Malia Star

“Philoxenia’s worth every penny!”

I stayed at Philoxenia Hotel with two family members for 12 nights in late September to mid-October, and to sum it up – it was excellent, from the area to the food. The hotel is located on a quiet street, so don’t worry – there’s no highway noise around you. It’s just a 3–5 minute walk to the beac… more

I stayed at Philoxenia Hotel with two family members for 12 nights in late September to mid-October, and to sum it up – it was excellent, from the area to the food. The hotel is located on a quiet street, so don’t worry – there’s no highway noise around you. It’s just a 3–5 minute walk to the beach, with a dedicated exit leading straight there, and even a shower next to that exit for rinsing off after swimming. Also, by that exit, there’s a children’s play area. I was pleasantly surprised by how close the shops were. As soon as you exit the hotel, there’s George’s Supermarket on the right-hand side, and on the left, a souvenir shop. Across the road, you’ll find another convenience store. Need a pharmacy? It’s just two right turns away – walk past George’s Supermarket, then turn right at the junction. For added convenience, you can rent vehicles (cars, ATVs, scooters, etc.) right next to George’s Supermarket. The hotel also has its own parking area near the beach exit. When it comes to food options nearby, there are some great local restaurants within walking distance. You’ll also find fast-food options like McDonald’s at the nearby junction, and even a KFC-style place just a few minutes’ walk away. The check-in process couldn’t have been smoother. Like any professional hotel, the staff greeted us warmly, found our booking quickly, took our passports for registration, handed over the keys, and showed us around. Check-out was equally efficient and friendly. Our room, located at the back of the hotel facing the swimming pool, was well-equipped and comfortable. It had a balcony, a separate toilet and shower (with the sink outside), a free-to-use fridge, satellite TV, and a safe. Cleanliness really stood out – both in the room and throughout the hotel. The cleaning staff did a fantastic job, changing towels every 2 days and bed sheets every 3 days. We didn’t experience any of the issues other reviews mentioned – no cockroaches, no bugs, nothing. Just a few mosquitoes, easily handled by closing the balcony door and turning on the A/C. The food was fantastic. Breakfast offered a solid variety, with enough choices to fill you up. If you didn’t like something, there were always alternative options, so you’d never leave hungry. Dinner was also diverse, with plenty to choose from. You can also order food and drinks from the bar menu during your stay. Now, about the dining space – I want to clear something up. I’ve read reviews claiming it’s completely outdoors and that if it rains, you’ll be left running for cover. That’s simply not true. Yes, it’s technically outdoors, but it’s a tent-like covered area with a solid roof overhead, so even in bad weather, you’re perfectly sheltered. Leaving out that detail feels like a lie by omission, and I think it’s unfair to the hotel. The pool area was great – the main pool is clean, large enough for many guests, and open from 8 AM to 10 PM, with a depth of 1.2m to 1.5m. There are plenty of free sunbeds around it. Next to the main pool is a kids’ pool, shallow enough for babies and toddlers to safely sit and play. The hotel also features a spa area (available at extra cost) that includes a jacuzzi, sauna, and heated pools. I believe there’s also a massage room next to the main pool, near the beach exit. The staff were all friendly, polite, and helpful, doing their best to make everyone feel comfortable. One pleasant surprise was the Wi-Fi quality – the hotel has Starlink, one of the fastest internet providers in the world, so connectivity was excellent. Overall, for the price we paid, this hotel was absolutely worth it. We came back for the 2nd year and are coming back next year already. I’d recommend Philoxenia to everyone – families, couples, party lovers, and those just looking for a quiet, relaxing getaway.

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