Escape to Paradise: Evanik Chic Hotel, Kalymnos, Greece
Escape to Paradise: Evanik Chic Hotel, Kalymnos - A Review That Actually Gets It (and Maybe You)
Okay, listen up, because I just got back from a trip to Escape to Paradise: Evanik Chic Hotel in Kalymnos, Greece, and I have thoughts. Lots and lots of thoughts. And while this is supposed to be a review, consider it more like a confession, punctuated by a whole bunch of "OMG" moments. Because, honestly? This place is… well, it’s something. And the something-ness is what matters.
First off, let's be real: I need Wi-Fi like I need air. So, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!? Genius. And it actually works – unlike some other places I've been cough (insert bad hotel name here) cough. Seriously, this is a HUGE win for anyone who works remotely (like yours truly, desperately pretending to be a digital nomad while secretly wanting to spend all day by the Swimming pool [outdoor]).
Accessibility: Now, I don’t have any mobility issues, but I did notice that the hotel offers Facilities for disabled guests and an Elevator. I can also say that the front entrance is relatively flat, so that’s good. This matters, because it means people with mobility issues can actually escape to paradise, not just dream about it.
Cleanliness and Safety: Okay, so this is where things get really good (and, surprisingly, a little bit… soothing?). Post-pandemic, I’m a germaphobe. I walked in expecting to be hyperventilating, but the Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Rooms sanitized between stays, and Hand sanitizer everywhere actually calmed me down. It felt safe. I also need to shout out the Staff trained in safety protocol, a HUGE plus.
The Rooms, The Rooms. OMG, they're actually nice. Air conditioning? Check. Blackout curtains? Check. And, yes, Free bottled water. But more importantly, they’re designed with comfort (and a little bit of style) in mind. I had a room with a balcony and a seriously stunning view. Which, by the way, helped with the lack of sleep the first night because the Air conditioning hummed a bit and I spent half the night chasing the mosquito, and trying to figure out how to work the Alarm clock.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Let's talk food, because I'm always thinking about food. The Breakfast [buffet] was… well, it was a breakfast buffet. And that means, inevitably, that some of the scrambled eggs looked a little sad. But, they had the important things: fresh juice, decent coffee, and a bunch of pastries I probably shouldn't have touched. I did sample the Asian breakfast, which was surprisingly tasty, and the Asian cuisine in restaurant was worth a visit. The Poolside bar was my best friend for afternoons, with cocktails that were far too easy to drink and a vibe that perfectly matched the "escape to paradise" promise.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax (Or, My Attempt at Zen): This is where Evanik Chic truly shines. I’m not a spa person, I’m more of a "sit on a rock and complain about my back" kind of person. But, okay, I did try the Sauna…and the Steamroom, and was pleasantly surprised. Because, honestly, there's a definite feeling of peace that envelops you. And the Pool with view? Absolutely killer. Forget your troubles, just float and watch the world go by.
My Moment of Zen: The Body Scrub
I am NOT a spa person, but, because you know, I had to try everything… I stumbled into their spa for a Body scrub. I'm talking, I was expecting to giggle, roll my eyes, and then awkwardly exit. Instead, this lady with super strong hands (I think her name was Eleni, maybe?) scrubbed away all my city-grime and left me… actually… relaxed. Like, weirdly relaxed. I think I may have even fallen asleep for a bit. It was strange, wonderful, and totally unexpected. This is what I mean when I say, this hotel makes you feel something.
Services and Conveniences: They've thought of everything. Concierge? Check. Daily housekeeping? Check. Laundry service? Thank goodness! I did spot the Gift/souvenir shop selling some local trinkets, which is always a nice perk. They also had things like a Car park [free of charge], and Taxi service. So they definitely make things easy.
For the Kids: I didn't have kids with me, but I did spot the Babysitting service and Kids facilities, which would be a massive plus for families.
Getting Around: The Airport transfer was a lifesaver after that brutal red-eye.
The Little Annoyances/Real Talk:
- The Coffee shop's coffee wasn't always up to scratch.
- Trying to remember which side of the door the lock was on sometimes. I guess my coffee brain could have something to do with that.
- The occasional loud reveler on the balcony next door.
- I had to ask twice for a spare towel!
In Conclusion:
Escape to Paradise: Evanik Chic Hotel isn't perfect. Nothing is. It has its quirks, its occasional hiccups. But it’s a place that tries. It tries to make you feel comfortable, safe, and, yes, even a little bit pampered. It's a place where you can actually unwind and remember what it’s like to breathe freely.
Who Should Book This Hotel?
- Couples looking for a romantic getaway.
- People who need a serious break from the daily grind.
- Anyone who wants a place with some actual soul.
- People who like being pampered without pretension.
Who it's probably NOT for:
- Party animals. Not the Ibiza kind.
- Someone who wants a totally cookie-cutter experience. (This place is… unique.)
- The very picky? But be open and embrace it. You might just like it.
My Absolutely Honest, Slightly Messy, and Highly Recommendable Offer:
Book Your ESCAPE to Paradise Now!
Escape to Paradise: Evanik Chic Hotel is offering a special deal for people planning a vacation. Book a stay of 3 nights or more and you will receive:
- Free upgrade to a room with a Sea View (subject to availability)!
- Complimentary welcome cocktails at the Poolside Bar. Start your escape with a refreshing drink on us!
- Exclusive free access to the Body Scrub, worth 50 euros!
Why Book Now?
- Unbeatable Value: Enjoy luxury at an amazing price
- Limited Time Offer: This deal won't last long. (I'm guessing, based on how good this place is)
- Pure Relaxation: Finally, enjoy a real vacation and forget about the world for a bit.
Click here to book your escape and start packing your bags! I swear you will not be disappointed.
(Oh, one more thing… bring your own mosquito repellent. Just a heads up.)
Luxury Hanoi Haven: 2BR Vinhomes Skylake Gem Near Keangnam!
Kalymnos, Oh Kalymnos! (A Somewhat Unreliable Itinerary)
Okay, so here's the deal. I tried to plan a super-organized, Instagram-worthy trip to Kalymnos. Evanik Chic Hotel? Sounded dreamy. Reality? Well, let's just say it's been an adventure. And I'm sharing it all, warts and all. Buckle up, buttercups.
Day 1: Arrival & Overwhelming Blue (aka, "Lost Luggage & Existential Dread")
- Morning (6:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Arrived at Athens airport. Flight delayed. Already feeling the cracks in my meticulously crafted itinerary. Found a surprisingly decent coffee stand and a woman who swore her cat could predict the weather. (Spoiler alert: the cat was wrong.)
- (7:00 AM) - (11:00 AM): Travel to Kos, and the ferry to Kalymnos.
- Mid-day (12:00 PM): Checked into Evanik Chic. Stunning views from the balcony. Like, jaw-droppingly, "I might never leave this spot" blue. Immediately spilled coffee on my white linen pants. Already stained.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM): Ugh, my luggage isn’t here. The airline promised it was a “minor hiccup”. Eye roll. Minor to them, maybe. My entire wardrobe is currently residing in the depths of wherever airline lost luggage goes to die.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM): Wandered around Pothia (the main town). Found a tiny shop selling hand-painted ceramics. Bought a plate. Almost dropped it. Twice. My coordination skills are clearly on vacation too.
- Late Afternoon (4:00 PM): Pizza. Because carbs. And because, frankly, I was feeling sorry for myself. The pizza was, blessedly, excellent.
- Evening (6:00 PM): Walked along the harbor, watching the sunset. The light was unreal. Felt a brief moment of actual contentment. Maybe this trip will be okay after all?
- Evening (8:00 PM): Dinner at a taverna. Tried to order in Greek. Failed miserably. Ended up with something involving grilled octopus (which, to my surprise, was delicious). The locals were incredibly patient with my butchered pronunciation. Swallowed a few (dozen) mouthful of the octopus.
- Evening (9:00 PM): Went to bed. Still no luggage. Starting to feel like that scene in Cast Away where Tom Hanks just stares at the volleyball. Except the volleyball is my favorite boots.
Day 2: Climbing & Crushing Disappointment (Or, The Day I Almost Died…Of Excitement)
- Morning (8:00 AM): Breakfast on the balcony! (Coffee made on the tiny balcony hot plate. Surviving.) Staring at the sea, reminding myself that even with lost luggage, I'm in Greece.
- Morning (9:00 AM): Rock Climbing! (This was the main reason I came to Kalymnos). Booked a half-day with a local guide. The guide (named Dimitri, naturally) was this super-buff, ridiculously tanned Greek god. Spent the better part of the morning trying not to fall in love and fall off the cliff.
- (9:30 AM): My first climb. Okay, my second climb. First attempt? Epic fail. Got about three feet up, started hyperventilating, and had to be lowered. Dimitri was… encouraging. In a very masculine, vaguely condescending kind of way. But the view from the top of the second climb? Absolutely worth the crippling fear. Incredible. Felt like I could touch the sky.
- Mid-day (1:00 PM): Lunch at a taverna near the climbing area. Ordered a Greek salad. Simple, right? Wrong. It was the best Greek salad of my entire life. The tomatoes practically sang. I could have licked the plate clean. (Almost did.)
- Afternoon (2:00 PM): The Great Luggage Update, Part 2: Still. No. Luggage. Panic rising. Starting to consider buying the entire contents of the nearest souvenir shop.
- Afternoon (3:00 PM): Drove to the village of Vathy! Picturesque! But, I've to be honest? The drive itself was a nightmare. Winding roads, sheer drops, and a rental car that felt like it might fall apart at any second. My knuckles were permanently white. The bay?? The bay was the prize! It's a little pocket of perfection.
- Evening (7:00 PM): Dinner at a restaurant with a view. The wind picked up, and it started to rain. Suddenly everything was soaked! Started to feel like I would become a drowning rat.
- Evening (8:00 PM): The rain stopped. The moon came out. Everything was perfect again. Ordered another bottle of wine. Starting to see a pattern…
Day 3: Beach Babes & Bureaucracy (Plus, a Deep Dive into the Evils of Sunburn)
- Morning (9:00 AM): Beach day! Found a hidden cove. Tried to be the relaxed, sun-kissed traveler in a flowy dress. Failed. Sunburn on my shoulders and arms. (And my forehead. And my nose. Basically, the whole shebang.)
- Morning (10:00 AM): Spent the morning swimming. The water was crystal clear and so incredibly blue. The relief of the cold water was divine.
- Mid-day (1:00 PM): Tried to get my luggage sorted. (Remember the luggage? Yeah, it’s still MIA.) The airline's customer service line was a black hole of unanswered questions. I may have yelled at the automated voice. (Apologies, inanimate object).
- Mid-day (2:00 PM): Ate at a taverna on the beach. Grilled fish. Simple, fresh, delicious. The perfect cure for the luggage-induced blues.
- Afternoon (3:00 PM): Hiked up to the ancient acropolis. (Yes, I’m still trying to be cultured). The views were, again, spectacular. The heat was unrelenting. The climb was steep. Briefly considered giving up.
- Afternoon (4:00 PM): Fell over. Literally. Trippped on a rock. Scraped knee. Small victory.
- Evening (6:00 PM): Back to the hotel. Showered. Tried to slather myself in aloe vera. Failed to reach every spot.
- Evening (8:00 PM): Dinner – back to the taverna. Ate more fish! More wine! Day three was truly the day of perfection!
- Evening (9:00 PM): Stared listlessly at the balcony. The luggage situation is starting to affect my otherwise sunny disposition.
Day 4: The Climb That Changed Everything (And The Luggage…Still)
- Morning (7:00 AM): Woke up. Sunburn. The luggage is almost a distant memory.
- Morning (7:30 AM): Made coffee on the balcony. Decided to change things up and go to the old town.
- 8:00 AM: The climb. Yeah, it's a big deal. Went back to Dimitri, my ridiculously tanned, rock-climbing god. I was starting to feel this thing!
- 9:00 AM: The air was cool. The rock solid. I focused. I climbed.
- 11:00 AM: I reached the top. I wasn't just standing on a rock. I was standing on top of the world. Okay, maybe not the world, but from where I stood, it felt like it. The view? Unforgettable. More than that, I was feeling. I felt capable. Strong. The fear was still there, a little, but I had become strong!
- Mid-day (1:00 PM): Lunch at a local cafe. Celebrated with a giant souvlaki.
- Afternoon (3:00 PM): The Great Luggage Revelation: It. Arrived.
- Afternoon (4:00 PM): The relief! The joy! The emotional outburst!
- Evening (6:00 PM): Went to dinner.
- Evening (8:00 PM): Felt like I owned the world.
Day 5: Departure & (Maybe) Future Adventures
- Morning (8:00 AM): Last breakfast on the balcony. Savoring every moment.
- Morning (9:00 AM): Packing. Reminded myself of everything.
- Mid-day (12:00 PM): Said goodbye to Evanik chic.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM): Travel back to Athens.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM):
1. Is the Evanik Chic Hotel REALLY as… well, *chic* as it sounds?
2. The Rooms: Are they worth the hype (and the price)?
3. Let's talk food. What's the grub situation like?
4. Okay, pools. Two pools—are they as cool as they sound?
5. The Staff: Friend or Foe? (or somewhere in between?)
6. Location, Location, Location: is that where the heart is?
7. Let's get real: What's the biggest flaw of the Evanik?
8. Would you go back?
