Mike's Studios

We picked this place because it was affordable and close to town, and that location was the only positive for us. We had agreed to pay by card, but on arrival the owner asked us to get cash from an ATM, saying she had already given us a better price. We refused and paid by card. She brought up the cash request so many times, as if she were doing us a favor, even though paying by card was what we had agreed from the start. It made us uncomfortable. The room was dirty when we arrived. A cleaner came daily, but there was hair everywhere, the bathroom curtain was yellowed, and the sheets were stained. The sheets also weren’t changed for three nights. The worst issue was the owner entering our room without permission. Her son brought us the keys, since there’s no reception and you have to call for someone to bring them. About half an hour later, the owner unlocked the door with her own key, even though we had locked it from inside, because she wanted to see us. She came in without knocking while we were there. It happened three times. She would just open the closed door whenever she wanted, without calling or knocking first. We saw it happen three times, and I don’t know how often she entered when we didn’t notice. We never felt comfortable in the room.

The location was fantastic, just a two-minute walk to the beach and about a minute from restaurants and bars. We stayed four nights in Naxos during our trip around the Greek islands, and Mikes studios suited us perfectly. The staff were kind and helpful. Our room had a balcony where we ate breakfast, which we could make in the small kitchen. Well worth a visit!

The room itself was fine, though the floor hadn’t been swept, the water never got hot, and there was no blanket. It was hot, so I didn’t mind the blanket. The co-owner was kind when I checked in, and I appreciated him coming at midnight when I called because I was struggling with the stiff door after dinner. But then he started making comments about my bed being too big for a single girl, and seemed to want to come in or go out for a beer. I turned him down. I asked for a taxi the next morning around 10 or 10:15, and he agreed to quarter past ten. At 9:40 he knocked and said the taxi would be there in five minutes. I wasn’t finished packing and repeated that I meant 10:15. He said the driver was coming anyway. Maria was being nice and said to let me be, that more taxis would come, but I had to rush to pack and get dressed in five to ten minutes. It upset me and ruined my morning plans.

Our landlord, Mrs Maria, was caring and helpful. On our last day she even offered to store our luggage for free until our ship departed. The cleaning service was excellent and came daily, and the cleaner was friendly, though our sheets and towels weren’t replaced. Everything else was quite perfect, and we had a very nice experience. The room was on the ground floor, close to the centre and the harbour, with grocery stores, markets, and restaurants within walking distance. It had a kitchen and one bathroom for five people, so space was limited, but that was fine for close friends or family. The balcony and beds were lovely and cosy, and the lighting was soothing.