Latest Reviews for Petra

Petra itself is a harbour and the beach is fine grit at the top of the beach going down to larger stones at the water line. There are a number of sun loungers with umbrellas which can be hired or come free if you use selected cafes. It is a quiet place without any night clubs as it is mostly bars, tavernas and shops. It is a lovely place to sit, with a drink, and just people watch. We wanted somewhere to chill for a week and this was the ideal place. We only went on the boat bbq trip, having been on many such trips this one provided the best food (a couple of kebabs, salad, hot potatoes, bread and wine). The only down side was the place we stopped to swim at, unfortunately it had a lot of debris from passing ships on the beach which was a shame as the water was so clear and full of fish. We would go again to Petra as it is a wonderful place to relax.

I read reports on this hotel and booked it based on these reviews. I agree with other comments, it is family run and everyone is really friendly which gives it a very relaxed atmosphere. The rooms are basic and as others have said you have to pay for the safe,fridge and air conditioning being August and 43 degrees this was needed. I would add that I wish I had taken a travel kettle and hair dryer as the room didn't have these. The rooms are on a steep hill so may not be suitable for people who have mobility problems unless you are on the first level but then you miss out on the fantastic view out to sea. The hotel has a pool which is 3 metres at the deepest point and plenty of sunbeds. Even though we were there at the peak of the season it didn't feel crowded and we always managed to get sunbeds. We ate lunch twice at the hotel and had three evening meals, they were all excellent and resonably priced. I also took a basic picnic set so that we could eat on the balcony of the hotel. There are a number of supermarkets and a bakery in Petra so there is plenty of choice of local produce. It was lovely watching the sun go down with a glass of wine!!

july 24th 2008 just got back from nikis studios in petra hade a brileint time mike is a laugh pool was exlant reef cafe brillunt costas did make us walcome + his mum and dad christosis is another restaunrant we whant to good fillet stakeallin all its nogood for femlys with teenagers if you just want to cill petra is the places to go

we will be going back soon you muat go to reef cafe brilint t bone stake and wine chep beer good his mam&dad made you walcome the wife got hill but mam capt asking whar she was any way we did nothing at all for two weeks just chilld hate to mucht drank to mucht still had grat time cloud be moor clean as we had to emte our bins but we well be goin back soon

Just returned from a fabulous holiday at Nicki's Studios.

Michael and Maria made us feel very welcome, Mike is very friendly, likeable and great fun. Sunbeds were available around the pool area at all times.

Excellent homemade food at the BBQ and quiz night. Mike's english is excellent, his music knowledge is extensive and the quiz was a real laugh.

Petra is a lovely resort, nearby Molyvos is charming and we will definately be returning!

Absolutely recommend the excellent food at rooftop Taverna Regas, the Women's Co-operative Restaurant above the square in Petra, Molly's Bar in Molyvos, Downtown Bar in Petra and the stunning sunset from Conga's in Molyvos.

The (long) walk up to the Watermills Trail above Petra and up to the village of Petri was also a good walk with excellent views of the bays of Anaxos, Petra and Molyvos

Cannot wait to go back again!

Got back from Niki's Studios last Thursday (24/7/08) and had a lovely time. We were a party of 3 and our studio was very roomy with a large balcony. I feel it should have been cleaned more than the 3 times that it was during our stay especially with the loo paper in the bin thing, but we emptied our own bins as there was a large wheely bin just outside the gate. The review that mentioned the hot water situation still applied. You are told that hot water is always available and is heated by a boiler but we never had hot water until the evening and then it was absolutely boiling hot! Air conditioning cost 6 euros a day. The kitchen area was minimal but fine. Our fridge wasn't full sized and had no door on the ice box but it kept our milk and water cold and that's all we wanted. There was cutlery, a can and bottle opener plates and bowls, mugs and glasses and a kettle. There were 2 cooking rings and a couple of saucepans but if you think you might make an omelette while you're there, take you own pan as the one provided was grotty.

We didn't find the drinks or food any more expensive than in Petra as prices are controlled by the police and seem pretty similar everywhere you go.

The pool was lovely - never crowded and always plenty of sunbeds. They were slatted plastic ones but you could hire a mattress if you wanted to. The toilet near the pool was very clean.

The snack bar sparkled and the tables and chairs looked as if they'd been set out using surveying equipment - they were so neat! We didn't have many meals there but what we did have was delicious.

On Tuesday evenings, provided enough people are interested, Mike does a bbq and quiz night. Fantastic food and great fun. 15 euros each then 12 euros if you are there for 2 weeks and go the 2nd week as well.

We loved the location as the studios are at the back of Petra and to get to the town you walk down narrow, cobbled streets through the residential area.

Mike and his fiance, Maria made us feel most welcome. Mike's English is extremely good. He obviously loves music and had a great selection going on all day until the bar closed when the last person left but it was never loud and intrusive - just pleasantly in the background. His Mum, Niki, speaks virtually no English but always smiled and said Hello and his Dad, Costas spent most of his time pottering around his garden where he grew a lot of the ingredients that they used in the food.

Would be happy to return!

Petra is a Greek-feeling resort with a reasonable beach and fabulous local walks (Lance Chilton's and Mike Maunder's books are to be recommended). I didn't have a bad taverna meal whilst there although the standard was acceptable/good rather than exceptionable.

I stayed for 2 weeks in late September/early October, having booked through Manos. It is situated about 7-10 minutes walk from Petra Square and is near the Petri turn off from the main Kaloni- Molyvos. The property is run by Mikhalis and his mother, the latter doing the bar food. We were given a drink on arrival (even though it was 11pm) which was a welcome touch. The studios are of variable size and as a single traveller I obviously had one of the smallest. It was fine, with a comfortable bed, the normal level of equipment for Greece studios, and a large balcony. The fridge was rather small with no ice box so you wouldn't be able to make ice for drinks. The water was electric rather than solar heated and was reputed to be on 24/7. However I never managed to get any hot water in the mornings, even though I ran it for some time. It was always hot in the evenings. The pool looked quite good and was serviced regularly. The bar prices looked high in comparison to the tavernas. My studio had a fabulous view into the hills above Lafionas, although some downstairs ones were semi basement and must have had virtually no view at all. The studios were only serviced twice a week (which could be better), when the bedding and (decent sized) towels were changed. The bathroom had a shower cubicle and curtain and as the floor didn't drain well the owner had left a "wiper blade" window cleaner to drain the floor. When it became apparent to Mikhalis's mother that I wouldn't be using the pool and bar she became grumpy. Suzanna, the Manos rep. seemed pleasant, efficient and knowledgeable but I didn't need her services. In summary Niki's studios were of an acceptable standard although some would prefer to be nearer the village centre.

panaroma excellent clean modern friendly ask for high floor if want views i emailed hotel direct and asked for high floor air con fridge and safe got all of these had to pay 60 euro well worth it booked hol 3weeks before 139 each a bargain eating places the horseshoe womens cooperative snacks in day horseshoe and pizza palace great pizza horseshoe great combo starter for 2incl fish and meats fish platter at night excellent as well 17 euro for 2 nice bottle of wine in most restruants 7 euro house wine about 4 didnt have any house preffered molyvos at night harbour restruants gret captains table excellent allthough every restruant looked great 5euro in taxi from hotel 50 min walk and wouldnt try it at night hotel food only tried one afternoon basic but others seemed to enjoy great pool area but we prefer beach 2beds and brolley at beach 4euro free at hotel nice place for aweek wouldnt go for 2 would have to hire car i think nice clean quite bars pirates bar at molyvos best 4us stunning views over sea great sunsets beach at petra better than molyvos but molyvos better choice of restruants and little bars get a taxi most nights my tip 5euro well spent catch the sunsets outside pirates bar great hol

Just back from a lovely hol.

Hotel- the cleanest ever! Cleaners every day except Sunday, linen change twice weekly.

Great pool and exceptional poolside furniture. Friendly bar, reasonably priced drinks and snacks.

They have a very strange arrangement with luggage! You take your bags off the coach about 2 miles from the hotel, and they are delivered by truck. You are dropped off the coach about 100yds from the hotel and finish your journey on foot! Don't know why, I've seen coaches in far narrower streets! Can only think it's to stop any dust blowing across the pool area.

The rooms are in small 1 and 2 storey blocks up the hillside behind the pool and reception. The very lowest rooms only have a view of the back of reception or into the kitchen so should be avoided if possible. The ones on the 4th and 5th levels have amazing views, but phew its a climb! Rooms on upper 2nd and 3rd levels are probably the best!

The resort Petra commences about 300 yds away and runs along the front. The bars are relatively inexpensive and we found that the standard of the restaurants was generally high. Our favourites were (in order)
1. The Traditional.This is up the back streets. They have a Greek ";Dancing"; night Monday with organised trips from the hotel. We also went one other night independantly and the food was superb.We tried to go back on another 2 occasins but it was closed- end of season midweek I suppose. Lots of locals eat there- says it all. We saw a Priest dining there!
2. Women's co-operative. Ate there twice. All trad greek with some unusual dishes. The moussaka is the best I've ever had. Yum-yum!
3. They don't have the name written in English but there is a sign of a horseshoe on the wall. We went there 3 times and were never disappointed.

Avoid. Only disappointment was Christos, tough meat, small portions,cold frozen chips, vinegary house wine- and the most expensive!

If you want to catch British sport go to the Reef Bar- they have Guiness and John Smiths too if you can't do without!

The atmosphere in resort is fairly quiet, but it may be livelier high season I guess.Great for couples.

We hired a jeep and ventured further afield. The next resort of Molyvos is bigger and more cosmopolitan. Visit Mollys bar for a warm welcome and balcony views over the harbour. The restauant Sansibal was amazing and the very finest without paying daft money. The Pizzeria/Italian Gallianos was also very good. We have read many good reports about the restaurant ";Captains Table";. We were disappointed when we tried it I have to say.

If you don't want to drive a taxi is 5 euros each way- we did that twice! There is also a daytime bus service, or you can walk- it took us just over 1 hour.

Back to food we only had 2 disappointing meals in 2 weeks and that is a great result!

We also went to Kalloni Skala and Sigri which are very small picturesque resorts.Drive up the hill to Petri for fantastic views over the resort and bay, and to see Turkey accross the straits.

We really enjoyed Lesvos. It's largely unspoiled/uncommerciallised with the right amount of tourism to stop it being dull.

The Panorama has many return visitors, a lot were there when we were there, one couple on their 15th visit! That's a bit obsessive if you ask me, especially when there's such a big wide world, and so many Greek Islands alone, to explore. We won't be booking for next year for that reason only, but wouldn't rule out a return some time in the future.

Enjoy!

The Panorama Hotel in Petra. Lesvos is family run and located about 500 metres from the villager of Petra.

There is a pavement alongside the beach so it is safe walking, but it is a bit uneven. The hotel is situated off the main road along a track.

The first thing that struck us about this hotel was the cleanliness in all areas. It was absolutely spotless - especially the pool itself, it just sparkled and looked so inviting!

The hotel is built up a hillside which does give you stunning views over Petra and the sea, but if you are in one of the higher rooms, you may find it hard work going up and down several times a day. In our opinion, it was worth the walk up and down and if we went again, we would definitely request a high room.

Breakfast was traditional Greek: bread, jams, cheese, meats, cereal, tea, coffee, juices - and the most marvelous Greek yoghurt that was so thick you had difficulty getting it off the spoon.

We had a couple of lunches (Greek Salad, Tuna Salad etc) and they were good. We didn't eat any of the evening meals and didn't go to the weekly BBQ, so we can't really comment on the quality of entertainment.

Our room was spacious enough - it had 3 beds in it, with 2 singles pushed together, a fridge (if you want to use this, you pay 3 Euros a day), masses of wardrobe/drawer space, a safety deposit box (at a charge of 6 Euros per week), TV and a balcony. The furniture was polished pine. Air conditioning was also available at a supplement.

I don't know if our room had just been redecorated, but again it was spotless. None of the usual squashed mozzies on the walls.

The bathroom was very clean, with nice tiles and a ceramic shower tray and a clean shower curtain. I hate yucky mucky shower curtains!

The 2 sons generally looked after the bar and meals and were very pleasant.

The reception area was lovely with high ceilings, marble floors, lots of comfy sofas and a big TV (we were there for the first part of the World Cup).

There was a very well stocked library and access to the Internet (not sure about the charge for that as we didn't use it).

The pool was quite large, 3 metres depth at the deep end. There were lots of sun beds with a few big umbrellas and running down one side and along one width was a veranda that provided shade if you wanted it.

We would definitely choose to revisit this hotel.

One word of advice for the ladies:
If you intend to walk up and down from your room to the reception area (rather than using a car) and along the pavement into Petra, leave your high heels at home! They will be totally impractical on the paths between some of the higher rooms and reception. The pavement into Petra is quite uneven too and I wouldn't have wanted to negotiate this with heels or even wedges on!

hi
just back from blue sky...had a fantastic time...we came here four years ago and it hasnt changed one bit....antony is still antony no change there then....lol..this time we did the greek night at the hotel and the food was excellent...well worth 12 euro per person....antony did the greek dancing and it was a laugh..met some lovely people eveyone is friendly...plenty of places to eat in...found the hotel drinks a bit expensive...6 euro for a cocktail...4euro for a vodka and coke...but we still paid it and had a good time in the evening.....

lesvos is beauitful....will go back in about four years time....fags was 25 euro for mayfair and 26 euro for lambertandbutler
rooms was nice and clean and quite big for a studio....the owners georage and marie made you feel welcome....
all the familys we spoke to return year after year....

anyway if you have booked to stay here i dont think you will be dissapointed..
we never beat antony in the drinking contest..but then not many people beat antony..lol
anyway if you are going say hi to antony from the fowkes family from nottingham..

Just returned from 2 weeks in Petra, my first visit to Lesvos. The weather was unusually hot due to southerly winds from North Africa, expected 75-85 but got 85-95. Petra is a pretty little place (500 permanent inhabitants) only slightly spoiled by recent development along the seafront. This is to be expected in a resort and the old town, around and behind the big rock of the church, is quite beautiful with narrow twisting streets of traditional houses. Beware, most of the streets are cobbled so comfy shoes are required.

Lesvos is a large and stunning island with many different types of landscape.
The west is barren and volcanic, but the middle and south are incredibly green, with vast forests of pine and cypress, mountains with many natural springs and small rivers, and lots of very traditional villages once you get away from the main resort areas. I had a day excursion with a minibus (only 7/8 seats)which was one of the very best days I have ever had in Greece. The tour is run by a local man from Molyvos, Stratis Kabanas, who obviously loves his island and wants to share its many hidden delights with others. I won't spoil the fun by describing it all but, if you get the chance to go, you won't regret it.

Petra has many places to eat but, with the exception of the Womens Cooperative, I would suggest you avoid the places near the main square. There are others further back in the village and further along the seafront. One, in particular, I can recommend without hesitation. If you are in the main square facing the sea, turn right and walk along the seafront towards the fishing harbour. At the far end of the beach you will find, the last on your right, the Mermaid Taverna.

This was, without doubt, the finest place I found to eat. It is run by a young local man, Stamatis Frantzis with much help from his lovely parents. His mother wouldnt be able to make bad food if you paid her! Stamatis speaks the most perfect, fluent English and, as well as serving excellent food and great house wines, is also a mine of useful information about the area. I ate at The Mermaid many times during my visit and tried lots of dishes I didnt know. Everything coming out of that kitchen was superb. The family, apparently, have their own farm behind the village and produce much of the food you will eat there. I truly believe that if you eat there once, you will, like me, return.
On the way back along the seafront, towards the main square, you will find a taverna called The Lucky Horseshoe. I ate there a few times and it was very good.

Enough about food, the walk up the 114 steps to the church on the rock is worth it for the views alone, apart from the amazingly beautiful interior. Local buses run from Anaxos to Petra, Molyvos and Eftalou. They are reliable and cheap, so try to get out and about.

I stayed at the Lassia Studios on the big (but quiet) main road behind the village. Its a well laid out complex of about 35 units with a swimming pool, pool bar and on-site restaurant. The owners, Jimmy (Demetrios) and Ruth, are very pleasant and helpful and Ruth does most of the cooking herself. The rooms are large, all with terrace/balcony, and are kept very clean by the maids. There is a good view across olive trees to the village and church. It takes about 15-20 minutes to walk from Lassia to the middle of the village so it may not be suitable for everyone, but, that aside, I certainly enjoyed my stay there.

I look forward to returning to Lesvos as soon as I can.