Hotel Grotta in Naxos & Rochari in Mykonos
Feb 25th, 2006, 06:37 PM
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Hotel Grotta in Naxos & Rochari in Mykonos
I just placed reservations for those 2 hotels based on comments at Trip Advisor although I just noticed that those 2 hotels are not that popular at this forum. Unfortunatly, I also just read some thread on some websites getting/reporting fraudulent comments and one of those mentioned was Trip Advisor. I am kind of concerned as the ones that I read at the Trip Advisor was actually very good, or should I say excellent and the rate is very reasonable, 64 & 78 Euros in late May. Would appreciate it if you can provide feedback on those 2 hotels as far as accommodation and distance to the town and/or difficulty going into town. Otherwise, I still have enough time to cancel and switch to another one likes Naxos Royal and Harmony in Mykonos. Thank you.
Feb 25th, 2006, 06:53 PM
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Hi, we stayed at the Hotel Grotta in Naxos a few years ago and liked it. It's up on a headland with lovely sea views. Our room had a nice terrace area but we had no view from our room. It was about a 15 min walk into Naxos town, mostly flat except near the hotel, you go up a bit of a hill. The walk was quite safe but I do remember, after a few days, getting a bit sick of the walk each time we went into town. Our room was fine, pretty basic with a double bed and small shower. It was kept very clean. A family own and run the hotel and they were all very nice, friendly and helpful. We walked from the ferry with our bags to the hotel when we arrived but found out that the son will pick you up at the ferry dock if you let him know you are arriving. Saves a bit of a walk.
Hope this helps.
Kay
Hope this helps.
Kay
Feb 26th, 2006, 01:26 AM
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hello celestev
I have lodged at Hotel Rochari on Mykonos for a week each summer for almost fifteen years.
It is situated in the Rochari district and the views are fantastic. Please specify to Stavroula that you wish a sea view room. Those have either a balcony or terrace. I prefer the former.
The area is quiet and it only takes between 5 to 10 minutes to stroll down into the town and harbour front.
Rooms as very nice, clean, have satelitte TV, air conditioning, fridge and safety depost boxes.
Breakfast can be taken until 1pm and it is a buffet service. Also, you can have lunch and dinner at the hotel although they do not have a restaurant as such. You eat (and drink!) out on their terrace overlooking the town and the Aegean.
There are restaurants closeby including Nobu which is right next door to the hotel. If you intend travellign to the beaches, the small bus station is about 5 minutes from the hotel.
I rarely check out Trip Advisor reviews but have just had a look at theirs. I agree with everything folks have said.
If you need mnore details please post back and I will try and help.
bill
I have lodged at Hotel Rochari on Mykonos for a week each summer for almost fifteen years.
It is situated in the Rochari district and the views are fantastic. Please specify to Stavroula that you wish a sea view room. Those have either a balcony or terrace. I prefer the former.
The area is quiet and it only takes between 5 to 10 minutes to stroll down into the town and harbour front.
Rooms as very nice, clean, have satelitte TV, air conditioning, fridge and safety depost boxes.
Breakfast can be taken until 1pm and it is a buffet service. Also, you can have lunch and dinner at the hotel although they do not have a restaurant as such. You eat (and drink!) out on their terrace overlooking the town and the Aegean.
There are restaurants closeby including Nobu which is right next door to the hotel. If you intend travellign to the beaches, the small bus station is about 5 minutes from the hotel.
I rarely check out Trip Advisor reviews but have just had a look at theirs. I agree with everything folks have said.
If you need mnore details please post back and I will try and help.
bill
Feb 26th, 2006, 06:29 AM
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Bill is correct.
Rochari is very good hotel. PLease specify sea view room which are at higher level of hotel as the place is built on a small hillside. It is good to also let them know you do not want a garden view room which are at very low level at Rochari hotel. Great rooms but no view with those.
Nobu restaurant is on land of Belvedere Hotel which is neighbour of Hotel Rochari.
A few minutes walkign from hotel down towards the town you will pass many very good restaurants, a little outdoor theatre and some green space. A lot of different foods and prices to choose from.
thanos
Rochari is very good hotel. PLease specify sea view room which are at higher level of hotel as the place is built on a small hillside. It is good to also let them know you do not want a garden view room which are at very low level at Rochari hotel. Great rooms but no view with those.
Nobu restaurant is on land of Belvedere Hotel which is neighbour of Hotel Rochari.
A few minutes walkign from hotel down towards the town you will pass many very good restaurants, a little outdoor theatre and some green space. A lot of different foods and prices to choose from.
thanos
Feb 26th, 2006, 08:02 AM
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I could use this info. Seems like Rochari is a good choice. Is the walk between town and Rochari on a hill? I believe Hotel Grotta is situated on a hilly location. The difference in Hotel Grotta and Naxos Royal rates is not that much (just checked it; about 16 Euro) so maybe Naxos Royal is a better choice? Which hotel is in a better location though, Naxos Royal or Hotel Grotta. How far is Naxos Royal to town/port? Is the walk level or hilly like Hotel Grotta? Thank you.
Feb 26th, 2006, 09:37 AM
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No, the Rochari is built down the slope of a small hill but to the hotel from town is not a climb. I hope that makes sense.
Behind the Rochari it does get hilly but luckily the hotel's situ is perfect.
The town-side entrance to the hotel is at ground level and you have steps to climb up to the reception area and room levels. Garden rooms are at ground level (no view) but as you climb the series of steps up to the different levels the room views become fantastic.
Bill
Behind the Rochari it does get hilly but luckily the hotel's situ is perfect.
The town-side entrance to the hotel is at ground level and you have steps to climb up to the reception area and room levels. Garden rooms are at ground level (no view) but as you climb the series of steps up to the different levels the room views become fantastic.
Bill
Feb 26th, 2006, 10:04 AM
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Stanbr: I hope you read this thread as I know you are very familiar with the St. George area hotels. Please give me an idea on how far a walk is Naxos Royal Hotel to town center. I think Naxos Royal Hotel is across the hotel that you always stay, Glaros Hotel. Thank you.
Feb 26th, 2006, 01:24 PM
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Naxos Royal is situated about 30 meters from St George beach, and at least some of the rooms have ocean views. There is a swimming pool and well landscaped grounds. Each day we walked through Naxos Royal from Glaros Studios on our way to the beach.
On of the things that is important to me is to have a quiet location for my hotel so I can have piece and quiet in the night. Naxos Royal provides that but is only a 10 minute walk into the heart of Naxos town. It is easy to get to and from the action but it's far enough away to be quiet at night.
I have seen Hotel Grotta and we have met people who have stayed there and we havn't heard any one complain about it, but no one has raved about it either. I would choose Naxos Royal in a second.
By the way you can't go anywhere in Chora without going up or down a hill. Naxos Royal is an easier walk though.
On of the things that is important to me is to have a quiet location for my hotel so I can have piece and quiet in the night. Naxos Royal provides that but is only a 10 minute walk into the heart of Naxos town. It is easy to get to and from the action but it's far enough away to be quiet at night.
I have seen Hotel Grotta and we have met people who have stayed there and we havn't heard any one complain about it, but no one has raved about it either. I would choose Naxos Royal in a second.
By the way you can't go anywhere in Chora without going up or down a hill. Naxos Royal is an easier walk though.
Feb 27th, 2006, 03:28 PM
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To Cheryl8
This is a bit long winded but it will give you a pretty good idea about what you can do and see in Naxos.
Naxos town is situated along the ocean, where fishing boats, yachts and ferries come and go at all times of the day. The main street is lined with shops and tavernas, and the city climbs the hill to the kastro walls built by the Venetians in the 1500’s. The city was built in a maze to confuse pirates and tourists alike. I made the mistake of not buying a gift at a little shop and it took me three day to find it again.
In the old part of town we found a bakery that still uses a wood fired stove. The bread there is unbelievable and costs 60 cents for a small loaf and €1.20 for a large one. We visited every day and became regulars.
Our very favourite taverna is Taverna to Kastro which sits just under the wall of the kastro. This restaurant is written up in many guide books and it’s reputation is well earned for good food and personal service from the host, Soulis. Tricky to find as there are four different approaches. Most reliable way to find it is to go to the jewellery store on the main waterfront. Beside it is a small street with a blue overhead sign that says ‘To Kastro and Museum.’ Follow that laneway until you come to a dead end and turn right, then immediately turn left, to another dead end, turn right and you will come to the bottom of a wide set of stairs. The restaurant is at the top.
We also liked the Flamingo. It is a second floor restaurant overlooking the harbour but it's entrance is off the back laneway and can be a bit trickey to find.
St George beach is part of Naxos town and it provides plenty of space and is mostly sheltered from the wind. For a change of pace, catch one of the local buses and head out to one of the glorious beaches on the west coast. Our favourite is Plaka beach one of the furthest out and less populated. Also along this stretch of coast are Aggia Anna and Aggia Procopious. Bus fare was only €2.20 per person.
Other sites and activities.
There is a private museum just inside the kastro walls called the Dorius Della Rocca Barouzzi Venetian Museum. This is a private residence occupied by the same family for several hundred years. It has recently been turned into a museum and is well worth the visit. Most evenings the museum has a sunset concert on the patio beside the museum. They have local Naxos music and dances that depict tales of the sea, and farming in the hills. Also while we were there they had a classical guitarist and a piano and violin concert.
The symbol of Naxos is the Portara situated on a high point just outside the harbour. It was constructed in the 6th century BC as a temple but was never finished. All that is standing now is two rectangular columns supporting a roof lintel, standing tall overlooking the ocean. People flock to this place for a picture at sunset.
Villages
Naxos is dotted with lovely villages like Chalki (where they distil the local liquor Citron a unique tasting treat), Aparenthos (a town where the streets are paved in marble blocks), Filoti and Apolonos (where one of the 6th century Kouros statue still lie where they were abandoned in a marble quarry.) and lastly Melanes where there is a Venetian tower house and an abandoned Jesuit Monastery built in the 1600’s
Most impressive is Demeter’s Temple. This was at one time an ancient temple, and then a series of Churches. It was destroyed; however unlike many other parts of Greece the ruins remained mostly undisturbed. The local authorities have taken most of the original stones and rebuilt parts of the temple and the churches creating a remarkable site.
To find pictures of this trip go to www.webshots.com then click on the Community page. At the bottom of the Community page there is a 'find member' option - typed in lollypeter100 and you will come to my home page. Pictures are titled 'Greece 2005.' Hope you enjoy them.
This is a bit long winded but it will give you a pretty good idea about what you can do and see in Naxos.
Naxos town is situated along the ocean, where fishing boats, yachts and ferries come and go at all times of the day. The main street is lined with shops and tavernas, and the city climbs the hill to the kastro walls built by the Venetians in the 1500’s. The city was built in a maze to confuse pirates and tourists alike. I made the mistake of not buying a gift at a little shop and it took me three day to find it again.
In the old part of town we found a bakery that still uses a wood fired stove. The bread there is unbelievable and costs 60 cents for a small loaf and €1.20 for a large one. We visited every day and became regulars.
Our very favourite taverna is Taverna to Kastro which sits just under the wall of the kastro. This restaurant is written up in many guide books and it’s reputation is well earned for good food and personal service from the host, Soulis. Tricky to find as there are four different approaches. Most reliable way to find it is to go to the jewellery store on the main waterfront. Beside it is a small street with a blue overhead sign that says ‘To Kastro and Museum.’ Follow that laneway until you come to a dead end and turn right, then immediately turn left, to another dead end, turn right and you will come to the bottom of a wide set of stairs. The restaurant is at the top.
We also liked the Flamingo. It is a second floor restaurant overlooking the harbour but it's entrance is off the back laneway and can be a bit trickey to find.
St George beach is part of Naxos town and it provides plenty of space and is mostly sheltered from the wind. For a change of pace, catch one of the local buses and head out to one of the glorious beaches on the west coast. Our favourite is Plaka beach one of the furthest out and less populated. Also along this stretch of coast are Aggia Anna and Aggia Procopious. Bus fare was only €2.20 per person.
Other sites and activities.
There is a private museum just inside the kastro walls called the Dorius Della Rocca Barouzzi Venetian Museum. This is a private residence occupied by the same family for several hundred years. It has recently been turned into a museum and is well worth the visit. Most evenings the museum has a sunset concert on the patio beside the museum. They have local Naxos music and dances that depict tales of the sea, and farming in the hills. Also while we were there they had a classical guitarist and a piano and violin concert.
The symbol of Naxos is the Portara situated on a high point just outside the harbour. It was constructed in the 6th century BC as a temple but was never finished. All that is standing now is two rectangular columns supporting a roof lintel, standing tall overlooking the ocean. People flock to this place for a picture at sunset.
Villages
Naxos is dotted with lovely villages like Chalki (where they distil the local liquor Citron a unique tasting treat), Aparenthos (a town where the streets are paved in marble blocks), Filoti and Apolonos (where one of the 6th century Kouros statue still lie where they were abandoned in a marble quarry.) and lastly Melanes where there is a Venetian tower house and an abandoned Jesuit Monastery built in the 1600’s
Most impressive is Demeter’s Temple. This was at one time an ancient temple, and then a series of Churches. It was destroyed; however unlike many other parts of Greece the ruins remained mostly undisturbed. The local authorities have taken most of the original stones and rebuilt parts of the temple and the churches creating a remarkable site.
To find pictures of this trip go to www.webshots.com then click on the Community page. At the bottom of the Community page there is a 'find member' option - typed in lollypeter100 and you will come to my home page. Pictures are titled 'Greece 2005.' Hope you enjoy them.
