Maria Studios — Hotel in Alonnisos Municipality

Maria's was all that I would expect of a self-catering studio in Greece, and the best that I’ve stayed in.||Immaculately clean throughout (cleaned every day!), everything works, comfortable beds (rock-hard beds used to be standard in Greece) with good pillows, crisp cotton bed-linen and towels changed every few days; wet-room with proper shower and hot water always available; 'fridge, Air-con (though I didn't need it as shaded balconies and a building of massive concrete construction helps keep the apartments cool), a decent-sized wall-mounted flat screen TV with USB and HDMI connections (though I never used it) and fast, rock-solid, dual band WiFi.||I stayed for 9 nights in June 2022 on a package with Jet2 Holidays, travelling solo and staying in a ground floor studio. My first holiday for nearly 5 years, so if my praise seems too glowing it’s because I had a wonderful holiday.||Please be aware that many of the photos on here are out-dated and don’t reflect recent refurbishment and improvements – the terrace now has steel railings around it. My studio had been refurbished over last winter (2021-22) with an all-new wet-room and re-painted throughout, stupidly I didn’t think to take any interior photos.||When you can jump or dive (less than a couple of metres) into one of the best snorkelling spots on the island from the rocks below the garden (with a ladder to climb out), who needs a pool unless you have young children?||Maria's Apartments is a family business (Maria and her daughter Eva), a block of 10 studio apartments on 2 floors in an area of Patatiri known as Kavos, a headland that forms the north-east side of the harbour. Kavos is a cul-de-sac, with Maria's almost at the end, that is mostly pedestrianised.  Maria's is behind the row of hotels and apartment blocks that overlook the harbour and insulate Maria’s from any noise from the harbour area.  It’s amazingly quiet at all times, no music, no traffic noise apart from the odd (slow) motor bike. Walk down any of the 3 flights of steps in-between these blocks and you're on a delightful pedestrian promenade that runs along the top of the low cliff above the quay and leads down to the water-front restaurants, bars, shops, bus-stop etc., just a 5-minute traffic-free walk with a spectacular view.||As Eva speaks good English, she mostly deals with the guests; Maria does have some English but is rather shy about using it. Maria and her Eva are about most of the day, always approachable and helpful. Going walking on my own, some of it wild, Eva was only too happy to swap mobile numbers just in case I got into trouble.||I was so taken with Alonissos, its welcoming inhabitants and Maria's Apartments that I’ve booked another fortnight in September to see more of this amazingly...

We spent 2 lovely weeks at the Maria Studios and would definitely return.|Eva and her mother, Maria, are friendly and welcoming and made our stay relaxing. |We had ground floor studio which had a large shady terrace. We had a view over the garden/parking area but could see the sea as well. There is also a peaceful communal terrace which looks out over the sea and access to a ladder into the sea which is (I am told) excellent for snorkeling. |The room was a good size and was cleaned daily with towels and sheets changed regularly. The shower was good, (although I hate clingy shower curtains!) and was clean. If I have a very minor niggle, and this is something I find in many bathrooms, I wish there was just a small buffet to put clothes or washbags on when I shower as I hate putting them on the toilet lid! As I say, not a major thing just a niggle! And watch the hot water as it is VERY hot, not what you expect in Greece!|The kitchen area offers very little space for preparing meals but as I don't cook on holiday, maybe boiling the odd egg, it's not a problem. If you want to make a meal you might struggle for work space. That said, the fridge was excellent and the cutlery and crockery sufficient for 3 people. |Aircon was free but as the room was shady all day, maybe a little dark for some, we rarely needed it. BUT bring plug ins, buy mozzie spray and remember to close the door/window after dark if you're prone to bites!|Also, the rooms are in a quiet,secluded street other than a few motorbikes but there are steps to negotiate down to the port and town and a short but steep road leading from the back to the road to town. It's convenient for the supermarket, pharmacy and bakery and you can get the bus to the old town from there but if you have difficulty walking it might be a problem. It's hard going with shopping and a six pack of water - but we are in our mid 60s!|All in all I loved our stay and although I only gave a 4 star rating that's mainly due to the position rather than the studios. For me they are 5 star and I wouldn't hesitate to return. |Thank you for a lovely stay in your delightful accommodation...

We have stayed at Maria's House twice (and also at the Paradise Hotel next door twice) and cannot see what other subscribers have a problem with as the accommodation and location are just what you want and generally get on a Greek Holiday on a quiet island - only better!!||||The 8 studios are in one block on a headland with views to one side of the main harbour (via a short walk between another studio block which then goes down to the main town) or the entrance to another bay to the other side. Ok so the balconies look out onto a small courtyard area and the first floor have a better view. ||||However, the place is immaculate and Maria keeps it that way throughout your stay. The rooms are bigger than most studios I have stayed in on package tours, the bathrooms are better fitted out (jncl water heaters), the balcony is bigger as well. The rooms are better than typical package studios and the furniture and fittings are good quality. ||||If there is one small minus point it is that one of the adjacent blocks houses the Port Authority staff so you hear some vehicles/motorbikes going back and forth - but infrequently and not into the small hours. Also the road is a dead end so no through traffic either. You can sleep listening to the sea as well as the breeze through the pine trees outside.||||All in all the studios are in an excellent place as the adjacent apartment blocks shelter your from the harbour (which is a sleepy hollow!) and there are 2 good paths (one via the seaward side and other through the next block) to amble to the port.||||Alonissos is further to travel to so it enjoys a sense of seclusion. You actually feel that you are living in a community rather than just being one of thousands of tourists. There are several good beaches (mainly pebbles not sand) and whilst our visits have been not main-season (school hols peak time) you can travel the roads safely without the sort of fear of being run off them from some island experiences (eg Corfu).||||The island is a gem - so is...