| Mediterraneo | |
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851 11 Kastelorizo |
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Kastelorizo made Parisian architect Marie Rivalant fall in love three times: first with the island itself, then with a man living there and finally with an old, waterfront house. So she moved to the island, married the man, and bought the house. Luckily for us, she decided to turn the house into a little hotel, and did so without trying to make an architectural or design statement. The house was cute enough as it was, and Marie wisely kept it that way, adding just colour, arty bathrooms and details giving it a touch of the exotic. Bedrooms are spread over two floors, several light and airy ones facing the sea, and others that have a more oriental feel, with mattresses on a sleeping platform. A magnificent suite occupies the ground floor. Breakfast, a blend of Greek, French and Turkish delicacies, is served on the terrace, and during the day you can sunbathe in front of the house and dip into the clear waters.
What makes it special to me:
The simple, unpretentious atmosphere that reigns in the hotel; all you need here is a pareo and a good book. The waterfront location is great; it basically feels like having an immense pool at your doorstep. You can swim across the bay to have a drink at the little bar (the hotspot on the island) right across.
But what you should keep in mind:
Space for sitting out is limited; when in the summer the hotel is full you may not always find a sun bed.
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| Owner | Marie Rivalant |
| Address | 851 11 Kastelorizo |
| Tel. | 22460-49007 6973676038 |
| Fax | 22460-49007 |
| miloumar@otenet.gr | |
| Website | http://www.mediterraneo-kastelorizo.com |
| Opening period: | From the beginning of April until the end of October |
| Children: | Welcome |
| Dogs: | Allowed |
| Prices: | Double room €55-80 per night (breakfast included) |
| Credit cards: | Not accepted |
| Accommodation | 7 double rooms (some rooms can interconnect to accommodate families) 1 suite for up to 3 persons (with an open-plan bathroom) 7 double rooms (some rooms can interconnect to accommodate families) 1 double suite (extra single bed possible) |
| Room facilities | En-suite bathroom (shower) |
Sun beds by the water |
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Breakfast is served on the terrace from 8h30 to 11h00. It includes the best of several worlds: Greek yogurt with honey, French croissants, Turkish tea... I must say I generally ate very well on the island. There are lots of cute little restaurants and tavernas by the water, I like all the ones I tried. My best meal, however, was on the hill on the other side of the bay, at the little square next to the church. Ask Marie for some recommendations as well.. |
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The hotel is just metres from the water in the horseshoe shaped bay of Kastellorizo, right where the Oscar-winning movie Mediterraneo was shot. |
 find it on the map
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You first have to get to Rhodes, which can be reached by ferryboat from Piraeus (overnight ferries take about 12 hours), from other islands (Crete, Kos, Santorini, Paros and others) and also from Marmaras in Turkey (one hour away), or by plane – the airport is served by an array of domestic and international airlines. From Rhodes you can take either a connecting flight to Kastelorizo, or a ferry (about 4,5 hours). Connections are not daily so be sure to be well informed before you make your bookings. Once you arrive on the island getting to the hotel is easy. You can take a taxi or the municipal mini-bus from the airport to the ‘town’. Facing the sea, you go left and follow the waterfront to the end of the bay where you will see Hotel Mediterraneo. |
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This little island just off the coast of Turkey is so far out that it doesn’t even appear on most maps of Greece. Getting here by plane is an experience. The short landing strip is near the top of the mountain, with steep drops at both ends. It only accommodates small planes, and they can only land when the weather conditions are ideal.
A municipal minibus will take you down to the ‘town’ of Kastelorizo (or Megisti, its official name). It feels like arriving at a movie set (which it has been indeed; the Oscar-winning movie Mediterraneo was shot here). There is something unreal about the perfection of the place, with charming two- and three storied neoclassical houses set amphitheatrically around the harbour. There is not a single architectural faux-pas (with the exception perhaps of one hotel, currently closed, that must have been built in the 1970s). Most houses were destroyed during WW2 bombings, but by now most have been restored and painted in cheerful colours.
Everything about the island is quiet and peaceful (even when I was there the first week of August); people are friendly; the atmosphere is magical. There are no beaches to speak of; instead people have sun beds in front of their houses and dive into the sea practically from their doorsteps. You can take boat trips around the island and stop for swims at nearby islets; make sure you don’t miss the caves on the south-west side of the island.
There’s really not much you will need to be happy on Kastelorizo. Take with you a few good books, decent walking shoes (the island is best explored on foot and there are beautiful walking trails) and plenty of sunscreen (as well as medications if you need any – there’s no pharmacy). And then just go with the flow. Try and include a Friday in your stay. This is the day fishermen take people across to Kaş in Turkey to do their shopping at the open street market. You will have the day to do some shopping – in addition to the obvious carpet and handicraft sellers there are some lovely boutiques where you can find great towels, bathrobes, bedspreads and cotton wear – and of course have some kebab. |
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Read here what others said about Mediterraneo
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We stayed in the hotel mediterraneo on Kastellorizo this October, this is a wonderful, special place. We found it with the help of your website, thank you for that. We are old Greek travellers, and love those places, which are individual and not "mass Tourism". We are sure try more of your hotels. Heike W.Vechta, Germany October 2008 |
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We stayed with Marie in Kastelorizo on honeymoon last summer, and totally concur with what a fabulous place it is. We loved Marie, her husband Yiorgos, and Costas. So many wonderful people, we have promised to routinely return to celebrate our marriage. James B.London, UK July 2007 |
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