Philharmonie Hotel

The owner is quite a character, and a great guy who really cares about whether you're enjoying yourself. The staff are attentive and the service is great. We stayed for a week last month, and the pool was fantastic, clean, and safe for our two kids. We'll be back next year.

We were staying near Matala and hadn't stayed here, but heard from someone that the owner, Vagelis, hired out boats for the day. We stopped by one morning, met him, and made a plan. He was friendly and welcoming. It turned into a perfect day. We took our time going out to the local islands, found a quiet bay to ourselves, swam and jumped off the boat, then had lunch. Costas, who was with us, caught a local delicacy, sea urchin. Vagelis and Costas were both lovely people and really made the trip.

The owner is often around and personally checks that guests are enjoying their stay. The poolside breakfast is a real standout, and the pool itself is superb. The design is lovely, the location is ideal, just a few minutes' walk from the beach, and there are shops nearby. The staff are dedicated too. It feels like a top-class resort.

For a hotel rated just 2 stars, it has a lot to offer. My room had a fridge, air conditioning, and a huge balcony. The pool was pretty cold, but there were free sunbeds, a bar and restaurant beside it, plus clean toilets and showers. The beach is only a few minutes away on foot, and there's a large free car park 50 metres from the hotel. The bathroom lighting wasn't great. It also seems well set up for older guests, with a shower chair and an emergency button in case you fall.