Pyrgos Plakias Villas

Pyrgos Exclusive 1 was a disappointing stay. I can't speak for villas 2, 3, or 4, but this property seems to have fallen into disrepair after years of poor maintenance. It may once have stood out for its design and charm, but its current condition doesn't match the premium price. I'm raising these concerns in the hope the owners take them seriously and invest in fixing the ongoing problems. We didn't bring them up during our one-week stay because there were too many issues to address while on holiday, and we didn't want to spend our vacation dealing with tradespeople. If they were resolved, the owners might win back repeat guests, but as it stands, we wouldn't return. Several problems were outside. The upstairs dining area could have been a highlight, but it was practically unusable. Though it had a sink and sideboard suggesting an outdoor kitchen, there was no fridge, cutlery, plates or glasses. It was inconvenient to eat there, especially with the steep stairs from the downstairs kitchen, and after trying a couple of times we gave up. At the bottom of those stairs, a broken manhole cover was raised on one side. An earlier repair with a couple of screws had failed, leaving a hazard in the main walkway that we had to step over each time. The front door was also in poor shape and extremely difficult to work. Its handle seemed badly replaced, and the sliding door didn't fit properly. My partner couldn't open or close it, and I struggled too despite being six feet tall and fairly strong. We ended up leaving it unlocked when we went out because locking it took too much effort. The pool cleaner never came during our stay, and the edges and corners were discolored, probably from algae. We both came home with ear infections, which could plausibly have been connected to the pool condition. The sunbeds were worn and unstable. One broke apart while we were there, exposing crude earlier repairs, and the others also showed makeshift fixes. That was disappointing in an otherwise attractive outdoor area. Inside, there was a strong damp smell throughout the villa, especially in the bathrooms. The plumbing may have made it worse: one sink took over five minutes to drain when half full, and another shower had a broken waste cover and holder. One sink still had shaving hairs when we arrived, suggesting it hadn't been properly cleaned, and broken toilet roll holders added to the neglected feel. On our first night, we found pubic hairs in the bed that certainly weren't ours. Missing mattress slats underneath also made it uncomfortable. It's a shame, as the property was likely stunning when new, but its present condition points to years of minimal upkeep. It feels like the owners rely on the villa's photogenic appearance to justify top-tier prices, though the experience fell far short. Pyrgos Exclusive 1 no longer feels like a luxurious escape, and I wouldn't recommend it unless major renovations are made. I hope the owners take this seriously. With enough work, the villa could regain its former glory. Until then, proceed with caution.