Latest Reviews for Molyvos

Resort Good Points Pretty resort which feels authentic. Twisty streets to explore, all cobbled so no high heels here girls! Nice shops, not too commercialised. There are a few decent supermarkets, the best one is opposite the Tropicana in the square, theres a good bakery for fresh bread every day. Good bus service to neighbouring resorts. Taxi service is good, no problems phoning and getting picked up from Vafios etc after walks. Lots of walks starting from Molyvos and Petra, using Mike Maunder's On Foot in North Lesvos. There are a few boat trips on offer in the harbour (best value for booking is the travel agents at the Sea Horse hotel)

Excellent food, some of the best we've had in Greece, we understand that a lot of the restaurants have 'the mothers' doing the cooking or the cooking is done in 'the mothers' style, this seems to be to good effect. We can especially recommend Le GrandBleu in the harbour - best fava beans we've ever tasted and if they have them (not on the menu so ask) delicious Horta. The Captain's Table does a really good briam . There's an Italian restaurant run by an Englishman, the food is good but under seasoned - they haven't yet realised why the salt cellars empty so quickly! Richard, the owner runs around the restaurant like a mad man and we found this a bit off-putting when trying to have a relaxing meal. TheWomens Co-operative in Petra is excellent, the stuffed zucchini flowers were the best we tasted and the hot beetroot with garlic sauce was a revelation. We had lunch at the Taverna Vafios, in Vafios and wished we'd had time to return for dinner. The food was delicious, its a lovely spot and we'll definitely get a taxi here for the evening when we're in Molyvos in May.

There are several bars for a pre or post dinner drink or two. Our favourite was Molly's Bar, Paul and Martin make everyone welcome and there's a lovely atmosphere. The Sea Horse hotel became our favourite watering hole for late afternoon beers. Its in the prime location ofMolyvos, right on the harbour, the draught Mythos is icy cold, Demetrius and his staff are friendly and welcoming. Resort Bad Points Mopeds areas bad as they are in most resorts, cars and vans too, especially as the streets can barely accommodate them. The town and the harbour are at opposite ends of Molyvos, so there's a bit of a walk from one to the other along a sloping road, not best suited to anyone with walking problems. Transfer time to resort is a long 2.5hrs.

Accommodation Good Points Spacious apartment with large living/dining room as well as decent sized bedroom, nice modern furniture. Partial views of the sea Plenty of wardrobe and drawer space, good full length mirror. Hair drier and TV (Greek only) in bedroom. Shower curtain in the bathroom - and no flooding! Constant hot water. Kitchen equipped with kettle and toaster. There's also a microwave oven, electric juicer and a coffee machine, though these are probably unnecessary for most people and our coffee machine was removed after a week with no comment! Clean towels almost daily, bed linen every other day Toilet rolls replaced and bins emptied daily. Plenty of washing line and pegs already strung up around the balcony

Accommodation Bad Points: Very small kitchen - sink and hob but no draining board, one tiny work surface taken up by microwave oven. Washing up bowl was too big for the sink (and broken) and there was no sink plug so it was bowl or nothing. No storage space for food other than the fridge. We ended up using a cupboard above a wardrobe. Only one electrical socket in the kitchen, which given the amount of electrical appliances seemed odd - no making tea and toast at the same time! Cooking rings on hob very slow to heat up and reach cooking temperature. Fridge door broken and leaked water onto floor - only shut properly with a well aimed kick to the bottom! No ice cube tray in ice box - a request for one resulted in being told to buy one in the supermarket. Only just enough crockery and cutlery for two people and the mugs and glasses were chipped, cracked or badly stained Requested a 2nd saucepan - never materialised. No wooden spoons or serving spoons, no colander. Its not made clear in the brochure that the shared terrace for 1st floor rooms is actually the walkway for guests in other rooms, so there's no privacy at all. We spent the entire 2wks with the curtains closed. If you do choose to stay here ask for a top floor apartment. Poor cleaning - rooms weren't swept properly the whole 2wks and there's inadequate cleaning during change-overs. We found broken glass under one of the beds which had obviously been there a long time. The bathroom was particularly grubby. No chance of a lie in beyond 7:30, as the English manager of the accommodation, Steve, liked to arrive early for his daily gossip whilst leaning on his broom pretending to clean - and he didn't do it quietly!

Just the most beautiful Greek village on earth. Captivating views every way you look and some amazing sunsets.

Visit Timos at TKs mini market for any supplies you need. Lovely man who will happily deliver you supplies, solve all your problems and make you laugh.

Pebble beaches are not to every ones taste but I like the fact that you don't get sand in all your delicate places. The beach also has a blue flag so water quality is good.

The Trienna on the town beach puts together the best Greek salad I've ever eaten. Great for a lazy lunch.

'To Xani' taverna (take the road up the hill, opposite the bank as you enter the village) has great grilled food and is outstanding value for money. Very nice people.

Meltemi (on the road to the harbour) has a fantastic selection of wonderful food. The red pepers stuffed with feta are amazing and the sausage saganaki is worth the flight on its own.

The food around the harbour is a little more expensive but the atmosphere is worth the extra cost.

Molly's bar is run by Paul and Martin and is worth a visit to meet up with the many Brits that have made a home in Molyvos, get the gossip and find new things to see and do.

Visit the thermal springs at Eftalou for a relaxing soak in water hot enough to cook in. If you have not been before ask advice about how to bathe, it helps.

CAUTION - Most people who visit Molyvos fall in love with it and keep going back year after year. No other Greek holiday will be quite the same. So don't visit unless you are prepared to have your heart stolen.

Kostas and Eriphili are so nice it was sad to leave. The apartments are not the biggest but they are beautifully clean and well maintained. The pool is a nice spot to spend a day but there is so much to see that you might get little chance. Food is available all day at the poolside bar and whilst the menu is simple, value for money is excellent.

BBQ once a week in high season is also good fun and good value. The only 'problem' is that Eriphili will not let you sit and watch everybody else dance. We all had a great time learning to dance the Greek way, fantastic fun.

The apartments are a 15-20 minute walk from the harbour but the quiet location and lovely views were a bonus for us. It was also nice to walk off superb food from the numerous Tavernas on the way to and around the harbour.

The memory I will take away is of clean apartments run by a lovely family who can't do enough to help.

Molyvos is a lovely characterful resort with friendly people and good restaurants. The beaches are rocky and backed by pine trees and the water is beautifully clear. If you walk along the beach towards Petra you will find the beach more sandy any comfortable. There is not a great deal to do in the town save for wandering around and dropping in to cafes. The harbour is lovely and it is worth walking up to the castle and walking around its boundary walls for a view of the surrounding area. Nearby you can visit Eftalou (about 45-60 mins walk from the town centre or a bus journey) where there are thermal springs (5 Euros for 40 mins). You can also walk up the mountains to the village of Vafios (walk out of town towards Petra and take the Vafios road on the left)where there is a great taverna (Vafios Taverna) serving the best food we had all trip. Other good restaurants we tried were Gatos and the Captain's Table.

My partner and I stayed at the Marilena during September 2008, unfortunately for us, the precise week that Kosmar and XL (who we travelled with) went bust. On arrival the hotel seemed fine. The location is rural with pleasant views but out of the way (we are both in our twenties and walk a lot but it still took us 25 minutes down a long road to reach any of the restaurants of Molyvos). Provided you don't mind walking it's not a problem. The rooms are basic but clean enough and adequate, although I would advise against choosing this accommodation if you want to cook for yourselves - the self-catering facilities are extremely mininmal. The bathroom was fine although it only had a bath - no shower attachment.

On arrival the hoteliers seemed amiable enough. Upon hearing that XL had gone bankrupt however this immediately changed. Our presence at a meeting was demanded and when we attended we were told that we would have to pay for our own accommodation as Kosmar had not yet paid. Upon advice from the CAA and ATOL we refused to do this as they were already paying the hotel to accommodate the guests and this would amount to double payment. At this point Katerina, the allegedly hospitable and amiable hotelier became aggressive and threatening. She threatened to evict us if we did not pay and, when alternative accommodation was found, she threatened that we would not be allowed to leave. She involved local police and the local mayor, leaving her guests frightened and extremely vulnerable. Ultimately, 22 people were forced to flee to other accommodation.

It was only upon departure from the hotel that the height of Katerina's vindictiveness towards us (innocent holiday makers who had already paid and were caught in an extremely difficult situation) became apparent. She turned away taxis who came to pick us up and faxed and called other hoteliers telling them to refuse us admittance to their hotels. It took considerable negotiation on the part of Thomas Cook reps to ensure we found alternative accommodation.

We sympathised for the Marilena's predicament as a result of the XL crash and were willing to give her significant custom at the bar and restaurant. Further, some of us were repeat customers. Ultimately however this situation demonstrated the superficiality of the 'hospitality' provided at the Marilena and as such we would urge any holiday maker to avoid it at all costs.

brilliaint resort very relaxed. fantastic food.

these apartments are fantastic, i wouldn think twice about goin back. its a family run hotel and your made to feel more than welcome.

il definitly be goin back soon.

Wonderful Molyvos - we didn't want to come home and leave those lovely friendly people in Molyvos. Thank You all.

We were staying elsewhere in Aug 08, but we wandered in by chance to Yolande and Spiros taverna for a drink and swim at the pool. From then on we went many times to visit and eat - Yolande's food is superb, all home cooking, and she was so good trying to explain to my son and ourselves as to what ingredients were used, which are all home grown. We would certainly think of staying there on our next visit to Lesvos.

Just wanted to let people know - DO NOT WALK PAST THE DIAMANTI - although it does not always look busy - TRY IT - THEY ARE FANTASTIC FAMILY.

Molyvos is beautiful - a tranquil peace of the world - you must go there if you can - it really is beautiful.

We have just returned 2 weeks ago from Lesvos, our 3rd visit after a 10 year gap, and how wonderful to see that Molyvos and Petra were still unspoilt by tourism. Apparently Molyvos is a protected area, therefore no high rise hotels/apartments - thank goodness.

The Eriphilli Makres apartments I booked on the internet approx 10 days before, and they were really as beautiful as the picture you can view online. I cannot fault anything about the location, apart from it is approx 15 minutes to walk into Molyvos - but there is a good little supermarket who deliver your groceries for free to your accommodation, so save tramping up the road in the heat!! I cannot fault Kostas and his lovely family. Everything was spotlessly clean, bed linen changed every day and apartments cleaned every day. We would most definitely return again - soon.

Molyvos is a beautiful town on a hillside topped by a castel, with stunniing mountain and sea views. The backtreets are full of local colour, and there is an abundance of good places to eat. It is within easy reach of more lively resorts such as Petra. The harbour area is not to be missed, don't be put off by the walk. The outdoor cinema was a great asset, showing the latest film, though films didn't start till 9.30pm. We would recommend hiring a car, as the drive through the mountains is beautiful, though watch out for the greek drivers. Medical care was easily avaliable from an english speaking doctor. By far the most beautiful resort, of not the most lively.

We were a family of 5 in 2 appartments, including an 8 year old boy and 2 older teenagers. We loved the larhe (25m) pool, the weather was hot, but not unbearable in august, due mainly to the hillside location. The hotel has lovely views of Molyvos and surrounding mountains but the website photos don't do the hotel justise. The rooms were cleaned daily to a good standard, and although the self catering facilities were basic, we managed breakfast and a cooked lunch everyday. Overall, a fantastic place to relax, with the poolside had a wonderfully friendly atmosphere but bever overcrowded, good for over 4s, but quite close to the road.

Possibly the best placed hotel for a stay in Molyvos. It is just minutes, and a level walk, from the beach, shopping streets, tavernas, tourist information, car hire, the open air cinema, bus stop and banks, yet a quiet and peaceful location overlooking olive groves, the town, or the sea from some rooms. Very quiet at night. It is family-run, all very friendly, helpful, with good English. For example when our luggage was late arriving - the streets are so narrow only small cars and vans can access properties- Maria phoned us to check we hadn't got it ourselves and was on the phone to the rep by the time we got downstairs. Our rooms were airy, a good size, with twin beds, full-sized fridge, TV, phone, armchair, dining chair, safe, two power points, a small table and dressing table and stool. There were plenty of hangers in the wardrobe but little drawer space. We paid a small supplement for a balcony which was worth it. The TV had good reception on a few channels incl. the french 'Euronews'. Air conditioning cost 6 euros per day, but though it was very hot some days we didn't need it. The shower room was spacious; the light needs to be on for the hairdryer to work. One bath room lacked a shower curtain; the floor dried very quickly but it confirmed that the 'wet room' concept for a bathroom is not for me. Street-side rooms were OK. The bar had a TV, books, and comfortable sofas but was seldom used. Most chose to eat outside on the narrow terrace or on the grassed area round the pool. Breakfast is the only thing that lets this hotel down. There is plenty of food in the buffet but choice & quality is restricted - bread, cake, jam, sliced processed cheese, cold hard-boiled eggs, ham, with an orange drink, tea or coffee (not as nice as the bar coffee). The addition of real juice, a cereal, fruit, greek yoghurt and honey would make this top rate. Many people brought their own supplies to the table. Prices at the bar were very reasonable, and the staff brought drinks out to wherever you were sitting in the garden. The pool was never crowded, the grass well-maintained, plenty of tables, comfy chairs, sunbeds and shade. It wasn't usual to 'bag' sunbeds with towels, when some started doing it it caused problems. While we stayed the clientele were a pleasant mixture of English, Dutch and Scandanavian and some Greek families. Many young and mature couples but also some families with children of various ages. I would use it again.

Visited Lesbos for the first time and we were not dissapointed. Weather was fantastic,38 to 42 with a little breeze that kept you cool. Every bar and restaurant seems to have a view of the beautiful sea and harbour. I cannot fault the Sun Rise Hotel it is very comfortable with free air con and a modest cost for safety boxes. It has a shuttle bus to town, the local buses are cheap and reasonably on time, but if there are four of you, use a taxi (its cheaper). You can walk into town but it is at least 30 mins walk and is an uninspiring walk with very little on the way to break the journey. Molyvos does have steep streets so if exercise bothers you then this is not for you. Equally the Sun Rise Hotel is built into a hill so there are a lot of steps, but to be honest afte rthe first few days you get used to it and you suddenly find your calf muscles again! We stayed 14 nights and never ate at the same place twice and still left a great deal to be explored. The restaurants are typically Greek in the main but there is an Italian for a change and a superb sea food restaurant called the Captains Table in the harbour. The Sun Rise is lovely, the pool uncrowded (no saving sunbeds with towels!) the staff are very nice and helpful (thank you reception, Dimitrias (pool bar) Manolis (cocktail bar) and reception (sorry cannot remember the names). The resorts of Petra and Anaxos are nearby and easy to get to by local bus or hire a bike' car from the hotel. The only downside is that Molyvos does not have a sandy beach (and only a very rocky one nearby)but Petra is within very easy reach and is okay with a shaley / sand mix. My wife loves beaches but the pool was so uncrowded and civilised we did not miss it at all.In summary if you like unspoilt Grece with cobbled streets, views to die for and a reputation that says it is the most romntic Greek Island, this is for you. For the first time ever, we are going back to the same place next year.