ELECTRA PALACE HOTEL, IN ATHENS

Electra Palace Hotel is an unexpectedly big hotel in the heart of Plaka, the most touristic district of the Greek capital. However, that doesn't mean that is noisy at all. It is also near Syntagma, the main square in the city.

The hotel is rather classical. Its huge hall leads to the reception area. Two or three people will do the check in. Quick, although you need to fill in the form, as you normally do, even, when you have the voucher with all the information. The staff at reception is ever so nice. Really helpful at all times.

The lifts are too small, and rather unsafe. I got one where the doors would not close, so I got out, but could not call the other, because according to the system, the (defective) lift was still there. So I had to find my way downstairs.

The room was very old-fashioned, and to an extent, with lack of taste. It felt it was decorated in the 80s... and had remained like that since. The big problem for my room was that it was extremely hot. I put on the air conditioned, and I realized that hot air was coming out. I called reception and was told that it was either heating or air conditioned... and because customers had complained about the cold, they had to put the heater on. It was around 25 outside. How could people complain about cold rooms!!!

Internet is free of charge, but you need to go via cable. But again, it is positive.

Breakfast was rather weak. Good natural Orange Juice. Fruit salad is something that makes me wonder the origin of the food. And that was available every day. Bread was also nice, especially the cheese bread with sesame. Scrambled eggs or poached eggs... didn't look that attractive. I have to say... that I have had better breakfast.

Checking out was fast too... If I have the choice, I think I would try another hotel. It is clearly not a 5 star hotel, despite the traditional decor.

ELECTRA PALACE HOTEL ATHENS
18-20, N.Nikodimou Str
10557 Athens
Greece
Tel : +30 210 33 70 000
Fax: + 30 210 32 41 875

DREAM ISLAND HOTEL IN SANTORINI

Those of us, who travel a lot, know that when you enter a hotel, it is going to be the place where you are going to be for the next hours, days... but you are fully aware that it is not home. A hotel is, after all, a hotel. However, when I entered the Dream Island, I never thought I was at home either, but believe me... I wanted to stay and live there.

Santorini is a very busy island. Traffic, tourist ... everywhere. The Dream Island is, as the name says, a dream island. Quiet, rest, peace... is what you feel there.

The hotel is like a little village, surrounding a lovely swimming pool, and overlooking a non famous church with a blue dome... Yet, you are only a minute away from the main road from Oia to Fira, and within 3 minutes walk from Fira Centre. The cable care to the caldera boats is 5 minutes away on foot.

The first good experience comes when you are picked up from the airport or the ferry boat. It is actually the owner of this family hotel who comes. You don't need to look for a taxi or a bus that takes you anywhere. They come and pick you up. The hotel reception is huge and they are really nice. They give you all sorts of information and as guests normally are there for a short time, they make sure you are aware of the excursions available, especially, the one that takes you swimming to different beaches and the Volcano.

The room we got was rather small, but we were told so when we booked it, so there is no complain about it. Still, it was very tastefully decorated. Apparently, it was done by the mother of the family, who seems to be crazy about decoration. The bathroom was very modern too and full of good quality toiletries.

I was concerned that at night, with the swimmingpool being so close, it would be noisy. On the contrary, peacefull during the day, peacefull at night.

The swimming pool was, without any doubt, one of the best things. The weather was hot and... it was a nice way to cool down. We were lucky that when we used it, we were alone. There were deck chairs around it, with plenty of shade or sun, so as to decide where you want to be.

Breakfast is housed in the cellar. Also, beautifully decorated and with plenty of readymade things. Water Melon seemed to be the fruit available at the time and it was well worth having it. Yoghurt, outstanding, and some little croissants stuffed with chocolate... impressive. All in all, it was good.

The dreadful time to check out came, and as ours was in the evening, we asked about having a shower and changing clothes... As with everything in the hotel, there was no problem. Nice shower and we were taken to the airport. Clearly, the best hotel from all my stay and would definitely, love to go back... It would help if it got slightly cheaper... but then again, it seems it is fully booked during the summer...

DREAM ISLAND HOTEL
Fira (Santorini) Greece
Tel: +30 22860 24122
Fax: +30 22860 23922
E-mail: info@dreamislandhotel.gr

AQUILA PORTO RETHYMNO HOTEL, IN RETHYMNO

This five star hotel is near the centre, in a place where parking was a bit complicated… although, I was lucky and parked the car just outside the hotel. It has the reputation of being one of the most luxurious and modern hotels in Rethymno. I will not enter into that, but what I can say is that I was pleasantly surprised and really enjoyed my stay there.

Reception staff was really nice, especially Eva, who gave us all the help we needed, as well as told us all what we could get in the hotel. We were upgraded, although I would have appreciated if we would have been advised that the room was a smoking room, but I decided to keep it because it was a really nice room, with direct view to the beach, on the main road. If I complained and requested another room, I would probably get an interior room, with view to the swimming pool, which, of course, is not the same.

The room was up to what you could expect from a five star hotel: complementary house wine, water and fruit, sleepers, full set of toiletries, bath gown …

It had a private beach, with deck chairs and towels available, as well as shower. Of course, I had to use it. You only needed to cross the street, and there you were, in the sandy beach with clear water...

Back in the hotel, a gym is available for those in need to do some sport, as well as a spa, with Jacuzzi, Finnish sauna and steam room. Massage parlour is chargeable.

As I had waken up early, done some exercise and enjoyed a nice walk in the city, I was tired, so I went early to bed. The bar, belonging to the same hotel, was just under my room and it was rather loud. However, music stopped within a reasonable time before midnight.

Buffet breakfast was very good. I loved the freshly squeezed orange machine. You did it yourself... how fresher you can get it? Fruit was available as well as cereals, cold meat and cheese, jams, breads... One thing is for sure. You didn't leave the restaurant needing food.

It was a pity to leave... but we had to continue our schedule... Checking out was also fast.

AQUILA PORTO RETHYMNO HOTEL
Sikelianou & Venizelou 52A,
74100 Rethymno, Crete,
Greece
Tel.: +30 28310 50432 / 52182 / 51980
Fax: + 30 28310 27825

ODYSSEON HOTEL IN KALAMBAKA

This was a little bit like the hotel from hell. It says it was renovated in 2004. God! How must have it been then! You visit the web, everything seems new. When you get there, the story begins to tell the truth.

We arrived early, and as I suspected, our room was not ready, so we headed into town to have early lunch. On our return, we were given our room and I was rather disappointed.

The room was extremely hot, insects inside. Towels were hidden in the wardrobe, the bed sheets were... clean but looked worn out. It looked really old. TV set was minuscule and signal poor. Choice of channels limited. The bed was comfortable and quiet at night.

The shower was a joke that could not cope with the water that was gathered in the curtain (too short) so it flooded the bathroom that had a whole on the floor to cater for the excess of water. The toilet and sink were extremely close to the shower. The bathroom was minute and certainly, not renovated. The flush was rather unusual for today. And as in other areas in Greece, no toilet paper in the toilet...

The curtain in the main window, was not wide enough, so had light in the morning, that woke me up early. No problem... because I needed to get out early, as I was heading to Athens.

Internet was free... but in the lobby area. It was good for visiting the different Meteora monasteries, but the photocopy they gave you with timetables and routes to get there, was outdated. Parking is not a problem. Since the hotel is not in the centre of Kalabaka, there is plenty of space. Shops and restaurants are only 5 minutes walk away.

Breakfast was very weak. It is supposed to be a 3 star hotel, but I think some stars should fall. I could not see the time for getting out of there.

ODYSSEION HOTEL

Patriarchou Dimitriou 50,
Kalambaka 42200,
Greece
Tel: +30 24320 22320,
Fax: +30 24320 75307

ASTORIA CAPSIS HOTEL IN HERAKLION

The hotel is centrally located, at short distance from the port which I believe it will be the main reason to stay over in the city of Heraklion, in Crete, as well as to visit the well known Cnossos Palace.

The reception staff is very pleasant and helpful. Check-in, with our voucher was fast, although I had to fill in a form with all the data. I was given a map and indications of what to see and do in the city. The porter insisted in taking my luggage to my room.

The room was fairly modern and right size, on the 4th floor, overlooking the main square, where the evening teenage rendez-vous are, but no noise came in the room.

Bed was comfortable. The air conditioned needed to stay on, because the moment you switched it off, you started to sweat. If you opened the balcony, it automatically disconnected, a measure to save electricity, so you needed to make sure you had it on when you closed it again.

The Greek TV channels signal was not that good, but funnily, the Spanish TVE 24 hours was available and with good one. Bathroom had all toiletries and towels were big. The hotel has a nice open swimming pool on the top floor, with deck chairs and towels available. Wireless internet connection is available and free of charge.

Buffet breakfast was wide, although I must say that there was little choice of fruit and lots of bread. Nevertheless, it was good.

Checking out was also fast.

CAPSIS ASTORIA HERAKLION
11 Eleftherias sq. ,
T.K. 712 01 ,
Heraklion (Crete) Greece
e-mail info@astoriacapsis.gr
Tel.: +30 2810 343080
Fax: +30 2810 229078

ACROPOLE HOTEL IN DELFOS

The hotel was in one of the lower streets in the town centre of Delfos, 400 mts on foot from the main archaeological area. The problem was parking, which, according to the hotel information is available, but don’t get that fool you. There are a couple of spaces in front of the hotel, but once occupied, you need to look for a place to leave the car. The place is small, so it may not be that far, but considering the steps or the uphill of the road... it may not be that easy.

Checking in staff were helpful, but all the information they had from the town was in French, funnily enough. The room was rather small, and so was the bath/shower. And it was waiting for us at 33 degrees. Of course, the Aircon was switched on... and didn’t get off until we left.

The towels were rather small too, and only two supposed to be bath towels, spread on the bedspread, one of the dirtiest parts in a room... I was not impressed and requested at least, another towel for the hands. I got two.

The bathroom was small, and the bath was extremely small and on top of that, got a step bath... so the place to have the shower was... minimal. We did get recommended a restaurant, Epikouros, belonging to the same owner, it seems... and I have to say that the recommendation was really good; big quantities, good food and normal price. On top of that, 10% discount for staying in the hotel.

It was comfortable and quiet to sleep in, which, at the end of the day, is what you need. Nevertheless, a very spartan 3 star hotel.

Breakfast was basic. Yogurt was good but weak on the fruit and bakery side.

ACROPOLE HOTEL,
13 Filellinon Str,
Delfos 33054,
Greece

THE DIOSCOURI HOTEL IN SPARTA

It is rare that you end up in Sparta anyway, but if you are like me, who didn’t know the area, you may fall in this hotel, especially, with the good rating it has in Tripadvisor. If you can prevent it, please look elsewhere, as you are likely going to be better off. IT is well located, near the town centre, the Museum and on the way to one of the area attractions: The old city of Mistra.

The outside was rather strange. It looked as if the hotel, when built, it was not finished. You can look at the balconies, and you will see that the cement is there. Same happens inside the rooms in the ceiling. Style or intention? I will leave that up to you. It is a poor 3 star hotel.

Reception was rather old fashioned. You are given a key by the receptionist (probably the owner, who loiters around with the rest of the family watching Greek Soap Operas in the lobby TV) with a huge key ring, as in the old times. The lift looks from other times too. Buttons that don’t operate until the door is close (no memory).

The room was … basic, to put it nice. The Air conditioned was not on, so, it was the first thing I did, and stayed on throughout our stay. In summertime, and with the sun falling in our window, the room was really hot. The Décor was simple… specially the ceilings, that also showed the cement, as I said, as if it had not been finished. Internet was wireless… and free of charge.

The nearby (opposite) church played the bells throughout the night on the hour, until it got to 7am (I think it was) that a serenade of bells started to play… God! I was on holidays… Do I need to be woken up by the Church bells?

Breakfast was … I don’t know how to describe it. It was a bit of a disgrace. Yogurt was good, but that was about everything. The rest was… disgusting. All the things were out of a packet or a tin. Nothing fresh.

As I had my travel agent voucher, I didn’t need to do much at checking out.

THE DIOSCOURI HOTEL
Lycourgou 182 & Atridon Street,
Sparta 23100
Greece

THE AETOMA TRADITIONAL IN NAFPLION

The Aetoma Traditional is a very familiar hotel in the Middle of the old town in Nafplion, first capital of Greece. It is how old things used to be. It is meant to be a 18th Century mansion, therefore, you will see that it has a rather old fashioned structure, specially when it comes to staris. No lift, which, if you have low mobility or children in push chairs, you will have a bit of a hard time climbing the stairs. But that is as far as the negative things go with this hotel.

Parking is an issue, but it seems the hotel has a very good management of spaces in the street and you can park the car outside, in the little square. It worked for me. Staff is very nice… extremely nice, giving you all sort of indications to visit the city it the touristic way or doing it yourself. Restaurants, better views, what to do, what to visit in the surrounding areas… everything.

The room we got (only 5 in the hotel) was decorated in a classical style, but comfortable. In fact it was the KIONOKRANO ROOM. It clashes with the modern bathroom, with a nice hydromassage shower, that without wanting, keeps you longer inside.

Even though the hotel is within the pedestrian streets, it is pretty quiet. By the way, wireless Internet connection is free of charge, with a password given by the reception.

The best thing came in the morning, when breakfast was served in the balcony. It was a first for me to have breakfast in the room. The choice is there, whether to have it in the hall or in the balcony. Given the choice, the balcony was the obvious, although, it was pretty hot, even at that time of the day... but nothing to do with the hotel. Still, it was a very good choice of breakfast, which I could not finish. (The picture below only shows what I could manage to put in the little table... but inside the room, there was plenty more).

Both checking in and out was pretty easy. The hotel is one to recommend anyone visiting the area.

AETOMA TRADITIONAL HOTEL
2 Saint Spyridon Square,
Nafplion,
Peloponnese,
Greece

TELEPHONE: +30-27520-27373
FAX: +30-27520-27009

EMAIL: sales@nafplionhotel.com