Yria Beach Hotel

This is a charming, family-run, small hotel, and a great place for a relaxing stay. Accommodation is simple and functional. The apartments facing the seafront are spacious, clean and furnished with the basics. Bathrooms have been recently renovated. There is an air-conditioning system that keeps the room cool. Some beds are new, others not so new. There is no kitchenette as such, so no crockery or cutlery is available, but there is a mini-fridge and a kettle for use during one’s stay. There is no shelving in the self-catering corner or in the bathroom, but we were kindly provided with insect repellent for the night, so moskitos don’t bite. Because of the general water shortage, one is advised to avoid wasteful water consumption, as much as possible. Tables at a breakfast area toward the waterfront make for a really pleasant start to the day. The hotel offers continental-style breakfast with fresh fruit platters, Greek yoghurt and honey, cow’s milk, almond milk and chocolate milk, oats and cereals, bread and rolls, mini croissants, eggs, sliced cheese and cold cuts; tea, instant coffee and juices (from concentrate). Other meals can be ordered on site or taken at nearby restaurants. The pool area is clean, well kept and pleasant to stay at, with a bar adjacent to it. Parasols and sunbeds make it easy to find a spot to relax by the pool. A swim in the sea is just a few steps away from the premises. It’s also lovely to walk into the shallow waters from the sandy beach. Music is played in both areas, most of the day. At reception, staff generously offer sunbed coverlets to lie on. Balconies facing the seaside are exposed to the sun all day long, so it’s only possible to sit there before noon or at around sunset. There’s no shade solution for the balconies, as yet. Nevertheless, the view is beautiful. Flowering plants and shrubs give the grounds an attractive, picturesque appearance. The staff of Yria Beach are friendly, attentive and as hospitable and helpful as can be. Whether something needs repairing or replacing or someone wishes to get tips or advice on local attractions, there‘s always a friendly staff member who will be of assistance. One is better off renting a car, in order to visit various interesting locations on the island.

Unfortunately, we can’t relate to the overwhelmingly positive reviews on Google — it seems many of them were written by friends or acquaintances of the hotel staff. That would explain the overly glowing feedback. This hotel is nowhere near 4-star quality — at best, it deserves 2 star. From the moment we arrived, we noticed squashed mosquito stains on the walls in multiple places — very unhygienic. The windows were so dirty that it was nearly impossible to see outside, which added to the overall neglected and unclean impression. The breakfast was another major letdown. The staff member working in the breakfast area was constantly giving us unfriendly, almost hostile looks, even though we always greeted her with a smile. On top of that, the food itself was barely edible, so we ended up eating out almost every morning. That alone says a lot. To top it all off, on the day of our departure, we were greeted by a small uninvited guest in our room (see photo). Bottom line: If you’re expecting a real 4-star experience, you’ll be disappointed. There are definitely better options out there for the same price. We won’t be coming back.

Disappointing Stay – Not Worth the Low Price While the hotel may seem budget-friendly at first glance, it quickly becomes clear why the price is so low. The breakfast was extremely uninspired – the same limited selection every day, and nothing felt fresh at all. The room itself was far from clean: mosquito blood stains were visible on the walls, curtains, and even on the floor. Hygiene clearly isn’t a priority here. The bathroom layout was also awkward, with the toilet less than a meter away from the shower. Only two small bottles of water were provided at check-in, and that was it for the entire stay. Room service did the bare minimum – just made the bed. The floor was never cleaned, and no other tidying was done. The rooms are very noisy as well – you can hear everything from the hallway and neighboring rooms. To top it all off, one staff member, Maria, was incredibly rude. She made snide remarks and had an unpleasant, condescending attitude every time we encountered her. Lastly, the drinks at the cocktail bar were outrageously overpriced. All in all, I wouldn’t recommend this hotel to anyone. Better to spend a bit more for a place where cleanliness, service, and respect are guaranteed.