Maria Studios

We visited Maria in September 2004 for my first ever holiday abroad and it was totally fantastic. Everyone was friendly, the room was clean and comfortable and the food was great. We had a full English breakfast every day cooked by Spiros and spent hot days lazing by the pool. The week just flew by.

F**k the Enemy

Maria Apartments (part of Faros pool bar) are with Argo for 2006

We Stayed at the Maria apartments for a week 12th to the 19th September 2005. They are fab! Yannis and Katrina are fantastic hosts, the position is perfect with a maximum of 20 minutes walk to all areas of  Paleokastritsa (apart from the monestary!) The studios are kept really clean as is the pool and bar area. If you have days when energy is lacking the pool is a perfect place to just relax with a book and there are plenty of loungers to go around. The food, cooked by Maria, is simple but very good - perfect if you just want to grab an easy lunch by the pool. The BBQ on Saturday night held in Faros pool bar is a must and has a fantastic turn out. We will definately return to Paleokastritsa one day and would not even bother looking at another place to stay.

• The view from the balconey over looking the sea is very good but thats it.
• WE FOUND BETTER APARTMENTS 100M AWAY:

The Bad Things:

• At least 60 uneven steps down to apartments -poorly lit at nite
• Towels size of tea towels 1set per person all week(Tight gets) you need to use every inch!
• No HOT water for at least 2days had to have a wash with the kettle
• Rooms cleaned once all week -- you may think this isn't bad but remember what you do with your toilet paper in Greece!!
• Windows & Doors that don't shut correctly--Makes it very cold this time of year

Address of Maria Apartments

Having read the comments before going it was a pleasure to find out all the positive things said are true. A friendly atmosphere that means you never need to leave the appartment complex. We were made at home straight away by Bob's welcome, given advice, laughs, entertainment, a great breakfast and Yannis makes a mean cocktail! It is to be recommended for a relaxing holiday, good for kids with a spotless pool. So far the rate of return to Maria is almost half and it's easy to see why. Simpily due to those who make Maria the success it is we had a great time and would without doubt visit again.

As a sign of just how good Maria Apts/Faros Bar is you should also know that people from most of the other hotels and apartments used the bar, taverna quality food and pool on a regular basis throughout their stay, because of the friendliest welcome, high standards of cleanliness, food and pool bar.(this is not a problem theres plenty of room, sunbeds and hospitality for everyone. Yiannis is a real greek god- your wish is his command! This was the first of 15 greek holidays where we have felt we wanted to eat in the same place more than four times, He also has a philosophy on life that you will need to visit his bar to fully appreciate! Oh and on Saturdays they have a great Barbeque evening. We intend to go back as soon as we can! If you are going tell him Julie, Steve, Annie , Andrew, Roy, Jen and James said Yassou!

We got back from staying in Paleokastritsa monday and it felt like it was far too soon! i cannot begin to say how much we enjoyed ourselves! the resort is the most beautiful place we have ever seen! we would like to say thank you to everyone at the maria apartments as we never got a chance to as we had an early flight. Also a sorry to those whom we meet and never got to say goodbye to! we will definately be back as soon as we can! it is a must see place!!
Carlie & Kev

Just returned from Maria, it was everything I thought it would be...and more! Pool is spotlessly clean. Like all pools in Paleo they belong to the bar and are free to whoever wishes to use them - sunbeds and umbrellas too!!! Yannis and family really do make you feel very welcome, but do be aware of the following. Although mid June, the rooms are not air conditioned. It was uncomfortably hot every night (rep never told us that fans were available for hire). Mosquitos were ravenous, inflicting many bites pretty much all of the time - potions, candles and sprays had little effect. Got one toilet roll for the week (although mini-markets are plentiful)and room cleaned every other day. Power went off two nights during the week, not just complex, but whole resort. One hour first night, several two night later. Beware of roaming dogs, a pitbull came to visit our pool whist we were there. The chemist is some way from the main resort (5 mins by road). Cashpont seems to have been added as an afterthought (it's miles away by the harbour)and stands on its lonesome. Creditcards and Switch/Maestro/Cirrus can be used to obtain Euros with instructions in English. As there is just the one till, I wondered if it would break-down, but worked well. Some restaurants are ropey and lip-service is not high on the agenda, but on the whole food was great and hospitality very good.
Bread, starter, main course and a couple of beers for two was about 35 euros. Moody Blue is the place for dancing to pop music, the host on the door particularly pleasant. Greek guys try and pull in teams in there - funny to watch though! Hiring a moped powerful enough for two was 25 euros for two days. a full tank of fuel was about 2.5 euros, enough for the day. This was a great holiday and would love to go back to Paleo, it's the best place on the island.

My Husband and I are just back from the Maria Apartments and I cant begin to tell you what a brilliant holiday we had. We were really sad to leave, Yannis and his family were strangers when we arrived but when we left they were like family to us. The apartments were spotless and the pool and bar area were excellent and well looked after. If your not booked in here for a holiday pop in for a drink - trust me you will come back. Tell Yannis, Kattarina and family, Maureen and Sam said Yassoo (hello)

Hope you have as great a holiday as we did.