Yialos Ios Hotel

“Superb”

We stayed in this hotel for three nights in late May. The hotel comprises a series of stand-alone buildings grouped around a swimming pool and sun terrace. The hotel sits beside a minor road serving the port. The hotel consists of a restored cheese factory and a number of new build units, genera… more

We stayed in this hotel for three nights in late May. The hotel comprises a series of stand-alone buildings grouped around a swimming pool and sun terrace. The hotel sits beside a minor road serving the port. The hotel consists of a restored cheese factory and a number of new build units, generally two storeys high. It has about 35 rooms with a wide range of available facilities in the rooms (some rooms have a Jacuzzi or a private pool for instance, and some are apartments). Our room was a Deluxe Double. The hotel is situated on the edges of the port area but within easy walking distance of the centre of the area known as Yialos and of the beach – also Yialos! The beach has bars and restaurants. We reached the hotel by taxi (lazily because we were uncertain where it was) but it is less than 10 minutes’ walk from the port with luggage. The whole route is level. There is a hotel car park. We believe the hotel can adequately serve guests with mobility difficulties and those who might be in wheelchairs. A small building just off the road houses a reception area, the breakfast buffet area and a servery for coffee and drinks. Through the building there is a terrace used for breakfast but with seating that is employed by guests all through the day. There a bar. This terrace lays beside the large swimming pool and the sun terraces which are copiously furnished. There are a number of day beds. The whole area is substantially planted and well kept. Our room was sizeable, outside the room there is a private covered seating area with a table and bench sofas adequate for four or five people. The room itself had a large circulation area with a WC and walk in shower directly off and a pair of wash-handbasins set in an open recess. There was a hanging rail sufficient for several days’ clothes and shelving for clothes storage. There was a refrigerator and a safe. There was a short bench which could be used for sitting on or as a shelf. The bed, which was large and comfortable, was on a raised concrete platform at the furthest end of the room. We understand that this is not a common feature – we found it difficult, probably because of our age, but getting onto and off the mattress was difficult because there was no height between the bed and the floor. The arrangement worked but it provided additional entertainment as we crawled around! The lighting scheme is extravagant and provided another focus for entertainment, but once mastered it was very useful. Bedlinen and towels were of good quality. Excellent toiletries were provided. There was some noise from the unit above, but not of consequence even though the hotel was reasonably full. There was no external noise. Aircon was efficient and wifi was good – it worked outside too. Housekeeping was excellent. We took breakfast at the hotel and as far as we are aware no other meals are offered although there is a continuous supply of drinks - both alcoholic and non-alcoholic- and snacks to purchase at the bar throughout the day. Breakfast was very good, a buffet in the entrance building was designed such that there was little crowding even on repeat visits. The selection included hot and cold food, home-made cakes, pies and wonderful bread. We purchased drinks from the bar in the early evening – but believe it carried on later. There are restaurants and shops and bars in the port area. It is not expensive to catch the local bus up to the Chora for a wider selection of everything. The journey takes less than 10 minutes from port to Chora. Staff were universally professional and pleasant. Most had good English. This is a family run hotel, they are running a business that has been theirs for decades and they look after it and are proud of it –rightly so. We found all of the family helpful and friendly and anxious to ensure that our stay was enjoyable. We saw no evidence that the hotel is bought by major tour companies, but it is an establishment that appeals and caters for groups – family or friends or work associates. The hotel coped easily. The setting of the hotel will improve when the extension to the port is completed but it has no real views other than into itself. It is not isolated but it is quiet. It is eminently accessible to the port, to the road network, to the buses and of itself is a splendid example of Greek hospitality. For the time of our stay it was competitively priced and it receives an unqualified recommendation from us.

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