Golden Days Hotel Apartments

2 readers found this review helpful

This was my first time in Afandou - my partner Karl has been 7 times before. Golden Days was the perfect base for the holiday, as soon as we stepped into reception we were greeted with smiles and friendliness. The pool was divine and the gardens very relaxing to spend time in. The food was brilliant and everyone was very helpful, nothing was ever a problem. It was sad to leave. Our room had a wonderful view, overlooking the sea and mountains, it was perfect and so clean! We shall definately use this hotel again, I felt at home and comfortable. There is nothing I can fault - it really was the most relaxing and friendly holiday I have ever had! And I miss everyone so much too!

2 readers found this review helpful

Well, what can we say about Golden Days? Lovely clean rooms which were cleaned daily by Irene who was so lovely and friendly to us. Carol who works on reception was always there to help you and was also very friendly; if we were stuck we'd go and see Carol! Labros was great as well, he worked night shift mostly but was always happy!
We went to Afando as it was my partner’s dads wedding and they held the wedding reception at Golden days. It was a lovely beautiful day and the hotel did the catering for the wedding and it was absolutely perfect. The bride looked beautiful also. It was such a magical place with the wedding, 2 birthdays and my partner proposed to me!
If going to Golden Days and staying there, we recommend going to a little restaurant called Mimi's, it’s on the right hand side in Afando when walking down from Golden Days into the town. George the waiter was always friendly and the food is to die for! The best pub/bar has to be Minas's! What a top guy and had delicious cocktails. Oh and I have to add the black sambucas at the end of the night! Even though we went at the very end of season, Minas kept the bar open for us until around 12.30 most nights! What a star!
A very enjoyable holiday and may go back again!

1 reader found this review helpful

First package holiday we have been on together and if we go on more they will have alot to live up to.
Rooms small but more than adequate, food great (recommend the cheese pie), staff so helpful you won’t believe. (cheers for the t-shirt Yannis!).
Entertainment was great and worth the few euros you pay for it.
If your going to stay in Afandou you couldn’t pick a better, more holiday maker orientated hotel to stay in.

1 reader found this review helpful

Just come back from 2 weeks at the Golden Days Hotel in Afandou, Rhodes.
We had a great time. Accommodation is basic but clean, and maintained on a daily basis by the fantastic Irene and Maria. Carole runs the reception, she is friendly and approachable and is always involved in the hotel activities.
Yiannis and Lambros run the bar and made our holiday for us. Yiannis is a cheeky chappie (please don't throw beetles at me next year Yiannis!!) and Lambros is a fantastic character but I don't want to give too much away as it would spoil the surprise for others!
Will definitely be going back to the Golden Days - wouldn't stay anywhere else now!

1 reader found this review helpful

WE LOVED IT! For my boyfriend and I it was our first proper holiday away together and what a way to start! This place was brilliant, I'd say 90% of the people that we met there had been there more than once. You may believe it looks a little small at first but when you get there you will love it. Amazing, t.v, leather seats, internet and games cafe all in reception and everything. Light music while you sunbathe and while you drink at night. The bar was fantastic so was Lambros the barman/entertainer/friend. WE LOVE HIM. Carol behind reception was the smiling face every morning with Maria our cleaner who cleaned everyday and became a good mate.
We were only there for a week! We love Golden Days and if your considering going I'd say do it! We want to go back, you will have a great time, its located close to everything you'll need and it'll be a holiday you'll never forget. Thanks guys. x

2 readers found this review helpful

Just got back from Afando Golden Days, having been going to the Greek islands now over 30 yrs. with 3 children in tow and 1 with special needs, I will give the truth. Had the chance to go on our own, not done Rhodes before, read the reviews, thought give it a go.
Afando itself is nice, just enough for 1 week, rest./bars very very friendly the best we have ever known. Mikes cocktail bar by the square, his wife very funny lady. Also the best toasties ever, simple the best bar excellent just to sit and watch everyone, and Mimis rest. has to be the best one there, food brilliant as well as the prices, and the little jellies that you get after your meal and the drinks nice touch something you always got in Greece years ago not done any more. Shame how things have changed not always for the better, at one time the waiters done all the entertaining while you waited for your food now they call it "Greek nights" nice village though.
The beach was disappointing, only one taverna very stony/pebbly, but water lovely and clean.
Golden Days hotel nice and helpful staff, pool very very small. Towels on the sunbeds every morning, bad location of room meant we had no sleep as people where shouting and screaming, first morning till 4.30am, next night 3 30am. Did complain was a lot quieter but you should not have to, there are signs telling you to keep the noisedown and the staff should know better.
When you read the reviews you will notice how everyone says they have been coming here for years best holiday ever. Well if your coming here for the first time as a couple/family be warned those people think they own the place they take over the pool, the pool is small so when in with all the inflatables, then the pool drops quite a lot, no good for non swimmers.
Simply know where to go to cool down and the noise well unbelievable the same crew start again at night and because everybody knows everybody, as they all come here time and time again, no thought for anyone else.
Its a nice place when the "clampats and the dingles" were not there. But there are many nicer places to go to. I miss not having a lovely sea view or somewhere a bit more picturesque. OK the staff are friendly but these people don`t realise that the end of the day its there job!!!
As for the Greek night ok, food nothing special, as for the other entertainment I don`t go to Greece for quiz nights, karaoke, bingo and as for the kids running up and down the corridors and doors banging no signs up to say, but yet again !!! shouldn't have to.
I know its sounds as if I didn't enjoy my holiday I did but I think I tell it how it was and not everyone can go on the internet. Would I go back? Maybe we got the timing wrong there are still a lot more to see, the worlds a big place to be going back to the same place time and time again, but on the bright side I know where the "clampats and the Dingles "will be!

1 reader found this review helpful

A 3 star Hotel with 5 star staff.
Typically Greek, basic rooms but comfortable with air-conditioning (at a small charge)
The food, at virtually any time of day was always excellent. The bar; plenty of choice from Mythos (Greek Lager, my personal choice) to chocolate milkshakes, cocktails, liqueurs and a large choice of soft drinks - something for everyone.
The staff, Carol - More than just a receptionist, very helpful, always has a smile from early morning to late at night, a fountain of local knowledge. Wonderful.
Lambros - What can you say about him, a barman, waiter, entertainer, comedian, female impersonator, singer (sort of) and all around complete an utter nutter who made our holiday so memorable.
Yiannis - Barman, waiter, joker and a very nice guy who's always busy doing something, where he gets his energy from I don't know.
Maria - Cleaner, always hard at work, keeps the rooms immaculately clean, and unusually for Greece, virtually every day. A lovely lady.
There were others who flitted around busying themselves, but I didn't know their names.
Afandou itself is a small village with a few small supermarkets but many bars and restaurants with some boutiques crammed in between. A busy place at times.
Venturing through the village can be a bit hairy at times as there are few pavements, so you find yourself on the road dodging mopeds with 3 or more people on most of the time (slight exaggeration) but all in all an interesting place to explore.
My favourite restaurant was the Life Garden (lovely food and nice people)
So to some up, The Golden Days Hotel - A great base to explore the rest of Rhodes from, Hire a car in the village and visit Lindos, Rhodes Town, Butterfly Valley and so on. You will have a holiday to remember guaranteed, just don’t go with Thomas Cook unless your very thin with short legs and tiny arms- the flights with them were awful, crammed in like sardines.
We will definitely go back to The Golden Days Hotel, and would recommend it to everyone.
Thanks to them for a lovely holiday.
Alan and Teresa

1 reader found this review helpful

Arrived early evening and was met by Carol, who immediately apologised they were fully booked and would we mind spending our first 3 nights in the twin bedded B & B room - even though we had booked a studio - and offered complimentary breakfast until we moved into the studio on Saturday.
Kettle and Mugs provided so could enjoy my morning cup of coffee before facing the world!
Immediately felt at home. All the staff were very friendly and made you feel very welcome. Accommodation basic but very clean - knew we couldn't expect 5 star as had not paid 5 star price.
It might be a basic Hotel, but you really felt more comfortable than any 5 star I've ever stayed in. During our 2 week stay we were made to feel very welcome by other guests who holiday at Golden Days year after year, and now I know why.
The karaoke night is not to be missed - particularly Lambrose the friendly versatile and very funny member of the bar staff. Not normally one to go to a Karaoke night, I wouldn't miss the Golden Days one.
The Greek Night is also a good night not to be missed. Afandou is a quiet but lovely village with plenty of bars and tavernas to sample.
Definitely will be going back. A big thank you to Carol, Lambrose, Yianni, and all the staff for making our holiday enjoyable and memorable. Looking forward to seeing you all next year.

2 readers found this review helpful

Ok, where do I start? Oh, I know, best holiday ever! We had never ventured as far on holiday before, tending to stick to Spain (never again!) but this wonderful village with all it's charms has completely stolen our hearts.
First of all, until it was recommended to us we had heard of neither the Golden days or Afandou, now it's somewhere we'll never forget. The accommodation is spotless, very basic but what else do you need? The hotel has an excellent restaurant on the terrace which is open from 08:30-20:30, breakfast is served til 11:30, which is great after a night in town (more about that later!).
The bar & restaurant are mainly run by the gorgeous Yiannis who seems to be there 24/7, when we asked him when he slept he replied with a grin "I sleep in the winter!". The bar is open all day & very reasonably priced. The hotel also has a pool table, dart board, swimming pool where lots of fun & games go on mainly due to Lambros who's whole purpose in life seems to be to make sure you're having a good time & a lovely garden where you can just while away the hours on a sun lounger.
I have to point out that this is the first holiday we've ever had we're you're actually encouraged to have inflatables in the pool. There's regular entertainment including a Greek night with dancing & a barbecue which is a must, a karaoke night where once again Lambros shines & a quiz evening. Venturing outside the hotel you're on the main street down to the village square. Both sides of the roads are packed with shops, bars & some of the best restaurants we've ever had the pleasure to eat it.
My favourite was the Four seasons just down from the hotel. Absolutely superb, I'd never eaten Greek before & now am completely converted. try the Greek plate with a bit of everything, you won't be disappointed. My partners favourite eatery was Mimhes, further down on the other side. This small family run taverna which also does a take away service- try their gyros, I guarantee you'll never eat another greasy English kebab- has excellent value, delicious meals & drinks.
A 3 course meal for 4 including drinks cost us 30 Euros, Amazing! Others well worth a mention are Tastys, Annas, Bon viveur & the Life garden where if you get a pizza get it between you, trust me! We never had a disappointing meal in the whole fortnight. So after you're well fed it's time for drinks. Although there are bars all the way down including a lovely German bar we tended to head into the main square where we found Iakynthos, its the 2nd bar after the co-op bank with the 3 tellys & thanks to the cheap drinks & the wonderful atmosphere created by Minas & terry(who takes bartending to another comedy level) every night we went there we had a great time, you must visit there at least once, you won't be disappointed.
My partner also wants a mention for Mikes, a cocktail bar just off the square opposite Bon Viveur, it's the only bar in town that serves John Smiths on draught, the hostess Maria is delightful & someone else I now class as a friend. Well, if you don't like the sound of this wonderful place by now there’s no hope! My notoriously hard to please 16 yr old who actually said the place 'looked like dullsville & he wouldn't have gone if it hadn't been paid for' is now recommending it to all & sundry & 2 families of friend of his have now booked up for next year!
Not only are we going back for a week in may we've also booked our wedding there for next October, scrapping our original plans in Cyprus. The hotel is doing our reception on the terrace & it's going to be fantastic. So if you do go to this little Greek paradise, when you see Carol, Yiannis, lambros & Irene at the hotel & Minas,Terry & Maria in town, tell them "Deb & Steve from Whitley Bay say hi....& thanks for our best holiday ever"

1 reader found this review helpful

What a hotel and what staff! I visited originally in July with my partner and was so impressed I returned with my children in September.
I requested from Carol and was allocated the same room and was recognised immediately on arrival in the early hours of the morning by Lambros. There is no point in going into any further detail on the standard of the hotel as it would only be duplicating what has already been said in the other reviews.
What is exceptional is that, due to unfortunate circumstances, I had to be hospitalised for the last 2 days of the holiday. This meant that my children (only 8 and 6) had to be left unattended and the thought of this sent me into a blind state of panic, as one can imagine.
What actually happened is that my children were well fed, watered, cared for and entertained by the hotel staff. They moved them to a room downstairs at bedtime so that Lambros could put them to bed and keep an eye on them during the night. They both had an ear infection and he gave them regular doses of Calpol and Carol took over at the start of her shift.
In short, the staff (including Maria and Irena the cleaners) were superb - if this had occurred in the UK, I have no doubt at all that the children would have been taken into the temporary care of Social Services, causing so much more worry and upset for all concerned, particularly them. As it is, I am not entirely sure they missed me being there at all!
I cannot praise them enough and shall, without any shadow of a doubt (and if they'll have me!) be returning there next year to finish off our visit to Rhodes properly - I never did get to take them down the dark, scary aqueduct at Seven Springs, so that they could see the spectacular scene at the end of it!