I took the hotel Kolitsani View based on the photos of their web site, we booked and paid in advance one night a room for three people. When we arrived we were given a very disagreeable room with just one window. I asked to be changed to a room with balcony. The owner, a woman called Evagelia,, refused at first but then accepted my wish due to a cancellation. She asked the same price for the new room.

Once in the new room, we noticed on the back of the main door a notice from the government, it stated a price for the room which was lower than what the woman was asking. I went to tell the woman and she not only refused to apply the right price but shouting and hitting the table with the hand (in front of the present guests) told me to leave if I did not like it. It was August and all the hotels in Ios were supposed to be full.

We called the telephone number from the notice on the back of our room’s door and they advised us to go to the police, what we did. The police phoned the woman and forced her to follow the authorized prices for the room. When we came back to the hotel the woman was very angry and started to say disagreeable things to us. We then decided we did not want to stay any longer in that hotel but the woman said we would have to pay half of the day otherwise she would not allow us to leave the hotel. We paid and left. It was very unpleasant and time consuming experience.

Well, what a place. If I came back to Ios, I would come back to this establishment for so many reasons.
Kolitsani is a family run hotel which is in very good condition. Furthermore there is also a pool with a bar beside it. The position of the hotel is 5 minutes from the centre of town and is simply stunning as you have a view of two different beaches (Mylopatas and Kolitsani) at a height of about 80 metres (this is a guess). Kolitsani beach is a 10 minute walk down (and slightly more time required on the way back up)!

Upon arrival in the port of Ios, we were picked up by Mihael and taken to the hotel which is in the main town of Ios (Hora). We were met by Elizabeth who, with Mihael, runs the establishment; they could not be kinder, more charming, well mannered and educated hosts – a real pleasure to talk to. I felt welcome right from the start, and felt that these people naturally exercise amazing customer service. Check in was quick, and they gave us all the useful information we needed, as well as answered all our questions.

The pool is very nice, with a stylish shape, deck chairs (the ones you can lie on) and the bar which serves breakfast, snacks and drinks (including home made cocktails) at extremely competitive prices. There is also free internet inside.

The room itself was ultra clean, a little small, but for the price (which was the cheapest on the island in August) and the fact that on holiday I only use the room to sleep and wash, it was absolutely fine. It also had air conditioning, small TV and fridge. My room had view on to the sea, and a small area outside with 2 chairs and a table.

Breakfast is not included, but one can take it in the bar – with its competitive prices and homemade food, I would recommend this.

Finally, I had read reviews of people complaining about the “uphill walk” from the centre to the hotel. For those of you who do not know Hora, it is not flat. In fact Ios has a mountainous topography in general, and where ever you may have to go, you will walk up or down (unless you are on or close to the beach); I was at first slightly put off by these comments, but they really are quite ridiculous especially as this walk back is on a gentle gradient and is quite brief (it really is no longer than 3 minutes uphill). Someone over the age of 60 may find this taxing (but Ios is a party island so my advice is, choose another if in this category)– anyone else really should get a health check up or think about losing some pounds.

So I will not repeat this again – just go here.

Cannot fault this little place at all. Although its a fairly inexpensive place to stay, it is still very clean, comfortable and the hospitality of the owners is second to none. It is a short walk up a small road from the main part of chora and has great views of Santorini on a clear day and also mylopotas bay. It also has a nice little pool and pool bar. If you are looking for something reasonably cheap, very welcoming and easily accessible to chora, mylopotas then it is perfect. I would definitely recommmend it.

The Kolitsani View is situated about 10 minutes walk up a steep hill from the centre of Ios village, and offers breathtaking views across Kolitsani and Milopotas bays, with Santorini in the distance. The rooms are pleasantly furnished and comfortable, most with balconies overlooking the wonderful views, and are very clean and well maintained. There are no catering facilities in the rooms, but tea, coffee and snacks are available from the poolside bar, along with a full range of drinks. There is also a pleasant breakfast room with terrace where guests can order breakfasts, or light snacks throughout the day. There is also a nice clean swimming for guests, although we did not try this ourselves. At night time this is a wonderfully quiet location, where the only sound you can hear is the gentle tinkling of goat bells, rather than the revelries from the village. The couple who own the hotel are very friendly, helpful, and welcoming, and offer free tranfers to and from the port. I would thoroughly recommend this hotel to anyone.