Selina Centavrus Pelion

It’s a charming and peaceful place, and my private room had a stunning view. The staff were really friendly and accommodating. You do need to hire a car to get around and explore the mountain villages or head to the coast, and the hostel has parking. Thanks for having me!

Makrinitsa is a real gem. I loved the quiet and solitude there, and it reminded me to slow down and appreciate life. I met several locals who became friends, and I miss them. The views from Selina and around the village were stunning, with incredible sunsets. I loved hearing the nearby streams and fountains, fed by fresh water from Mt. Pelion. I first booked one night before a week of sailing, then came back and stayed for about a month or more. It’s still one of my favorite travel memories. I stayed in four rooms, from dorm style to private ensuite, and each was cozy and just right. You can see the hand-decorated touches throughout, along with lots of art and murals. I also loved the maze of stairs, paths, and corridors, which seemed to keep the sprawling property cool. I was there for the grand opening and enjoyed the weekend festivities, food, music, and cultural experiences. Selina’s staff arranged activities I really liked, including rock climbing, a cooking class, and horseback riding. I loved every moment, and can see myself returning many times over the years. The people I met in Makrinitsa, Volos, and the surrounding area were among the kindest and most generous I’ve ever met. Come with an open heart and mind and you may discover something new for yourself.

I spent two weeks discovering Makrinitsa, and this was the best hostel stay I’ve had so far. The views were breathtaking, rooms clean, service great, and breakfasts delicious. There are nice nearby trails and good restaurants serving traditional food, and Volos is easy to reach by car or bus. The coworking spaces were great too. Thanks especially to Konstantina, Maki, and Irene for being so cool. I’ll definitely keep going to Selinas. And come on, there was a sauna in the bathroom!

The staff were the best part of my stay: friendly, warm, and helpful. Breakfast was excellent, the view was beautiful, and the town is lovely, with a few short hiking paths nearby. Selina promotes “Stay, Work, Explore, Connect.” You can stay and explore to a point, but I didn’t find the work or social side at this location. The internet was poor for everyday use, let alone working. When just a handful of people were online, even a basic Google search took ages. By myself during the day, it was merely okay, around 6mbit download and 1mbit upload. It was hard to connect with anyone when I was alone all day; people seemed to stay for a day at most, and I barely saw anyone outside breakfast. I was given a free “upgrade” from a six-person dorm to a cellar room with a tiny window that let in no daylight, so it was hard to tell morning from night. It was very humid, and the dehumidifier filled up after a few hours. It was too loud to leave on while sleeping, but with it off the humidity came back within a couple of hours. I assume that’s why there were insects, though I never saw them, and I woke up with more bites each day. Other rooms looked better, but this was my experience. I wouldn’t suggest staying longer than a day, since it gets boring quickly, and I definitely wouldn’t recommend working remotely from here in its current state.