Sunrise Resort Hotel

Fantastic apartments with extraordinary views. The apartments are set into a hillside the higher the apartment the better the sea view. It’s very steep so if you have mobility issues ask for a low level. The hotel is spotless and the breakfasts very good. The staff are very friendly, there are 2 pools one of which is for families and kids and one is adults only. Both have great views and are very nice. The hotel is about a mile and a half from molyvos centre and the hotel lays on a courtesy bus several times a day, Molyvos is an incredible small town with lovely harbour. This hotel is great and we loved it but just be aware that it is a distance from molyvos. We got a taxi several times and it was only 6 euros so found it ideal.

The Sunrise is a well-run complex of small blocks with a central reception/restaurant/bar, all set on a hillside with gorgeous views across the sea to the Turkish coast opposite. The grounds are full of trees and flowering shrubs with gardeners at work daily. Pools are nice - sparkling clean and well maintained, though the pool bar is a little overpriced for the food quality. There is a sauna, jacuzzi and gym next to the pool area though I didn’t investigate. When we went in September there were few Brits and less children, which were pluses in our book. A lot of visitors are Dutch. Rooms are good, we had a basic standard which was very clean and comfortable even though I paid for the deluxe (not sure if this was a hotel or Jet2 error). Staff bring your bags up for you - helpful as some are quite high with lots of steps. Lovely sea views from balcony. Beds are firm but comfortable with spare pillows and bedding in the wardrobe. Bathrobes, slippers, toiletries, tv, tea making facilities (bring your own if you like Tetley type!) and a well stocked mini bar. Rooms cleaned and towels changed daily if you wish. The hairdryer was not working when we arrived and was replaced the same morning when we mentioned it. Air conditioning and WiFi are included unlike many smaller Greek hotels where you pay extra. (Mandatory tourist eco tax is €10 per room per night.) Excellent self service buffet breakfast in roomy restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating options with all you could want - Greek and international: breads, pastries, cereals, yoghurt and preserves, cheese, fruit, salad, hot and cold meats etc etc. Evening meal is also a buffet but rather average - we only used it once (21€pp no drinks included). Useful if you don’t feel like going out but cheaper to buy as half board if you will use it often. However there is a free shuttle minibus 5 times a day to the nearby village Molyvos where there are many very good and reasonably priced tavernas - we especially liked the seafront Triena - and several by the harbour such as the Octopus (very popular) and the Sea Horse. Taxi is 7€ (from the same drop off as the shuttle) if you want to return independently. It’s possible to walk from the hotel to the sea in 10 minutes though it’s a very small ***** of shingle, as is the beach in Molyvos - bring beach shoes. The sea is lovely though, clean and warm as it shelves slowly. Sandy beaches are at nearby Petra and Anaxos, and you can catch a ‘village train’ to those, though they are more touristy. Efthalou is said to have lovely beaches but is a 30 minute walk and it was too hot to walk there. Lesvos is lovely! Have no second thoughts about visiting if you are looking for sun, peace and authentic food.

Entertainment progamm and friendliness of the workers is very high. Food is on the upper edge. You can experiment a well part with different food. Even if some may taste not so well, some other might have spices more suited to your taste. You can do a lot of sports with all-inclusive, just be nice to the workers and no problem should occur. If you are here just have fun, give some tipp and stay mostly free.

We spent seven nights Half Board in early August 2024. It is not really a hotel but more of a holiday village on a hillside overlooking the sea, with a clear view to Turkey on the other side of the water. Being on a hillside there are many stone steps along the pathways to get to the rooms (over 40 from the lobby to our room near the top) and down to the pools, so bear that in mind if you are restricted in some way or find walking on slopes difficult. As we are no longer "a young couple" it was a bit of a shock on arrival, but we didn't let it spoil the holiday. The room, with free tea and coffee, and a fridge of pay-for soft and alcoholic drinks, was cleaned daily, usually quite early, so no complaints there. It is over an hour's drive from the airport and capital city Miltilini, but don't expect any fancy shopping in Molyvos, the village nearest to the hotel, which provides a free shuttle to the village a few times a day while taxis cost 6 Euro. Many of the island's attractions including the famous Ouzo distillery, the Olive Oil factory and Petrified Forest are also over an hour's drive away on winding Greek roads, so be prepared to rent a car or fork out on an excursion. Closer to home, a stroll round Molyvos harbour is very pleasant, with lots of waterside restaurants. The village railway is a fun and cheap way to get to the next beaches and towns up the coast, with a tireless and entertaining ticket collector and tour director, Alexandra, on board. The hearty breakfast was the best meal of the day, we didn't find the evening meals particularly appetizing, and even on the barbecue evening the food was burned dry. All the staff were super helpful at reception, in the bar and in the pool cafe, although immediately you sit down in the bar balcony to view the amazing sunsets, a waiter zooms in to take your order for drinks, which we found a trifle pushy. Still, business is business, I suppose. In short, it had all the ingredients for the relaxing holiday we were hoping for, and while no hotel is ever perfect, we give this one 4.5 out of 5.

Plus points are great views and friendly staff. Molyvos town is lovely. Negatives include below average accommodation (shower curtain rail not attached properly to ceiling, toilet seat sliding about, lack of power sockets, soap and shower gel not being replaced ) inconvenient shuttle bus timings ( this is important because the hotel is a fair bit out of town) cold eggs and bacon every day and struggle to get a sun lounger. Gym ok but only one of the three exercise bikes actually working. The negatives were not individually major but they did seem to add up during our stay so that in the end our experience can only be described as average overall.

We had a fantastic all inclusive week at the Sunrise Resort with the whole family (aged from 7 to 75). The hotel is beautiful and up until our last day was fairly quiet (there was an influx of new arrivals the day before we left but can’t complain as we were fortunate to be staying whilst the hotel wasn’t at full capacity). Breakfast is the busiest meal of the day as most people are staying for bed and breakfast, so either arrive early or late but avoid 9:00-10:00. Plenty of pastries, breads and meats to choose from plus cereal etc. Lunch at the pool bar is always tasty with plenty on the menu to select from for everyone. Dinner was very authentic, limited choice for children at times but none of us went hungry and we always found something for everyone. It was nice to try new foods and local cuisines. The staff are all incredibly accommodating and friendly! Nothing was too much trouble if you asked for it. ‘Nice to haves’ would be a little more entertainment either in the evening or around the pool. However this hotel is more quiet and authentic so I understand why they choose not to go down that route. Rooms are cleaned daily and new towels everyday. Air con is very efficient and is definitely needed during August. The hottest part of the day is between 14:30-16:30. Great pools and plenty of sun beds for all. A convenient bus to the local town which was a lovely area to explore. It’s quite hilly and uneven cobbled streets so might be difficult for the less mobile. Lots of small local shops to look around and a castle at the top of the hill if you’ve got the strength/energy to get up there. Overall it’s been a wonderful stay and we would definitely come back again.