet happy without ever leaving the property.

First Impressions: A Warm Welcome Awaits

The moment we arrived around 1 PM, it was clear the staff had been expecting their VIP guest. And by VIP, I mean Daisy, naturally. While I handled the mundane check-in details, my Shih Tzu was receiving the red-carpet treatment from the reception team. There’s something magical about a hotel that genuinely understands that our furry family members aren’t just pets – they’re essential travel companions.

Since our room wasn’t ready, the staff graciously offered us a comprehensive tour of the grounds. The property has this beautiful, serene atmosphere that feels like a wellness retreat where every corner seems designed for both relaxation and those perfect photos.

The Perfect Arrival Solution: Straight to Paradise

Pro Tip for Arrivals: Change into your swimwear before you arrive! Since our room wasn’t ready, we headed straight to the beach pool bar for lunch, and I wished we’d been prepared to jump right into the water.

We enjoyed a lovely pizza and rosé right by the pool and beach area, with Daisy completely welcome and comfortable. I even managed to get some work done while we waited, which was the kind of seamless experience that sets the tone for an entire trip. The staff made everything effortless, and within an hour we felt completely settled into vacation mode.

Pet Amenities: Genuinely the Best We’ve Experienced

Let me be clear: Medusa Suites is the best pet amenity hotel we have ever stayed at. What makes it so exceptional is how genuinely inclusive the experience is for dogs.

What’s Incredibly Unusual (and Amazing):

• Dogs are welcome at breakfast – not just tolerated, but genuinely welcomed
• Full access to pool areas with your pet
• Beach access where dogs can swim and play freely
• No restrictions on bringing your dog to dining areas as it’s outdoors
• Staff who actively engage with and care for your pet

What’s Missing: No special dog amenities in the room – no dog bed, water bowls, or welcome treats. You’ll need to bring your own supplies.

But Here’s Why It Doesn’t Matter: In most hotels, even “pet-friendly” ones, you’re restricted to your room for breakfast and maybe designated outdoor areas. Here, Daisy was welcome everywhere I was welcome. Having breakfast together overlooking in the serene grounds, relaxing by the pool, enjoying lunch at the beach bar – this level of true integration is incredibly rare and absolutely wonderful. The access everywhere completely makes up for the lack of in-room dog amenities.

The Room Situation: Odd Setup vs. Resort Luxury

Our Deluxe Room featured a distinctive two-level villa layout – a standalone space with both upstairs and downstairs areas. Here’s the honest truth: the room was an odd setup that wasn’t actually luxury, even though the resort itself absolutely was. The wooden plank stairs weren’t just impractical for Daisy – they felt more quirky than elegant.

Important to Know: There are only a handful of these unique villa-style rooms at the property. I wouldn’t recommend this particular room layout except for couples. The two-level design essentially splits your living space across floors connected by those wooden plank stairs, and frankly, it doesn’t feel like the luxury experience you’re paying for.

What also became clear was that this wasn’t a luxury room experience in terms of amenities. No plush robes, no duvets (just basic blankets), and no room service available. For the price point, I was expecting more upscale room touches.

What’s Missing for Luxury Travelers:

• No bathrobes or luxury linens (just standard blankets instead of duvets)
• No room service option
• Basic room amenities rather than premium touches you’d expect at this price

Travel Tip: If you’re traveling with a pet or want a truly luxurious room experience, definitely request a single-level room when booking. The resort’s luxury is evident everywhere else – just not in these particular villa rooms.

The Reality Check: We requested a room change on our second day, but since we ended up being out exploring from morning until evening, we simply didn’t have the time to coordinate the switch. The irony? This turned out to be a blessing because Daisy was never left alone in the room anyway – there’s simply too much incredible stuff to see in Naxos!

Breakfast: A Perfect Start to Paradise (Dogs Included!)

Breakfast at Medusa Suites deserves its own love letter, especially because it’s so unusual to find a hotel where you can actually bring your dog to breakfast. Served until 11 AM (blessed relief for those of us who believe vacation mornings should be leisurely), the alfresco dining experience perfectly captures the Greek island dream.

What’s Included:

• Table service (no buffet chaos!)
• Complimentary breakfast
• Bread basket and pastries
• Fresh croissants and local lemon cake
• Your choice of bacon, fried eggs, or boiled eggs
• Perfect Greek yogurt and fresh fruit
• Premium tea and coffee service

Extras available at a cost: Scrambled eggs, drinks and a few other items. We didn’t pay anything extra for breakfast.

The Service: By our second morning, Addy and Chris, our breakfast waiters, already knew our room number and exactly what we wanted. This level of personal attention made us feel like valued regulars rather than just passing tourists. These two provided consistently excellent service throughout our stay and really made our mornings special.

The setting is absolutely divine – dining under the Greek sun with views that make you forget about emails entirely. Fair warning: the flies are abundant (it’s Greece in summer), but honestly, when you’re sipping coffee with the Aegean stretching before you, it’s a small price to pay. Pro tip: I saw another table had a fly fan they brought with them. One simple item the hotel could improve upon itself and provide these, as they would make a huge difference to guests. We brought our handheld fans and that helped.

Daisy particularly enjoyed the yogurt and fresh fruit, and I loved watching her make friends with both staff and fellow guests during our leisurely morning meals.

Beach & Pool: Private Paradise Without the Stress

The beach access is spectacular and honestly became one of our favourite features. Crystal-clear Aegean waters, private loungers exclusively for hotel guests, and here’s the best part – we never had any trouble getting sun beds at any time. Whether we showed up mid-afternoon on arrival day or any other time during our stay, prime spots were always available. No stress, no towel-saving drama, no racing down at sunrise to claim a spot.

What Made It Awesome:

• Crystal-clear Aegean waters perfect for swimming
• Private beach area exclusively for hotel guests
• Comfortable loungers with umbrella shade always available
• Relaxed atmosphere where guests come and go rather than camping out all day
• Pool area where dogs are completely welcome (very unusual!)

Daisy’s Beach Debut:  While she’s more of a sophisticated wader than a swimmer, she took to her inflatable float like a natural yacht owner. The calm, uncrowded beach meant she could relax without the overstimulation of busy resort crowds, and the gentle waves were perfect for building her water confidence.

The Service: Where Hospitality Shines

Every interaction with the Medusa Suites team felt genuine and warm. From remembering our room preferences to ensuring Daisy felt as welcomed as any human guest, the attention to detail was exceptional.

Special Touches:

• Katherina, our room cleaner, was specifically aware that Daisy was staying with us and always checked on her comfort – this level of attention to our pet’s wellbeing was incredibly touching
• Staff genuinely excited to see Daisy each day
• No extra pet fees or restrictions
• Addy and Chris at breakfast who made our mornings perfect with their attentive service
• Daniel who managed our room change request although we never followed through

This is hospitality that understands luxury isn’t just about thread count – it’s about making every guest feel genuinely cared for, whether they walk on two legs or four.

The Naxos Reality: Too Much to See, Too Little Time

Here’s what we didn’t expect: Naxos has so much incredible stuff to explore that we barely spent any time at the hotel beyond sleeping and breakfast! We were out from morning until evening every single day, discovering hidden beaches, mountain villages, ancient temples, and incredible restaurants.

The Blessing in Disguise: While we initially worried about the room layout, it turned out to be a non-issue because Daisy was never left alone. She was my constant adventure companion, and honestly, keeping her cooped up in any room (no matter how lovely) would have meant missing out on authentic Greek experiences where dogs are welcomed like family.

Perfect Final Morning: On our last day, we had a completely lazy morning and made it to breakfast just in time – they serve until 11 AM, which was perfect for our relaxed departure timing.

What Could Be Improved

Fly Management: Like everywhere in summer Greece, the flies are abundant. Some additional fly control measures around dining areas would enhance the outdoor breakfast experience.

Room Layout Communication: Clearer photos or descriptions of the two-level villa layout would help guests make informed decisions based on their pet’s mobility needs.

Room Amenities: For the price point, adding luxury touches like robes, duvets, and room service would better match guest expectations.

WiFi: We didn’t test the internet connection since we were too busy exploring, but for those who need to stay connected, you’ll want to verify connectivity speeds upon arrival.

Final Thoughts: Would We Return?

Absolutely, without hesitation. The combination of authentic Greek charm, genuine pet-friendly hospitality, and that perfect balance of sophistication and relaxation makes Medusa Suites a standout choice for discerning dog moms.

Perfect for: Travelers seeking authentic Greek charm with modern amenities, dog parents who appreciate genuine pet-friendly luxury, and anyone wanting a more intimate alternative to large resort chains.

Consider if: Your pet requires single-level accommodations, you prefer ultra-modern room layouts, or you expect luxury room amenities at every price point.

The Bottom Line: At €220 per night including breakfast, Medusa Suites offers exceptional value for luxury-minded travelers who refuse to compromise on either elegance or their pet’s comfort. Sometimes the most memorable stays feel less like a hotel and more like staying at a beautiful friend’s home, which is exactly what this place provides.

Pro Tip for Fellow Dog Moms: Book the Deluxe Room with breakfast included via Booking.com, but definitely avoid the two-level villa layout unless you’re a couple. Bring your own dog bed, bowls, and treats since the hotel doesn’t provide these. Pack swimwear for immediate beach access upon arrival!

What You Need To Know

• Nightly Rate: €220 (Deluxe Room with breakfast via Booking.com Genius rate)
• Pet Policy: Dogs welcome everywhere – breakfast, pool, beach, dining areas
• Pet Amenities: No in-room dog supplies provided (bring your own bed, bowls, treats)
• Room Amenities: Basic (no robes, duvets, or room service)
• Breakfast: Included, served until 11 AM with excellent service from Ada and Chris
• Beach Access: Private, exclusively for hotel guests, sun beds always available
• Location: 20 minutes from Naxos town (car rental recommended)
• Special Staff: Katherina (housekeeping) provides exceptional pet-aware service
• Best For: Luxury travelers with pets who plan to explore the island extensively

Overall Rating

Daisy Scale Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5 – purely because she could go everywhere with me, which is what matters most!)

Continue Your Naxos Planning: → Read our Complete Naxos Travel Guide – Everything you need to know about this incredible dog-friendly Greek island

→ Get our Day 1 Itinerary – Mountain villages, incredible food, and sunset magic

→ Explore our Day 2 Adventure – Hidden beaches, ancient temples, and unforgettable dining