Tag Archives: Greece

Thalatta Seaside Hotel, Greece

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Evia is the second largest island in Greece but is often overlooked as most tourists favour the smaller, more developed destinations. Just a two hour drive from Athens, Evia is more popular with the Greeks, as a quiet escape from busy city life on the mainland. Although Evia does not have an airport, it is easily reachable by road, and it is a scenic drive through the island.

Thalatta Seaside Hotel is located on the north-east side of Evia in a small fishing village called Agia Anna. The thoughtfully designed hotel has been open for seven years, but is so well kept that it appears new. The young owner has carefully chosen materials and features that complement the unspoilt natural surroundings. After a short stint in chaotic Athens, I felt my mood instantly calm as I stepped inside the stylish but simple hotel.

On the Greek islands the season most often starts in early May, so we were among the first of the year to be checked in. There are some advantages to picking low season for your Mediterranean holiday, we were lucky to be upgraded to the top Thalatta suite and relished the privacy and the chance to splash about in our very own swimming pool.

Our spacious suite had room enough for a whole family with a separate lower floor that we didn’t even use. The main open plan room was minimalist and comfortably decorated in muted shades of grey and green with plenty of natural light thanks to the floor to ceiling windows. Complementary wifi allowed me to work in the lounge area of the room, which also had a smart sofa and stylish rocking chair. The outdoor spaces included a small balcony overlooking the pool and large decking area which had enough sun loungers for a party of ten. The bathroom was functional with a powerful shower, though I found it quite dark and was disappointed not to find a bathtub.

We were incredibly well looked after during our stay at Thalatta, the staff were genuinely friendly and kindly assisted us with every need or desire. The lovely and knowledgeable Aris drove us around, explaining the local sites and talking to us about the Greek way of life. Dimitri, guest relations manager, is a fun and happy guy, always a pleasure to see and chat to around the property. I was also impressed with mixologist George and the charming Maître d’ who looked after us during mealtimes.

During the summer months there are various restaurant options, although these were limited during our stay in May. We ate breakfast and dinner each day at the main hotel restaurant, Asado. The set menu in the evenings showcased fresh local ingredients and traditional Greek dishes. The food tasted good and it was clear to see that the chef took pride in the plates he was sending out. The meat and fish courses were accompanied with delicious, refreshing local white wine. I will definitely be looking out for Greek wines back in London.

Our gourmet highlight was lunch on the beach at the hotel’s social seafood eatery, Meze. Here, with your feet in the sand, you can sample the freshest fish, grilled to perfection. We were presented with tender octopus and crispy battered calamari. We also tasted a range of vegetarian small dishes, typical Greek salad and moreish handcut chips.

Guests can choose to relax by the pool, or by the sea on the pebble beach. Pick a book from the clever beach library, craftily hidden within the wall. When we tired of sunbathing we took the hotel bicycles out for a ride along the beach and into the quaint nearby village. We also took an afternoon trip with Aris to see some sights on the island. First stop was Drimona Waterfall where we swam in crystal clear waters. Next we saw the 16th century chapel in the Monastery of St David, up the hills and surrounded by goats – it was a mesmerising place to experience. Finally a quick stop in Limni town, a favourite with tourists in summer.

On a cooler evening we visited the boutique Life spa at the hotel. Here the wellness team look after you, tending to all your pampering requirements. We enjoyed a thorough body massage which used different massage techniques to de-stress each muscle in the body, relieving tension and strain. The therapist worked relentlessly on my back and shoulders to knead out the persistent knots, and left my body feeling much more balanced. There is also a gym and hair salon should you need it.

We left Thalatta by boat, setting sail across the tranquil sea to visit the island of Skiathos. The hotel is able to arrange a variety of day trips aboard this stunning sail boat, allowing guests to see another aspect of Greece’s natural beauty.

Thalatta Seaside Hotel (www.Thalattahotel.gr, +30 210 3615844) offers 5 nights in a Superior Sea View Room on a B&B basis from £575, (based on 2 people sharing).

Skiathos Princess Hotel, Skiathos, Greece

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Skiathos is a holiday island popular with the Brits and flights fly-in to the nerve-wrackingly short runway daily. This Greek island is known for its golden sandy beaches, warm weather and recent ‘Mamma Mia’ film fame. We arrived by boat from another island and were efficiently collected by the Skiathos Princess Hotel transfer service. It was a short drive up into the hills to our accommodation.

On first impression, the hotel looks like a business venue; the reception is simple but smart and the process of checking-in seemed very procedural. Our deluxe premier room was on the third floor with a view of the garden and the expansive sea shimmering in the distance. The room was a moderate size with a standard layout, and felt slightly dated in its decor. The bed was comfortable, though it was shame the double was made up of two singles – perhaps I should have made more of an effort to request a double as they are available. The room had a flatscreen TV and a kind offering of fresh fruit and local red wine. The decadent lilac curtains led to a veranda for which I was grateful. The small marble bathroom was a blast from the past with a narrow shower/bathtub in a 1980s shade of brown, but was perfectly adequate and well-maintained.

As is true of most beach holidays, the majority of our time was spent outdoors, exploring the nearby beaches and soaking up the sun on the hotel loungers. The beginning of May is the very start of the season in Skiathos and so the hotel was blissfully quiet and civilised. We only had the chance to try one of the restaurants on offer at the hotel, Basilico, which is their evening buffet option for half board guests. During peak season they also have three a la carte restaurants that offer a variety of cuisines. We enjoyed breakfast and dinner at Basilico, which lays on an impressive range of Greek and Mediterranean dishes. In the morning a chef whips up fresh omelettes and pancakes and a colourful array of fruit, meats and cheeses is available. At dinner we tried delicious roast pork, beef stroganoff, vegetable lasagne and fine Greek wine. Although I dislike the buffet style of dining, as it reminds me of school lunches, this method of catering allows the hotel to offer a wider range of food and guests will never be left hungry!

When the holiday routine requires a little extra luxury, Skiathos Princess Hotel has an underground spa for relaxing treatments. I tried a moisturising facial which refreshed and hydrated by sun-worn skin. They also have an indoor gym for fitness fans, and a large outdoor pool for cooling off. The beach is close to all rooms and is a great asset to the hotel, popular with both guests and visitors, who can enjoy a cocktail at the beach bar.

I recommend adventuring out of the hotel gates to experience the island of Skiathos. The pretty port is perfect for a drink, in particular we loved the al fresco cafe Bourtzi on the picturesque hill, between the new and old ports. Whilst in Skiathos town it is worth trying typical home-cooked Greek food, the best we found was at Bakaliko on the club strip… try the fresh seafood and flavoursome kebabs. If you feel like venturing further afield, there are boat trips to nearby islands Skopolos (where most of Mamma Mia was filmed) and Alonnisos. You can also get a local water taxi to Tsougria, a small uninhabited island with beautiful deserted beaches. Back on Skiathos we spent a nice afternoon at Koukounaries beach which has been voted one of the world’s top beaches. To get around the island with ease and efficiency, hop on the twice hourly island bus with runs the length of the south coast, and costs around two euros a journey.

Skiathos is a simple and relaxed island, ideal for laid back holidays, but gets lively and busy with tourists in the peak summer months. For a comfortable holiday with beachside accommodation Skiathos Princess Hotel will serve you well.

Skiathos Princess Hotel (www.santikoshotels.com, +30-24270-49731) offers 5 nights in a  Superior Double Room Side Sea View on a B&B basis from £672 (based on 2 people sharing).

Hot on the Highstreet Week 256

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On first appearance the streets of Athens seemed to offer little more than tourist tat, but after asking fashionable locals and our enthusiastic concierge I discovered a few really inspiring shops.

Joanna Kourbela – this popular Greek designer has two shops next door to each other on Charimichali Street selling ready-to-wear and couture clothing. Kourbela’s main inspiration are elements of nature and her collections are minimalist and classically simple. Block colours and flowing, natural, organic fabrics flatter the figure and are very comfortable to wear – perfect for the hot Greek weather.

Brettos – Greece is well known for its wine and ouzo, however Brettos bar has made a name for itself offering the finest homemade flavoured Greek liqueurs. Despite being in one of the most touristy areas of the city, this colourful emporium is often overlooked by tourists. For €4.50 you can try a glass of one of the vibrant flavours on ice or for a little more buy a bottle to take home and use in exotic cocktails recipes. We tried coconut and Parfums d’amour, a mix of rose, orange and vanilla.

Melissinos Art, “The Poet Sandal Maker” – Since 1920 this family of expert sandal makers have been providing stylish made-to-fit leather sandals for celebrities and those in the know. Squeeze into the tiny cluttered shop, choose from the menu of styles and let Pantelis fit them to your feet. Ranging from €33-€39, it is a small price to pay for the same shoes as John Lennon, Sarah Jessica Parker and the Princesses of Greece.

Lito Cabinet de Curiosités – Lito Karakostanoglou is a self-taught jeweller who has previously designed catwalk pieces for many renowned designers. She opened this lovely little boutique in 2006 showcasing her sensational designs in attractive glass cabinets. I loved the insect-inspired collection which uses real iridescent beetles encased in gold, like the pair of earrings above which are priced at €4,600. There is also a lovely range of hand painted ‘evil eye’ necklaces, dainty, unique and a bit more affordable.

Vassilis Emmanuel Zoulias – walking into this candy coloured shop I felt like I was in wonderland. Zoulias really knows how to make a woman feel like a princess with his sophisticated yet fun dresses and high-heel shoes. The elegant creations have a vintage feel thanks to the timeless tailoring and standout patterns. The colours are rich and the materials luxurious; I’ve definitely never seen neon colours used in such a grown-up way.