Hotel Plaza Palace Reviews

If you want a quiet relaxing holiday, this is the resort for you. There are a few bars and a decent amount of restaurants but while we were there the nightlife was very quiet. However there are no neon strips and the resort still retains an authentic charm. Close by is Petra and Molyvos, both worth a visit (1.4 euros on the local bus). Each has its own separate identity and makes for a fascinating change of pace during the night.

The Plaza Palace suited us down to the ground as we tend just to laze around the swimming pool during the day. There are plenty of sunbeds and the pool area is extremely clean and inviting. The staff at the hotel are exceptional. Vasillis and his soon to be bride Ella are excellent hosts and join in the fun. They will be as interactive with their guests or leave you in peace and quiet however you wish. We were definitely interactive and would recommend the hotel to anyone. The rooms were large and were kept very clean. The hotel is only a few years old and is of a good standard for greece. We tend not to revisit places as there are so many other places to see, but in this instance we will definitely be going back sometime in the future.

The lunchtime food round the pool is varied and there is plenty of it. The hotel run a greek night every Tuesday for 10 euros which is well worth trying. Vasillis keeps the bar open at night time as long as he has customers. The prices in the hotel and resort are very reasonable, in fact it was cheaper this year than the previous two years we have visited other greek islands.

The restaurants we would recommend are Vasillis Grill, Omega, Aggelios and in Petra you must go to the Womens Co-ooperative restaurant (opposite the jetty).

Although we are not beach people we did visit, but found the sand a little gritty and the sea was quite choppy but lots of people do use it.

This hotel has to be the best hotel we have stayed in in Greece,It is absolutely fabulous.The rooms are a good size and well furnished and the balconiies are big enough for 3 people to sit out on. Rooms were cleaned every day and bedding and towels also changed daily. The owners are really nice people with a great sense of humour and nothing was any trouble to them.While we were there my husband had a fall and needed a doctor,our rep Amy was so helpful and sorted everything out for us so thanks Amy for all your help. The hotel is astones throw from the beach and all restaurants and bars which are all so reasonably priced and the food is good in all of them.Petra is well worth a walk to but there is agood bus service if you prefer.Anaxos is a quiet resort with lots of bars and restaurants and the sunset is wonderful, a must to see. We had a lovely holiday and the Plaza Palace has to be the jewel in the crown. Looking forward to our next visit already.

Visited Anaxos for third time. First in 2000, second time 2003. The village has gladly not expanded very much over the last years. Still a good variety of bars and restaurants to go to without having to visit the same one (unless you find a good one and do just that) We visited a few but by far the best welcome and quality of food at good prices was at the 'Paradise', which is at the far end of the beach parade on the corner of the new road (Petra end of the sea front) owned Babis, his brother George, along with his mother help him keep every one well fed and happy. Two can eat here for about 25 euros including wine and leave knowing you have eaten.

In Petra the place that is a must to visit and eat in the evening is the 'Women's Co-operative, which can initially be hard to find. To get to the restaurant go to Petra find the 'Cantina' coffee bar which is on the front opposite the jetty. Stand facing the entrance and then go just down the little street to the left-hand side and the entrance is up a flight of stairs just at the rear of the Cantina, about 3 meters from the front of the building. The food here is good Greek food, good value and well priced again 25 euros for two including wine.

We did venture into Molyvos to eat and were a little disappointed as reports we had read indicated the food here would or should have been better. We found this not to be the case and if anything not as good as food found in Petra and Anaxos and much more expensive due to the significant numbers of German and Scandinavians. The beaches were empty most of the time with very few people so you could pick your spot and have no one within 20 or 30 meters. Beach quality was good and clean. Best beaches Anaxos, Petra, Molyvos, Eftalou (but pebbles and not sand/grit, OK as long as you take something thick to lay on or for a few euros beach mats can be purchased and then disposed of before you fly home), Scala Kaloni. Many of these are clothing optional at some part of the beach(not official but tolerated by the local Greek people)

If venturing to Eftalou the hot spring is a must, if you have aches pains or suffer some skin ailments these waters a supposed to have healing properties, whether this is the case or not the experience is one not to be missed.(the waters vary between 36 - 40 degrees C, hot but if you follow the instructions of the staff not a problem and the private baths are just as good and give privacy and a wonderful view from the window in every one.) We normally hire a scooter to get around locally, about 8 euros a day, we hired from Costa's on the main road, but there are others with Billy's being the largest hirer of cars and bikes in the village, which can be forward booked over the internet, but I think you get a better deal if you hire when you get there. We hired a car for the first time this year on the island and covered a lot of the island in 4 days, the most dramatic views are on the road from Petra to Sigri, takes about 2 hours but the views from the tops of the mountains is a must. Must also mention that the Greek's are very protective of the armed forces and taking pictures including anything to do with navy ships, army vehicles and aero planes we were told could lead to being arrested so caution is advised. This is the first year back on Lesvos for Thomas Cook after a break of some years.

The Plaza Place in Anaxos is the newest hotel in the village and from talking to our rep (Amy, again nothing to much trouble and she even found which planet could be seen in the night sky, 'what a girl') Thomas Cook have it for this year and have already reserved it for next year. This is no surprise as it has been built to a very high standard and the fixtures and fittings are of the quality seen in 4 star hotels anywhere. Well fitted bathrooms with enclosed showers, fridge, coffee maker (kettles can be requested) and air conditioning in the bedroom, tables and chairs in the room, as well as on the balcony, quality mattress's on the beds, thick walls and floor so sound is not transmitted and LCD television.

The owners seem to know what people on holiday want, the breakfast (which is included when booking the hotel was much better than we expected. Having stayed at other bed and breakfast hotels on the islands we expected the usual continental, bread, cheese, cold meat and jam. What we actually got was the 'works' including everything you would expect on a full English. Vasllis, who owns and runs the hotel with his mother, father, sister and Steve, are possibly the most welcoming and friendly Greek hoteliers we have experienced. Nothing was too much trouble, a bit noisy at nights, but hey you are on holiday and if you are late to bed just get up late the next morning. Vasallias is an 'EXPERT'at the cocktails and our heads confirmed this on many occasions the next morning. Before leaving we looked at the Plaza Studios and these have just been refurbished for this season and are of the same exceptional standard. Another family member Eleni and her husband run the Eleni Studios (these are with Scandinavian tour operator) and the Stratos Supermarket which is perhaps the best stocked shop in the village and is on the last beach access road (the same road which you initially go down to get to the Plaza Palace) near to 'Mustos' fish restaurant (again excellent food for 20 euros' including wine). The only down side is the transfer time from the airport anywhere from 1.5 to 2 hours to the resort, not the end of the world! We are so impressed we are looking to book again next year. Hope this helps anyone who reads this and if you are looking for a relaxing laid back holiday without breaking the bank this is the place. Just hope Thomas Cook do not increase there prices too much next year!

There was talk of a new airport being planned at Kaloni, if this happens this island and in particular the northern part could be further developed. This would improve transfer times but may lead to over development and therefore spoil what is perhaps one of the best kept traditional islands in the Greece.

we took my mum back to plaza palace where she used to go with my father the staff where so freindly they made are time spent there a joy mother would like to live thier we have booked already to go back roll on next year 09