Spent two weeks at the hotel - returned 10/10/03.
Hotel rather old fashioned.External appearance rather stark and harsh.The exterior looks like a concrete built prison. However it gets better once inside.(Although the passageways to the rooms in the hotel were dark and dingy).The rooms were clean but in need of refurbishment.We booked a sea view -room 305- it did have a good view but other people we spoke with sea views moved to the bungalows, as there was no sea view only pine trees.Do book a sea veiw as the rooms facing the the road are noisy.The interior and exterior are in dire need of modernisation. The hotel was built in 1974 and is in a time warp.I suspect the owners keep it that way as alot of their clients are regulars!
On arrival be nice but firm to the old maitre'd. otherwise he will give you a poor table in the dining room. Tell him you want a table on the terrace as you have a bad heart and the heat in the dining room will kill you ! (I saw elderly people fanning themselves in the dining room !)
Breakfast is buffet style - not very exciting - no changes in our two weeks. Tea/coffee/fruits juices - waiter only service - slow and you have pester them for seconds! Evening meal is ok -(you only have a very limited choice)-waiter service only.The same meal is repeated again the next week and becomes boring so occasionaly go to reception for lunch tickets which again is nothing to write home about.
The good news is that the staff are friendly. The hotel is certainly not an A class but the grounds and the views make up for it. The private beach is a waste of time - it was at the end of September-strewn with boulders and not much sand. The public beach beneath the hotel is very good. The next beach along - the long beach is even better - decent loungers and brollies. It has a good restaurant and has toilets.
The evenings can get boring although there is a piano bar! Once a week they bring in an octogenarian by ambulance to provide music !Take a taxi to Argosoli (5 euro). Nice bars, restaurants and relaxing.We did not hire a car. Some of the roads are not for the faint hearted ! Would recommend the organised tours.
Yes - we did enjoy our holiday!!Had some good laughs !!

It was ok. Stopped in village for semolina type cake(speciality) two cakes with small scoop of ice cream plus two fresh orange juices 16 euros - it was recommmmended by courier- everyone thought it was a rip off except the courier !!

A good introduction to the the Island if you do not hire a car.

Long day - good trip. Interesting.