Athina Studios

We stayed at the Athina Studios in Tsilivi late May to Early June 2008.

They are located in the Planos area, opposite Alamis apartments and you have use of the Alamis pool, although we didn't bother with this as the beds there are fairly close together and the ones on the right-hand side of the pool (looking towards the bar) lose the sun in the afternoon.

It's less than a 5 minute stroll from the studios to the sea.

It's a single block with 12 studios over 3 floors, it used to be 8 rooms over 2 floors.

The accommodation is basic, with a small kitchen area with a 2 ring (one large, one small) electric hob.

There's a kettle, fridge and plates, dishes, mugs, glasses & cutlery.

We didn't do any catering at all in the room but some people may find it not very well equipped if they do want to self-cater.

The bathroom was clean, with lots of hot water. The shower head wasn't fixed to the wall so you had to shower yourself, put the shower head down, then lather, then pick up the shower head again. We didn't find this to be a problem.

The bedroom was fairly small with 2 single beds, one 2-drawer bedside cabinet between, a built in wardrobe, dressing table with 2 drawers, a stool and chair.

Although we don't take a lot of clothes, we felt that the 4 small drawers were insufficient for swimwear, undies, shorts, T-shirts etc.

The balcony had a small table and 2 chairs. 

The rooms were cleaned every other day and linen/towels changed about twice a week.

We were happy with the cleanliness of the rooms throughout our stay.

The wardrobe had a safety deposit box fixed inside, keys obtainable from the fruit shop outside at a cost of €30 for 2 weeks. We didn't get our deposit back so maye they have changed their policy or we were just unlucky.

The rooms get morning sun on the balcony, which means they are nice and cool in the afternoon. The balconies are not overlooked at all apart from a small track about 100 metres away leading to some bee hives, we saw someone on this path only a couple of times during our stay.

Although Athina Studios are not in the main centre of Tsilivi, there are lots of bars, shops and restaurants very close by and they were in a perfect position for us.

On departure day, we left our cases in the reception of the Alamis apartments across the road. Checkout time was midday.

It was our 3^rd stay in this accommodation and we would most certainly choose to stay there again.

The Athina Studios are excellent.  The rooms are basic and not very big but have everything that you could want.  The cleaning is very good and done on an almost daily basis.  The owners Dinos and Maria and their daughter Athina are lovely people.  There isn't a pool but you can use the pool at the Alamis opposite.  There are two mini markets nearby and Dinos and Maria also have a fruit shop next to the apartments that stocks lots of local goods such as wine, olive oil and honey.  The apartments are off the main road so there isn't so much traffic noise and the beach is a very short walk away,

All the apartments face towards the sea but because of a hill, the sea is only visible slightly from one of the upstairs apartments.  All the apartments have balconies with the ground floor ones being slightly bigger.

You get the sun on the balconies in the morning and then in the evening they are in the shade which is nice.  You can always have the front door open to get the sun into the apartment but be careful of the wind blowing through in case the door slams.  There should be a little hook behind the door so that you can secure it open but this is Greece after all, and it may have fallen off.       

Don't sleep with the balcony doors open, especially on the ground floor.  Apart from the security aspect, the local cats will wander in.  Upstairs and downstairs, the mozzies and midges will get you.

There is air conditioning which you pay for on arrival and also there are strong boxes in the rooms which you can also use.  A deposit is charged which is returnable.

There are a few small restaurants nearby, the best of which is the Roof Garden at the Planos Beach apartments almost opposite.  The main town is at the top of the road with the bus stop and taxi rank by the Mediterranee Hotel.

We have stayed in many different apartments in Tsilivi in the last fifteen years but these are the best for us.

Staying here in two weeks. What are the owners like? Is it in a good location and clean? What about the transfer time from the airport and will i need insect repellent?