Gardenia

The room had good air conditioning, comfortable beds, and a roomy shower. The basic self-catering setup was enough for snacks and a light meal. It’s an older, dated hotel, but I thought that added to its charm. The pool wasn’t available during my stay, otherwise I’d have given it five stars. I’d stay here again.

We found plenty of restaurants and boutiques along the street, and the beach is nearby too. Prices around the island were high, so it’s worth budgeting for that. The hotel itself was good value, especially since we booked well ahead for the week. Staff were friendly and helpful, though we hadn’t been clearly told about the €35 local tax before arriving. Our room was spacious and clean, with air conditioning that worked reasonably well. Island tap water isn’t drinkable and tastes quite salty. There was only enough shampoo and shower gel for one person to use once, so we bought toiletries at nearby boutiques, where they were quite expensive. A cheerful, kind Albanian housekeeper cleaned daily and changed our towels regularly, which we really appreciated. It was a pleasant week overall.

Perissa worked well for us, with the beach about a five-minute walk away and the nearest shop just two minutes off. The hotel was spotless, and the staff were friendly. Breakfast was nice, and the whole place felt relaxed. The pool is large enough that it never seemed crowded, and its bar serves snacks and food. Our basic rooms were pleasant, with a fridge and balcony. The mattresses felt hard, not just firm, but we slept well enough. The shower curtains were too thin to do much, though that wasn’t a major problem. I’d definitely come back.

Aldi at the front desk deserves a special mention. He did his job really well, was funny at any hour, and we enjoyed his company, despite his poor taste in football teams. The hotel manager or owner should know he’s worth his weight in gold. All the staff were friendly and helpful throughout. For a budget holiday, the hotel beat what we expected. Our room was clean and serviced daily, with a simple kitchen that suited us. The bed was very comfortable, and the balcony had a little washing line for swimsuits, a table and chairs, and shade from a tree at breakfast time. The pool was well looked after and pleasantly a bit salty. Staff were always around for drinks and snacks, and the lunch menu was great. The hotel sits halfway between the main street and the beach, both just a short walk away. There are restaurants and bars at different prices, plus shops, a supermarket, and three great bakeries.