Villa Eliza

Being only a few minutes from the seafront and nice restaurants was a real plus, though the steep walk back could be tricky if you’ve had too much to drink. Our room was okay for the price, with a comfortable large bed, working A/C and TV, and a small veranda. Getting settled was odd. At the top of the steep drive there were chickens, turkeys, a barking security dog, and even a donkey. We had to track down the only person in charge, an elderly lady with another barking dog, and she didn’t speak English. The place felt neglected and short-staffed. The overflowing rubbish bins made it clear the lady needed help with cleaning, and very little cleaning seemed to happen in the room or around the hotel. The photos show a lit pool bar, but apparently it hasn’t been open for a long time. We’ve stayed in worse places, but also much better ones.

The balcony had a sea view, and the gardens are lovely. In May it was very quiet and peaceful. You can hear the dog, chickens and donkey now and then, but I found it quite charming. The pool looked nice and has an outdoor shower, though I didn’t use it. The hotel was perfectly serviceable, with pretty good Wi-Fi and no complaints from me. There’s no reception, so you have to look for staff. I found the woman in under five minutes, got a key, and we were in. I also met Eric and the cleaner, whose name I can’t spell, but she was a gem. The room was clean when I arrived, though not spotless, and had clearly been washed well. Despite what some reviews, including that one-star one, say, they clean every day and there’s a dedicated cleaner. She was great and brought us delicious pastries. We were given eggs too. The bathroom was what you’d expect, but the water pressure was powerful, better than at home. The kitchen had the pots, pans, plates and glasses we needed, and the hotplate worked really well. The fridge-freezer was effective and big enough for three days. I didn’t use the dining table. The bedroom had a wide, sturdy, comfortable bed, TV, AC, a small vanity mirror and plenty of cupboard space. There was another little table that we didn’t use, but it was handy for bags. There are three entrances, stairs, a ramp and the car park. It should be fine for anyone mobile. Watch for the signs, as they’re easy to miss. The paths aren’t well lit, but I used my phone torch and it wasn’t a problem. The beach is maybe five minutes away if you dawdle, and most of the uphill part is on the stairs. A local shop is within walking distance and has everything you need. I don’t see a reason not to stay here. I plan to come back next year.

There’s a botanical garden around the apartments, and a swimming pool is available. A great place to stay.

We’ve been having breakfast here and dinner at the local tavernas. The family-run studio complex is small and has a new swimming pool. They keep chickens, so we’ve been given fresh eggs every day, along with tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and onions. The room was clean but basic, and the air conditioning worked very well. It’s a short walk to town and the beach, though quite steep. I’d thoroughly recommend staying here.