Sossinola

Sossinola is an aparthotel for divers who like a little more room to manoeuvre than a standard hotel room allows. You have air conditioning, a kitchenette, a private bathroom, WiFi and outdoor space, with larger apartment options when the travelling party brings more than a mask and a pair of fins.

The mood is low-key and practical: a garden, a sun terrace, a swimming pool and a restaurant by the sea. You can keep the evening simple, with dinner on site and the room close by, or use the property as a base for beaches, boat trips and the wider island. No need to turn every night into an expedition.

You are in Steni Vala Alonissos, Greece, on the waterfront of the port. Patitiri is about 6 miles away by road, with the approach following the main road for roughly 6 miles from there to Steni Vala. The setting puts you beside the harbour rather than in an inland resort, which matters when the evening plan is simply to walk out and find the water.

Glyfa Beach is about 350 metres away on foot: sandy, with sun loungers and parasols. Agios Petros Beach is about 0.3 miles away on foot, while Vamvakies Beach is about 2.5 miles away by car. Agios Dimitrios Beach is about 3.5 miles away by road, and the National Marine Park of Alonissos is about 6 miles away.

Skiathos Airport is about 38 miles away by road. That is not a quick hop from the runway, so the arrival is part of the island journey rather than a detail to ignore when planning flights.

For two people, the Standard Double Room keeps things straightforward: a king-size bed, a private bathroom and the useful extras that make a diving day easier to close down, including air conditioning, a refrigerator, a kitchenette and a balcony. The partial-sea-view version is the one to consider when looking out towards the water matters more than having extra room to spread out.

Travelling as three? The Standard Triple Room uses a king-size bed and a sofa bed, while the sea-view studio gives you more elbow room and a clearer reason to stay in for an evening. Families or groups of four have the two apartment options, with either a garden view or a sea view. Those are the sensible choices when bags, clothes and post-dive clutter start competing for the same corner.

Soundproof rooms, daily housekeeping and air conditioning give the night a practical backbone. You also have a drying rack for clothing, towels, a hairdryer and a flat-screen TV. The balconies and terraces provide somewhere to sit with a coffee, while the refrigerator is ready for the cold water that becomes considerably more important once you are back from the sea.

The hotel restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner beside the sea, so you can keep the food logistics refreshingly close to the room. Breakfast is a buffet, with omelettes, homemade jams, fresh bread and fruit among the choices described for the morning. That is the sort of start that does not ask you to make a second plan before a boat departure.

The cooking is Mediterranean, with fresh local fish and vegetables, traditional Greek dishes and local specialities. Pizza is also on the menu. Greek wine labels, cocktails and aperitifs cover the transition from daylight to dinner, whether you want one before the meal or something in the glass afterwards.

Room service is available, and special-diet menus can be requested. There is one named restaurant and no separate bar to navigate, which keeps the evening arrangement simple: eat by the sea, have a drink with dinner, then take the shortest sensible route to bed.

When the sea is off the agenda, the swimming pool, garden and sun terrace give you three uncomplicated ways to spend the afternoon. Add outdoor furniture and a balcony or terrace to the room, and you can choose between being around other guests and retreating with a book. The quiet hours from 15:00 to 17:00 suit anyone who prefers an afternoon without background theatre.

Walking tours, hiking and cultural excursions open up the island beyond the harbour. Boat outings, island trips and snorkelling excursions are also available, while fishing gives the more patient members of the group something to do. Car hire is available for reaching beaches and places farther around Alonissos.

This is also workable for a couple with different energy levels. One of you can take a walk or go out on the water while the other stays by the pool or in the garden. Pets are welcome too, so the travelling party need not always be limited to divers and their well-used sandals.

Check-in runs from 14:30 to 22:00, with your arrival time to be arranged in advance. Check-out is from 09:00 to 11:30. Express check-in and check-out are available, and there is no age requirement for check-in.

Free private parking is available on site, with accessible parking spaces; spaces cannot be reserved. If you are not bringing a car, car hire is available. Skiathos Airport is about 38 miles away by road, so allow time for the full transfer from the airport rather than treating the airport distance as a straight-line hop.

WiFi is free in the rooms and throughout the hotel. Laundry and ironing services are available, cash, Visa and Mastercard are accepted, and smoking is not permitted. Children of any age are welcome, although cots and extra beds are not available. Parties are not allowed, and quiet hours apply from 15:00 to 17:00.