Villa Spartias

We actually enjoyed watching the planes at this nice villa by the runway. It won’t suit everyone, though, with around a dozen flights a day, mostly between 8am and 9pm. The rooms are basic but okay for the price; better pillows and a shower that doesn’t soak everything would help. Avoid the ground-floor rooms if noise at night bothers you. The pool is nice, but it needs more sun loungers and umbrellas. A car is essential. There’s an occasional bus, but we preferred driving around the island. A taxi at night cost 10 euros. We’d stay again if the price were right.

A lovely little place to stay: welcoming, clean, tranquil, with well-kept grounds and kind, knowledgeable staff who go out of their way to make the visit pleasant. It’s not a 5-star hotel with lots of amenities, but the rooms cover the basics. They’re cleaned every day, beach umbrellas are available, and the pool is nice for cooling off as the sun sets. Plane activity didn’t bother us, and there was little or none before 10am and after 10pm. It’s a good base for exploring the island. A quad, bike, or car can be delivered to the villa at a reasonable cost, and the supermarket, beach, and restaurants are all within a few miles. The main roads were decent and had little traffic compared with the UK, which made riding a quad or driving fun.

A quiet part of the island, and especially nice if you enjoy watching planes. When we arrived, our host welcomed us right away, gave us a map of the whole island, and offered very helpful tips on where to go. He was a really nice gentleman. The accommodation is a little far from the centre, but I didn’t mind walking every day. You can also rent a car for a few crowns or take a taxi. If you’re after a clean, pleasant place to relax, I recommend it.

We’re keen plane spotters, so the location suited us perfectly. Xanemos Beach, with its crystal-clear water, is very close, as is Beach Club Záma, one of the most relaxing places on the island. The garden and pool were clean, refreshing, and clearly well looked after. The staff were friendly and helpful, and the fridge worked properly. The area is wonderfully quiet, a relaxing change after noisy old town, while the planes coming and going were a fun bonus. A few things could make the stay more comfortable. The room had enough equipment for our needs, but the kitchenette was lacking: no napkins or tissues, scissors, microwave, or heating system. The air conditioning worked, though it blew directly at one family member. Tap water isn’t advised for drinking, so bring bottled water; the nearest supermarket is about 2 km away. The furniture is a bit dated and could use an update. The bathroom is tiny, and after a shower you have to clean up the whole room.