Sidari, Polyxeni Hotel

Polyxeni Apartments

Stayed in a maisonette [201]. Lower floor consisting of compact kitchen unit Baby Belling, sink, hood, cupboards with plates/cutlery etc and Fridge. There were also two single beds, a dining size table, two chairs, a toilet with sink [sloping roof!] and a balcony with patio table and two chairs.

Stairs curled up from the inside entrance to a small landing containing double sized wardrobe with long cupboard and 3 drawers.

Straight ahead the main bathroom with bath, mixed tap shower [no attachment above head height, you have to squat!] To the left the bedroom, two single beds, dressing table, couple of drawer cupboards and balcony 2. I was impressed for 200 - not expecting the beds downstairs.

Complex itself is about 1.5km out of Sidari which is a blessing, and about 3km from Sunset Beach [makes a great walk] - much quieter and away from the madness with Canal d'Amour about 5 mins away

Quite a large pool with a 'caged' area for kids, lots of loungers, parasols and inflatables, tables and chairs, with a slightly raised stage with comfortable chairs and sofa

Large dining/bar area with a small reception counter neatly tucked out of the way. Apartments are tucked away behind the pool/bar area. The surrounding area [from second floor] is great, you can see the odd building though are surrounded by forests.

Staff- they were great very friendly and they work really hard! Bar - well stocked, beers cheaper than most bars about E2.80, spirits/liq E2.

OK onto First Choice

We arrived at 0600 with a meet/greet at 1000. No mention of using soil bins in toilets, whether the water was safe - just straight onto the tours which are a at least twice as much as any number of independent operators

Warning - if you want A/C you have to pay an extra Euro 60 a week, conveniently the rep had 'forgotten' what the charge was when asked, not surprising as there would have been a riot - evenings its a least 26C until 2am, so you'll be sweating buckets, we were. My advice, buy a cheap fan for five quid or something and take it with you, you can sell it on or leave it there

Supermarkets - loads, nearest from Poly is take a right about 200m around the corner though not much of a select, handy for odds and sods. Other supermarket is about 10 mins toward Sidari, 'Melitsa' they have everything - highly recommend the Ouzo at E4.80 if you want a cheap way to get wrecked - fags about 24.50 euros for popular brands

Tours - There are loads of operators most trips being the same and around the same price, always check the price shown includes any coach transfer fees. I did the East Coast tour which was ok, made a nice day out see some of the little villages, area where the rich live [Madonna, Beckham etc]. Diving/snorkeling off the boat [need your own gear] - lots of choice

Sidari - quite small, narrow street full of restaurants - just to point out the restaurants are more like cafes, no classy restaurants that I could find. They all promote English meals which I find annoying - breakfasts, pukka pie, fish and chips, ugh not my idea of a holiday, but fair enough comfort food

If you do decide to go Greek, highly recommend the Beef Stamna [or lamb], souvlaki, sorfita - vine leaves and Tzatziki to start!

Best places to eat? depends what you want - the best we found was Mythos which is away from the centre. If you're coming from Polyxeni, go toward Sidari, over the bridge then go right [not left toward town] and its up on the right passed a chinese. You'll also see Simposium, Sailors, Family up there - Mythos is the one with graffiti over the walls [customers comments]. All their mains come on 13" plates so huge portions whatever you have - they serve steak chips as well not crunchy fries, brilliant value

Mythos is defo the place if you want to try Greek food - service is great and you'll get stuffed including a litre of local wine for less than 15/20 euros for two people total

Main strip restaurants - memories and sea breeze to 3 course options for 7.00 euros you get what you pay for but if you're just hungry they're good enough. Also try for breakfast Smugglers Inn opposite Churchills [on the way into Sidari] 3.50 euros - did the 3 course at Sea Breeze and Memories was just standard frozen English fair really, though the Greek night plate smashing/fire walking was interesting in Memories and the manager is nice

Chinese - found 3 but though all over priced

Tex-Mex [Panchos Villas] - opposite SOS bar and Sunset, bloody awful, processed food - if you're idea of a good meal if sub-standard Iceland food go for it otherwise avoid, pity as the upstairs is quite nice

Pubs - Mikeys Inn is ok, didn't eat and the beer was kinda warm - the staff are crazy and fun, the PA looks like Joachin Phoenix - eye candy

Entertainment - if you wanna watch the latest movies go to Acropolis who play about 5 per day [they had Iron Man, Indiana Jones etc], makes a nice change and is free. Most bars/restaurants will have something on everynight whether quizzes, karaoke, or live shows including illusionists, drag, magicians, memory masters, Greek night etc - the same people move around the bars [drag show was hilarious]. Not many beach bars which was disappointing though most restaurants look out onto the beach

Check out the Waterpark hotel, its a weird walk through a long lane [see it advertised on Sidari Taxi Rank]. Nice hotel, food ok, 3 big water slide for 6.00 euros - there is also Hydropolis, and Aqualand the biggest water park in Europe - both are coach trips away though the latter being nearly an hour

Night clubs - dunno! most bars open really late anyhows

Beaches - Sidari is nice, not very wide sunbeds 2.50 euros a day, sand is grey but pleasant. Water is VERY calm and shallow, great for kids though toward the harbour it can get a bit stagnant. There are watersports all over the beach which kind of spoils it but hey-ho. Check out Sunset Beach [pref at Sunset] its a 3km walk through small villages and past traditional tavernas from Polyxeni, scenery is nice, beach is ok but small, restaurant on the top is Panorama - good place to eat and watch the sun go down [but very busy at this time]. Roda [further east of Sidari] is apparently very pretty, didn't get that far to be honest

DON'T GO TO CAPE DRASTIS [near Sunset] its one hell of a walk and when we got there, the only interesting thing is the rock formation, there is NO beach! AG Stefanos apparently also nice, didn't go but what I heard

Mozzys - you will get bit! best thing to take is after sun with insect repellent - you can buy candles, coils, electric repellents in the supermarkets much cheaper than the UK but you will need them in the evenings so use them, particularly if you have no A/C, you have to have the windows open.

Thankfully it was quite quiet when we went 23/6-1/7 2008, not madly family orientated though all restaurants/events cater for kids, a lot of young couples, not too many groups.