Polyxenia Hotel

The room felt really homely, and I enjoyed my stay a lot. It was a sweet little space with a comfortable bed, a big wardrobe, and stylish old furniture. The bathroom was roomy and elegant.

The location is the one thing this one-star pension has going for it. Everything else about my stay at Polyxenia Hotel Nafplion Old Town fell well below expectations, and it was the worst accommodation and hospitality experience I had in Greece after cycling through and around the Peloponnese. I met so many lovely hosts elsewhere, so this left a bad taste. This is my honest account of my experience. I came to Nafplion by bicycle, and after riding 100ks I was told I couldn't store my clean bike anywhere in the hotel, even though it was no bigger than a large suitcase. Eight hotels before this in the Peloponnese had let me store it, usually in my room. Here, I was told to leave it outside. It’s a 5k euro bike and my transport. A kind man at a local filling station let me keep it there instead. When I walked back, the main owner was there and focused only on getting my passport details. She yelled that bikes weren't allowed. I was carrying my bags and had just walked back for ten minutes, so I needed a shower and said I'd bring the passport later. When I eventually presented it, I asked for local advice and how to book ferry tickets, either at the port or online. She just told me to go to the tourist information centre at the end of the street. I got the impression she had my details and money and wanted me to go away. If sleep matters to you, this isn't the place. The wooden floors carry every bang, creak, and other noise from rooms above or beside you. The sheets were clean, but the mattress was poor quality, and with all the noise I struggled to sleep. The booking site promised a Mountain or Landmark view, but I got neither. There was only a high-up, prison-cell-style window with no view, and the air felt musty with no ventilation. The bathroom had working fixtures and hot water, but it was dated and the floor tiles were cracked. You can't hang the shower head, so you have to hold it while showering, soaping up, and rinsing again. Breakfast wasn't worth 9 euros: awful filter coffee, cheap supermarket bread, and a donut. I ate the Greek yoghurt and left the rest. They had no eggs that day, despite the marketing photos showing bowls of fruit and fresh eggs. It was a poor offering that felt like another way to get more money from guests. A local bakery has far better food and press machine coffee for half the price. The room listing said there would be a Mountain or Landmark view, and the booking page also mentioned guest luggage storage. It also clearly said there was no parking, which I knew. The luggage storage information doesn't match what happened. I don't know what more to say about a place that has only its location going for it.

I booked a "double or twin room" with a balcony through Booking and chose double at checkout. I was splurging on this hotel for a workcation in Nafplio, since I expected to spend most of my time in the room. The owners of Polyxenia Hotels are scam artists. DO NOT STAY HERE. On arrival, the room I got was like a dungeon, with a window that wouldn't open. I asked right away to be moved to the room I'd booked, but they said there were no double rooms with balconies, even though that was what the listing showed. I stayed one night, then asked the next morning to change my reservation because they couldn't provide the booked room or move me to a twin with a balcony. The owner started screaming in English and Greek and wouldn't let me get a word in. She called her sister over to yell too. As a solo traveler, I felt unsafe and left immediately. They charged my card for all five nights despite not providing the room I had booked. I'm still trying to get nearly $400 back. Do yourself a favor and DO NOT stay here.

A friendly, family-run little hotel, with welcoming staff. It was fully booked, so our first night was in a small room with just a small window. They offered to move us to a larger room with a balcony the following day. Breakfast is simple but nice, served on the quiet street outside.