"Hotel Mistral - a great hotel in Ydra" Hydra Island by sleepmuscle

This hotel has everything I wanted: easily reached from the port, immaculate housekeeping, large complimentary breakfast, desk help unstinted and always available, functional rooms with mod cons - what's not to like? Value for money paid is very good indeed. I will certainly return to this comfortable hotel and achingly beautiful island. I congratulate Jenny and Teofilo on their establishment and its flawless operation. Teofilo takes great pride in his garden (where breakfast is enjoyed) and his fruit preserves that I enjoyed each morning, along with the rest of the generous breakfast.

I recommend passing up the Flying Dolphins from Piraeus in favor of the twin hull ships (Flying Cats) - way smoother trip and much more space. It was raining when I went out to Ydra in a Dolphin and I got to enjoy some of that precipitation in my seat due to a leak in the roof! It bounced around a good deal - nothing to provoke seasickness or anything like that, but a bit disconcerting for a landlubber. On the other hand, the Cat was smooth as silk in spite of the somewhat choppy sea, and I travelled like a prince!

Several Tavernas in the port - no insult to Greek food, but I wallowed in the spaghetti napolitano (like Mama used to make), washed down with a Mythos (Greek beer) the most. Jewelry stores abound. Donkeys are available to help you with your traps if you travel Auntie Mame style, but it was easy to take my luggage up the streets to the hotel myself. The paths around the island are not to be missed; the vistas will knock your socks off! Finally, the people are friendly, accomodating (for instance directing me to the hotel from the port, a maneuver made easier by the signage along the way), and there is no shortage of English-speakers to lend a hand as may be needed. In sum, it's well worth the trip!!

• Pros:Easily reached, affordable, super hotel. No motor noises!!
• Cons:There weren't any.
• In a nutshell:Go Greek and see Hydra: great memories. Say hi to Jenny!