Haravontas, Lassi, Greece | (937) 315-4602
Friendly, family-run hotel with a casual atmosphere
Seven-minute walk from a beach with sunbeds for rent
Well-maintained rooms with mini-fridges, flat-screen TVs, and hairdryers
Lovely grounds and breathtaking view from every room
Big, attractive pool with a wading section and hot tub
Delicious a la carte dinners and light meals at the snack bar
Massage room and a sauna offer relaxation
Evening entertainment includes Greek barbecue and game nights
Wi-Fi is free in common areas
Hotel is up a steep hill, making walking difficult
Breakfast is mediocre and not included with all rooms
Some decor is bland
Gym is tiny with only three cardio machines
Some rooms are charged extra for air-conditioning
The 56-room, mid-range Dionysos Village Resort is a laid-back hotel with breathtaking views that lures leisure travelers -- mostly couples -- who don’t mind the steep uphill walk to reach the property (or have transportation). The big pool is a highlight, but other amenities are undersized -- the advertised spa is just a massage room and a sauna, and the gym is tiny. Although the breakfast buffet is lackluster and generally only appreciated by guests who get it for free, dinner is excellent. Rooms vary from dated and bland to fresh and relaxing, but all are modest and have mini-fridges and kettles. All rooms are sea-facing and have furnished outdoor spaces that capitalize on the view. It's worth comparing rates with the modern San Lorenzo Village, which has in-room kitchenettes.
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Scene
An unassuming, family-run hotel with pretty grounds and breathtaking views
This friendly resort is a quiet, unassuming place sought after for the spectacular views afforded from its remote, hillside location. The grounds are appealing, with eight buildings spread around the property -- most fairly close to the pool. Flower beds and vine-drenched pergolas dress up the green lawns and native trees all around the property. Inside, common areas are casual and functional. The lobby is a small space with practical furnishings and a couple of curio cabinets displaying awards and memorabilia. The atmosphere is casual, with many guests feeling comfortable enough to walk around in swimsuits and flip-flops. Stunning sunset views also make it very popular for weddings, which draw a crowd to the facilities. Clientele is primarily couples who appreciate the quiet beauty and don’t mind the distance to town, but families come as well.
Location
Isolated hillside spot in southwestern Cephalonia, a 15-minute walk from the beach
This hotel sits on a hillside just south of the popular tourist town of Lassi, in the southwest of Greece’s Cephalonia island. It is an isolated spot; aside from a few hotels, the only things in walking distance are a supermarket (12-minute walk) and the busy Makris Gialos Beach (15-minute walk). The return trip from both places is a longer and more difficult walk up the steep hill; those without transportation often prefer to take a taxi. The main street through Lassi has restaurants and shops to explore, situated a five-minute drive from the hotel. Argostolion is Cephalonia’s bustling capital city, and it's a 10-minute drive from the hotel. A bus stops on the main road at the bottom of the hill, a 12-minute walk away. Cephalonia International Airport is an 11-minute drive from the hotel.
Rooms
Air-conditioned rooms with modest design and amenities; some with kitchenettes
Standard rooms are modest in design, but spacious and clean. Tile floors and white or ivory walls are a neutral base for simple furnishings and limited embellishment. A wardrobe, built-in vanity, and double bed cover the basics, and some rooms have a fold-out chair or sofa bed. Some rooms have bright, colorful accents in artwork, curtains, and bedspreads, while other rooms maintain a relaxing, neutral palette. All rooms have balconies and terraces facing the sea, providing beautiful views that are a highlight of the hotel. Also standard are mini-fridges, kettles, and safes. Most also have a TV -- some are flat-screens -- and unfortunately, air-conditioning costs extra with some bookings. Suites and apartments with separate bedrooms are available. Self-catering rooms have a small kitchenette with an electric hob and limited dishes. Bathrooms are tight, featuring walk-in showers behind glass doors. Some show their age with minor wear, but refreshed bathrooms are lovely. Higher-category rooms offer larger bathrooms with a beautiful design and upscale extras like whirlpools and separate showers.
Features
Well-sized pool, whirlpool, and kiddy pool, plus a spa and good restaurant
This hotel is designed for relaxation, providing several options to unwind. The big, attractive pool has a good-sized wading pool on one side and an infinity-edge defined by a balustrade above a large hot tub. There are plenty of loungers, and a private section with rentable cabanas is quieter. An adjacent pool bar serves snacks and light lunches, while Dionysus Restaurant offers breakfast and dinner. Food is not included in room rates, and many guests prefer to make the trip to Lassi for breakfast. The a la carte dinner menu consists of delicious Greek cuisine, with many ingredients homegrown in the on-site organic garden.
The spa is essentially a nice room where massages and beauty services are available. The gym is tiny, housing only a few cardio machines. Entertainment includes a pool table, lending library, and evening events such as live music, quiz nights, and a Greek barbecue with dancing. Wi-Fi is free in common spaces, and some rooms get the signal, but it is unreliable.
