Most of the accommodation on Lesvos (Lesbos) consists of hotels of every conceivable size. On the North coast they tend to be larger but in the less developed resorts as well as in the interior they are often very small (a few rooms) and quite simple and are more "rooms for rent" than hotels in the real sense of the word. Nowadays though, even simple rooms will have an attached bathroom, will almost invariably be clean and more and more have air-conditioning. They also have the advantage of getting you a little closer to the real Lesvos (Lesbos) and its people.
You can also find more and more studios and apartments with cooking facilities. Great if you stay a little longer, have children or don't want to have to eat in restaurants all the time.
Lesvos (Lesbos) still has comparatively few holiday houses and villas for rent but the choice is growing fast.
There are accommodation facilities on Lesvos (Lesbos): in Molivos (Mithymna, Molyvos), Skala Kalonis, Kalloni, Eresos, Vatera and Plomari. For those who are planning longer stays
Renting houses. It is quite easy to rent a house or a flat on Crete. The legal hassle (contracts) is kept to a minimum or ignored. Prices vary a lot depending on location and standards as well of course as the length of rental. For long term rental (one year or more) the city of Mytilene (Mitilini) is one of the most beautifull places in Greece and prices will be in the region of € 3 per sq.meters (cheap and low standard) to over € 5 per sq.m for better accommodation. Prices are naturally lower out of the cities although in some popular places where the demand outstrips what is on offer rental prices can be quite reasonable.
If you turn up as a foreigner you are likely to be asked for a little bit more (and sometimes a lot more) than what a local would pay so it is not a bad idea to negotiate a rental with a local friend or acquaintance. Apart from checking the ads in the local newspaper (inevitably in Greek) a very good way to look for a rental is to ask in the local kafenion of the area you have set your sights on.
Products, Organic olive oil, cheeses in Lesvos
If you want to spend a winter on Lesvos (Lesbos) you might be able to stay in apartments for free (or very little money). There is no tourism and apartment complexes stay empty. The owner will often prefer to have someone responsible staying there and making sure that everything is OK. This might also entail a little maintenance work. It is an interesting and cheap alternative to Lesvos (Lesbos) in the summer months. But beware, it can be lonely and cold (these apartments are built for the summer months so you may need to buy a gas heater).
There are also quite a few foreigners living in Crete but not staying in the winter and they might be interested in renting their place over that period.