Gea Elaia

We had a room that was spacious and quite nice, with a sea view, though not directly facing the ocean. Being on the side of the smaller street meant the balcony was shaded in the afternoon, which suited us. The AC worked perfectly, but the bathroom could have been cleaner; there were toothpaste marks behind the sink, and the shower pressure was poor. The biggest letdown was breakfast. It looked nothing like the pictures, and things were often missing, including cutlery for the cherry tomatoes and honey. The staff member there cleared plates but didn’t refill the buffet. We had to ask for juice and napkins, and after I asked, I was handed a few napkins, but the buffet wasn’t replenished for other guests. The location is great, close to the ocean and restaurants, and the hotel looks very nice outside and in the lobby. Reception staff could be more attentive; a hello or good morning would have been nice. We were a family of four, two adults and two children, staying in July. The hotel has parking for up to eight cars, but guests parked so poorly that sometimes only three or four could fit. We might stay again because it’s the most modern hotel in the city, though the staff brought the experience down.

We came in late May, which seems to be well outside the busy season here. The rooms face the main street by the sea, so I imagine it could get noisy at peak times. Breakfast was very limited, with no hot dishes, though the rooms themselves were nice. There are marked parking spaces behind the hotel, but they’re quite small and raised above the pavement. I had a Skoda Octavia, and it was a tight fit, so a larger car could be difficult.

We’re already making plans to return next year, and we can’t wait. This family-run hotel gave us a lovely taste of Greek hospitality. The owners were wonderful and attentive to what we needed. Restaurants and coffee shops are easy to reach. If you’re heading to Elafonisos, though, you’ll need a car or taxi to the ferry port, which is about 10 minutes away. I booked through the website without many expectations, just hoping for the best, and I’m really glad I chose this place for a family holiday. Highly recommend it; you won’t be disappointed.

The rates suggest a hotel experience, but despite looking new, this place falls far short. Breakfast is a joke, and there’s little else beyond what they call a restaurant. It’s barely more than the basics: one kind of sliced bread, one kind of sliced cheese, sliced ham, poor filter coffee, and a single fruit-mix juice from a carton. The oven omelette was stale, and the boiled eggs were cold. Cold coffees are available, but they charge extra, at a hefty 7 euros each. A shame and a disgrace, and a complete lack of respect for customers.