Homestays in Thessaly, Greece

Very disappointed as I spent quite a bit of time looking for just the ”right” place to stay in this magical area. This was a long awaited trip extensive trip through Greece (and Istanbul) and as stated, I took great pains to find just the right establishment in each place I visited. My stay in Kalambaka was to be no different. With only 2 short days, this was to be of quality, not quantity. While still be somewhat budget conscious, I was not going to settle for a bottom of the barrel ”economy room” someplace in the area. I wanted a warm and inviting room with a nice balcony to relax, have some wine, look up at the Rocks and ponder over my experiences that day after a magical and spiritual day of exploring the Monasteries. After searching and reviewing any hotels, bnb's (what have you), many the same price range, if not less, I landed on Toti. Close to everything (shops, town life, markets, scooter rental, and train station), but not ”right in the middle” of it all where it wouldn't be quite as peaceful. Had simple, but warm and inviting decor and an inviting and comfortable balcony, just as I wanted (...or so it was advertised). As I have learned over the years, I had contacted the establishment to confirm the room I was booking; size, style, amenities, balcony, view etc. Upon receiving their reply email, informing me there was no coffee pot/kettle, so I should buy breakfast (???), did have a nice balcony with meteora view, as well as advising me to look at the pictures of the room they had posted, as to show what to expect for the room I was booking. With that confirmation I went through with the booking. When I arrived and shown to the room I was in awe (and not in a good way), so much so I expressed as such pretty much the minute I stepped into the room. I was simply told it had what I booked (??). When I saw the ”balcony” I was even more so taken aback. It had a metal security door on a side wall that opened up into a ”space” that was more of an outdoor landing than a balcony. No more than 5x3 feet, a metal corrugated partition, and one plastic yard chair squeezed in. There wasn't even room for a table so they had a ”tray table” attached to the railing. While it did have a view of the Rocks, it was far from comfortable and relaxing as I had to squeeze around the door just to be able to get to the chair to sit down. Forget about being able to sit back and relax, as the only way I was able to stretch my legs was to shimmy the chair out a bit to be able to close the door (leaving me outside); which I was afraid to do without leaving a wedge in the door jamb for fear of getting locked out on said ”balcony”. (as the door, handle, lock etc were some subpar ”storage unit” looking type deal). So, after a quick debate with myself to address this with management in attempt to resolve and remedy, I didnt want to waste the minimal time I had dealing with this bs. I dropped of my bags and went to explore. Upon my late evening return, after an AMAZI

The hotel is just beside the train station and it is time to cross the railway after getting off the train. Otherwise it is difficult to find. Hotel service is very good, can help you call a taxi on Meyola, like a chartered car, 20 euros an hour, very convenient. At 4 o'clock in the afternoon, we called a taxi on Meilong Aola. At this time, there were very few people, and Meilong Aola was beautiful in the sunset! It takes 3 hours and 60 Euros for the car, which is very valuable.

We have stayed at this hotel three times and plan to come again. Home friendly atmosphere. Excellent service. Great food. The best Moussaka I've tried! Convenient car parking nearby. Great view from the balcony.

Not on the central street of Karambaka, but Karambaka is small and safe, so you can just look at local life and environment when you walk for a walk. It is equivalent to a small town in China's fourth-tier places, with simple folk customs and a safe and happy life. The hotel is well decorated, that is, the room has nothing but the bed. It is estimated that the people who go there will go to the abbey for one night. I found a kettle in the corridor (Westerners rarely use it). It seems that we put it there after we checked in. It shows that the store knows the needs of the Oriental people very well. The charging conversion head is forgotten in Athens. The front desk borrowed one. At first glance, it is pulled down by Chinese tourists (because it is a Chinese three plugs). The scenery around the store is OK. A well-regulated shop. The restaurant recommended by the boss is great.

We really enjoyed our stay. The family room was spacious and clean. We had the chance to taste local products in the breakfast which was rich and it was served in a very nice and cosy area. The location of the hotel is perfect and the pulbic parking is only 2 minutes away. The staff is helpful and friendly. We will definately choose this hotel when we visit Arachova again.

We stayed at this hotel for 3 nights. For us this was a disappointment. On the plus side this hotel is very close to the Meteora monasteries and also a 5 minute walk from the centre of Kastraki. On the pictures this hotel looks great but in real it’s very basic. We booked a Meteora view room with it’s own balcony overlooking the rocks but the only thing we were able to see were very high trees (see pictures). The room itself was small en very basic also. The bathroom was extremely small (see picture). The remote control of the air-conditioning was broken so we changed it with the one from the next door room which worked better. The breakfast offered in the hallway was very poor. Terrible coffee, some slices of bread with some cheese and sausage. The staff was OK but not very friendly or helpful. There was no information available about the Meteora monasteries. No maps, no information, nothing. This was very disappointing for an hotel which main business is hosting visitors from all over the world who are here for visiting these monasteries. This hotel was not worth the money we paid for the room (about 95 Euro per night).

Very disappointed as I spent quite a bit of time looking for just the ”right” place to stay in this magical area. This was a long awaited trip extensive trip through Greece (and Istanbul) and as stated, I took great pains to find just the right establishment in each place I visited. My stay in Kalambaka was to be no different. With only 2 short days, this was to be of quality, not quantity. While still be somewhat budget conscious, I was not going to settle for a bottom of the barrel ”economy room” someplace in the area. I wanted a warm and inviting room with a nice balcony to relax, have some wine, look up at the Rocks and ponder over my experiences that day after a magical and spiritual day of exploring the Monasteries. After searching and reviewing any hotels, bnb's (what have you), many the same price range, if not less, I landed on Toti. Close to everything (shops, town life, markets, scooter rental, and train station), but not ”right in the middle” of it all where it wouldn't be quite as peaceful. Had simple, but warm and inviting decor and an inviting and comfortable balcony, just as I wanted (...or so it was advertised). As I have learned over the years, I had contacted the establishment to confirm the room I was booking; size, style, amenities, balcony, view etc. Upon receiving their reply email, informing me there was no coffee pot/kettle, so I should buy breakfast (???), did have a nice balcony with meteora view, as well as advising me to look at the pictures of the room they had posted, as to show what to expect for the room I was booking. With that confirmation I went through with the booking. When I arrived and shown to the room I was in awe (and not in a good way), so much so I expressed as such pretty much the minute I stepped into the room. I was simply told it had what I booked (??). When I saw the ”balcony” I was even more so taken aback. It had a metal security door on a side wall that opened up into a ”space” that was more of an outdoor landing than a balcony. No more than 5x3 feet, a metal corrugated partition, and one plastic yard chair squeezed in. There wasn't even room for a table so they had a ”tray table” attached to the railing. While it did have a view of the Rocks, it was far from comfortable and relaxing as I had to squeeze around the door just to be able to get to the chair to sit down. Forget about being able to sit back and relax, as the only way I was able to stretch my legs was to shimmy the chair out a bit to be able to close the door (leaving me outside); which I was afraid to do without leaving a wedge in the door jamb for fear of getting locked out on said ”balcony”. (as the door, handle, lock etc were some subpar ”storage unit” looking type deal). So, after a quick debate with myself to address this with management in attempt to resolve and remedy, I didnt want to waste the minimal time I had dealing with this bs. I dropped of my bags and went to explore. Upon my late evening return, after an AMAZI

The hotel is just beside the train station and it is time to cross the railway after getting off the train. Otherwise it is difficult to find. Hotel service is very good, can help you call a taxi on Meyola, like a chartered car, 20 euros an hour, very convenient. At 4 o'clock in the afternoon, we called a taxi on Meilong Aola. At this time, there were very few people, and Meilong Aola was beautiful in the sunset! It takes 3 hours and 60 Euros for the car, which is very valuable.

Not on the central street of Karambaka, but Karambaka is small and safe, so you can just look at local life and environment when you walk for a walk. It is equivalent to a small town in China's fourth-tier places, with simple folk customs and a safe and happy life. The hotel is well decorated, that is, the room has nothing but the bed. It is estimated that the people who go there will go to the abbey for one night. I found a kettle in the corridor (Westerners rarely use it). It seems that we put it there after we checked in. It shows that the store knows the needs of the Oriental people very well. The charging conversion head is forgotten in Athens. The front desk borrowed one. At first glance, it is pulled down by Chinese tourists (because it is a Chinese three plugs). The scenery around the store is OK. A well-regulated shop. The restaurant recommended by the boss is great.

This guest house is an absolute gem. Elena is a phenomenal host. She upgraded us to the junior suite which has one of the best views in the entire world! The location can't be beat. Meteora is a very special place in the world that everyone should experience in their life. Thank you very much for all the hospitality. We will absolutely recommend it to all of our friends and family.

We loved our stay at Oikia Guesthouse. The rooms were beautiful and modern. The bathrooms were modern and the beds were very comfortable. The guesthouse was also in an excellent location from which to visit the monasteries of Meteora. It also had a beautiful rooftop alfresco area to enjoy sunset drinks. Every morning we enjoyed a wonderful and generous breakfast. We would highly recommend this guesthouse to anyone considering staying in Meteora.

We have stayed at this hotel three times and plan to come again. Home friendly atmosphere. Excellent service. Great food. The best Moussaka I've tried! Convenient car parking nearby. Great view from the balcony.

We stayed at this hotel for 3 nights. For us this was a disappointment. On the plus side this hotel is very close to the Meteora monasteries and also a 5 minute walk from the centre of Kastraki. On the pictures this hotel looks great but in real it’s very basic. We booked a Meteora view room with it’s own balcony overlooking the rocks but the only thing we were able to see were very high trees (see pictures). The room itself was small en very basic also. The bathroom was extremely small (see picture). The remote control of the air-conditioning was broken so we changed it with the one from the next door room which worked better. The breakfast offered in the hallway was very poor. Terrible coffee, some slices of bread with some cheese and sausage. The staff was OK but not very friendly or helpful. There was no information available about the Meteora monasteries. No maps, no information, nothing. This was very disappointing for an hotel which main business is hosting visitors from all over the world who are here for visiting these monasteries. This hotel was not worth the money we paid for the room (about 95 Euro per night).