And then there was Jimny Cricket; but that's another story for later. It all began with an online special deal from Secret Escapes who we had dealt with previously and desperate for a sunshine escape, coming through such a dire winter as we were going through and before experiencing another British summer as we had in 2012, we picked up on it immediately. As it turns out we are now having a wow of a summer, just as we always remember as children… but who was to know that in the depths of grey, cold, wet, miserable January?
Lesante Hotel & Spa was described as a five star hotel with an executive chef overseeing an eclectic producing menu for all tastes and as such it more than surpassed this. This, of course, one of the major factors for your delectation of a hotel stay. The breakfasts were continental, English breakfast, pancakes with fresh fruit, freshly cooked omlettes, eggs of all types; in fact you name it it was there for your choice. The same for the evening meals – a different choice every evening, superbly cooked and produced and the deserts…..out of this world, including, for those who delight in them, a chocolate fountain one evening!
The Rooms Director, Chryssa, as all her staff were, an hospitable, warmly welcoming, helpful person; nothing was ever too much trouble, however trivial it may have seemed. The Spa staff were equally accommodating with all the usual beauty treatments, a jacuzzi incorporated in the indoor pool, also including a sauna, hairdresser, steam room and the inevitable shop. The swimming pools, also including another jacuzzi, outside had plenty of loungers around them with a poolside bar that dispensed towels together with cooling, refreshing beers, waters, Metaxa, anything you may need to be in the holiday spirit.
We were fantastically fortunate, at an extra special charge, to be upgraded to a grand suite with the unbelievable addition of the bathroom that included, another!, jacuzzi bath, a television and Bulgari complimentaries. A huge balcony had yet another large jacuzzi, table and chairs, seating areas and loungers. All part of a boutique style suite. We never really needed to be part of the pool-side crowd if we didn't want to at all.
As for Jimny Cricket – well I'm not sure if he was a cricket or a large grasshopper or what he actually was. But one morning he was found floating in the jacuzzi on the balcony, fished out and put in the sun to dry. Unfortunately he didn't make it. (Much to my relief!).
The flat, sandy beach, with plenty of tavernas was literally 100 yards away.
We were so pleased we found this lovely, delightful hotel. The Greeks are so hospitable, friendly and desperate for the tourist to boost their economy. When we have saved up our pension pennies in a jar we certainly intend to return.
