Hotel Maria Elena — Hotel in Icaria Municipality

Agios Kyrikos is one of the least attractive capitals of all Greek islands and most tourists will head straight to the north of Ikaria. As I was told there later, Agios Kyrikos is the place, where the American Ikariots come for holidays. A short stay of two to three nights to experience an authentic harbour-village though is quite okay. And the hotel Maria-Elena is not the worst choice for accommodation. ||||The distance to the village center with the harbour, the shops and the cafés and taverns is about 500 meters. To go swimming a rent-a-car is recommended here, although when there in May I couldn't get a 4x4 anywhere - nor at the airport nor here.||||The rooms are rather small, especially for two persons. There is almost no place to put one's suitcases. At least there are plenty of cheap clothes hangers. We asked the friendly old man, who was in charge during the absence of Maria, his daughter and the manager of the hotel, for a bigger room. First he said that all rooms are the same, but then he returned after a phone call with his daughter and gave us a room, which was the only one on the 3rd floor and which was a bit bigger and even had a small kitchenette. ||||Since there is no elevator in the hotel it is quite a sport to carry a rather big and heavy suitcase up a narrow, steep staircase to the 3rd floor. At least one is recompensated by great views and this is probably the best about this hotel. All rooms have a balcony with sea-view, but not all rooms have a kitchenette. ||||There are reading lamps on the side of the beds, but unfortunately the mattress was rather bad, and on top there were mosquitoes, so sleep was not the best. ||||Having just come from the island of Karpathos, where I stayed in hotels of the same category, here there were toiletries in the bathroom and also a hair-dryer (never seen on the other island). The shower had strong hot water.||||Free WiFi is offered against a password, but during the whole stay the server was never recognized anywhere in the hotel, so I had to go to a café near the harbour to look at the internet.||||Since there were almost no guests at this time, no breakfast was offered. On the last day we also met Maria, the owner and manager, who seems a very nice and helpful person. Apparently the hotel is named after two sisters, of whom Elena now...

Reasonably spacious rooms, we had 2 rooms to cater for 2 adults and 2 children. Clean rooms with full bathroom, balcony-gorgeous views-beautiful sunrise, TV, fridge, A.C. FREE WI-FI surprising fast :) ||Staff is accommodating and helpful. Maria with her newborn Antonia made our stay that more special. Thank you!! Truly a family run hotel. Quiet, ideal for tranquility and relaxation surrounded by flowers and trees. Free parking.||About 15 minutes drive from the airport and only 2 minutes walk to and from the square and port.||Tips: ask for a room on second floor. Keep in mind no elevator. Try the restaurant "Stou Tsouri" at square, best dish ever- local goat in the oven. Don’t forget to visit the local hot springs. Yes they are truly amazing-your skin will gain its flexibility again. ours did. ||Don't forget to purchase local honey before your departure.||Can’t wait to visit my wife’s island.........beloved ikaria with its very special-unique-one of a kind people.||Ciao,...

My partner booked accomodation with private bathroom with shower and an equipped kitchenette. We paid for this arrangement in full three months before our arrival. |The room we were given was clean, bright and airy. To our surprise, the bathroom came with a hand shower attached to the tap of the sink. This improvised shower meant that to use it, required that you had to shower in front of the sink! Every shower taken resulted in the toilet and the entire bathroom being completely wet.It was also not equipped with a kitchenette.A let down in an otherwise pleasant visit to Ikaria. We felt we were short changed in the accomodation facilities provided.Would recommend that when booking, ensure that specific confirmation is given for what...