Elena Luxury Apartment

We’ve been coming back for years, and we’re already looking forward to another visit. “Elena apartements” is peaceful, cozy, and comfortable, with flowers and greenery outside and the beach very close by. The rooms have what you need, including a kitchen box, a table and chairs, a private bathroom with a toilet, and air conditioning. There’s also a table and chairs outside each room. The hosts are warm and welcoming, always smiling and happy to help. We recommend it!

The room arrangements made it hard to get comfortable. The sliding doors meant the air conditioning cooled only one part of the apartment, and with it off while we were out, we came back to a very hot room. We paid €7 a day for it, but the electric card had to be in place for it to run. Keeping the door open for air meant hearing everyone outside, while closing it left the other area hot. We were told this was for safety and that places everywhere worked that way, though that hasn’t matched our experience in Asia or the Middle East, where hotels often keep the fridge and AC running. In the heat, we had to wait 15-20 minutes for the room to become bearable. We also felt watched rather than welcomed. Staff came into our room without warning, and the host spoke to us in a condescending, unfriendly way. We were told to leave our SUP board in the open yard by the street so it wouldn’t mark the wall paint. The outdoor tables sat right in front of each apartment with no separation, so we ate next to strangers. Laundry hung on one line, but evening sprinklers soaked it. Cleaning didn’t happen until the fourth or fifth day, and only after we asked. Sand clogged the bathroom drain, which can happen at the seaside, but we were told to rinse all the sand off ourselves before coming inside because the pipes were new. The shower water flooded the apartment, even though we were paying to stay there. We were charged €50 extra for our 7-year-old, but there wasn’t a proper extra bed. The three of us shared two single beds pushed together as a double. After repeated requests, we finally got another blanket to cover the gap so our child wouldn’t fall between them. Parking was another letdown. Before booking, we emailed to ask whether it was safe, and were told yes. In practice, that meant finding a spot on the street in front of the property, if one was free, or searching another street. We had a large SUV, and the busy road leads straight to the port with trucks heading to the ferries. Parking beside the sidewalk there didn’t feel safe, with the risk of the car being scratched or damaged. We had also been told we could store our SUP board in the yard, which was completely open to the street. The host’s explanation for the card system, and the general attitude toward guests, left us feeling that protecting the property mattered more than our comfort. We felt like intruders, not valued guests. Unless the facilities and attitude change substantially, I can’t recommend Elena Apartments.

The owners were so sweet, and the rooms were clean and nice. It’s a great spot between an amazing beach and the center, with plenty of restaurants and a gaming zone nearby. I’d recommend staying here any day!

The bathroom was spotless, and my room had plenty of space and felt comfortable. I had a wonderful time at Elena Home Apartment in Keramoti, and would definitely recommend it.