AN EXCEPTIONAL STAY!


Well, I truly don’t know how to start describing this place here . It is not a hotel or the usual mansions or guesthouses we visit. This place is Unique and I don’t think there is even one similar in the whole of Pelion.

ARRIVAL: Wow! Wet cool refreshing hand towels so cleverly presented in a crystal jar upon arrival. What a nice gesture coming from sweet Yria who is behind this business. I shall call it an exceptional Manor because in reality this is what it represents. 

HOSPITALITY: With Yria around, our stay got another meaning. It was as if we came to see a good friend and the stay was so comfortable and relaxing that honestly we had a hard time leaving. Our goodbyes were hugs and kisses and I felt that after all these days of visiting different villages, staying in so many hotels and guest houses, collecting information for my Travel Guides, this specific stay at this manor was a meaningful stop to fill batteries, feel the homely atmosphere that was missing and see a good friend before moving on to the next destination .

Yria is truly a business professional and I mention this first because she is so concerned about her guests but at the same time she is unbelievably discreet with them. She loves what she is doing and you can tell instantly from the passion and the way she talks.

The other star here is Greta, the beautiful doggy, discreet like her owner. We never heard her barking even once and she would sit in her corner quietly tight by her lashing strap where she can hardly be noticed. I had read one or two negative comments about Greta and I was curious to check this out. It is obvious that the person behind is lying and did it only to harm the business. The dog stays at the other end of the yard and I had to beg Yria to let her free even for a while. Greta is so friendly that even if Yria set her free she remained around the area where she normally is. The doggy stole our hearts.

THE STORY BEHIND: This beautiful manor belonged to a wealthy wine merchant who lived here with his family one and a half centuries back . The smaller house where we stayed used to be the place where the owners kept their animals and different supplies those years. It was much lower and was attached to the big house. The years passed and 35 years ago the property passes to another owner. The lady had it restored but kept the interior rooms and the whole structure untouched. This is the reason why several rooms and living rooms are smaller in size. The lady had travelled a lot in her life, -a classy and sophisticated personality as she was, added touches of elegance and glamour to the contemporary traditional interior. The Ministry of Culture has awarded the house as a remarkable example of the traditional architecture.

Yria is the last owner, who bought it a couple of years back and renovated it once again adding her own touches of aesthetics. It was a dream come true she says, she knew it from the moment she saw the house that she had to buy it. She moved to beautiful Tsagkarada leaving behind her job, her friends and life in Athens to live her dream. Her only abstraction ever since she bought the manor, is to be a nice host and as far as guests are concerned to make them live their own dream through the tranquility and comfort that the manor provides. 

INTERIOR: There is classiness in the whole interior of both houses. It is not the kind of interior we come across in the usual guest houses we stay . The people who come here should be aware that there are valuable items, works of art and precious antiques. They should also know that some of the bedrooms are dollish and very small. They are so beautifully decorated and each bedroom has a different style and colour. Handmade valuable crochet quilts with beautiful designs decorate the beds.  In the small suite where we stayed there is no air conditioning but a fan. There is a wooden staircase leading to the attic with a Jacuzzi and cushions on the wooden floor and candles that create the most relaxing and romantic ambience. If you are tall you have to kneel or crawl. Depending on the people staying and the demand of the guests the owner unlocks different rooms that connect between them so the smaller suite we had could accommodate 4 persons (children mostly) in the upstairs attic. When Yria opened the room of the attic I could not believe my eyes! The mattress is right on the wooden floor, -a sloping ceiling the height of which comes to half metre at the other end . You have to kneel to move around! It is cosy, warm, nicely decorated that you have the feeling that you are either hiding or playing. A time when you wish you were a kid. Downstairs just next to the staircase there is another door (the door itself is work of art) leading to another beautiful suite, which was also kept locked but I asked to see what it was behind. Well, another surprise! Different colours, different décor, and you cannot tell which room is the most beautiful. Each one is unique in its kind. Tea and coffee facilities are provided, and a small fridge, flat TV and DVD recorder with a nice collection of CDs, movies and books. There was a fireplace in the living room unique for the cold winter months.Tip: If you are the kind of person who needs space and air or wants to ‘walk ‘ in the suite this is not for you. It is a romantic hideaway especially the attic and the other suite behind the locked door we had. (Τhe above are comments regarding our suite and not the one next door which is unbelievably huge and comfortable and is ideal for a big family or a group of friends).BATHROOM: It was small but functional. Toiletries were my favourite which I come across in 5* hotels. –The Etro collection! Robes and slippers proved handy.BREAKFAST: You should know that breakfast is not included if the entire property is booked from the same family or friends. It is included however when the houses are booked separately by different parties. I suggest that you make this clear from the beginning to avoid misunderstandings . We arranged to have breakfast here and I cannot really find words to describe it. A nicely arranged table on the back yard, Yria would get up much earlier and set the table and prepare our breakfast on a set time. She arranged that we have it at 10.00 am and it was fine with us, so at ten sharp we showed up and Yria was expecting us with a huge smile.Freshly cut vegetables from Yria’s garden, fresh orange juice, pies, dessert, jams and marmalades all homemade, local delicacies of excellent taste, omelette, seasonal fruit and Coffee. We shared our breakfast time with Yria each morning and it was like having her our own guest. She was so discreet, sweet and delicate but always a step ahead to ensure that everything is fine. Thank you Yria for what you are!COURTYARD: The yard gorgeous, with a small vegetable garden on the side, a beautiful open BBQ -cook house with an amazing colorful décor and a comfortable seating plan. In front of the entrance of the big house the garden’s décor, the stylish facilities, the candles, and wreaths call for unforgettable and memorable holidays.

 

CONCLUSION: In all, our stay was Dreamy and the hospitality Outstanding.
Highly recommended for romantic getaways. 
Avoid having children along if booking the small house to enjoy the tranquility with no disturbance of children’s crying!