Romantica

The setting in Agia Pelagia made it easy to stroll into town, and the views from the private balconies over the sea were stunning. The modern apartments felt spacious, with comfortable beds, and everything was spotless. Breakfast each morning had plenty of sweet and savory choices, and the staff made the stay feel personal. We especially enjoyed evenings on the rooftop sun deck with cocktails and its soft lighting. There’s also a plunge pool up there, plus a larger pool in the courtyard. With reliable Wi-Fi, modern amenities, a welcoming reception team, and sleek design, Romantica Apartments is a destination in its own right. A wonderful Greek island escape.

The rooms were spacious and clean when we arrived, but the stay had several drawbacks. At €150 a night, it felt expensive for what it was, and breakfast was below par. The air conditioning was extremely noisy, and the water never got warm, which was especially uncomfortable at night when it was chilly. While we were out, the cleaning staff also left the windows wide open.

We spent six nights here in September and enjoyed the stay enough that we’d happily return. One small disappointment was breakfast in the older hotel building. The buffet by the pool had a limited selection, including tinned fruit, tiny pastries, and few cereals or hot dishes. The blue trays reminded us of Butlins in the 1980s. Even though breakfast was included, we ate out a couple of mornings for a change. On the other days, we carried our trays to the apartments’ lovely courtyard. It seemed a shame that the apartment bar area wasn’t offered as another breakfast spot. The bar had closed the week before we arrived, though, since it was mid to late September and near the end of the season. The contrast between the older hotel and the newer apartments was clear. We booked one of the individually named apartments and were glad we did, as parts of the hotel looked tired. Our apartment was beautifully designed, modern, spotless, spacious, and well equipped. The bed was very comfortable, the kitchenette had a fridge, and the A/C worked well. It was also well insulated, so we didn’t hear the neighboring apartments. The large east-facing balcony was a favorite, with panoramic views over the Aegean and Agia Pelagia. We didn’t use the apartments’ small dipping pool, but enjoyed sitting on the terrace after the beach with a G&T and a cold Mamos. The location worked well for walking to town and local restaurants, and for reaching beaches and remote villages in the north. The reception ladies were especially helpful, friendly, and attentive. They even offer golf-cart transfers from reception to the apartments for guests with mobility issues. Romantica is a tale of two halves, but the breakfast issue didn’t spoil our visit. We’d recommend it and stay again.

I’ve stayed at Romantica twice now, once in the hotel and this time in the apartments, and I’d gladly come back. The apartments were spacious, stylish, and very clean. Shops and restaurants are about a five-minute walk away, and the beach is right in front. Each morning I swam there, using the stairs a little to the left of the hotel. There was plenty of wardrobe space, with hanging room and several drawers. The kitchenette had a fridge, hotplate, pots and pans, utensils, dishes, and glasses. The fridge worked well, though I didn’t use the hotplates. The air conditioning was good, but I usually opened the windows to enjoy the ocean breeze. Breakfast was a buffet with lots of hot and cold choices. It was mostly similar day to day, with a few small changes, but there was enough variety that I wouldn’t get bored. I usually had locally baked bread rusks with salad, yogurt, honey, and peaches, while my partner chose eggs, bacon, and sweet pastries. The reception and breakfast staff were particularly friendly and helpful. Water pressure could be a little inconsistent, but it barely bothered me. Both pools were lovely, and the cocktail bar looked very stylish. One of my favorite destinations anywhere!