Melia Sol Art Studios

Melia Sol Art Studios has become our home on Chios. We’ve stayed there every time we’ve visited and never considered going elsewhere. The little garden is peaceful, and having coffee there in the morning is a joy. Karfas Beach is just a short walk away, too. The rooms feel thoughtfully put together, with simple, elegant decor. You can see Ilenia’s artistic touch in the colors, textures, and small details. Three years ago I left a t-shirt behind, and this summer Ilenia returned it, carefully kept and beautifully wrapped. Thank you, this place has always felt like home.

Don’t miss breakfast, and be sure to say hello to Ilenia, the friendly and helpful owner/manager. We had a lovely two-night stay at Melia Sol Art Studios. The room was bright and spacious, with a great balcony and an ocean view. Even during Greece’s heat wave it stayed surprisingly cool. The towels were the best we had during our three weeks in Greece and Turkey.

The garden was a peaceful place to start the day. I did yoga there in the quiet morning, with birdsong in the background, and the hammocks were tempting enough that we could have stayed all day if we hadn’t wanted to see the rest of the island. We rented a car and spent our four-day getaway visiting different beaches and charming tavernas. The building and our room were beautiful, spotlessly clean, and tastefully decorated. Little touches, like lavender in the wardrobe and small grey towels for makeup, made us feel welcome. We didn’t eat at the hotel, but Ilenia helped with restaurant bookings and local tips, patiently answering all our questions. She’s an extraordinary woman and talented artist, and we admired her style and the lovely space she created. We stayed at Melia Sol for three nights in early June and wholeheartedly recommend this family business. You’ll meet Ilenia and her parents. We’re already dreaming of coming back, cooking in the kitchenette, looking out to sea from the balcony, and having coffee in the garden.

The quiet setting made it easy to get away from the noise, while still being close to things. Karfas Beach is a 5-6 minute walk and Chios Town is about a 10-minute drive. We found the location ideal for relaxing without being far from busier areas. Our room was more comfortable and refreshing than we expected, with a useful kitchenette and a lovely terrace view from the hotel’s hillside position. We also really enjoyed the hospitality from Ilenia and her family. We’d definitely return if we get the chance to visit Chios again.