Villa Melina

I have had the best stay. I booked last minute because I was very unhappy with my last accommodation and the location. I was in Emporios and I wanted to be closer to the port with more options. I booked direct with this hotel and got a fantastic price for a Delux room. I emailed them and they emailed me back immediately. They organised a taxi for me with their cousin Nektarious who is the BEST taxi man I ever had. I was so sad in Emporios and he brought me on a beautiful, scenic drive to my hotel and played my favourite music along the way :) On arrival, I was greeted by the best hotel owner I have ever met. George is absolutely amazing. I was very down and sad about wasting money on another location. He gave me a gin and orange juice (refused payment), a bag of ice for a nice cold bath (it's hot here) candles and a lighter for the bathroom (don't use these in the rooms, too much wood and could cause a fire!) And I relaxed. I was feeling much happier. During my stay he gave me food, drinks and anything I wanted. All with the famous Greek hospitality. The breakfast is the best I've ever seen. George believes in less options but FRESH, homemade desserts, good quality food. This said, there were lots of options! Cinnamon swirls, banana bread, chocolate bread, Greek pastries, apple pie, Nutella buns, bread, cereals, ham, cheese, Greek yoghurt, watermelon etc etc too much to name.... George's family are FABULOUS. I love his father! If he is eating and you walk past, he will try to give you whatever he is eating! I got wonderful fresh watermelon and a slice of pizza another day! He is so friendly and funny. The room is so beautiful and authentic. The hotel is amazing. Traditional, authentic, it's heaven. It was perfectly clean. My room is fabulous. It has beautiful old wallpaper and furniture with long draping curtains overlooking the city and port. It still had that quirky feel about it, like I was staying in a different time... Vintage. I loved it. The bathroom was perfect and there was excellent air conditioning in the bedroom. The bed cover was so soft and the pillows were lovely! One was super soft (my favourite style) and one was hard so very clever to give one of each!!! The pool is amazing. Just look at the pictures. I had a midnight swim and watched the stars each night. I went down to the port but came back because I actually preferred to be in the hotel than away from it. That's how beautiful it is. Well done George you are outstanding! Book direct for best prices!!!!

Excellent stay,peaceful ,quiet ,very friendly staff and host .I would recommend this hotel to anyone.the best in portha.thank you Anthony, we will be back as soon as possible

From the outside this Hotel looks great like an Italian Palazzo in Tuscany. But…..the place needs stronger maintenance and refurbishment if not renovation. It is dirty in the rooms, dirty and not well maintained in the garden and a very aged pool with broken and dirty tiles doesn’t make a swim likeable. Breakfast basic and not enough space outside to cater all costumers. The staff is partly friendly (junior owner) partly grumpy (senior owner) who runs around with a poker face and is checking what all the guests are doing, Hair and insects and dust in the floor of the rooms, a very dirty bathroom who smelled badly from the sink with broken and corroded armatures. The best: my bed broke down in the evening as the wooden panels didn’t fit well into the bed frame so the mattress fell down to the floor. No excuse or apologise from the staff , the senior treated me like it’s all my fault and I make him trouble. How demanding to complain if he was chatting with other costumers and I had to disturb him as I couldn’t use the bed. Another room was offered but condition was the same. If you look clear it was dirty and not well kept. This place could be a true gem if somebody would make an effort to renovate and more important keep the standard by working efficient and with concern. This is not a gem it’s a run down castle.

Lovely hotel, great room with amazing view, big pool for residents. Staff (owner) was so kind and friendly . Lovely breakfast and nothing a bother for them, they sat with all guests and chatted away. Very clean tidy friendly hotel a pleasure to stay, 10 min walk and your in the heart of the town .

Villa Melina is one of the most beautiful and interesting places I have ever stayed. Even before we arrived and we had asked for directions, the gentleman I spoke to knew exactly where it was and described it as a "castle". Walking through the huge iron doorway I was immediately transported back in time and felt like I was in an episode of The Durrell's. The grand stone stairway entrance and stunning exterior were amazing. Inside, the hosts could not have been more attentive. They very kindly gave us a free upgrade which was unexpected and most welcome. The rooms were clean, comfortable, quirky and quaint with no two the same. The icing on the cake was the huge balcony with breathtaking views across the bay to the impressive mountaintop monastery. I doubt you will find a more stunning view anywhere on the island. I would definitely recommend a trip to this gorgeous island and I would urge you to book a room at Villa Melina. I am planning my next trip back as soon as possible.