Based on our experiences in the smaller Greek islands, we would rate the Kerveli Village as an excellent hotel, i.e. if you don't come expecting the kind of things that you might find in some of the deluxe mega hotels on larger islands like Crete or Rhodes, then you will not be disappointed.

We have stayed there twice. In 2003 we arranged our own holiday and stayed there for two weeks in August/September. The management of the hotel were very efficient in making the booking (via email and fax) and assisted is in making our travel arrangements when we arrived at Samos. In 2004 we stayed for a couple of nights because of travel difficulties on a holiday booked with a package company.

During our stay the staff were friendly and helpful. They are multi-lingual (indeed multi-national) and all spoke English far superior to my attempts at "BBC Greek".

The location is beautiful, at the end of a steep-sided, wooded valley, just above the small, seaside hamlet of Kerveli. It may be too quiet for some people I guess. Aside from the hotel there are three tavernas within comfortable walking distance, but there are no shops in Kerveli. That said, the Hotel has its own car hire facilities that were very competitive with other businesses on the island and we had no problem in getting about.

The hotel rooms are in a number of buildings around the fairly large, hillside site. The location means that you have to negotiate a lot of steps and slopes to get around. The rooms are modern, well-equipped and furnished and kept scrupulously clean. Most, but not all, have sea views, so remember to ask when booking.

The hotel has a pool - never crowded when we were there and its own tiny, shingle beach. There are a number of terraces, with sun loungers (and trees for shade) between the pool level and the sea, and, in 2004 these were supplemented by a large pontoon just offshore!

There is a bar by the pool that does a good range of snacks during the day and stays open until the last guest decides to retire at night - it was convivial but never rowdy and certainly didn't disturb us when we retired early. In 2004 the hotel started an al a carte restaurant on site (having previously done simple evening meals for those package tourists on half board). The food was good, with a wide choice, but more expensive than the local tavernas.

Our gripes were few and minor. The pool is probably in need of a revamp and the areas around it are very narrow, just about wide enough for a lounger but no more. Like the previous reviewer we also found the air con system to be weak and, strange for a hotel that was otherwise so modern in outlook, they had retained the old Greek hoteliers' view that nobody needed air con once September rolled around!

Minor reservations aside, we would unreservedly recommend the Kerveli Village to anyone looking for a comfortable, friendly hotel in a peaceful location on a beautiful island.

What a lovely place this is if you want a quiet relaxing time. An excellent hotel with good food and a beautiful outlook. I think all rooms have a sea view - our view was quite perfect. Beach with bar very close, Kerveli has it's own small beach but a great pontoon which is brilliant for sleeping, reading, sunbathing, swimming from etc- almost like being on a boat! The staff and owners were very pleasant, relaxed and helpful at all times but not intrusive in any way. Excellent value for money!
Kerveli was definitely, in our view, one of the best places on the island, the north coast being too windy for us but great if you enjoy windsurfing. You do need a car if you are there for a fortnight. There are no public buses here but the hotel runs a service into Samos town and has it's own car hire facility, very convenient and reasonable.
Only downside was that the air conditioning wasn't very effective but we survived. Might be a problem if the temperature was particularly high. Also, lots of steps- we didn't mind but if you had a walking problem it might be difficult. Not ideal for children in this respect. Only a few children there in fact - added to the peace and quiet.
We love Kerveli and Samos and may well return next year.