Ostria Seaside Studios and Apartments

Ostria Seaside Studios and Apartments is an aparthotel for divers who like their accommodation to do more than provide a bed. You have the sea at the front, a kitchenette for the practical bits of the day, and enough outdoor space to sit down with a coffee rather than immediately launch into another excursion. The English-speaking team also speaks Greek, so you will be understood from the start.

The setting suits a couple looking for a straightforward seaside base, but family rooms and apartment-style accommodation make it workable for a small family as well. There is free WiFi throughout the property, free private parking, and a saltwater swimming pool when you fancy a change from the beach. Nothing here asks you to dress for dinner or follow a resort timetable. You can make the day as active or as idle as you like.

You are in Katarráktis, Greece, on the seafront rather than in the middle of Chios town. The golden sandy beach is about 0.03 miles away, with sun loungers and parasols for the days when the only serious decision is whether to move into the shade. Katarraktis itself is a six-minute walk away.

For a meal out, Meltemaki is about 0.2 miles away. Other beaches are within easy driving reach: Vokaria Beach is about 2 miles away by road, while Watchtower Beach is about 5 miles away. Agios Aimilianos Church is about 2 miles away, and the Citrus Museum is about 5 miles away by car.

Chios Island National Airport is about 6 miles away by road, with a driving time of around 12 minutes. A car is useful here, particularly if you want to explore Mesta, Pyrgi and Chios town rather than treating the nearest beach as your entire holiday itinerary.

The accommodation works well for a diving holiday because it gives you more than a standard hotel room: a kitchenette, dining table, stovetop, kitchenware, refrigerator, coffee machine and electric kettle. That means cold water and a quick drink are available when you return tired, and you can keep simple food in the room instead of arranging every meal around a restaurant.

For two, the sea-view studio is the obvious compact choice, with two single beds and a balcony. If you want a separate bedroom and a little more breathing room, the one-bedroom apartment is the more comfortable choice; it also suits a small family, with fold-up bed options available according to the accommodation selected. Every unit has a private bathroom, air conditioning, heating, wardrobe space and a private entrance.

Sea views and outdoor furniture give the balconies a proper use beyond storing wet towels. The upper floors are reached by stairs only, worth bearing in mind if knees and luggage are no longer on speaking terms. Quiet hours run from 23:00 to 08:00, which should help keep the night civil after an early start.

Breakfast is continental, giving you a simple start before a morning by the water or a drive across Chios. The kitchenette then takes over for the practical middle ground: coffee from the machine, something chilled from the refrigerator, and a meal assembled at your own dining table when you would rather stay in than go searching for dinner.

There is a restaurant, Meltemaki, about 0.2 miles away. That is close enough for an evening meal without turning the walk into an expedition, while the wider area gives you further restaurant and bar options by car. This is an aparthotel rather than a full-board setup, so the useful advantage is flexibility: breakfast at the property, a quick bite in the room, or dinner out when the appetite returns.

The saltwater swimming pool and sun terrace give you an alternative to the sea without removing you from it. Sun loungers, parasols, garden space and outdoor furniture cover the basic post-dive routine: sit down, dry off, and allow the day to become less ambitious. The beachfront location also makes a short swim or a spell on the sand easy to arrange.

When you want to do something rather than simply lie still, the property offers access to snorkelling, kayaking, paddleboarding, boat excursions and equipment rental. Bicycle rental is available, and car hire makes the island’s villages and sights easier to reach. Chios town, Mesta village and Pyrgi village are among the excursions offered, while walking and cycling give you simpler ways to explore without committing to another organised outing.

For a slower afternoon, the garden and sea-facing outdoor areas are enough to keep a couple occupied in the most respectable way possible: with a book, a drink and no timetable. Families are welcome, and the apartment format gives everyone a little more room than a single hotel bedroom.

Chios Island National Airport is about 6 miles away by road. An airport shuttle is available on request, and car hire is also available if you plan to visit beaches and villages beyond Katarráktis. Free private parking is available on site, with no reservation needed, which is useful if your island plans involve a hired car rather than a taxi timetable.

Check-in runs from 14:00 to 20:30, and you need to tell the property your expected arrival time in advance. Check-out is from 07:30 to 11:00. Luggage storage, a concierge service, a reception safe and laundry facilities are available for the bits of travel administration that otherwise have a habit of appearing at the wrong moment.

Cash, Visa and Mastercard are accepted. Parties and events are not allowed, and quiet hours run from 23:00 to 08:00. Upper floors are accessible by stairs only, so choose your room with that in mind if you are travelling with heavy luggage or prefer to avoid stairs.