World Country Guide

Accommodation

Hotels
The range of hotels can vary greatly both among the islands and on the mainland, from high class on larger islands and the mainland to small seasonal chalets. Booking for the high season is essential. Xenia hotels are owned and often run by the Greek/Hellenic National Tourism Organisation. Small family hotels are a friendly alternative to the hotel chains. Hotel reservations can be made by writing directly to the hotels, through a travel agent, or through writing, faxing or phoning the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels, 24 Stadiou Street, 105 64 Athens (tel: (210) 331 0022; fax: (210) 322 5449; e-mail: grhotels@otenet.gr; website: www.grhotels.gr). Grading: Hotels are all officially classified as Luxury or rated on a scale from A to E. The category denotes what facilities must be offered and the price range that the hotelier is allowed to charge.

Self-catering
Furnished rooms in private houses, service flats, apartments and villas are available. On most of the Greek islands, rooms in private homes are an extremely popular form of accommodation and can usually be arranged on the spot. All types of accommodation can be arranged through tour operators in this country. The Greek/Hellenic National Tourism Organisation can provide further information on request.

Traditional Settlements
Known also as paradosiakoi oikismoi in Greek, these traditional hostels can be found throughout the country, notably in Areopolis (Mani), Gythion (Peloponnese), Ia (Santorini), Koriskades (Central Greece), Makrinitsa (Pilion), Mesta (Chios), Milies (Pilion), Monemvasia (Peloponnese), Papingo (Epirus), Psara Island, Vathia (Mani), and Vizitsa (Pilion). This type of accommodation normally offers single, double or triple bedrooms with shower, or a four-bed house.

Camping/Caravanning
There is a wide network of official campsites (website: www.panhellenic-camping-union.gr). For details, contact the Greek/Hellenic National Tourism Organisation (see Contact Addresses section). Note: It is not permitted to camp anywhere except registered sites.

Youth Hostels
Greece has only one youth hostel recognised by the International Youth Hostel Federation, which is located in Athens, 16 Victor Hugo Street, 104 38 Athens (tel/fax: (210) 523 2540; e-mail: info@athenshostel.com; website: www.interland.gr/athenshostel). A number of youth hostels belong to the Greek Youth Hostels Association, whose main office is in 75 Damareos Street, Athens (tel: (210) 751 9530; fax: (210) 751 0616; e-mail: y-hostels@otenet.gr). Other youth hostels exist in Crete, the Cyclades and the Peloponnese. For further details, contact the Greek Youth Hostel Association.