Acrotel Elea Beach

This hotel is a great pick for leisure travelers, especially families, spending their days on-site. The grounds are lovely and well-tended, offering beautiful ocean views from many areas, especially the pool terrace along the back of the hotel. Stone-paved pathways lined with greenery and flowers lead between the eight two-story buildings of guest rooms, with cream-colored walls under terra-cotta roofs, plus blue and green accent walls.  

Interiors are less impressive due to a lot of white space, though the lobby has a bit more character. Expect wood flooring, white walls, and a few pops of green in sofas. Fabric light fixtures, linen curtains, and a few pieces of artwork featuring natural artifacts from the island contribute to an easygoing atmosphere. The reception desk stands out in contrast with dark stone, LED lighting, and a black-and-white photo display hanging from the ceiling. Tables full of curios and a display of for-sale items add a busyness to the space. Unfortunately, the rooms are dated and in need of a refresh.

Acrotel Elea Village is on the coast of the central peninsula of Halkidiki, off Greece’s mainland. It’s a quiet area with little nearby, just a few hotels sprinkled along the shoreline between the small towns of Nikiti and Neos Marmaras. The peninsula is known for its mountainous central regions and a coastline peppered with beaches -- some quiet and natural, others developed for tourists. A small but pleasant beach is within a few minutes' walk of the hotel. From the hotel, Neo Marmaras is a 15-minute drive, and offers guests restaurants, shops, and churches to explore, plus a ferry with service to a few other spots along the peninsulas. Guests may also catch a public bus from either of the two towns. It’s a 17-minute drive to Paradisos Beach, a beautiful beach well-suited to tourists with sunbeds for rent and good restaurants. The nearest major city is Thessaloniki -- a 90-minute drive away -- and nearby Thessaloniki Airport Makedonia is an 80-minute drive from the hotel. 

Overall dated and in need of a refresh, rooms are simply decorated with tile floors and white walls that are mostly bare, save a black-and-white painting. Two single beds are pushed together for a double, plus there are a desk and a wardrobe. Starting at about 225 square feet (21 square meters), double rooms fit two guests, and an extra bed can accommodate a third, though it is a tight squeeze. All rooms are air-conditioned and offer a mini-fridge and a tube TV, but no kettle. Every room also has a balcony or terrace, some with a beautiful view of the sea, while others overlook the grounds. Family Rooms have more space for extra beds, and apartments have a divider between two rooms for a bit more privacy -- each accommodates up to four guests. Bathrooms are tiny, with a small curtained shower and tray and a pedestal sink. There are a couple of shelves, but very little space to store toiletries. A hairdryer and free soap are provided.  

This hotel has a passable list of amenities to cater to guests spending their days lounging on-site. Most guests find the food very good at the all-inclusive restaurant, which offers Mediterranean and Greek dishes. Buffet-style service is available for three meals a day, with seating on the terrace near the pool or in a simple, but pleasant indoor space off the lobby. The a la carte restaurant is available for lunch. 

A large pool with a waterfall feature sits on a lovely tiled patio, surrounded by loungers under linen umbrellas, a grassy lawn, and plenty of trees. A stone wall adds charm, and the ocean view is beautiful. The area is quiet and relaxing. There is an attached wading pool divided from the main pool by a metal fence. A few raised stone terraces have cabanas draped with white linens, and wicker chairs around a table. The pool bar is a lovely spot farther down on the same patio, serving drinks and desserts. Next to the pool is a small, fenced in area with a disjointed play area. There’s also a court for tennis and basketball. Entertainment and activities are planned regularly, such as themed music and dancing at the bar and pottery lessons. Free Wi-Fi with a strong, reliable signal is available throughout the hotel.