Mourtemeno Hotel

6 readers found this review helpful

The description of this hotel was basic and basic it is. We were allocated room 8 at the end of the ground floor. On the plus side, the room was clean and the balcony afforded an element of privacy as it was set back from the one next door. There was plenty of storage space and a well fitted bathroom. Not so good was the size of the room. Compared with the spacious self catering units, it was a bit cramped and a certain amount of furniture moving was required to open the balcony doors and the bathroom door hit the sink. The bed lacked something in the comfort stakes too, but after a few hard days on the beach that ceased to matter! The biggest problem, and really the only thing I definitely think let the hotel down was the lack of a fridge in the B&B rooms. Being unable to keep a cool drink available or fruit etc secure from ants and other pests was a real nuisance. Perhaps the owners may consider providing one in future, even if a small hire fee is charged. Overall, we had a great stay, the staff were extremely helpful and the area was a delight. If you want luxury, stay away, but if you fancy a well positioned base to get your head down at the end of the day and you want to get a proper feel of simple Greek life while you unwind and relax, this is worth a look.

11 readers found this review helpful

The apartment was v basic but clean. It had a useful kitchen area and was spacious. The best feature of the apartment was the balcony - it was large and private with great views. The pool area was very disappointing - small, few sun loungers and the pool was filthy. We did not use it once whilst we were there. The hotel bar was expensive in comparison with local bars and was very quiet, so we simply used the apartment as somewhere to sleep as we spent the days on the beach.
Sivota was more commercialised than we thought it would be and very much geered towards tourists (although interestingly there were not many english). The roads are busy throughout the day and night and there is a lot of building work going on. We were disappointed with the meals that we had on the harbour - quite expensive and not great quality. The service was disappointing too. We tend to eat quite late and we felt we were being pushed out. Given it is a fishing town, we found very little fish in the restaurants and what we did find was heavily over priced. The best Taverna we found was set back from the harbour on the main road - owned ny George and his 4 sons - fabulous food and reasonable with very friendly service. However, what Sivota lacked in traditional charm, it certainly made up with it's beaches - they were fabulous! The best way to spend a holiday in Sivota is to hire a boat (either from the front or from Zavier beach) and travel from beach to beach, going to some of the more populated ones like Pylon or mega ammos, to the secluded and private ones that are dotted around. Over the week, we visited around 15 different beaches - all different, but all beautiful. The boat made the holiday very special. I would recommend Pylon beach as although it doesn't look particularly pretty with a huge Pylon in the middle of it - it had great swimming (from the boat) and a great little taverna where they brought you traditional meze with your drink (not the cheap and salty crisps and nuts that you were given on the harbour front) and they played great music and the people were so friendly.
All in all Sivota was pretty, but heavily developed and getting increasingly so. Harbour front was disappointing and catered towards tourists. But off the beaten track, you can find great little tavernas and magical beaches - you just need to look for them!

8 readers found this review helpful

These apartments are absolutely fine, it's not as if you spend all day sitting in them. Plenty of room on the balcony to sit out in the evening (lovely views at the back), very quiet side road, mosquito screens on the patio doors, etc. Very clean and comfortable.
The pool is not overlarge, but it is a small hotel and who wants to sit by the pool when you can go in the sea? The filtration system was fixed when we were there.
Syvota is like Greece 20 years ago - too many cars and no public transport! The traffic spoilt the town, and made it difficult to get to beaches. If you don't like walking you will have to hire a car to get anywhere, which only adds to the problem. Absolutely no recycling facilities, if it wants to pitch itself to tourists the town needs to think about how it can reduce the environmental impact of this industry.
The 'resort' is very harbour orientated, lots of yachts, which spoil the view. All the restaurants we ate in were excellent, very good value, between 40 and 70 Euros for 4 with drinks. The bakeries do delicious pies and cakes for picnics. The two trips we made were enjoyable - Paxos and river walk.
Unfortunately the Olympic reps, although enthusiastic about Greece, are not the best tour guides. But they have a lot of knowledge to share if you persevere.

3 readers found this review helpful

Apart from the Peloponese a few years ago ( which I would recommend) this was our first experience of mainland Greece and not one we'd recommend. The description of Sivota being unspoilt & Greece as you would have experienced 20 years ago is inaccurate. It just did n't have the usual charm and friendliness we have come to expect of a greek holiday having had excellent holidays on the islands of Lesbos, Samos, Kalymnos, kefalonia. The resort of Sivota was a little disappointing. If you want something a little more commercialised then this is for you but we felt something seemed to be missing. The apartments are very basic, the people that had paid for breakfast were disappointed, but the owners are lovely. Unfortunately the pool was disgusting the filtration system was not working properly and you couldn't see the bottom. When it was commented on we were told it was sun cream! however it was our first experience of Olympic holidays and the staff were great very passionate about their jobs and the trip up the river was an amazing experience and one we would recommend.

2 readers found this review helpful

We had a week at Mourtemeno during the heatwave! a very clean, basic hotel, no complaints whatsoever, air conditioning hire from 7 euros per day very much needed. Staff helpful and friendly, nearest beach is Zavia Beach and the best by far, water very clean, fed by mountain springs so you get an odd burst of ice cold water followed by warm - taverna on beach very good. Next beach is approximately 20 minutes walk away Mega Ammos large horseshoe beach not as nice as Zavia. Town Beach other side of Sivota Marina is a bit disappointing but judge for yourself. Sivota town is about 15 minutes walk from the apartments, lots of wonderful restaurants to choose from. If you decide to go to the Steak House order the steak which is excellent otherwise standard Greek fare not as good as the restaurants around the Marina. Lovely restaurant which was called Lefikas? where you can watch the sunset - gorgeous. Only niggle a two hour transfer from Preveza Airport - believe me it is 2 hours to get to Sivota. I would recommend speed boat trip to Anti-Paxos and Paxos, Paxos is truly beautiful and well worth a visit

2 readers found this review helpful

We have just had two weeks at this hotel and it has been one of the most relaxing holidays I’ve had. Day one though I was ready for home as I was introduced to room 10 which is a bed & breakfast room, the room is typically Greek…from about 20yrs ago…painted in battleship grey and not over big. If you have read the other reviews you may have picked up the idea that the hotel is basic…it is. BUT, as I kept being told, as long as it’s clean and has a bathroom just remember you haven’t paid a fortune for it…and suddenly it starts to look OK. There is air-con payable locally (7 Euro p.n. I think). The shower was good with lots of hot water. The loo however, seemed very good at mixing “things” up without actually taking “stuff” away so the high pressure on the shower came in useful! In the B&B rooms there are no fridges and non-available for hire. The hotel appears to be being run on a bit of a tight budget with just about enough breakfast out for those on B&B, and for some reason they only fill the coffee pot for about 4 cups and then “refill” it. Sivota is a really nice place and has some brilliant beaches but is developing fast so if you want to see it before it’s over developed, be quick. On that subject there is construction work going on not far from the hotel and as a result there can be some noise, quite loud at times. Work seems to start around 8am, quietens off during the heat of the day but resumes again in the evening and can go on till 8pm ish.
The tavernas and bars are all good and we never had a bad meal in two weeks.
The hotel reception was staffed for the majority of the time by Christos whose passion for football was fulfilled as we were there during Euro 2008. He spoke excellent English and was very helpful and friendly and nothing was too much trouble.

We have just returned from a wonderful weeks holiday at the Mourtemeno Hotel in Sivota. If you are looking for 5 star luxury, this will not be the hotel for you, but if you are loooking for a typically Greek experience this is the place for you. Idyllic, position in a typically Greek fishing village. The hotel was basic, but clean & comfortable. Breakfast good, always very fresh (sometimes warm) bread and the other typical Greek breakfast items - honey, jam, butter and sometines egg & cheese, also cake. It is just a 5 minute walk to the small but lovely Xavia beach, which has an excellent Taverna with good swimming. There are many other beaches witin walking distance. We found the staff at the hotel pleasant and Sivota a very friendly place to visist. If you want a quiet & relaxing holiday this is the place for you, its like going back to the early 1980's. We loved it.

Lovely quiet apartment hotel - very clean. friendly and comfortable. The location was excellent - perfect for walking to the harbour at night time and for reaching the best beaches.
It's a basic hotel, so don't expect luxury , but everything was great. I think cleanliness and a friendly atmosphere are important and this hotel was spot on. It was very good value for money and we would return.

1 reader found this review helpful

Very basic hotel. Breakfast inconsistent quality and poor even by Greek standards. Stayed at the Hotel Oscar, Nidri last year and that, we believe, spoilt us. Butter on the first day and after that only Marg/Flora. Asked for butter but no success. Think end of season, so we were treated that way - not good as we paid full price . Told only eggs some days. Bread was always a day old but the cleaners and staff had fresh rolls for their breakfast - we saw them!! Had to flush toilet with buckets of water. Not a comfy chair in the place. Cleaning poor and the cleaners spent more time chatting than cleaning. Pool could have been de-bugged of flies and wasps more often. Many of the sunbeds broken.
Avis, the tour rep - very poor presentation at the Welcome Meeting- jumbled. Suspect she had not/does not prepare. Others commented 'what an awful presentation'. She was more interested in scoring points to become the best rep. Sorry no, Avis you have to earn this. Avis, don't put on an act, just be yourself. Olympic need to train their people in presentation skills.
On the brighter side - we thoroughly enjoyed our holiday. The venue was extremely peaceful and quiet - great. The staff were willing and helpful. We would go self catering next time. Taverna food great.

1 reader found this review helpful

As i am a child, i found it really fun. The pool was great and we, me and my brother, had loads of fun in it. It was not very busy when we went but we made loads of friends from the hotel and from other hotels. It was nice and quiet and having a siesta was no problem at all.
The staff were really nice and were there when you needed something!!:)
There is a water-park really near by and it is great fun!!!!!yay!!! There are LOADS of beaches within a 30 minute walk!
We went out for dinner every night and the food was AMAZING!!!
We are going back to Sivota in 2 days YAY!!!!!! (it is the 3rd of august 2007 now)!!!!!!!!!!
ME AND MY BRO ARE SOOOOOO EXCITED YAAAAAAAAAY!!!!CAN'T WAIT!!!!!