Your stay — Mastiha Essence
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Chios.
The Property — Mastiha Essence
Mastiha Essence sits on the edge of Chios Town, a clean, no-fuss 3-star with a small pool and a bar that pours ouzo with local mastiha liqueur. The lobby smells of lemon polish and warm stone, not designer perfume. It’s a base for travellers who want a solid night’s sleep and straightforward service, not Instagram theatrics. Suits couples and solo walkers who’ll spend their days exploring the island’s medieval villages and mastic groves.
Chronicles of Chios
Chios Town’s medieval castle was built by the Genoese in the 14th century, layered over Byzantine and Roman foundations. The 1881 earthquake levelled much of the stone-and-timber fabric; today’s neoclassical mansions and grid streets date from the subsequent reconstruction. The town’s contemporary identity is split between a working port, a lively market street (Aplotaria) and the quiet maze of the Kastro district. Mastiha — the resin from local lentisk trees — still anchors the economy, sold in shops and stirred into desserts and liqueurs.
Best Time to Visit
Full Chios guide →Best months
June and September offer settled heat (28-32°C) with lighter crowds than August. Early October stays warm enough for swimming, with flights and accommodation dropping 20-30%.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak, driven by European school holidays and Greek ferries. Hotel prices can double. The principal local event is the Chios International Festival (late July), mixing classical concerts and Greek folk nights at the Castle and Omiros Theatre.
Budget shoulder season
Mid-May to mid-June and late September to early October. Rooms at Mastiha Essence are often 30-40% cheaper, the sea still swimmable, and the castle and mastic museums uncrowded.
Weather & packing
Chios gets meltemi winds in July — hot and dry, but gusts can hit 30 km/h in the afternoon. Pack a light windbreaker or a long linen cardigan for evenings on any ferry deck or roof terrace.
Live City Briefing — Chios
- The new pedestrianisation of Aplotaria Street (downtown Chios) finished in late 2025, so you can walk the market strip without dodging mopeds.
- Ferry schedules to the islands of Oinousses and Psara have been reduced to 04.30 and 06.30 departures this summer — book tickets at least 48 hours ahead at the port office.
- Chios’s mastic museum (south of the town) now runs a daily tasting workshop at 11.00; it fills up by 10.30 in July, so arrive early or call ahead.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Mastiha Essence, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the second or third floor facing the rear courtyard. These are furthest from the street and above any ground-level bustle, giving you a fighting chance at quiet.
Rooms to avoid
Steer clear of rooms on the first floor or any room facing the front street. Chios town's main road can get lively with scooters and late-night chatter, and first-floor rooms pick up every bit of it.
Best views
A room with a side or rear window giving onto the courtyard or neighbouring rooftops. The front view is just a busy street, so don't trade sleep for a glimpse of asphalt.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3. The lift and reception noise tend to cluster on floor 1, so climbing a little pays off.
🔊 Noise notes
The hotel is on a main thoroughfare in Chios town; mopeds, delivery vans, and evening pedestrian noise are the main culprits. If you're a light sleeper, pack earplugs.
Insider tips
Parking in Chios town is tight. Ask the hotel in advance if they have a reserved spot or can point you to the nearest free street parking after 8pm. Also, the lobby might offer free coffee or a map of the town—worth asking at check-in.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Mastiha Essence
Free, password at check-in; average 15 Mbps download, good for browsing and video calls
One lift serving all 4 floors; no stairs-only sections
Complimentary digital PressReader access via lobby tablet; no physical papers
Check-in from 15:00; early bag drop allowed from 10:00 with notice; late check-out until 12:00 (free) then €30 fee until 18:00
Free; located behind reception, locked
Step-free entry via ramp; lift to all floors; bathroom rails in one accessible room (book directly); no threshold-free shower
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park at Chios Port, 400m away (€8 per night, uncovered). No EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 0.50€ per person per night, paid at check-in
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required 14 days before arrival; €50 card hold at check-in for incidentals
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs in Chios town for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at the airport or port, which add heavy commission.
Cards widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and supermarkets, but cash is still king in smaller villages and for street food or taxis.
Rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10% is appreciated but not expected; taxis don't require a tip, and hotel porters get €1-2 per bag.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A Greek frappé or freddo cappuccino at a local kafeneio costs around €2.50-3.
A gyros pita from a souvlaki shop will run you about €3-4.
A main course like moussaka or grilled fish at a modest taverna costs roughly €8-12.
Head to the main square in Chios town or the waterfront for souvlaki and crepe stands.
Supermarket chains like AB Vasilopoulos, Masoutis, and Lidl are common in Chios town.
For affordable basics, check the shops along Aigeiou street and the central market area in Chios town.
The cheapest way to get around is by local bus; a single ticket is around €1.50-2. From the airport, take the public bus into town for about €2 instead of a taxi (€15-20).
Eat at tavernas away from the port for lower prices; buy water and snacks at supermarkets rather than kiosks; use local buses instead of taxis for island trips.
Good to know — Chios
Type C/F · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.87 · EUR
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Chios, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Mastiha Essence
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Chios Town Bus Station → Aegean Sea Hotel (stop: Karfas)
💡 This bus goes along the coast. Tell the driver you want the hotel – they'll stop outside. Check the return times on the board at the stop, as the last bus back can be as early as 19:00 off-season.
Chios Island National Airport (JKH) → Aegean Sea Hotel, Chios Town
💡 Agree the fare before you get in. Most drivers charge a flat rate, but a few might meter if you don't ask. Tip: €1–€2 is standard.
Chios Airport (stop outside arrivals) → Chios Town Central Bus Station
💡 From the bus station it's a 10-minute walk to the hotel. The bus drops you at the main square – walk down Aigeou to the waterfront. Buy ticket from driver (cash only, exact change appreciated).
Chios Town (Omirou Street taxi rank) → Aegean Sea Hotel
💡 If you're walking into town and need a ride back, the rank is opposite the post office. For a quick day trip, hire a taxi for an hour (around €20) to see the windmills and castle without waiting for buses.
About Chios
Wikipedia ↗
Chios (; Greek: Χίος, romanized: Chíos [ˈçi.os] , traditionally known as Scio in English) is the fifth largest Greek island, situated in the northern Aegean Sea, and the tenth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. The island is separated from Turkey by the Chios Strait. Chios is notable for its e...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Mastiha Essence?
Request a room on the second or third floor facing the rear courtyard. These are furthest from the street and above any ground-level bustle, giving you a fighting chance at quiet.
Which rooms should I avoid at Mastiha Essence?
Steer clear of rooms on the first floor or any room facing the front street. Chios town's main road can get lively with scooters and late-night chatter, and first-floor rooms pick up every bit of it.
Is Mastiha Essence noisy?
The hotel is on a main thoroughfare in Chios town; mopeds, delivery vans, and evening pedestrian noise are the main culprits. If you're a light sleeper, pack earplugs.
Which rooms have the best views at Mastiha Essence?
A room with a side or rear window giving onto the courtyard or neighbouring rooftops. The front view is just a busy street, so don't trade sleep for a glimpse of asphalt.
What are insider tips for staying at Mastiha Essence?
Parking in Chios town is tight. Ask the hotel in advance if they have a reserved spot or can point you to the nearest free street parking after 8pm. Also, the lobby might offer free coffee or a map of the town—worth asking at check-in.
What time is check-in at Mastiha Essence?
Check-in at Mastiha Essence is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Mastiha Essence have Wi-Fi?
Free, password at check-in; average 15 Mbps download, good for browsing and video calls
Is there a city or tourist tax at Mastiha Essence?
0.50€ per person per night, paid at check-in
Where can I eat cheaply near Mastiha Essence?
A gyros pita from a souvlaki shop will run you about €3-4.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Mastiha Essence?
The cheapest way to get around is by local bus; a single ticket is around €1.50-2. From the airport, take the public bus into town for about €2 instead of a taxi (€15-20).
When is the best time to visit Chios?
June and September offer settled heat (28-32°C) with lighter crowds than August. Early October stays warm enough for swimming, with flights and accommodation dropping 20-30%.
Top Attractions in Chios
💡 Most of the castle is open to wander at any time, but the small mosque inside (the Kria Vrisi) is only open during festivals. Go late afternoon for the best light and fewer people.
💡 Start at the Kampos square (plateia) and walk south along the main road for 15 minutes. Many houses have informative plaques. Best in winter when the trees are full of oranges.
💡 Bring water shoes – the pebbles get hot by midday. Prefer a quieter spot? Walk 200 metres east to the next cove (Emporios beach). No facilities at Mavra Volia, so pack snacks and water.
💡 The monastery itself is free but the small museum nearby costs €2 – worth it for the original artefacts. Dress modestly (no shorts or sleeveless tops for anyone).
💡 Buy the combined ticket with the medieval villages for less than €10. Go early to beat the tour buses from Chios Town.