Perigiali Hotel

You come here for a straightforward island stay by the water, with the useful bits in place rather than a long list of theatrical promises. Perigiali Hotel has 27 rooms, a swimming pool, a garden and a beach nearby, so the day can move at a sensible pace once you are back on dry land.

English, Greek, French and German are spoken by the hotel team. That matters when you are arranging a car, asking about the island or trying to explain that the room fridge is not a luxury but a post-dive necessity. The hotel also has a 24-hour reception, a lift and accessible facilities.

The feel is practical and easy-going: breakfast, a pool bar, a terrace, a library and an area for picnics. You can do as much as you like, then stop. A perfectly respectable holiday skill.

Perigiali Hotel stands in Magazia, on the island of Skiros, in Greece, in a seaside setting. The sea is about 50 metres away, while Magazia Beach is around 50 metres from the hotel as well. It is a sandy beach with sun loungers and parasols, giving you an uncomplicated option for a swim when a second descent is not on the agenda.

The hotel is about 1 kilometre from the airport, and the route from Linaria port follows the main road for roughly 6 miles before turning towards Airport and Molos. The hotel is then on the right, about 1 kilometre along that road. A car can be hired at the hotel, which is useful if you want to explore beyond the immediate beach and pool routine.

The location works particularly well for divers who prefer not to spend the whole evening negotiating transfers. You have the coast close by, the airport within easy reach and the island road network at the door.

The room choice is broad enough to cover a solo trip, a couple travelling together and family groups, without forcing everyone into the same arrangement. Single rooms keep things simple for one diver, while double rooms are available with a double bed or twin beds. Sea-view and balcony options let you choose whether the view or the outdoor space matters more when you are booking.

Standard and superior rooms commonly bring the practical after-dive kit: air-conditioning, a fridge, a private bathroom, a safe, television, hairdryer and Wi-Fi. A double room with balcony adds a desk, shower, toiletries and soundproofing. Those are the details that earn their keep once your kit is put away and you want cold water, a charged phone and a room that does not require a small expedition to settle into.

Suites, apartments and studios broaden the choice for longer stays or travellers who want more room to organise themselves. Selected suites and one-bedroom apartments include a kitchen, coffee facilities, a balcony and soundproofing. Family and quadruple options are also available, while the larger suite options extend to groups of up to six. Check the individual room card carefully: facilities vary considerably between categories, and not every room carries the same equipment.

Breakfast is a buffet included in the accommodation arrangement, served from 8:00. It follows the Greek Breakfast standards and is certified by the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels, with homemade flavours and the sort of substantial start that makes a morning departure easier to face.

There is one named bar: the Pool Bar, beside the seawater swimming pool, serving cocktails, drinks and coffee. A café and snack bar are also available for smaller appetites, which is useful when lunch has been postponed by a boat schedule or a long swim. Bottled water and tea or coffee for guests are part of the hotel facilities.

Room service runs until midnight. That gives you a fallback for the evening when changing out of damp clothes has used up the last of your ambition. Meal arrangements beyond breakfast depend on the booking details, so check the selected accommodation plan rather than assuming a half-board or all-inclusive stay.

The main place to switch off is the outdoor seawater pool, with sunbeds and umbrellas around it. It is a useful second setting for a non-diving afternoon: less sand, no timetable and enough room to read while the rest of the day quietly disappears. Beach towels and beach equipment are available through the hotel facilities.

For a slower evening, there is a library, a sun terrace, a garden and an outdoor picnic area. These are modest pleasures, but they fit the rhythm of a diving holiday rather better than a programme of compulsory entertainment. You can swim, find a shaded seat and leave the rest of the island for tomorrow.

A massage service and a doctor on request add practical support when your shoulders have had enough of carrying bags and tanks. Families also have access to babysitting and a children's playground, giving travelling companions who are not diving a little more room to shape the day for themselves.

The hotel has free Wi-Fi throughout, free parking, a 24-hour reception, a lift, luggage storage facilities and a safe at reception. Laundry, concierge assistance and car hire are available, with car hire particularly useful on an island where the beach outside the hotel is only part of the story.

Check-out is at 11:00. The hotel accepts cash as well as Visa and Mastercard, and the room facilities include power for the usual electronics on the Greek 230-volt system with type C and F sockets. Air-conditioning is available in the hotel and in many of the room categories, which earns its place after a hot day outdoors.

The airport is about 1 kilometre away. From Linaria port, follow the main road for about 6 miles, then take the turning at the roundabout towards Airport and Molos; the hotel is about 1 kilometre along on the right. Airport shuttle service is not available, so arrange your arrival around the road connection and the transport option you intend to use.