Villa Aurelia Old Town

I believed the raving reviews, and I confirm that they are true. The villa is a classic family business, the guests are thus treated like they were relatives visiting. It is all so personal, without anything overdone. Kostas and Aurelia are the best hosts. Cookies and sweets next to the coffee machine, cold water and fruit waiting for us upon arrival, the cabinet is stocked with Grandma's porcelain - cups, glasses, plates of different sizes -, the fridge looks retro but it is new, the coffee machine is a winner, the air conditioner hums quietly, and in this stone building we didn't need it all the time either. The furniture is nostalgic, beautiful, in a hotel you would pay an arm and a leg to be surrounded by such a visual environment. Our room was the Stone Studio. It houses 2 persons, it opens sideways from the stairs leading up to the terrace. The terrace looks exactly like it's pictured and gives a wonderful view to the harbour, we often ate up there. The room itself lays lower, it faces the street to the side on ground level. It is dead quiet between 3am and 9am - we were the first sit-down guests for breakfast at the excellent coffee place called Chateau right across the street, at 9:30am! :) Beware that this is Greece were 8pm is being referred to as "in the afternoon", and they mean it. The superb bar next door is open until 2am, with music and people. You either go with the flow (my recommendation) or you pack ear plugs (also my recommendation) - if you want to sleep between 10-7, it's totally doable here, it is just not the natural vibe of the area. This is a location to enjoy Kavala's old town, literally steps from everything in all directions, and you won't regret choosing this place. Everything is clean, the textiles soft and crisp, the supplies are of good quality, the area is very safe and cheery, you are right in the midst of everything and yet in a secluded little bubble. That terrace is really the best.

Advice for US guests: the room is on the ground level of an old stone building. If you want sunshine flooding the windows, or you want to spend a lot of time indoors, the Stone Studio of Villa Aurelia is not your place. (One of the upper rooms might be.) The bathroom, spotlessly clean, sometimes has that heavy wet stone smell about it nevertheless. The shower box is narrow by American standards which wasn't a problem for us, but might be for some.

Honestly, everything. Villa Aurelia is one of those rare places where the reality is even better than the photos. The property is beautifully designed, spotless, peaceful and extremely comfortable. Every detail feels carefully thought through, creating a very warm and relaxing atmosphere. What truly made the stay exceptional, however, was Kostas. His hospitality, kindness and genuine care made us feel more like personal guests than customers. You can clearly see how much passion he puts into this place. The location, the views, the comfort, the cleanliness and the overall vibe were simply perfect. A truly memorable stay.

Absolutely nothing. Everything exceeded our expectations.

I liked the location very much. Close to everything we needed with small kids. Also we've got great recommendations from the host about tavernas and place to visit. He replies very fast and always ready to help.

We had a wonderful stay at Villa Aurelia Old Town. Kostas took care of everything from the very beginning. Even before we arrived, he contacted us and kindly waited for us at the entrance according to our arrival time. He also helped us with parking, which made everything much easier. The hotel itself is a beautiful historical boutique hotel filled with charming objects that make you feel like you are touching history. Our room was very comfortable and perfectly clean. One of the highlights was the amazing balcony, a perfect place to enjoy the atmosphere of the old town. The location is excellent; right in the historic bazaar area, with beautiful streets, restaurants, and historical spots just a few steps away. Kostas is an incredibly warm and friendly person. By the end of our stay, he felt more like a friend than a host. We truly appreciated his hospitality. We will definitely stay in touch with him as a symbol of Turkish–Greek friendship, and we will absolutely come back again. We will also recommend this place to everyone we know.