Hotel Olga

Rooms

The 6 rooms have been stylishly refurbished with a clean, contemporary look that comes as a refreshing change from the dark-wood-and-stone of most traditional Greek inns. Expect dimmable downlights or tripod standing lamps, plump white duvets offset by cherry red counterpanes and jewel-toned Eames-esque chairs - and, yes, a single exposed stone wall to remind you that you are in a venerable Peliot house.

Some rooms have glassed fireplaces, others striking textured artwork by Volos-based dentist (yes, you read that right) Vasilis Kapodistrias. Here's proof that you can judiciously use flatpack furniture - for those open modular wardrobes are indeed Stolmen - offset by one or two eye-catching statement pieces to create an altogether cool and classy effect.

The 3 Loft Rooms are housed in Dimitris and Lena's own wing beneath the terrace. They have maximised the available space by giving them a split-level design. On the lower level there is a lounge area leading on to a shower bathroom, while a cosy bedroom lies above on a mezzanine level. Blue has a kingsize bed while Red and Yellow have sofabeds for an extra person. The Junior Suites feel the most luxurious. If you're a couple, request Junior Suite #2 - the loveliest room in the house, where we stayed. For a couple with child, or 2 friends travelling together, Junior Suite #1 is the answer - a split-level room with cosy sleeping platform upstairs, and a living area (with single sofabed and fireplace) plus shower room downstairs. Single travellers, or couples on a short stay / tight budget, could opt for the smaller Deluxe Room - but at these rates you might decide to splash out on the altogether lovelier Junior Suite #2.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Hairdryer
• Minibar
• WiFi

Eating

Come breakfast time, Lena lays out a wonderful spread - either outside on the sunny terrace, or in their dining room if it's cooler - of whatever she has just baked, plucked and whipped up. We tucked into cinnamon-dusted rice pudding, savoury loaf filled with sausage and cheese, fresh apple pie, juicy Cantaloupe melon slices, pastries with homemade cherry and peach jams - and there was plenty more besides. Sitting at marble tables (repurposed from vintage sewing machines), under the shade of a triangular sail or the vast magnolia tree, there can few better starts to the day.

They don't serve lunch or dinner, but if you're around in the afternoon you may be invited to test Lena's latest pie or Dimitris' coffee-making skills. And it's only a minute's walk to the Plateia taverna where, sitting under a huge spreading linden tree behind the church, I enjoyed a Greek salad, finger-licking chicken stew, dessert and local wine for the princely sum of 8 euros. There are a couple of other eateries in the village, and plenty more on the coast (Damouhari enjoys an idyllic setting).

Features include:

• Bar
• Breakfast
• Restaurants nearby

Activities

• It's a 5-10 minute drive to 2 of our favourite beach hideaways in Pelion: the tiny fishing harbour of Damouhari (used as a location in Mamma Mia), and the pirate-like cove of Fakistra below Tsangarada (this involves a short, steep walk from the end of the road)
  
• If you prefer a bit more bustle, Papa Nero and Agios Ioannis can oblige: both have pale sands, clear blue waters and parasols for hire, as does the rock-arched Mylopotamos further south
  
• There's a lovely footpath from Mouresi down through the woods to Damouhari, then up to Tsangarada (bus back), or along the coast through flowering scrubland to Fakistra (taxi required)
  
• Alternatively, head up from the nearby villages of Kissos or Xourihti into the endless beech and chestnut forests of the 1400-metre Pelion ridge, a world apart from the coast: take a good map, waterproofs and plenty of provisions
  
• Kissos has a handsome 17th-century church with intricate wood carvings; Anilio a women's co-operative selling preserves and baclava; Zagorá a bustling high street with cafés, fountains and apples galore
  
• Rent a sea kayak from Pelion Secrets in Damouhari and paddle along the indented coastline to find your own sea-washed rock or secret bay

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Boat trips
• Hiking
• Kayaking
• Mountain biking
• Snorkelling
• Swimming

Kids

This is not an obvious choice for families, being tucked away in a remote mountain village - but if you do venture here with kids, they will be warmly welcomed by Lena and Dimitris.

Best for:

Children (4-12 years)

Family friendly accommodation:

One Junior Suite has a single sofabed; the other rooms can fit a cot (book early as there's only one cot). Families with 2 or more children will need separate rooms.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Hotel Olga is situated in the mountain village of Mouresi (or Mouressi) on the eastern flanks of the Pelion peninsula, on the east coast of mainland Greece. It's 45km (just over 1 hour's drive) east of Volos, along winding roads over the mountain pass of Hania; or 53km if you drive the gentler road via Tsangarada and Milies.

By Air
Fly into Volos (Nea Anchialos, 70km), if you can find a suitable flight. Otherwise Thessaloniki and Athens are respectively 4 and 5 hours' drive away, and are much better connected.

By Car
You'll need a car, as it's hard to reach by public transport, and you'll want to explore the coast below Mouresi, not to mention some of the villages nearby. See our car rental recommendations.

By Boat from Skiathos
It's possible to combine Pelion with Skiathos using boats and hydrofoils in and out of Volos (1 hour+ from the hotel), or the summer caique connection into Katigiorgis (1 hour 30 mins' drive away). Skiathos has an airport with charter flights from the UK and a few other countries, as well as domestic flights from Athens.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

More on getting to Greece and getting around.