Villa Selena

The best thing about Villa Selena is its location, between a picturesque church, the sea, and plenty of restaurants and bars. The old neoclassical house has marble and antique furniture, and there’s a beautiful living room, but the rooms don’t all match the booking photos. We had a spacious room with a sea view in mind, and got Room No. 1 instead, where you could only glimpse the sea by leaning out and squinting. It also felt like people entering or leaving the hotel were right in our room. Our kids were in Room No. 6, a dark, cramped room that felt like a dungeon compared with the airy rooms in the pictures. For a week, we hoped for better. There were some odd details from the start: a broken chair was replaced with a plastic one. The beds were passable, and light sleepers should know the windows barely block street noise, which woke us early. Breakfast was decent but repetitive, and the little courtyard gets sauna-hot. Staff had to be reminded to switch on the fan. They were friendly enough, but not very proactive unless asked. Our family of four was offered a tiny table still cluttered with the previous guest’s things. We asked about pancakes, waited, then learned they were waiting for us to say to go ahead. A lot of miscommunication. This is an old villa, so there’s no front desk or usual hotel amenities. Staff come by for breakfast and cleaning, and there isn’t much information in the rooms. There is a coffee maker and a small fridge with two bottles of water. Breakfast starts around 8:00 am, so early coffee drinkers may need to ration the coffee tabs in the room. Free parking is 400 meters away, a short walk. The place has charm, but the inconsistent rooms and service made the stay feel like a comedy of errors. Maybe we’d return with lower expectations and hope for a better sequel.

Villa Selena feels so cozy and welcoming, and the building is stylish, clean, and very well kept. Maria and the team were friendly and accommodating. It’s in a perfect spot, just steps from the beach and close to shops and restaurants, with Ermoupoli a short walk away. A true gem and a must stay!

Maria went above and beyond to help us, and I’d stay again if I’m lucky enough to return. The hotel is an easy walk from town, with the entrance to a beautiful beach practically at the front door. Inside, there’s a fun interior, a terrace, a living space, and a breakfast area. Breakfast was delicious.

The rooms are classy, and they serve a nice little breakfast. It’s convenient but far enough away to stay quiet, and there’s a swim platform right across the street.