Hotel review: Iapetos Village, Symi, Greece

How can an island capture your heart so quickly? It’s not just that Symi’s harbour is one of the prettiest I’ve seen, its elegant architecture and houses in almost every hue above the sparkling waves.

press trip*

It’s not just the little coves, water so clear you barely need a snorkel, with wonderful food at even the smallest beach taverna. It’s not just the welcome from almost everyone we met on the island.

There’s something in the air in Symi, so that tales of one English couple who’ve returned every year for 25 years – eventually buying their own place to spend months at a time – make absolute sense. Days vanish lazily by the beach, over ice cream and coffee, wandering the shady streets – and too soon, it’s time to leave. If you’re thinking of visiting, do – and here’s where we stayed, with my review of Iapetos Village on Symi.

Iapetos Village, Symi: Vital statistics

The small Iapetos Village blends beautifully into the colourful landscape of Symi, but is actually a new addition to the island with 25 separate little houses set in lush gardens.

Crossing the line between self-catering apartment and B&B, there are a mix of studio suites sleeping 2-4, and maisonettes sleeping 4-6. Our stay was arranged by Olympic Holidays, which ranks it as four flames – effectively four-star level.

Iapetos Village review: The good

The space

After more than a few occasions where I’ve been crammed into a double room, trying not to disturb my daughter after dark, it’s nice to have room to spread out.

Our maisonette had a sofa bed for one downstairs and two single beds together upstairs, but with another sofa in the main bedroom, chairs out on the terrace and a little balcony, not to mention a small kitchenette, we all had room to breathe.

The amazing colours

Cruising into the harbour at Symi, I was instantly won over by the island’s colourful style, its neoclassical buildings looking as if they could have come straight from Italy.

And with its deep cornflower blues, sunshiney yellows and splashes of green and red, Iapetos Village was the perfect match.

The courtyard

Set around a little bar, the courtyard also doubled as the breakfast ‘room’. The food itself (including delicious Greek yoghurt and honey, as well as pancakes) was set out in a buffet in a small room downstairs, but it was a lovely way to start each morning.

During our stay, breakfast was the only meal served although you could get drinks at the bar as well.

The pool

Symi’s size and laid-back atmosphere means you won’t find five-star resorts or sprawling chain hotels, you may even struggle to find a pool. So the small swimming pool at Iapetos Village sets it apart from the rest.

Shaded and covered, the unheated water was definitely on the chilly side, so it’s better for older kids who’ll splash happily or for adults taking a quick plunge after sunbathing rather than for younger children through.

The location

Minutes from the ferry, minutes from the restaurants and bars of the harbour and the little supermarkets, it was easy to find yourself in the heart of everything almost as soon as you stepped out of the door.

The inevitable downside was that it’s not always quiet: revving motorbikes and bin lorries in the early hours joined an enthusiastic chorus of cockerels in ensuring we didn’t oversleep. Pack earplugs, especially if you’re near the entrance and the road.

The quirky decor

Between the bright splashes of paint, there were some very fun little touches dotted around the courtyard, including a boat turned into a bed and old engine parts used as the base for tables.

The room interiors all seem to be different but are much more traditional by comparison, though all clean, if simple.

The WiFi

Free, fast and reliable, certainly for email and internet (I didn’t try my hand at live-streaming!)

Iapetos Village review: The not so good

The self-catering limits

The little kitchenette had a mixed array of equipment: plates, glasses and cutlery were all present and correct, and there was a huge fridge. But if you wanted to use the oven or hobs, you would be quite restricted in terms of the cooking paraphernalia available.

We got into a rhythm of eating out at lunchtime and having fresh bread with local cheese, tomatoes and olives or something equally simple in the evening, which was fine.

It’s also worth knowing that the tap water on the island isn’t drinkable.

The stairs

Tiled and relatively steep, I was a little wary about my daughter (sleeping upstairs with me) tackling them on her own at night if she wanted to go downstairs to the toilet. I definitely wouldn’t recommend them for toddlers or preschoolers.

The information

Although there are staff at reception on check-in, it’s probably best to think of a stay here in the same way as self-catering/serviced apartments rather than expecting the information and tips you might get from a hotel.

Fellow guests had to tell us about the pool towels and we relied on our own research about what to do on Symi using that speedy internet, while a small issue at check-in was referred straight back to the tour operator (who were great) rather than offering any suggestions.

Iapetos Village, Symi: Verdict

If you’re looking for a resort with all the facilities, this is not the place for you – in fact, Symi itself is not the right island (check out my review of Aegean Village on Kos instead!).

But if you’re looking for a chilled-out destination to remind you of the simple joys – breakfast al fresco, whiling away the day at the beach, wandering shady streets as the sun sparkles on the sea – both Symi and Iapetos Village are the perfect fit.

To combine a trip to Symi with an island hop around the Dodecanese, check out ferry prices here

PIN FOR LATER: IAPETOS VILLAGE REVIEW

Disclosure: Our three-night stay was courtesy of Olympic Holidays. All opinions and love of cornflower blue are my own.

Images/video copyright MummyTravels

LIKED THIS? SIGN UP FOR MY EMAIL NEWSLETTER