Ocean Hotel

A quiet, unexpectedly nice spot. The beach and pool are easy to get to, with loungers, parasols and a bar there. Very convenient.

We had a great time here and left on friendly terms with the family who run the place. It worked well as a base for the places we wanted to explore by hire car, and after getting back around 4pm we could cool off at the beach or pool. The breeze off the sea was very welcome after hot days elsewhere. A non-stop airport transfer takes only 30 minutes, with no intermediate stops on the way there. We were last to be picked up on the return. We arrived on 2nd June, before the season really gets going around 15th June, and were the only guests for about four days. Other foreign guests who came during our stay were German or Danish, with the rest Greek. This is a budget beachfront hotel for relaxing, swimming and sunbathing, away from resorts full of English tourists. A hire car is useful for nearby sights, as the nearest international resort town is 25 minutes away by car. It’s quiet, with only a couple of local taverna's within walking distance, aimed more at Greek holidaymakers than foreigners. There are 20 rooms across two floors, all looking out to sea and across to the Greek Island of Lefkada. The family are very nice. Dmitri, who runs the pool bar, speaks the most English. Vasilliki owns the place and serves breakfast, but speaks hardly any English, so Google Translate on your phone is essential. We made time to chat with her and became friends. She gave us Greek Coffee and biscuits with breakfast. When we politely asked, Dmitri brought and installed a brand-new safe by that evening. They also provided a kettle and hair dryer, plus milk for our evening cuppa and my other half s nightcap. They will go the extra mile if you ask nicely. The rooms have a fridge but no kettle, safe or hair dryer as standard, though you can request them. The walk-in shower is nice, but the water takes a couple of minutes to heat up. The main pool is deep throughout with no real shallow end, though there’s a smaller, shallower pool beside it. There are no daytime meals at the hotel bar, so lunch and dinner mean going to the local tavernas, picking something up from the mini-market for your room, or driving further afield. The bar doesn’t usually stay open much past 8pm, and there’s no evening entertainment, so you make your own. Breakfast was basic: coffee, water and orange juice to drink; oats, yogurt, honey, toast bread or Greek crusty bread, butter and two nice local preserves; sliced ham and cheese; plus apple pastries or pieces of omelette. If that suits you, you won’t go hungry. For tea, bring teabags, since the mini-market is about a 15 minutes walk up the hill to the top of the village. There’s a fridge in the room, so you can keep drinks for the evening instead of using a taverna or beach bar. If you want lots of evening food choices and bars, this probably isn’t the place. For its size, it’s worth its 3 star rating. Adding safes, hair dryers and kettles to every room, more breakfast options, and a lunch choice at the bar or breakfast dining area could easily make it a 4 star stay given the beach location. Slightly thicker mattresses would help too.

A lovely place to unwind and enjoy the fantastic sea and views.

It’s peaceful and idyllic, with its own stretch of private beach and a lovely taverna right on the beach. xxxxx