WHATEVER YOU DO, READ THIS REVIEW BEFORE YOU BOOK THIS PLACE.
The photos, description and many of the reviews will lead you to believe this place is as cool as it looks. We were beyond excited to have a private, secluded boathouse of our own.
The reality is, at >$300 per night, it’s way overpriced. It’s a tired/worn down place in a location that’s somewhat convenient but extremely exposed to the strong, unpredictable meltemi winds that blow from May through September.
As eco-conscious travelers, being off-grid was also an appeal. But not at the expense of comfort. The boathouse gets extremely hot, even in early September when the weather is more mild. There were ants and mosquitoes everywhere, and the pictures are clearly from several years ago.
Between the heat (you’re basically in a cave with minimal circulation), the smell (the septic system comes with a distinct odor), the mosquitos and the significant price tag, we were wholly disappointed. We almost left after 1 night, unwisely stayed a second night (both basically sleepless), and promptly departed a day early to find a hotel room with A/C and basic amenities for 1/3 the price.
Finally, we have booked many places through Airbnb all over the world, and there is an expectation that renting from a “superhost” comes with a high degree of certainty that the place is in terrific shape, and the hosts will be reasonable. We found neither to be true with the Sarakiniko private boathouse. Andreas has a strict cancellation policy and was unwilling to compromise.
I imagine the place is quite different when the wind isn’t blowing, perhaps even enjoyable given its location right on the water. But the risks/cons far outweigh the pros in our experience. Don’t make the same mistake we did — read ALL the reviews and the fine print. In reality, this place should not even be open for guests when the wind is blowing more than 15-20 mph. It sounds like a freight train/hurricane barreling down on you, and we left before the wind really picked up.
Do yourselves a favor and find another option, unless you’re really looking for an “authentic” vintage experience.