Crystal Studios Reviews

This was our second visit to Thassos and we were looking forward to it, but we were extremely disappointed with the accommodation we had booked. In all our years of visiting different islands this is the worst we have ever had - by far! We did actually change halfway through our holiday to the 'Athrion Studios' (I've put a separate entry in for that!).
All thanks to Sarah, our rep. in the resort, she was very good!

We had room numbers 2 and 3 at the Cristal, which were on the ground floor at the back between the taverna and the supermarket next door - they were very dark, very badly furnished and the bathroom was extremely small - when you stood at the basin you were touching the toilet! The water didn't go down the basin or shower very quickly either, there was a blockage somewhere, although it never actually overflowed! There was no light in the kitchen area, this relied on the light from the extractor hood over the cooker - which didn't work.

The windows in the kitchen and bathroom didn't let in any light at all as the yard at the back was completely overgrown with vines.We had no outlook whatsoever - it was like being in a dungeon! The rooms upstairs apparently were quite good, spacious with views of the bay, so if you are staying here try to get one of these!

Oh yes, the taverna is a fish restaurant, so there was always the lingering smell of fish as you walked towards your room! The supermaket next door I think is owned by the cousin of the taverna owner and it is very expensive, we only got bare essentials here when we first arrived.

The position of the studios is very good though, it is about a 5 minute walk to all the tavernas and bars in Skala Potamias. We loved Krambousa Taverna, food and service was excellent, we also enjoyed Theagonis too, and the snacks at Iceberg and CJ's (CJ's especially good for breakfasts and their fresh squeezed orange juice is lovely and also the cheapest around). We ate at Fedra and Vigli at Golden Beach and both of these were very good. Enira Supermarket by the beach in Skala Potamia is great just about everything you could want here, the staff are very friendly and helpful and their prices are very competitive. Skala Potamias is a great resort, it's position is quite spectacular with the mountains at the back and the beautiful curved sandy bay, there is something for everybody here.

Try and hire a car and get right around the island visiting all the resorts on the way. Paradise beach is wonderful, with a very interesting steep drive down a dirt track to get to it! Aliki is perfect - a gorgeous little beach offering good swimming and snorkelling, tavernas to sit at and eat a greek salad with a jug of retsina - it doesn't come any better than that! Poros is very busy and bustling, but nice too, and Limenaria has lots to offer. We enjoyed Pachy Beach (about 10 minutes from Limenas) here the pine trees come right onto the beach, wonderful.

We love Thassos and I'm certain it won't be our last trip here, to all of you who have yet to discover it - I know you won't be disappointed. Have a lovely holiday! Yassos!

This was our 3rd visit to Thassos and Skala Potamia is a lovely family resort to stay in. The people are always friendly, the beach is ideal for kids and the tavernas are typically greek, with good food and service.

The Crystal Studios were basic and clean at 1st glance but the toilet plumbing leaked into the bathroom and the toilet bins were only changed every 2 days!

On day 1 the owners of the Crystal and the Supermarket next door had 2 noisy and physical arguments with their neighbours. Not the sort of thing you want with a young child. We did not eat at the restarant because of that and the owner ignored us as a consequence!

A word of warning about the man in the supermarket attached to the Crystal. He doesn't always use the till and then when you check out the prices later you find he has overhcagred you.

No courtesy room is available to guests although whe we went most rooms were empty. Golden Sun guests had to vacate apartments at 11 a.m. and were picked up at 5.20 p.m. therefore a long hot day on the beach.

Having expperienced such wonderful greek hospitality before in Thassos, the Crystal studios were a big disappointment. The only good thing was that they were right on the beach!

Last year we stayed at the Ifigenia which has since been completely refurbished and has baths, full kitchens with all mod cons, fridge/freezers, wonderful views and gardens, plus outdoor TV area for guests. They were previously with Golden Sun but are now independent and having visited the very friendly owners this time, we will be going there next time!

Crystal Studios were very basic, but right on the beach and cleaned every other day. The kitchens have only a fridge and 2 ring hob, so not so good if you really do want to self-cater.

Watch out for the supermarket next door, the guy will try and rip off anyone who goes in there (he tried it on three days running with us, and then got nasty). Also don't use it if you don't want suggestive comments from the little creep.

Flisvos restaurant next door has the best fish in the resort and the portions are enormous, but you do pay for the quality(25 Euros per head). Nautilous has the best atmosphere and great octopus (12 Euros per head)! Vigli in Golden beach has lovely views when having a beer after a long day snorkelling (quite a few octopus swimming around if you are vigilant).

It's well worth doing a bus trip to Aliki and getting a taxi home after dinner as the last bus leaves around 4pm along with everyone else who piled on the beach in the morning!

The resort was lovely, but the unfortunate thing was that for every apartment block there were 2 more going up. I think that in 5 years time it will be overdeveloped and lose the quietness people come to find.