Hotel Mike

A small, family-run hotel on the waterfront, Hotel Mike suits divers who want the important things close at hand: the sea, a proper Greek meal, a cool room and somewhere to sit with a drink. The atmosphere is straightforward and welcoming rather than dressed up for show. You arrive, settle in and let the day slow down.

The hotel has 16 rooms, with balconies and sea views available, alongside family accommodation and an apartment with two bathrooms. Air conditioning, soundproofing, free WiFi and room service keep the practical side of a diving holiday in order. There is also a shared lounge and TV area when you have had enough sun, salt and conversation.

You are in Ancient Epidavros, Greece, on the shores of the Gulf of Epidaurus. The hotel sits directly beside the water, with its own beachfront access, a sun terrace and sea-facing outdoor furniture. This is a waterside base in the village itself, not a property stranded inland with a scenic paragraph doing the heavy lifting.

Vagionia Beach is around 0.2 miles away, while Kalamaki is about 0.3 miles away. The Ancient Theater of Epidaurus and its archaeological site are around 5 miles from the hotel, making a cultural outing a realistic change of plan rather than an expedition.

By road, Ancient Epidavros is around 83 miles from Athens and 22 miles from Nafplio. Summer ferry connections from Piraeus are available, and regular buses connect the area with Athens and Nafplio.

Sea view rooms make the most of the address, particularly if you like to check the colour of the water before deciding whether the morning deserves a swim. A Double or Twin Room with Sea View is the sensible choice for two divers who want separate beds, while the Triple Room with Sea View gives a little more room for a small group without moving away from the waterfront outlook.

For a larger party, the Apartment with Sea View is the practical option: it has two bathrooms, which matters when several people are trying to shower, unpack and reach the restaurant at roughly the same time. The mountain-view quadruple rooms trade the sea outlook for more sleeping space. That is a fair exchange if the room is mainly a place to sleep and store the day’s clothing.

Every room has air conditioning, a private bathroom, a balcony, a refrigerator and a desk. The fridge is useful for keeping water cold when you return tired and salt-streaked, while soundproofing should help separate your night from the village’s. Daily housekeeping, a wardrobe, a hairdryer, towels and free toiletries cover the less glamorous but entirely necessary parts of the evening.

Breakfast is served as a buffet and is included in the stay. You can also take it in your room, with an early breakfast service available for mornings that begin before the rest of the village has properly opened its eyes. Packed meals can be arranged for days spent away from the hotel.

The main table is Mike Restaurant, set beside the sea with a view across the water. Its cooking is traditional Greek, with fish and seafood, charcoal-grilled meat, daily dishes and Mediterranean vegetarian plates such as briam, giant beans, stuffed vegetables, green beans and imam bayildi. Fish and seafood may be fresh or frozen, then fried, grilled or boiled; plain speaking is useful here, especially when the menu is built around what is available.

There is one hotel bar, along with a snack bar and an on-site coffee house. Drinks include beer, ouzo, tsipouro, soft drinks, Greek wines and coffee, while desserts range from baklava and kadaïf to fresh yoghurt with honey. Twenty-four-hour room service gives you another option when the idea of putting on proper clothes feels more demanding than the dive itself.

The rooftop yoga and Pilates room is the hotel’s most distinctive place to unwind, with sea views from the top floor and space for up to 40 people. Yoga classes and Pilates sessions are available for guests, and massages can also be arranged. It is a useful combination for a diver: gentle movement when your back has opinions, followed by a chair and a view rather than another ambitious excursion.

Walking tours, local-culture tours, hiking and cycling give you ways to see more of the area on a non-diving day. Some routes lead towards beaches in the surrounding countryside, while canoeing, snorkelling and fishing keep the water involved without turning the day into another dive schedule. Bicycle rental, bike tours, aerobics, windsurfing and water-sports facilities are also available, with some activities charged separately.

For a quieter evening, the sun terrace, beachfront setting and outdoor seating do the job without requiring a programme. Families are welcome, and board games and puzzles are available for time that needs filling without involving a screen.

Epidive, the hotel's own dive centre, affiliated with PADI, FFESSM, CMAS. The centre is close enough to change the rhythm of your day: breakfast, a short walk and you are at the diving operation rather than waiting for a transfer. Epidive runs a boat that meets the centre’s stated standards and takes divers along the Epidaurus coast and out towards places such as Kyra and Agistri.

Nitrox and rebreather diving are available. The centre describes its team as highly qualified, with safety placed first, while the hotel’s own location keeps the logistics pleasingly short.

Check-in runs from 13:00 to 22:00, and check-out from 11:00 to 11:30. Reception is open for 16 hours a day, with an internal or external telephone line, and a wake-up service is available. Express check-in and check-out, luggage storage and a tour desk help when your travel plans do not line up neatly with the room timetable.

You can reach Ancient Epidavros by road, by regular bus from Athens or Nafplio, or by summer ferry from Piraeus. Airport shuttle and shuttle services are available to arrange with the hotel, and car hire is also offered. Payment is accepted in cash.

Free WiFi covers the hotel, while a lift serves the upper floors. Laundry and ironing services are available, and the hotel can change towels on request. Children of all ages are welcome, with cots and extra beds available for the room category selected.