Welcome to the “real Greece.” A stay at the Porto Loutro Hotel will make you relax instantly – from its perfect waterfront setting to the traditional Greek hospitaility you will be offred as soon as you arrive – a perfect position.
Our accommodation, run by the charismatic Alison Androulakakis and her daughter Sophia, is divided between two charming hotels, Porto Loutro on the Beach and Porto Loutro on the Hill. The names tell you almost everything you need to know. Barely a three-minute stroll away from each other, the two hotels offer simply furnished rooms, with supremely comfortable beds and en-suite facilities, and a balcony or terrace to appreciate the astonishing view. It’s a conundrum to choose between them.
Porto Loutro on the Beach is very much at the heart of village life, enjoying pole position along the waterfront; the amble from bed to sea takes a matter of moments for a morning dip before a continental breakfast on the hotel’s pretty terrace. Porto Loutro on the Hill is a step removed from the gentle hubbub, with larger rooms and a more contemporary feel. There’s also a restaurant on the elevated terrace where a buffet breakfast is served, though there’s nothing to stop you enjoying an evening meal here, whichever venue you choose.
A dozen or so inviting bars and tavernas fringe the bay, serving local specialities, fresh fish and homemade delicacies; a leisurely stroll from one end of the village to the other takes no more than ten minutes, allowing for an ice-cream stop along the way. What to do then, other than idle the days away on the beach, enjoy a leisurely game of backgammon with the locals, or set off in a kayak to explore the bay? The answer is entirely up to you. All the secrets of southern Crete await should you wish to discover them: a world of hidden coves, formidable caves, tiny chapels and long forgotten ruins.
Whether you set off on foot or hire a boat, the wonders and spectacles of this astonishing coast will delight the imagination and stir the soul. For sustenance, take a picnic and enjoy an interlude along the way, or visit one of the few stand-alone tavernas, as modest and welcoming as their intrepid owners. You don’t have to venture far to enjoy the powerful remoteness of the spot and bathe in the heavenly water unobserved, barring the odd goat you may encounter, and a pilgrimage to the mouth of the Samaria Gorge is perfectly doable for those in search of adventure.
There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one.
