El Vita Apartments

3 readers found this review helpful

I have just returned from a week's holiday at El Vita. I booked last minute and was slightly worried what I would find on arrival. From the first contact at El Vita with the smiling, helpful receptionist, to the last evening spent in the bar waiting for the airport pick-up coach, I can not fault this accommodation. All the staff were friendly and helpful, most spoke excellent English. The new chef was an asset to the place. I was travelling with my sister and we were both made to feel very welcome. Nothing was too much trouble for the wonderful staff. We look forward to returning soon, hopefully next year with our respective families. All this even though we were nicknamed the "awkward" Brits!!!

6 readers found this review helpful

we booked a holiday to El Vita last minute through Thomsons on the internet. Like many others I had read all the reviews, but the pictures sold El Vita to me. What a fantastic holiday! We arrived expecting a studio to find we had an apartment with seperate bedroom, kitchen bathroom and balcony.I wondered if all the bad reviews had been a myth!
We had a fab holiday - the pool area and bar are one of the best we have had in Greece and the friendliness of the staff in particular Hannah and Nikos really made our holiday. Thomsons are fools to let this little gem go- yeah there may be issues with some of the lower rooms, but the owners know this and have a programme in place to fix them. For us - we had no complaints about the cleanliness - our apartment was cleaned every second day and we had no problems with cockroaches or any other creepy crawlies.Of all the people we met there - 99% were as happy as we were!
Thomsons are missing a trick by letting this one go - we will be booking direct to go back as this was one of our best holidays ever and we have done a lot of Greece and many of the islands. I would have no hesitation in recommending El Vita and thanks to Hannah, Nikos and everyone else for a fab holiday - we had a blast
The lesson to be learnt here - is dont believe everything you read in reviews - if your looking for 5 star luxury - Elvita is not the place for you- but if you want a chilled out atmosphere with great surroundings, a fab pool and some really great people running the place - give it a whirl

3 readers found this review helpful

Well what can I say, brilliant.
We booked last minute for a chill out week and after reading some of the reviews I was quite concerned about the cockroach population. My husband assured me that in October the drop in temperature would mean that this wouldnt be a problem. Believe me there was no drop in temperature (80/90s) and still there was no problem. We walked into Lardos most nights and went to valantinos on the first night which was very nice but lacking in atmosphere. Most other nights we ate in Roulas which was excellent...staff and service second to none. For pre dinner drinks I would suggest the small bar next to the Old House Restaurant. $3.50 for a half litre of wine...and nice wine too.
We went to Pefkos one night but would give this a miss if we went back to Rhodes. Rhodes Old Town though is a must.....
At El Vita we stayed in studio 109 which at first I thought was a little dissapointing as it was on the ground floor. It turned out to be be a bonus as we were so close to the pool but far enough away to avoid too much noise. The towels and sheets were changed most days!!
Hannah behind the bar was a star...'Hannah....I hope you get your 13.5 togs sorted out for the winter...'
Would recommend this place to anyone of any age....
Sorry to hear that we will no longer be able to book through Thompsons but we will definately try to re book in the future.

4 readers found this review helpful

Before going to El Vita I made the mistake of going on this page and reading all the bad reviews, I was really nervous about going as some people have written some really bad things about it. My boyfriend and I didnt have a lot of money so booked it back in january and saved all year to go so were really looking foward to it. We were not looking for anywhere too flash.
We arrived around 2.30am and went straight to the bar where we were warmly greeted by demetris, He made us feel very welcome, the next day we went to the pool, again, staff were friendly.
The place is kept spotless, the rooms are cleanned if not daily but every other day, the sheets and towels changed every 3rd day. Our apartment was basic, but it clearly states that in all holiday brocheres, so to be honest as a well travelled person it actually exceded my expectations. I have travelled the world for 6 months, I have stayed in the most vile places but at the end of the day it is what you make of it, It clearly states it is basic so if you go on your hols expecting a palace you will be disapointed. There isnt much for children to do apart from play by the pool. But that is the joy of it, it is very peaceful and calm, I have never felt so chilled out, we loved the pool, but we also loved to get out and do things, the busstop is a minute walk and you can get anywhere in a nice airconditioned bus, lindos and pefkos are fantastic places too. we also visited the waterpark which was a right laugh.
We attended 2 greek nights and 1 karoke, they were so funny, and the bbq food they give you is lovely, we did eat there some other nights but this was very basic, which is expected.
Going to El vita you need to go with a open mind, you need to realise that they do not have the money we do and you need to remember this is a 2*. And as for cochroaches, we seen one on his back outside! that was it! Cochroaches actually live in warm climates so they are bound to be there. Nobody should be put off by previous comments, as we had the best 2weeks, we chilled right out and done barely anything just sat in the sun! I recommend this place to couples of all ages who just want to take a chilled out cheap holiday!

1 reader found this review helpful

returned from hotel in August, was worried before we left due to some reviews, didn't need to have been. It was a lovely location on the beach, rooms very basic and we had ants on the terrace and in the room if you left any food out, but the staff were lovely and helpful and always had time for a chat and a smile. Would definately go back there again because of the people. Had a couple of meals at the hotel which were ok and had some in Lardos Village. Rhodes Old Town is a must!!!

The El Vita Apartments is the worst accomodation the i have ever stayed in. We had to move rooms 4 times during our 2 week stay, due to cockroaches. I would expect 1 or 2 due to the heat but we were getting 10 or 20 at a time in cupboards, in our clothes, in our beds.. it was disgusting. The first time i complained to the manager i was told that it is to be expected in hot countries & my request to be able to move rooms was not an option. He sent some of his staff up to spray the room with some bug spray. Strange how they had it to hand although the manager said they do not usually get cockroaches. I had to kick up a real fuss to get moved rooms (on all 4 occassions). The Thomson holiday rep was just as bad as the hotel staff she seem un intrested & un helpful & she even told me that i should expect them due to being in a hot country & when i told her that i have travelled to countries a lot hotter than this & had never had cockroaches she told me she was a little busy preparing the quiz night questions & could not help until the following day !! I would advise any travellers not to stay at this accomodation not just due to the cockroaches but also the rooms are very very basic, & the whole of the accomodation blocks need completley renovating as they are just dirty ill repaired rooms. It is a shame the El Vita apartments are so poor as the location is excellent.

1 reader found this review helpful

Stayed for two weeks from the 6th Aug 2009, 2 adults, 2 children, 2 studio rooms 104/105.
Before giving our review on this holiday and particularly the accommodation I should make it clear that we have stayed on many Greek islands including Zante, Corfu, Skiathos, Cyprus, Crete, and stayed in many different accommodations from very basic to 5 stars. We have also travelled to America and the Indian Ocean.
The Elvita is without doubt the worst accommodation that we have ever stayed in. Accommodation can be basic and clean but the Elvita is basic and very dirty with the exception of public areas that receive more attention. Our rooms on the ground floor were in need of a major refurbishment this is not a dig deal if they had been clean!!!!
Although the maids came in most days and did change sheets twice during stay and towels three times they only ever gave a quick sweep and washed the floors with water only. A little disinfectant would have made a major difference. The drains on the terrace stunk and we covered them the best we could. But the biggest problem was the Cockroaches, yes we all know they are a problem abroad in the heat but I also know that if hotel owners spend a little money on pest control then the problem would be limited. On average we where killing between 2 - 5 in each room each day. On complaining to reception they did give a free domestic spray which helped with many ants but not the roaches. We have had the occasional cockroach in other places but this was a major investation!!!!! A couple we meet that were staying across the road some 100m away had no roaches and very clean rooms.... So Elvita should start controlling the problem or rename itself Elroach...
This maybe the reason that Thomson are not booking the Elvita after this year!!!!!!
The British our in the minority at the Elvita there are many, Swedish, Norweigian, French and Italian.
On the plus side the Elvita pool is excellent for Greece with many sunbeds and a large terrace area. The pool bar is expensive with the exception of pool and airhockey which was only one euro, great for the kids.
Didn't eat in Lardos Bay having read reviews we tried the restaurants in Lardos village which is a 30 min walk (with pavement) 5 euro if you grab a cab on main road. Don't order from hotel you will get charged almost double....
We ate at Savvas - very basic but very cheap if you are on a very tight budget 26 euro for dinner for 4 including bread, starter, main, and free cake!!!
Valentinas - good food, average pricing nice position being able to watch village life...
Roulas - Excellent food, fantastic hardworking friendly staff. Possibly the best Taverna we have eaten at in Greece and we have eaten at many....
We probably won't return to Rhodes for many years as this was our second visit and there are two many wonderful places to visit in the world!!! But if we ever find ourselves in Rhodes again Roulas will be the first stop for dinner and the Elvita will not be considered.
If you are going this year try and get one on the updated rooms and take some cleaning stuff...

2 readers found this review helpful

These apartments are very basic but ours was very clean, we did not spot any creepy crawleys while staying there.
The cleaners came in every other day and gave us clean towels & bedding, no early morning calls by them either.
Weather was very hot for end of May so we would recommend going to Crazy Georges just outside the apartments for a very very cold beer or go to the Gallery abit further down both very friendly.
We went to Lardos square and went for a meal at The Old House Restaurant where you can sit up on the roof top restaurant, food was fantastic, also visit Perikilas for a Gyros facing crazy georges theses are gorgeous, or go to Terpsis in pefkos fantastic food.
I recommend that if you like going in the sea take some sort of shoes to wear as its shingle & pebbles and is murder on the feet.
Pefkos is around 35 mins walk and is 7 euros by taxi also probably the same to go to Lardos square.
The Lardos is quite but you dont have to travell far for the night life.

3 readers found this review helpful

My husband and myself went to the El Vita after we got a great deal and were not sure
what to expect. It was fab, the apartments are basic but very clean and the staff are
very friendly and helpful. There are great restaurants in Lardos and a few good pubs.
If you want a livelier night-out, Pefkos is nearby and is full of restaurants, pubs
shops ect. We are going back this year again to the Elvita and we can't wait. The location is one of the best right on the beach and the view is to die for. This wee hotel is only rated a 3 star but for friendliness and laughrer it is definately worth a 5 every time.

2 readers found this review helpful

This was our third holiday staying at the El vita and we've booked again for next year. THAT SAYS IT ALL. Accommodation is basic, but you only need to shower and sleep there. The owners and staff are outstandingly helpful, hello to all of you especially Hannah and Nikos. The couple at the Takis shop at the top of the road are just as helpful, Hi Sam and Penny. The pool and area surrounding is always kept clean, and the no nonsense bed saving scheme seems to work well. The sea is beautifully clean, though the walk into the sea is a little hard on the feet, I recommend the rock shoes. We choose to eat our breakfast at the El vita then walk to the village every evening for our evening meal, there is a variety of wonderful places to eat, with some lovely food on the menu. We always meet some of the nicest people at the El vita. The only down side is that we have to come back home.