Archontiko Samara

The views and area are lovely, but we couldn’t enjoy our family holiday properly because the place needs a lot of work. We rented two rooms for five people after booking online, and the photos and reviews had looked promising. The yard was untidy and full of mosquitoes around the wild plants. The shared kitchen was dirty and lacked basic cooking utensils. One room smelled like food left in its fridge, which was leaking water as it filled with ice. We spent 1-2 hours defrosting the fridge, mopping up, and cleaning the rooms. The doors used the same key and didn’t shut properly, so security felt like zero. Some sockets were loose and could cause an electric shock. There were no shower curtains, so water got everywhere, and the water pressure was very low. We also had to ask the managers to switch on the water heater to get hot water, and its switch was hidden. There were other small issues too. Calling it a mansion doesn’t fit when it needs this much care, maybe even a complete renovation. Be careful before choosing it.

We arrived to find that the rooms had been given away, and a gentleman told us so. I called the owner, who was in Volos, and she just asked what I expected her to do now. I’d booked two rooms for August 29 through Booking and had checked with her twice because we were travelling with an infant. She’d assured me both times that everything was fine. After a five-hour drive in the heat with a baby, we had to find somewhere else to stay. The owner can’t be trusted.

I haven’t actually visited the Archontiko, but Paleokastro by the Old Bridge is a wonderful spot on the road to Agios Vlasios in Pelion. There’s a tavern serving trout caught right from the nearby river. It feels like another world, and even in summer heat you’ll need a jacket. Enjoy!

We spent two nights here over Christmas and were really pleased with the warm feel of the mansion. Mr. Dimitris and Ms. Evangelia were so kind. Many thanks to them, and we hope we can return one day.