onthebeach

I was wondering if anyone could help me with planning a 12 day trip to Greece with my mother and aunt at the end of June into the beginning of July. We're looking at inexpensive to moderate lodgings. My mother and I are flying to Athens, taking a flight to Mykonos, staying 5 nights, back to Athens and driving to Sparta (6 nights), then to Athens again for 2 nights. I haven't been to Greece since I was little and I have no idea where to stay. We're looking for a "quiet" hotel near the port in Mykonos, preferably close to a beach. I know quiet is hard to come by in the party town of Hora, Mykonos. Mykonos is special to my mother and she requested we make the trip. We're coming back to Athens to pick up my aunt and then driving to Sparta. We'd like to stay in the center or near the center of town (we'll be making day trips to small villages where my family comes from). Coming back to Athens we'd like to stay in the Plaka, also at a quiet a place if possible. Athens is not the main interest of this trip and we're only visiting it at the end of our stay in Greece. I wish our trip could be longer but that's not possible. Any recommendations? (Or warnings? )

Patricia

Hi,
Three years ago we stayed at the Menelaion Hotel in Sparta, it was great and right in the middle of town. We had a room at the back of the hotel overlooking the pool, rooms at the front could be a bit noisy. Staff were very friendly, good breakfast. Only one problem, they do not have any private parking available but the reception left a couple of orange bollards in the space right outside the hotel entrance for us so nobody else could park there, it worked well.
Hope this helps.

onthebeach

Thanks Patricia. I'll do some research on this hotel. Is it moderately affordable hotel? Yes, parking would be a plus. I don't know what the parking situation is like in Sparta in early summer.

Patricia

Time goes on so quickly, I've just realised that we actually stayed at the Menelaion in 2003. Just searched through my notes on that trip and the rate was 71 euros for a double room with private bathroom including breakfast. As we had ferry crossings, several hotels etc. we opted to do our bookings through Dolphin Hellas travel agents in Athens and from memory I believe they got us an even lower rate. The hotels website is www.menelaion.com/english/en_intro.htm but they don't appear to have their current rates listed. Anyway you could email them and also mention about parking your car. If you go to tripadvisor there are some pretty good reviews of the hotel. We would definitely stay there again.
Good luck.

onthebeach

Your information is really valuable, Patricia. This place definitely sounds like what we're looking for. There's a local travel agent here in CT and they might be able to get a low rate for us. I'll contact the website too. Thanks again! Reesa