Carpe Diem Exclusive Boutique Resort

Arrived on Jet 2 from Newcastle late 23:00 on 29/9 and was shown to our room by Lucas. We had our own little plunge pool and although on the lower level we felt very private compared with some of the bigger rooms who you walk by to go to from the room. Going late in the year meant lower suns and we didn’t get much of it on our small terrace but there are communal beds which can be used. Room was very clean but there is lack of storage, no drawers so we needed to rearrange things to ensure we weren’t living out of a suitcase for the week. Mini bar was emptied as stated by others it’s pricey (as are most things on the island) and we used this for our own bought water Coke and beer. Staff are excellent especially Mary serving breakfast every morning and offering advice of things to do. The hill ..yip it’s there and needs climbing daily but ensured my “rings” were closed everyday. Breakfast was good and set us up for the day. We used buses 3 days once to Fira …then onto OIA the next day and finally to PERISSA which was good fun but I can imagine this could be stressful in July / August when it’s packed. Summary. Lovely clean accommodation won’t suit those with mobility issues.

Good Hotel in Pyrgos but needs to help create some atmosphere. There is no meeting point for guests other than breakfast which is excellent and always served by Mary. Who gives excellent service and is pleasant and helpful to the guests. Why not have a meeting for staff and guests something like a cocktail party as a way of communicating.Zoe the receptionist is helpful, but the road connecting the hotel to the street is appalling the gradient is taxing you need to be fairly fit to climb up it and careful too coming down as it is vertually an unmade road .We would recommend the Mythos restaurant and taverna along with Penelope’s as places to eat. If booking trips beware locations being changed or dropped whilst out on the bus this occurred to us and we managed quite rightly to get a partial refund.

This hotel has left me quite disappointed in some ways. Upon arrival we were not told where the gym or any other facilities were. When asked we were told we had to book the gym a day before atleast and so we did, however when we reached the gym the lady at reception said it was not ready and so we had to go back to the room to wait. When we did go inside their was only one treadmill and 2 pedal bikes with a few weights. The sauna was not working, the music stereo was not working and the air conditioning was poor. Their was a phone in the gym so I thought we could contact the reception, however that was not working too. After leaving the gym I mentioned all of this to the lady at reception and she said the sauna was not working as it required additional payment. Again, this was not told to us. The rooms were adequately clean, however I felt it required some refurbishment on the floor and bathroom. The shower worked well. The sink taps could have been more powerful. We were not told prior that toilet paper was not allowed to be put in the toilet due to drainage so that was uncomfortable for the stay. We decided to have breakfast in our room all four days but that had an additional 16 euro charge and although it did arrive quickly everytime we ordered the lady was quite adamant to come to collect it quickly each tume so would keep asking if she can come to collect it. We felt that as quite an unnecessary stress to hurry to eat each time. Our room was the VIP largest room in the hotel and was with a heated private pool, however all the four days the pool was cold. We spoke to the man at reception about this and he said it was due to the high winds, however even when the winds had died down the pool was still cold. When asked if the heating element of the pool could be increased we were told that was the highest it would be. A huge disappointment as it led to one of us getting a temperature and cold for the last two days there. The hotel staff for cleaning were kind and helpful in changing the bedsheets daily. The hotel reception staff was mainly a young lady and man. The lady was quite polite, however the man was mostly abrupt and rude. He would speak as though he just was not interested. A special mention must be made to the night staff called Antonis (I apologise if the name is spelt incorrectly.) He was absolutely wonderful. One of the lights in our room would not switch off and was too bright to sleep with. When I called to ask for help luckily he was the one who answered (the other man was too moody.) Antonis guided me on the phone and said if it still does not switch off I can call back. I did call back and he came immediately and went to find someone to ask for help. He came back quickly and sorted out the problem. He was a diamond. Overall the hotel was ok. The location was very close to the airport but their was a very steep hill outside and so some of the taxis would park at the top of the hill and we would have to walk up. It felt dangerous (especially at night) as going down it felt like we could slide down if wearing the wrong footwear. Luckily our footwear was ok so you must keep that in mind. Also the steepness going uphill was almost 160 degrees. Very exhausting. That is why I gave location a 3/5. I probably would not recommend this hotel in all honesty, except for the distance from the airport and Antonis (the night staff.)

We wanted somewhere chilled and slightly out of the way, this does exactly what it says on the tin, superb rooms, fantastic staff and a lovely chilled vibe...

Avoid avoid avoid. We stayed here for 4 nights in early September 25. There is an extreme staffing shortage; after 4pm there is no meal service at all. Nothing. The only bar is also closed at 4pm. (A night porter would serve drinks if you could find him). Consequently, the hotel was like the Marie Celeste by 4pm. So, if you want to have dinner, you must leave the hotel. Your choice then is either a steep 15 minute walk up paths & tracks to the lovely village of Pyrgos to find a restaurant, or pay 40€ to go anywhere else on the island. So if you want to go to Fira (3 miles away) that’s 80€ on taxis before you spend another cent. What a disappointing rip-off. What a shame, because the hotel itself is beautiful