Plaza Beach Resort — Hotel in Municipality of Kalymnos

As regular visitors to Kalymnos we have often stayed in The Plaza and have experienced its development over the years. The main reason we opt for this hotel because it is comfortable, clean, attractive and very central for restaurants and other facilities. Also, breakfast is included; though while it offers a reasonable range of food, it is nothing very special, if I am honest about this. However, the dining area is very pleasant and there is lots of room to sit outside if you wish to do so and drink in the fabulous views. ||The rooms are clean, spacious, and reasonably well-equipped (each complete with a much-needed A/C unit - though some of them are old and noisy) and the views on the Telendos side of the hotel are magnificent. Furthermore, the front of house staff (and manager) are extremely friendly and helpful, especially Themalina who does an outstandingly good job welcoming guests and attending to their various needs. She is uber-friendly and speaks excellent English for those who struggle with the Greek language (i.e. us!) ||The main entrance is very attractive and now boasts ramps as well as steps up to the street level. As for the recently refurbished pool area and pool bar (managed by the ever-exuberant and friendly Nicos) both are lovely and perfect for a relaxing day in the sun, allowing taking in magnificent views throughout the day. However, there is a major problem that needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency. And while this pertains to my own circumstances (I have life-long disability and am now quite old so accessibility is now much greater issue than it ever was previously) it also applies to many of the other guests too, I am sure, which was the subject of much discussion.||While there is an internal lift in the hotel (though it is ancient and noisy and only goes to three floors) the only access from the accommodation area to the pool is down four flights of outside steps. And although there is a handrail, it is not very secure and, in the extreme sun, gets unbearably hot which, somewhat ironically, means you cannot use it without risking burning your hands. The same applies to the flights of steps from the pool area that lead down to the beach. ||However, to be absolutely fair, neither the hotel and various companies who use it for their guests recommend its suitability for those with mobility issues and those who are elderly - thus eliminating quite a sizeable clientele. Yet with a little imagination and some modest expenditure I think that issue could be addressed fairly easily.||Self-evidently, Kalymnos (and The Plaza itself) experience a great deal of repeat business (people revisit the island year after year), surely it would make sense to address the issue of accessibility by way of having another lift (even a cube-style one) to assist guests getting down to the pool area. That would be a really practical thing to do and ought not to cost a great deal but would make life considerably easier for those loyal guests - both young and old - who book into the hotel year and after year.||This would make all the difference. How about it? ||Finally, although the sea view rooms are more expensive and offer stunning views, the rooms facing the shops (actually called the 'city view' rooms!) are equally well-equipped and probably cooler in the afternoon. However, if you have your patio door open later in the day there is a potential for noise from the bar over the road along with almost...

We stayed there 12 nights for our climbing vacation in end of August 2019.

Rooms: We got room 115 seaside, the view to the neighbor Island Telendos was gorgeous and the Sound of the waves amazing. The room itself was semi-clean, not dirty, but also not clean, as I would prefer. There was water stains on all armatures and mildew spots in the shower. The first bit of water out of the shower stunk moldy, after that it was okay, a bit salty (but hey, it is an Island). Sometimes the drain in the bathroom smelled muddy and chemical, it goes thru the whole room, after a few minutes it was gone. The air conditioning stunk as if it got moldy, cannot (would not) use it. Unfortunately, we had cockroaches in the room, the first one was ok for us, we put it simply out of the balcony, but after 3 days of stay, we had like a plague of them in the room, also in the night-desk, behind the window drapes there running along. This was too much and we go to the reception and tell them (it was around midnight) and they checked another room for us and we could Change to room 113 for the rest of our stay in the Hotel. The conditions there was better than in the other room, but also not clean, there we had only 2 times again a cockroach in the room (maybe we take it with our stuff from the other room). However, the air conditioning was working in this room fine, no moldy stunk, and it worked fine.

Pool and Pool-Bar: The pool was okay, we tested it only once, I mean, the sea is directly downstairs, why I should use the pool!? ;) At the arrival day we ate at the bar, the staff was very nice and the Food okay, I would recommend the Greek salad; it was one of the best in this area.

The beach: The beach is good, so far clean and the water is clear, the first meter in the sea, you have to walk on stones, after that it changed to sand. Yes, the beach lounger does cost 6 EUR each, but the hotel has indicate it in the foyer as the beach is not property of the hotel, we take the sun lounger at the hotel pool and go down to the beach, this is not prohibited by the hotel. Breakfast: The breakfast is okay, not very various, but for me okay. The most of it was tasty and fresh, the scrambled and fried eggs was tasty.

The Staff: The staff is very nice and friendly, the cleaning lady is a little bit shy, but fulfilled all our wishes and was more than happy about the tip we gave her.

Summary: I would only give two stars because of the condition of the rooms, but since the reception staff gave us a new room without hesitation, I give three stars. However, if we take another trip to Kalymnos I would prefer to get one of the Studios and not again...

Just got back from this lovely hotel for the 2nd time !! Hotel is made for me for having the lovely Themi on reception who is very welcoming and accommodating on every level for all the guests needs! The changes in a year have been very good ! There is now a bakery right next to entrance of hotel and although not part of Plaza it is very handy to go and sit outside with a lovely cool icecream in a tub or waffle cone ! or have a freshly made sandwich or selections of pastries! |Also hotel now boasts a new walk in pool with new leather sun beds overlapping it ! very safe for small children in it !! Main pool did not live up to last years experience for me personally as pump was not working !! & beware on sunday gets very busy due to being open to the public !! Hence me not giving a five star this year!|Cleaning is done everyday as long as you put out the Make up my Room sign on door !! fresh towels are provided each day ! Cleaners are very good !|Breakfast is now from 7am to 10.30 am so plenty time to have a lie in ! Breakfast consists of freshly made pancakes if you ask for them (if none out!) with honey/chocolate sauce and fruit mainly peaches and water melon ! also continental breakfast with fresh breads brown & white ! Fried eggs/bacon and small hot dog sausages ! ! Also plenty of juices & Hot drinks available ! Waitresses are lovely and work very hard ! Not everybody appreciates this !! |There are many restaurants & bars & shops to enjoy going left or right along the street in a few minutes outside hotel entrance ! Beware of cars and lots of scooters on the one way street as you walk ! |This holiday will certainly up your step intake (down and up stairs ) so beware if you are not very mobile ! There is a small lift but does not go down to pools ! I think if this was added on as a new addition It would see more customers looking into booking this lovely hotel ! The beach is also part of this hotel and although open to public with your blue bracelet given to you on arrival gives you all day free sun beds costing 10 euros each to non staying guests ! |To sum up my holiday was the Weather /Greek food and Atmosphere but the ultimate key to this and Im guessing other customers who come to this beautiful island is the most stunning back drop views especially when sun is setting ! The pictures we got were out of this world and memories to...