Hotel Pelops, Olympia

Advantages: Classical Sanctuary in lush surroundings
Disadvantages: No cafe just street vendors

...As a lot of Ciao readers will know by some of my previous reviews, earlier this year I embarked on a tour of classical Greece with my husband Dave. An overnight stay at Olympia was included in the tour. It was late afternoon as we approached the village and we were struck by the increasing amount of trees. After traveling through mainly mountainous landscape, the greenness of the area was a pleasant contrast and welcome surprise. The coach took us straight to our hotel, the Olympia Palace, for the night. The hotel room was pretty basic, double bed and shower. However, as we now becoming accustomed to (but still thrilled), the room had a balcony with magnificent views of the surrounding area. Evening meal was included as part of the tour. At most stops on the tour our meal had been that of chicken so I was delighted when we were... Read review

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Advantages: Impressive site, spectacular location, museum well presented
Disadvantages: modern village very touristy

...The modern village of Olympia is in sharp contrast to the adjacent Ancient site, but it is worth suffering the tourist trappings of the modern village to experience the peace and tranquility of the site itself. Modern Olympia's main street is lined with hotels and tourist shops selling books, ceramics and T shirts. It is the starting point for most visitors to the site and can at times be quite noisy, especially in the spring when coach loads of overseas and Greek students fill the hotels and local restaurants with their boisterous activity. The ancient site lies at the end of the village and has a tree lined walkway leading to its entrance. Once you leave the modern village behind, the atmosphere changes as you enter the calm of the valley. Although the ruins are not particularly well preserved when compared to the likes... Read review

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Advantages: Comfortable, friendly and pretty stylish London hotel
Disadvantages: The movie channel didn't work properly. Minor criticism.

...turned out to be a group of really nice people who'd congregated from miles and miles away? At the eleventh hour, I decided not to be defeated. Nothing to do with losing £45. More to the point, I'd have missed out on meeting some great people and would have missed out on the opportunity to stick a finger or two up at the most incompetent pseudo-terrorists of the century. Dammit - I travelled on the tube and bus almost out of defiance. But enough of that... A short tube ride brings you to High Street Kensington station. Probably more convenient than the more obviously named "Olympia", but it's only a brisk walk or bus ride to the hotel and - hey - that's what you really wanted to read about. So here goes. Sorry; no baby Josh element here - just the thoughts of a single traveller; rare, from me - but possibly relevant! I'd walked from... Read review

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