4epoches

Set on Alonissos, 4 Epoches Hotel is a small three-star address with 22 rooms, balconies, a garden and a saltwater pool. It suits divers who want the useful things close at hand: somewhere to eat, somewhere to sit outside, and a proper room in which to dry out and cool down without fuss.

English is available through the hotel’s website, alongside Greek and Italian, so English-speaking guests are part of the audience this property is set up to welcome. The atmosphere is shaped more by the outdoor spaces than by formal hotel ceremony: garden, sun terrace, pool bar and roof garden give you several places to linger once the fins are back in the bag.

Families are welcome, and there is outdoor play equipment for children. Pets are also allowed without an extra charge, which may matter if your travelling companion has four legs and a firm opinion about holidays.

The address is in Steni Vala Alonissos, Greece, with the sea 100 metres away. Glyfa Beach is about 350 metres from the hotel, while Agios Petros Beach is roughly 650 metres away on foot. That gives you a choice between the nearest strip of sand and another beach within an easy walk.

For a wider look at the island, Vamvakies Beach is about 2.5 miles away and Agios Dimitrios Beach around 3.5 miles away. The National Marine Park of Alonissos is roughly 4.5 miles from the hotel, with the port of Alonissos around 6 miles away.

Skiathos Airport is listed at about 40 miles from the property. The hotel can arrange an airport shuttle on request, and car hire is available if you want to make the beaches and the more distant corners of the island your own business rather than a timetable’s.

The room choice is straightforward for a diving couple. The Standard Double or Twin Room with Balcony gives you a king-size bed and a private outdoor space, while the pool-view option brings the pool into the view from the room. Family rooms are also available, with garden or pool views.

Air conditioning matters on an island where you can return hot, salty and ready to sleep rather than admire architectural details. A mosquito net, soundproofing, a wardrobe, a private entrance and a private bathroom add practical value, while the desk is there if holiday paperwork has somehow followed you to Alonissos. Every room has free WiFi, a television with satellite channels, a minibar and an electric kettle.

The balcony is useful for a quiet coffee or for letting the room breathe between outings. Daily housekeeping keeps the practical side moving, and laundry and ironing services are available when repeated saltwater exposure starts to show on more than your hair.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served at the hotel restaurant, with breakfast included. The morning spread covers fresh pastries, pancakes, cheese, fruit and juice, which is the sort of start that does not require a heroic conversation before the first coffee.

Lunch and dinner focus on international cuisine in a restaurant described as romantic. There is also a snack bar and room service available for 12 hours, useful when your appetite arrives at an inconvenient time or you would rather not make a social appearance immediately after diving.

Drinks are spread across three named spaces: the Pool bar, which specialises in cocktails, the Lounge bar in the lobby, and the Roof garden. The minibar gives you something to hand in the room, while the outdoor dining area lets you stay outside without turning dinner into a separate expedition.

The centrepiece is a 90-square-metre oval outdoor saltwater pool, with sun loungers, umbrellas, pool towels and a sun terrace around it. If the sea has already taken enough of your attention for one day, this gives you a different place to cool off without packing another bag.

A garden, outdoor furniture and the roof garden create room for the slower part of the day. The fitness centre is there for anyone who still has energy to spend, although no one will ask for an explanation if you choose a chair and remain in it until dinner.

For a day away from the dive routine, the hotel offers kayak use, boat excursions, cultural excursions, bicycle rental and snorkelling. There is also outdoor play equipment for children, making the property workable for families as well as couples who would prefer their holiday schedule to contain fewer fixed points than a dive slate.

Private parking is available on site without a reservation, which is handy if you arrive with a hire car or simply prefer not to hunt for a space after travelling. Airport shuttle arrangements can be made on request, and the reception offers private check-in and check-out, luggage storage and a tour desk.

Check-in runs from 14:00 to 22:00. Check-out is available at any time, while early check-in and late check-out can be arranged on request. Cash is accepted for payment, and cancellation and prepayment conditions vary with the accommodation selected.

Children of any age are welcome. Cots depend on the room option and availability, while extra beds are not available. The property includes wheelchair-accessible features, including a toilet with grab rails and an emergency bathroom cord; upper floors are accessible by stairs only. Pets are welcome without an additional charge.