Panselinos Hotel Reviews

After having spent an enjoyable holiday at Molyvos last year we decided to go back. People do say 'never go back and they are right.

We arrived at the Panselinos hotel hoping to have another enjoyable stay, but alas no. We had requested an upstairs room and provided several room numbers that we knew to be nice. The receptionist offered a downstairs room with no bath and a terrace with no view, except that of the car park. We asked when an upstairs room would be available, 'not for 10 days' she replied. I told her that this was unacceptable and threatened to phone First choice. As if by magic an upstairs room with a bath and nice view of Turkey appeared, the rooms either side were empty as well. This would turn out to be indicative of the unfriendly, unhelpful attitude of the staff for the rest of the holiday.

The maids kept turning off the air conditioning to save money. So if you were out all day, which we were, meant that the room was stiflingly hot upon your return. We asked reception for the air con to be left on, 'sure' she said, but next day switched off again. Asked again, 'no problem' she said, but when we got back they had switched all the electric off to the room. This was most annoying, as we had left an electric razor and a toothbrush charging. Spoke to the rep, she asked as well, but no, still kept switching it off.

We were the only British people there the second week of our holiday. The foreigners seemed to get all the best rooms and the best service. The First choice rep was leaving cards and messages at reception for us, but the receptionist must have been binning them, as we never got any. When this was realised, the rep had to come to our room to deliver the cards with our departure details on it by hand, in case they went missing as well.

So if you're British and want to go to Molyvos then do so, as it's a lovely place, its very picturesque and there are lots of restaurants to choose from. Our favourite was the 'Grill House', the food was lovely, and the house red wine was smooth and easy drinking, the service great and a fantastic view.

So do go to Molyvos, just don't stay at the Panselinos hotel.

After having spent an enjoyable holiday at Molyvos last year we decided to go back. People do say 'never go back and they are right.

We arrived at the Panselinos hotel hoping to have another enjoyable stay, but alas no. We had requested an upstairs room and provided several room numbers that we knew to be nice. The receptionist offered a downstairs room with no bath and a terrace with no view, except that of the car park. We asked when an upstairs room would be available, 'not for 10 days' she replied. I told her that this was unacceptable and threatened to phone First choice. As if by magic an upstairs room with a bath and nice view of Turkey appeared, the rooms either side were empty as well. This would turn out to be indicative of the unfriendly, unhelpful attitude of the staff for the rest of the holiday. The maids kept turning off the air conditioning to save money.

So if you were out all day, which we were, meant that the room was stiflingly hot upon your return. We asked reception for the air con to be left on, 'sure' she said, but next day switched off again. Asked again, 'no problem' she said, but when we got back they had switched all the electric off to the room. This was most annoying, as we had left an electric razor and a toothbrush charging. Spoke to the rep, she asked as well, but no, still kept switching it off.

We were the only British people there the second week of our holiday. The foreigners seemed to get all the best rooms and the best service. The First choice rep was leaving cards and messages at reception for us, but the receptionist must have been binning them, as we never got any. When this was realised, the rep had to come to our room to deliver the cards with our departure details on it by hand, in case they went missing as well.

So if you're British and want to go to Molyvos then do so, as it's a lovely place, its very picturesque and there are lots of restaurants to choose from. Our favourite was the 'Grill House', the food was lovely, and the house red wine was smooth and easy drinking, the service great and a fantastic view. So do go to Molyvos, just don't stay at the Panselinos hotel

My husband and I spent two weeks this September and Panselinos.

If was our fist time to Lesvos although we have been to other Greek Islands. The local people on the Island were friendly and this Island is not tacky or touristy.

The beaches let it down if you like soft sand and swimming in the sea. The beaches we visited all had shingle and large pebbles. The Island is still beautiful and we had a wonderful time. Panselinos is in between Molivos and Eftelou. The town of Molivos is excelent with a marvelous castle which we went inside and looked round. You need to be a fair walker for Molivos as it is quite steep. Shopping and eating out is recommended in Molivos with plenty good standard tavernas. Eftelou is peaceful with the odd taverna and the healing baths. We hired two mopeds to get around on but do watch out for the Greek drivers as they will overtake you at any opportunity.
On arriving at Panselinos in the early evening, after a four hour flight and three hour coach journy we were told bluntly that our roon was not ready.

We had to stay in a dirty celler room with a tiny window with no view and only one light working. The toilet seat was hanging off and the self-catering cupboard only contained two glasses. The room was dirty with large spider webs and the drawer handles came off in my hand. We kept all our belongings in our cases as it was so dirty. We were not told the reason why we were there only my husband was given a piece of card saying ";we could have breakfast on them tomorrow";. I marched out of the room and told the receptionist that the room was disgusting and had nothing to make a warm drink with. She arrogantly told me to return to the room and said she would fetch me everything. I cryed myself to sleep in the minging room and was out like a shot the next day.

The room we were taken to was much better with a balcony with a good view and a nice bathroom. The self catering facilities were appalling still. The hotel also did bed and breakfast for those that wanted it but we were on a self catering holiday but this was impossible with the pathetic three plaits and two cups, one pan and knives and forkes. I got some soup bowls from the kitchen staff. We eat most meals out anyway but the gear should be there if you need it especially when this was the most expensive holiday we had been on and it promised to be a cut above the rest in the brochure. Sadly it does not compare to other apartments we have stayed in. The cleaning in our room was superficial, there were still spider webs in the corners and some crumbs we made on the floor were there the whole holiday.

The pool area was very nice and clean and the pool was fantastic with plenty of loungers. Alikes at the bar,the gardener,shop keeper and bus driver were friendly but the rest were sour.
The meals were small but very nice but the bar area was very poorly lit and by the time your meal arrived you were sat in the dark. We went into Molivos a few evenings on the reliable free hotel bus. Most of the other guest were German so be prepared to feel left out unless you know the lingo. Also most are German on the Island. I have blonde hair so I was forever being spoken to because I look German and I felt embarrassed and ignorant but that is my fault for not knowing any German.

This area is peaceful but if you like a bit of a laugh it is probably better to go with a small group. The other villages are nice with some pretty fishing villages and splendid tavernas. Panselinos is peaceful and you can see the sea from the pool.

It was our first holiday to Lesbos so were a bit apprehensive as to what we would find as we couldnt find any reviews on our accommodation at all. We wanted a relaxed holiday in hot sun on a beautiful greek island...we definately got what we hoped for.

Our flight out was great without any delays etc and landed around midday. We were soon on the transfer coach and on our way. We were staying in the resort of Molyvos which is on the north side of the island (the airport being on the south) so the transfer was about 2 hours but didnt feel that long. We arrived and got booked in straight away without any problems and taken to out apartment.

The apartment is open planned with a seperate bathroom, there is also an outside patio with table and chairs. Our holidays have always been self catering but we have never had the added luxury of having a colour television and FREE air conditioning in the apartment too. There was no cooker, just a 4 ring hob which we find is adequate and suitable for us but we feel its worth pointing out in case you expect a cooker. There is also a limited supply of utensils (for example no cereal bowls) but these are quickly supplied if you ask at reception who are more than happy to oblige. Or if you wish you can always purchase a breakfast at the restaurant each day for about 4 euros each (£3). As an extra point, be aware though that they dont open the restaurant for lunch until 1.30pm so if you are wanting to buy food there you cannot get it any earlier than that.

The surroundings are beautiful and quiet even though its near a road but you do have a lovely view of the sea which is a few yards away on the other side of the road. The pool is a decent size with plenty of sunbeds which would benefit from having the pads on but it wasnt that much of a problem. The staff are really kind and friendly and are really approachable too if you need to ask anything. If all else fails then the First Choice rep, Ally, is a lovely woman and again very friendly and approachable.

We were also impressed with the fact that the rooms are cleaned everyday, beds made, clean towels left etc etc which again isnt normal for self catering accomodation but greatly accepted. The apartments are about a five minute drive to the resort of Molyvos (half hour walk) but there is a FREE courtesy bus which runs at set times during the day and night both ways. The driver is very punctual and friendly too, a word of warning though...there were quite a few ";foreigners"; (germans/dutch) and they didnt really pay attention to the queing system for the bus so be prepared to make a stand when they try to jump the queue as the bus only seats 13 but he will keep returning until the queue has gone.

Although we ate at the restaurant a few times at lunch, we always went into Molyvos for our evening meal. Molyvos is a picturesque town with restaurants and tavernas lining the cobbled streets which lead upto Molyvos castle which itself is worth a visit (2 euros each), once you have made it up the steep winding streets but it is worth it for the view when you get up there!!!

We sampled a few restaurants 5 of which had been highly recommended on this website (Sansibal, Pizzeira Galliano, The Galley, Faros and Captians Table). Our first night was in The Galley, it is a nice restaurant with lovely staff and situated in the harbour but we found we didnt have the urge to go back. We also tried Faros which was recommended for its fish but we werent impressed at all. The prices for the fish are expensive and not particulally worth it, again we never went back.

Then things picked up...the next 2 places we tried were Sansibal and Pizzeria Galliano. We found we spent the rest of our holiday alternating between these two because we couldn't fault them at all. Sansibal is a beautiful greek restaurant with a variety on the menu, perfectly cooked food with great staff.
Pizzeria Galliano is owned by Richard who is English and we found him to be a lovely chap who would always be interested in how your holiday was going and how you were doing. Now it is an italian theme but if like us you like italian food then you will be hooked. His pizzas are to die for as is his home made italian meatball soup...in fact all his food is fantastic, if you dont do anything else be sure to pay him a visit one night.

We hired a car for one day during our 2 week holiday and found we covered most of the island as its only small. We booked the car through our rep who use Europcar and it cost us 56 euros for the day (£40)including insurance but with fuel extra. We later got talking to the english couple next door to us who booked a car for 3 days through a local company in Molyvos and found they only paid about £30 per day so it may be worth shopping around for car hire to see what deals you can get.

A taxi from Molyvos to Panselinos Apartments costs about 3-4 euros (£3) but dont be surprised if the driver gets another couple in the taxi to drop off either before or after you!! Theres one particular taxi driver who we found we used a lot, she seems to be the only female taxi driver and we nicknamed her ";Mad Woman";. She always wears a baseball cap so look our for her...she is lovely and always laughing and singing/talking to herself as she is driving along, what she laughs at we havent a clue!!!

Cant think of much more to tell you apart from there are 2 resident pet dogs at the apartments, one we nicknamed ";Dougle"; because he looks like the one from Magic Roundabout...the other one we nicknamed ";Lamb Dog"; because it really does look like a little lamb. Both are lovely and really friendly although they just spend their days sat in the shade relaxing unless you go and fuss over them which they love. At about 7pm ";Lamb Dog"; has a silly half hour where its runs around and around the pool chasing its shadow which amuses everybody watching!!!

We had a great time both at Panselinos Apartments and at Lesbos and would recommend both to anyone. We are seriously thinking of booking to go back next year. If a chilled out holiday in the sun with great food and wine is what you are after then you wont go wrong by staying here.