We stayed at the Agios Nicolaos for the first two weeks in September 2011. The hotel surprised us for a Greek hotel, with proper modern showers and furnishings, with public areas the equivalent of modern European hotels. We were in suite 314 (£50 a week extra for a suite compared to a room), with fantastic views across to Paxos.
The hotel is located about 20 minutes walk from the harbour – we didn’t walk as it was middle 80s and narrow with no pavements (and in the dark quite dangerous).
Someone in another review, complained about the beach – it was the same as all of the other local beaches, slightly gravelly sand. This seemed to be OK for most people and the sun beds were certainly well used.
For us however the pontoon, (with 16 beds) was the best place to be, looking down at the fish swimming in 10 feet of clear water. Access via one of two ladders or by diving/jumping in.
The hotel food was good & priced around that of the local restaurants – but who stays in the hotel when there are loads of local places (cheaper back from the waterfront). One complaint – we know they were closing three weeks after we were there – but not replacing the butter, leaving only margarine is unforgivable in a “good” hotel – managers where were you?
One other complaint was also to do with management; the clientele were from a wide range of countries and were generally over the age of forty. The beach bar played loud euro pop despite many complaints (the barman thought it was a “very good radio station”.
Luckily, like the disappearing butter, the bar disappeared later in the holiday as the number of guests diminished.
We also found, due to the late time in the season that the few trips we fancied were not easy to book. We could book, but might not get what we want.
Will we go back – maybe for a lazy break. The hotel is on a steep slope – if you forgot something from your room you were unlikely to walk back up. The boating (hire a small boat) was limited (it didn’t take long to see it all) – but it was brilliant to go to Stevados beach bar (you can also do by water taxi).
Sivota is small & we struggled to eat out after the first week. Best places Stevados on the beach, the Miditeranee Italian, back from the harbour and for drinks and coffees the Bamboo Place - watch the sun go down & a Andreas the patron running around – affectionately named the meerkat by some “yachties” sitting next to us. Andreas would shout “another day in paradise” and in some ways, despite the shortcomings, it was.