Sivila Studios

My family have just returned from the Sivila Hotel/Apts, we stayed on a self catering basis, for two weeks. We had two rooms, my son and daughter had a second floor on the pool side, and we had a second floor room facing the garden, and views to Afandou.
You need to allow extra money for the air conditioning which is 97Euros for the two week stay per room. Our room had air conditioning which was great, but my children’s room was unbearably hot, night and day. The room is basic, and the kitchen equipment is also very basic, but it was clean.
The bins were emptied everyday, but we only had clean towels and sheets twice during the two week stay. The Pool area itself was pleasant, with sun beds, chairs, plenty of shade if wanted. Poolside bar with snacks, and also a shop. Also in this area are a few games for the children, pool, footie game, and a table tennis table. Also near the pool is a children’s playground.
The inside of the hotel is quite nicely furnished, with comfortable chairs, two TVs inside, and a pool table. (My son spent a small fortune on this at 1 and a half euros a time). The outside area has a selection of seating and tables for socializing, be warned the drinks are quite expensive, and only the beer is available cold.
Ice is used to cool other drinks, but then you don’t get much liquid in the glass. Only had one meal in the bar area, that was a pizza, so can’t comment on the meals available.
The staff, well the two older gents who were on reception and night porter duties were quite pleasant. Sammy the barman was adorable, polite, friendly, with a great smile, and good English. The other members at times were a little distant; some preferred to talk on mobile phones and just managed to serve you.
You have to budget for transport into Afandou, which is either by train 1 euro each way, or taxi which is 5 euros. They say you can walk this, but it’s a fair trek, especially in the heat. The main buses can be caught from the square, and are good value, check the timetables though, as some services do not run late in the day.
Afandou village is bigger than we anticipated, and had a good selection of restaurants, bars, look beyond the main street and you will find hidden ones. We found everyone in the village very accommodating and friendly. A larger supermarket is located just above the square with reasonable prices. We also used the supermarket at the end of the drive of the Sivila Hotel, it is run by a lovely couple who are very helpful, and polite and speak good English.
The beach is a short walk, sun beds and umberellas available, and beach showers. This beach is very long, and hardly any development along the whole beach except for a few restaurants, cafes.

We did walk via the beach way to Kolympia, next resort along, it was walkable, but the road runs out, and you have to walk over sand/rocky rubbish area, but the town itself has a good selection of shops, and restaurants.
A must is Stegna beach, a lovely medium sized beach, with water sports, and lovely places to eat just across the road from the beach.
We enjoyed our holiday, but I feel the management could have made more effort to make you feel welcome, it felt at times that we were staying in their home, as they lived on site with their children and they didn’t want you there, they just wanted your money.

Just got back from the Sivila studios and I have to pick fault with some of your other reviews.
The staff where very unhelpful. When we asked to change some money the manager would not. The kitchens in the rooms are a joke, 3 bed room you get 2 plates 2 forks and knives 1 small saucepan 1 big saucepan 1 frying pan two cups that’s it.
Our room was cleaned everyday, bed linen changed after we asked on 6th day. I know this is a 2 star hotel but things should be better Afandou is a nice town with lots of good bars and tavernas. I would go back but not to the Sivila.

Myself and my boyfriend have just returned from an extremely enjoyable week at Sivila. Our holiday was pleasant and we are planning our return next year. Yes the rooms are basic and yes they are dated but what do you expect from a two star hotel?!
Anybody that whines and moans about this hotel is obviously expecting luxury, its cheap and cheerful..... Get over it!
The pool was beautiful, far better than a lot of the other hotels in Afandou which are situated on a main road where anybody can walk in, and as for the staff they are traditional and if they seem a bit peeved its because they have to deal with obnoxious British people all day!
Sivila is a wonderful and relaxing place to have a break. Fully recommended.

We have just returned from The Sivila with our two boys aged 14 and 11, after reading other reviews was a bit dubious about the accommodation. Rooms very basic but adequate although kitchen equipment leaves a lot to be desired and you would probably struggle if you decide to do any catering over your holiday, we didn't, we ate out every evening.
Air conditioning very expensive. Safety deposit boxes are within main reception area which I didn't like and take care not to lose your key, there is a charge of 90 euro. Towels and bedding changed about 3 times a week, bins emptied every day. We did see a few cockroaches in our rooms during our stay and plenty of mosquitoes. The pool area was ok but watch out for the dodgy sun loungers, I ended up with a black eye after it sprung back on me.
Drinks and food at hotel fairly expensive as is the supermarket. There is a supermarket at the end of the hotel drive which is slightly cheaper. Hotel is a good way from the village, about 25 minute walk, however there's a train which picked up at the hotel fairly regularly for 1 euro each, one way, but the last train back to the hotel is 8pm from The Square. A taxi ride back to the hotel is 5 euro.
You must try eating at Four Seasons, Sergios, Tastys Roof Garden, Life Garden and O'Mimz Didn't enjoy Daniela’s Pizza place - staff not very friendly and felt rushed. Favourite cocktail bar - Mikes Cocktails just by the Town Hall in The Square. Try the water park in Faliraki - 20 euro each over 12 years old 15 euro under 12 years (this price doesn't include transport) make your own way there as the organised transport is 10 euro each (you can get a taxi from the Square for 10 euro) much cheaper, or the bus for even less. Rhodes Town is well worth a visit too, but again go by bus.
All in all we enjoyed our holiday in Afandou everyone was so friendly, I found there wasn't a great lot for my two boys to do and towards the end of the holiday they were getting a bit bored. I wouldn't return to the Sivila Hotel mainly because of the distance from the village.

Having just returned from a fortnight at the Sivila I can honestly say that it is the worst hotel that we have ever stayed in.
We were a party of five and on arrival the receptionist didn’t seem to have three separate rooms for us (despite having paid an extra £120 single supplement). One of our party had a room next to the laundry and opposite the bar with the noise of the washing machines until the early hours of the morning. The only window was into the laundry room. The rooms were called ‘bungalows’ and I would hazard a guess that they were the staff quarters.
On the first night in our room we found a cockroach in the bathroom, which we reported to the Rep. She, told us that it wasn’t a cockroach and what did we expect in Greece. I have been to Afandou twice before and have never come across a cockroach before. The Rep told us that if we wanted to move to an upstairs room we would have to wait until the Wednesday. Wednesday came and the Rep did not turn up as she was on a trip. The Rep only wanted to deal with us after she had sold the trips and made her commission.
During the week we came across five more cockroaches and eventually decided to block the holes in the ceiling with toilet paper. In bed one night we could hear what we assume were mice or rats above us, scratching to get in. There was rarely any hot water and we couldn’t sit outside the room as the smell was awful from the drains. The overflow system from the rooms above constantly dripped onto us. And in fact on the last day, the upstairs shower leaked through the ceiling onto the kettle area in our room.
The owner of the hotel was lovely but his staff were unpleasant and unhelpful, particularly in the bar. When one of our party went to get the room key, the receptionist told her to get it herself as she couldn’t be bothered!
The music from the pool played the same songs everyday from eight in the morning and was very loud and woke us up. Our sheets were only changed twice during the fortnight even though the rep told us that they would be changed twice a week. All in all, I would never stay here again.

Like a lot of people staying at the hotel that I spoke to, I had read the reviews about this place and was a bit apprehensive.
The hotel was actually better than I expected. The room was very basic but clean and was cleaned every day. The pool area was great and we ate lunch there every day. It was a bit pricier than in town but you are paying for the convenience. The supermarket at the entrance gates was much cheaper than the hotel one so I suggest you stock up there.
The staff were friendly and helpful and getting into town was easy with the train stopping outside the hotel every hour. Walking into town took about 20 mins.
My only complaint would be the other guests slamming doors late at night and early in the morning, hardly the hotel’s fault.
Unfortunately we were on an early morning flight home and had to check out 12 noon the day before but we paid an extra 40 euros to keep the room until 11pm but Kerri said we could keep the room until the cleaners came which wasn’t until 3am so we were VERY lucky.
The hotel is not the Ritz but adequate as a 2 star hotel. I had just come back from a 5 star luxury hotel in Tuscany before jetting off so new it was not going to be the same.
Overall it is what you make it. Afandou has plenty to offer and I would recommend going into Rhodes town. Get the local bus it's much cheaper. A return journey for 2 of us there and back was less than 7 euros.
I would definitely stay in this hotel again.

Just come back from a week’s holiday and thoroughly enjoyed myself at Sivila. The two Geordie girls were really top notch (cocktails served in a pint glass. My type of girl) but didn’t think much of the rest of the staff, or the rep for that matter. The "Greek night" and karaoke were good and the train ride into the town was cool.
Tips:
1) Check all paper work if you book an excursion with the reps, and make sure they’ve entered the right details on your receipt/ticket so you're not waiting around for a coach that won’t arrive because they’ve given you the wrong day!
2) Stay away from "Danielle’s Pizzeria" in the town centre, but try a meal at "Tastys" and all so the restaurant opposite down the passageway(forgot the name) and the fish restaurant at the end of the road between Sivila and the beach.
Only 2 star hotel, so you need to keep that in mind but I had very few complaints!

Just got back from a very good week, I'm 15 and had one of the best weeks ever, Afandou is a real quiet town but at night its got loads of bars and restaurants to eat in.
The studios were simple but no different than a regular hotel room, the only time you spend in them is sleeping and all you need is a bed and air-con (MUST HAVE). Rhodes Town is a nice place with loads to do, but my favourite was Faliraki! Tons to do for my age, rides, go-carts, bars, clubs, beach, water sports. Lindos was recommended by nearly everyone I spoke to, but we had no time to visit there.
Taxis are safe and Mercedes Benz, much cheaper than at home, costing just 8 euros to get to Faliraki and 14 to Rhodes Town. Only complaint is the drinks are extremely overpriced, but if you want drinks, 30 seconds up the drive is a supermarket! Thanks to all the staff, especially Kerri and Karla, two very nice people!

The worst holiday ever !!!! We Called it Sivilla Prison Camp because that what it was like!!
My daughter got electrocuted wen she unplugged an iron !! there was leaks in the Pipes!! IT WAS AS BASIC AS YOU COULD EVER GET! We had a lovely neighbour too we liked to call Roland the rat for da simple reason he was a rat!!
The pool is the dirtiest pool ever !!! And All The Staff Are *******'s except Babus and Kerrie!! And on top of all that you’re stuck in the middle of nowhere and they over charge for drinks and food !
The entertainment wiz a pile of rubbish!!! And da reps are no help either the whole hotel can agree with all this too!! Couple Words Of Advise Don’t EVER GO THERE!!!!!