Vergina Sun

27/9-1/10 We three British middle aged guys are in Rhodes for a fortnight at the end of the season. We had spent four nights in Rhodes Old Town and decided to concentrate on the East (less windy) side and coast. The infamous Faliraki was our first stop, booking from our hotel Knights of Old Town. It looked like a good deal with a pool and close go the FKK naturist beach which I was keen to try out. We arrived by coach to the centre and missed the closest bus stop in the centre so got off at Faliraki beach stop so it was a long walk in the early afternoon heat at 1:50 with our back packs via the beach boardwalk, an interesting introduction to the town. After leaving the beach and heading inland along dry dusty roads with vacant plots amongst new developments we got to the roundabout where VSA was located. In we went at 2:15 to find a notice on the reception door referring to us saying that the key was in the door no 1, fine. Inside the ground floor door we found a modern, white and grey themed room with a kitchenette, en-suite showerroom and balcony onto the lawn, the pool being round the side (not quite a pool view as promised but fine and more private although a low wall was against the road, whereas extra screens were against the pool wall). All this was fine, as the naturist beach was not far away and a lot of people would be unperturbed by the privacy issues. A first floor of apartments above had less privacy anyway. We settled in quickly. In detail: Kitchenette - this was reasonably well equipped with three each of cutlery, crockery, big pot, small pot, small frying pan, serving spoons, a plastic chopping board, colander, and glassware. We broke a wine glass by accident and this was replaced by the owner's friendly daughter who seems to manage the whole block. A kettle and tea towel were available by an electric double hob. Washing-up liquid and a nylon sponge were also by the steel sink and draining board. A washing up bowl would have been useful as washing steel cutlery in a non stick pot would damage the lining. An undercupboard light would also help above the preparation area as (even with the spotlight by the door) we were working in our shadow and my cooking friend has visual difficulties in the dark. A quiet clean fridge with ice box (but no ice trays so we used old yoghurt containers and plastic cups) was available which started on whilst the electronic key fob was out of the holder and all the other electric were turned off whilst out. An A/C unit was above the door which was quite, efficient and necessary at times! Showerroom had a sink and large mirror with a light above it. The corner shower with solid sliding screens was next to the WC. Plenty of towels, toilet paper, hooks and space. Water pressure from tap was good enough to jet razors out. The shower took a while to get hot water which although not absolutely necessary was a pity in a land that has not seen rain in seven months. A useful floor mat/towel helped in keeping the floor clean of sand. A dustpan and brush would have been useful. There was a small lined bin for toilet paper. The main room had two firm single mattresses on a solid kingsize base. Independent LED bedside lights and a switchable blue ambient led light strip from behind the solid head bedrest set a cool mood. Another bedside switch controlled the main diffuse uplight above the patio door. A small bedside table was either side but only one side by the wardrobe had an electrical socket. I provided my own multiple adapters and extension leads which helped getting charging cables the other side. It is odd that a modern room lacks sockets in these days of devices (especially with sleep monitoring apps). A single fold-up bed was beside the fridge so could be a bit noisy if you are sensitive at night, the kettle and its socket was also right above the head, a bit disconcerting for some, so sleep the other way round. The mattress was firm and comfortable. Opposite the double bed was a dressing table with the 28inch lcd tv above (only showing 18 Greek programmes), a large mirror and a shelf beneath with a hair dryer on the side. A chair was beside it and a multiple socket was plugged in with a spare slot. There was no table lamp though. A wardrobe and shelf unit had ten coat hangers and space for stuff. I think there was a code safe inside. Some big blankets were provided in case it got cold! The big double window doors had a separate mosquito screen (we had seen a few mosquitos and flies indoors but bought a spray) and led to the 3x1.5m patio which had a small upvc table and two upvc chairs. Once again (like Knights of Old Town) the table could not really accommodate three for breakfast. If finances allow this would be a good upgrade or have one available to swap for booked groups of three or more. My yoghurt and honey waiting on the floor was found by the ants. The patio got very hot at midday and quite cold as the sun set and/or wind rose. A neat wall mounted extendable clothes drying rack was included to take advantage of the heat! A soft patio light was switchable from inside the room. The pool was a real asset and used everyday, showering in the adjacent shower first. The sun loungers and umbrellas were also useful and comfortable, the wifi extending there too. Swimming was only allowed 8-8; pity as it was quite inviting being lit up all blue at 02:00hrs on our first night returning from the wonderful Village Taste! The wi-fi in our room 1 adjacent to the office was very slow (10mbps down, 2 up) most of the day for but fine for simple messaging. I'll be waiting for quicker speeds before trying to upload this and previous reviews (or waiting till I get back home to London to my 358mbps down and 36up!). We had told the daughter that we did not need any cleaning of the room or changing towels. On the second morning the cleaning couple knocked on the door to offer to clean the room, we told them it was not necessary as we were leaving the next morning. We are quite happy to be low maintenance and eco-friendly! We locked ourselves out on the third day, phoned up the owner who arranged for the daughter to come with the master key and within a few minutes. she was here, thanks! She was in and out of the block a lot, was studying environmental architecture and was well aware of the deficiencies of the Rhodes recycling system. The nights were surprisingly quiet, no ear plugs were needed. A cockerel crowed late in the morning and towards dusk and the traffic noise was not a problem. The only niggling noise was the pool umbrella pegs banging on the poles in the wind. I realigned them all so they were less likely to ting like triangles in the usual wind at night. A couple of nearby hotels had noisy karaokes and/or (one rapping or commenting on a dramatic horse race) DJs but during the weekdays we were there the noise stopped at midnight. Occasionally guests chatted by the pool quite late but not really a problem. Just along the road towards the beach, almost opposite the pool was a small convenience store selling non perishables, wine and beer plus allsorts at corner store prices, although wine reasonable! Fresh bread and proper cooking ingredients were available 600m along the road opposite the roundabout, where 'Discount' was at the junction with traffic lights. On our last morning before checking out at 12 we knew our coach to Pefkos was at 13:30 so I asked the daughter who was in the office next door if we could stay in the room to keep cool and our provisions cool in the fridge. She kindly agreed so we were less stressed in leaving and hanging around in the heat! I had asked her earlier about the bus stops to use to catch the coach to Pefkos bug she was unsure. One was near the B Discount supermarket on the main road and the much closer one just down the road. We were unsure as to whether the same bus served both as the timetables displayed at each were similar. We took a chance with the closer one and yes it was the same bus, arriving ten minutes late at the end of the road near the small supermarket. It would be helpful if this information was available as we all don't have cars. On leaving we could not find the daughter so left the keys in the door, as found. She then popped out to bid us farewell and to enjoy the rest of our trip. I hope her studies in environmental architecture (in Athens) go well.