I am the husband of the woman who talked about a dark side. I must say that as soon her review appeared the owner of the place, Maria, called my wife. She was very distressed because the waitress, Pascalina, left leaving her alone during high season. Maria said that Pascalina was paid very well, she was no prisoner at all, she could go wherever she pleased, and Maria herself was not the sister of the cheaf of the police, instead she doesn't even know the policemen on the island who change every year. Evidently Pascalina told us a lot of lies.
The place is realy beatiful, we loved especially the sunset from the terrace, overlooking the beach of Kamares, which is one of the best on the island. We rented 2 quads from a place nearby and went evrywhere, it was very exciting. Go to Crissopigy beach and snorkel in the narrow passage in the promontory where the church is built. Kastro is also beatiful, with the church of Epta Martyres jutting into the see. You can swim at the foot of the church going down by steps carved in the rock. Coming back to Kastro take the road going left and stop to eat at the restaurant overlooking the little port.

I am the hushand of the woman who wrote the review talking about a dark side. The hotel is beatiful, every room has a terrace overlooking the sea, it is just 10 minute on foot to the beach of Kamares which is one of the best in Sifnos, very good for playing with the rackets, We rented 2 quads just outsise the place and went all over Sifnos, it was exciting. What we liked best was Crissopigi (go snorkeling in the narrow passage under the church), Kastro and its restaurant above the little port. In Kastro, you can swim and snorkel at the foot of the church of Epta Matyres, going down the steps carved in the rock from the promontory jutting into the sea where the church is built.
As soon as the review of my wife came out, she received the telephone call of a very distressed Maria , the owner of the place, telling us that Pascalina, the waitress, had left her on August 5th, wih the ferry ticket we bought for her, leaving her with non help at all in high season. Pascalina was a big liar, because she had been regularly paid (Maria keeps the receipts), the chief of the police is not the brother of Maria, who doesn't even know who the policemen are since they change every year. Pascalina was no prisoner at all, she was able to go wherever she pleased, Maria diidn't hold her passaport, and she could go on Internet in her free time (as we saw her too). So I think she cheated us with a sad story in order to obtain a free ferry ticket, hoping we would give her the money back which is what actually happened.
My wife apologize for having written the review without having talked before with Maria, but we are very glad to know the a nice and kind person like Maria is not in any way involved in mistreating a waitress.

This really is a very special place. Maria, the owner, met us from the ferry and took us to our room which was very clean and spacious. We were offered homemade lemonade and, as it was Sunday, traditional chickpea stew - delicious! The studios/apartments are set in beautiful terraced gardens - lots lof lovely pots of plants and many little corners to sit and relax. Great views to the sea and countryside. Maria was always on hand to give ideas of where to go and what to see - her English was fantastic! Her family run a restaurant in Kastro, Leonidas, which has the best food we had in all the islands we visited. Well worth a visit. If you have a car and get the chance take a trip to the northern tip of the island to Heronissos and have breakfast on the beach at Ammoudia Taverna - just perfect! This is a lovely place to stay and Maria makes it even more special. We won't hesitate to go back and thoroughly recommend it.

Sifnaika Konakia is not your typical hotel complex - instead it is a cluster of attractive, spacious (and very clean) studios and rooms, spread around relaxing hotel grounds, full of little corners, terraces, outdoor dining and cooking areas in which to unwind, read a book & soak up the sun's rays.

For all the hotel's significant appeal, Maria, (the hotelier), is surely the biggest selling point. Welcoming, accommodating, bubbly and polite, she was full of great suggestions for our stay: places to visit; things to do; food to try. She provided us with a really personal experience, making us feel right at home from the minute she met us off our ferry into Sifnos, to the second she dropped us back there at the end of our visit. Her complimentary traditional chickpea soup (served on Sundays in the outdoor kitchen area) was simply delicious.

Whilst the port of Kamares, dominated by steep hills on two sides and the sea on a third, makes for a pleasant and convenient location to base one's self, the island is well worth exploring further. Visits to Apollonia, Artemonas, Kastro and Chrisopigi were particularly enjoyable, and were easily arranged thanks the comfortable island bus service (which stops right outside Sifnaika Konakia).

This island, and more specifically, this hotel is a true gem!