Akroyali Hotel & Villas

Lugar acogedor y tranquilo, con buena comida y desayuno. Muy atentos sobre toda en recepción una chica encantadora.

. My wife and I stayed at the Akroyali in Agias Andréas for one week. We had booked a sea view room and we were allocated one on the second floor. There is a small lift so no issues getting luggage up to the room. The hotel is situated right on the harbour side and our room had sun in the morning and shade in the afternoon. The room, including the bathroom, was spacious, simply furnished but had a hairdryer, safe, aircon, TV and fridge. It’s fair to say the rooms are a little dated but that’s not a criticism just an observation. The aircon worked well, there were plenty of sockets and the beds were comfortable. There is a kettle and cups in the room but we swapped these for two mugs from the breakfast area, with permission of course. Towels were changed every day and bedding I think, ever other day. Now as those used to Greece will not be surprised to hear, the bathroom is almost a wet room. There is a raised edge around the shower but it and the curtain don’t meet sufficiently to stop water getting onto the floor. There is a drain and it does tend to dry within a few hours. However if a wet floor bothers you bring a sponge type cloth and just mop it or use the bath mat. Standing facing the curtain while using the shower does help reduce the impact as well. The balcony is small with a table and two chairs, there is however nowhere to dry anything. Luckily we have a travel clothesline with a hook on either end and pegs so we were ok. The view however is lovely even if in the heat you cannot quite make out the other side of the bay. WiFi was a little hit and miss on the second floor, better on the balcony and downstairs. There is secure parking just a cross the road. Breakfast is a buffet but what a buffet, there is plenty of variety and everything is replenished as it runs out. If you want hot water for tea or yogurt and honey just ask. Some people had scrambled eggs and omelettes but I don’t know if there was a charge for those or not. The staff, what can I say, they are all very friendly and helpful, many don’t speak very good English but this is Greece and their English is generally much better than our Greek. Special mention has to be made of the lovely Ana Maria, who does speak very good English and was very helpful at all times. Agios Andreas itself is a small village/town on the road from Kalamata to Koroni. It’s popular with Greeks at weekends and holidays. Busy season is July and August but it livened up a little at the weekend when we were there. There are two beaches, the one south of the hotel (turn right as you face the harbour) is the best. There are around 20 pairs of sun beds with umbrellas but plenty of space to plant your towel if you wish. The taverna/apartments that run the sun beds requires you to spend at least 7 euros and then the beds are free. Toilets are available in their building at the back of the beach. I imagine it’s a lot closer to how Greek locations were before the package tourist industry took over. There are

The Greeks already set the bar very high in terms of hospitality, politeness, standards of cleanliness and good cuisine. Here, everything ensures the perfect stay: a warm welcome, impeccably clean rooms with views of the mountains or the small port. However, the main reason to stay here is the fabulous restaurant for dinner and breakfast. Wonderful menu with fish, meat, vegetarian options all cooked with their own olive oil - and desserts too which you don't always find in Greek restaurants (honey cakes, pies etc.) The breakfast is just fabulous - home-cooked cakes, savoury dishes, fresh fruit, freshly squeezed orange juice - all with a peaceful view of the port and the mountains of Mani in the background. This family hotel/restaurant really is a hidden gem. We came here two years ago; we made a detour to come again this year and will definitely come back. Thank you Akroyali!