Grekis Hotel & Apartments

Petalidi makes a great base for seeing Messenia and even Mani, and Polylimnio was probably the highlight of our whole trip. At Grekis, the friendly, smiley staff and the breakfast terrace overlooking the sea made us feel welcome. The breakfast was tasty, the shared spaces had lots of plant pots and cozy seating, and our room was comfortable and clean. With its beachfront setting and breakfast available as an option, Grekis offers a lot for a 2-star hotel. I'm surprised it's rated that way.

We slept with the sound of waves at night, and the room was clean. This is a lovely, quiet place right on the beach if you want to switch off. It's an old-style hotel, and the owners and staff gave us the warm Greek hospitality you see in movies. I'd gladly come back and recommend it.

We had no hot water because the hotel's hot water system had a fault. I understand that things can go wrong, but hot water for a shower is a basic service I expect when I book a room. I think the hotel should find a way to compensate me.

Petaledi is a traditional little town less than 1 km away, and the area isn't touristy, which is a bonus. Kalamata airport is about a 30-minute drive. We had a relaxed, chilled holiday at Grekis and will return. Get up early for the beautiful sunrise. Every room has a large balcony overlooking Kalamata Bay, the beach, and the Mani Mountains beyond. The rooms are basic but perfectly adequate, clean, and cool. Staff were friendly and attentive throughout. Grekis is a small hotel in a fantastic spot, right on the foreshore. If you want lots of facilities or a fancy 5-star hotel, it may not be for you, but for a simple stay in the real Greece, I'd put it at the top of my list.