Cavos Inn

Situated on a narrow promontory beneath the Venetian fortress, enjoying magnificent views, is the small and extremely well-run Cavos Inn. Vasso, the owner, originally from Crete and Vassilis, her Kefalonian husband have between them created something very special here. With their perceptive eye for design, each room is tastefully furnished in different styles of light fabrics.

All the rooms have a cosy feel with en-suite facilities and private balcony or patio area. Those on the south side seem to hang right over the waves, with a glorious sweep of cliff, sea and mountains dominating the view, whilst the west facing rooms look directly across to the old vine terraces and pine woods on the headland, crowned by the honeyed walls of the great castle. To the left one looks out across the white cliffs and rolling hills of the Lixouri peninsula, whilst to the right the eye is drawn down and across pantiled roofs to the harbour.

Five minutes down a stepped alley leads to the tree-lined plateia of Assos, surrounded by a cluster of traditional fishing cottages, tavernas, village shops and the harbour nestling beneath the caves, cliffs and old vine terraces of the headland. There is a town beach here, and even on those afternoons when the Meltemi wind sets the surf pounding against the rocks just a few yards away on the other side of the isthmus, barely a wave disturbs the fish queuing for crumbs from the taverna tables.

The Cavos Inn reflects the unique aspect of Assos. The tranquility of an unspoilt fishing village, guarded by an historic castle, all set on a majestic wild coastline. Dolphins and on rare occasions even turtles, can sometimes be seen in the surrounding sea, so a pair of binoculars are recommended. The breakfast terrace has spectacular views that takes in the whole sweep of this truly wild coast. For civilised living in an exquisite setting, the Cavos Inn is unbeatable.