Maini Studios

33 readers found this review helpful

Just returned from one of our best holidays ever in Greece, which we have visited every summer for many years - either an island or the mainland. This resort was everything we have been looking for - small enough to feel special but enough tavernas and bars to keep it interesting. You can walk from one end of the resort to the other in about 20 mins - the main beach is rough sand with sunbeds and umbrellas at about 7 euros per day - you need beach shoes to go into the sea but it is fine once you are in. There is an absolutely fantastic supermarket right on the front - Katerina's - better stocked than many in England and not too pricey - there is another one on the back road if you are staying nearer there - bigger but not necessarily better. Too many tavernas to mention but definitely worth a visit - Akrogiali overlooking the little harbour at the end of the beach - often a queue - lovely vegetables and fish and attentive staff. Also To Ovap at the other end of the beach - just at the bottom of the hill - try the Prawn stir fry - might not be typically Greek but the ingredients are and it tasted fantastic! The Riviera is good at lunchtime and is often packed at night. There are two bars on the front which are worth a visit - both have Happy Hours but also have a nice atmosphere later in the evening. Make sure to walk to Agios Nicolaos and to stop at the Taverna on the way or back - not much to see at Ag Nic but worth going. Visit the Stoupa Rentals website before you go - they hire out kettles, toasters, fans and also towels for a very small charge - we really enjoyed our toast this year! We stayed at the Maini studios with Kosmar - about 5 mins walk from the beachfront. There are only about 12 studios set in what feels like a rural area in lovely gardens. They are quite well equipped with kettle and enough kitchen equipment - shower head was a bit iffy but we managed - air conditioning is payable to the owners - watch out if you are there for 2 weeks - they turned ours off after the 1st week until we reminded them we had paid for 2. The only problem we had was that they only come in about every 3rd day (a first for us in Greece but we gather fairly typical for Stoupa) so your towels and sheets are only changed this often (you can live with this) but you have to empty your toilet bin yourself - Katerina's sell suitable bags so you can put them in the town bins on your way out (even if the bins are not emptied each day!) All in all this was the best place we have been to in a long time and we are definitely going back next year - it seems that about 75% of visitors are returners and we can understand why.