Elies 33 Bio Retreat

Two wonderful women run this hotel and seem to do everything they can to keep it running smoothly. The service was faultless, and our room was excellent with all the amenities in good order. Breakfast was tasty and plentiful, and the sea views were second to none. A little footpath takes you downhill to the beach in about five minutes. The gardens, full of olive trees, are well kept, and there’s mellow music by the pool. The whole place has a wonderfully relaxing feel, ideal for couples. Elies means olives in Greek, which I learned soon after arriving. This isn’t a spot for loud parties, since that would spoil the peaceful atmosphere. We had some of the best days of our relaxing holiday at Elies 33 and will be back. It’s the best hotel I’ve had the pleasure of staying in, and I can’t recommend it enough. Though part of me hopes it won’t be fully booked next time I want to come!

The beach path is pretty steep, but I managed it in flip-flops. It’s doable, just watch your footing. Afytos is a cute town a short drive away. The staff were lovely, always ready to chat or help, and pointed us toward a very good restaurant and some nice things to do nearby. The rooms were spacious and clean, with stunning views from the rooms, breakfast area and pool. Breakfast was AMAZING! Such a great place to stay, I loved it.

Elies 33 made for a calm, relaxing holiday, and the staff were friendly, helpful and around throughout the day. It’s a short drive from Afytos, one of the cutest towns in Halkidiki, with plenty of restaurants to try. The hotel has lots of sunbeds around the pool and direct access to a small, clean beach. Getting there takes about five minutes downhill, with an uphill walk back. Most people should manage it, but limited mobility could make it difficult. The boutique hotel has very few rooms, modern minimalist interiors and lovely-smelling toiletries. We were on the top floor and had our own balcony. The breakfast was fresh, varied and generous, and included in the room price. One small drawback: some bathrooms don’t ventilate well, so things stay damp and the room can feel humid. We noticed this because we stayed in two different rooms.

We didn’t stay because of the location. It’s two kilometres from Afytos, with no pedestrian route, which wasn’t made clear in the hotel description. I explained this politely when we arrived, but the staff brushed me off. We booked another place in town for the same price and, of course, didn’t get our money back.