Hotel Andreas

Having booked the Andreas we then proceeded to read what can only be described as very poor reviews here on Trip Advisor. We even tried to cancel with Jet2 but that was not possible. The stories of no food allowed, the bar closing at 6pm, no outside food or drink allowed in the rooms or balconies, and very restricted air conditioning, together with constantly barking dog all left us fearful of what to expect. We even went to the expense of purchasing a universal AC remote so as to be able to turn that AC down!!!! But we encountered something completely different! We were pleasantly greeted off the bus by Tony who led us to our room and explained the notorious charge for the safe - which we immediately declined and the charges for the single AC. The room was spotless with ultra white bedding , white towels (not too soft!) and a clean corner shower. We spent the first afternoon around the pool which was quiet and enjoyed a few beers and wines - prices of which proved to be exactly in line with prices down in restaurants in the resort. Breakfast was simple but nice enough and you could order a full english or omelettes at extra cost if you wished. Service again provided by Tony who was available at the bar through the day and to provide bar snack type food to order. Chips and burgers/toasties a speciality. And the bar opened until 10pm which we utilised on a couple of occasions after the trudge up the hill from town (more of that later) late in the evenings. Our rooms were well cleaned each day and the AC at 23 degrees kept the room very cool all evening and through the night - it does seem cool when outside its 28 to 30 degrees. Our request for an extra pillow after a couple of days was responded to by a knock at the door, and the pillow, all within 15 minutes. The hotel is a tranquil place with superb sea views from most of the balconies. We sat there most early evenings enjoying an outside-purchased-drink and there were no complaints when we left the empty bottles and cans in the waste bins for the cleaner! Always plenty of sunbeds and a crystal clear pool with very little hint of chlorine. No constantly barking dog, in fact we became friends with the owners large white Heinz 57 which seemed placid enough. All in all we were very pleasantly surprised, after those reviews, and the place provided a very relaxed week. It might not be the place for young families but for couples seeking a peaceful time I would say it is ideal. Spotlessly clean and an on-site owner who came across very pleasant in the limited conversations we had with her. The one drawback - the hill. The lower third of the main street constitutes the resort with bars, restaurants and shops all leading to the beach. Above the resort that other 2/3rds of the main street is residential, runs for about 800 metres and has a constant upward gradient of about 10-12%. Not too bad but then you hit the steeper incline up the hotel which is another 200/300 metres with a gradient of I would say 15%. In our 50's and 60's we managed it twice per day (home from the beach, then later home after an evening meal) but you need a breather and a drink each time you conquer it! So not recommended for those with mobility issues. Skala is good for a week and the hotel is much much better, in our experience, than some of the reviews would portray. We would strongly recommend both.