Holidays In Greece : Finding Accommodation
In this part of our guide to holidays in Greece we focus on accommodation…
Most Greek hotels are basic and unpretentious and the rooms are usually small. However, most rooms include balconies and air-conditioning and are well cleaned and maintained, even in the simpler hotels. The biggest problem can often be noise from local roads, bars and eateries. While the cities and the more popular islands do offer more upmarket accommodation, the choices are limited and generally are not good value for money.
As well as hotels, most popular Greek destinations offer self-catering accommodation, called apartments or studios, which are much like hotel rooms, but also offer basic kitchens. While not often listed in travel guides, these are a cost-effective alternative.
If you have a bigger budget, renting a villa is something to be considered. They’re normally near or on the beach and provide more space and a great view. The more people you have staying in them, the better value they provide, with most having facilities catering for around 8 people.
Whichever type of accommodation you opt to stay at, you’ll probably be able to book it online as most, even the smaller ones, have web sites and will take bookings by email, though sometimes fax is a more reliable way to communicate. There are also numerous Greek and international hotel booking services which will make bookings.
Alternatively, you can usually find a place on a walk-in basis without too much trouble on all but the most crowded islands, where rooms can be difficult to find at the peak of the season, and on major holidays. If you do get stuck for a room, try a local travel agency (preferably one endorsed by a reputable guidebook) or alternatively, ask at a cafe whether the owner knows of any rooms for rent; often they do.