Where do we sleep?

There is a long list of alternatives when we deal with question of where to sleep. We can split these alternatives into the following categories:

This simple form of taking a rest is basically not legally allowed in Greece, but is still quite frequently practised. You risk to be wakened in the middle of the night by a policeman but that's all. I had a unforgettable night years ago sleeping in a sleeping bag at a beach at Paros. All you need is a good sleeping bag and a ground pad. Also bring some mosquito oil/spray.

There are many camping sites at the islands all though of varying standard. All the camping sites have eager salespeople that drives a mini van to take you from the ferry port to the camping site. A tent is always to prefer, but not necessary since most sites have shelters to sleep under. The camping sites also frequently provide sleeping spaces in tents.

To Scandinavians this way of taking a nights rests is not common.. But since it "never" rains in Greece and all the houses at the Cyclades have flat roofing, many people rent out their roof space. These people usually have rooms for rent and offer you the roof if these are fully booked. The roof rent is low (less than 1000dr/night is acceptable). Again, remember to bring your sleeping bag and mosquito oil.

"Rooms" mean rooms for rent in private homes. This type of rent is very common in Greece and you will find homes with everything from one to 20 rooms for rent. These houses are not very well marked but if you carry a backpack you can be sure that either an old lady or a kid will find you. The standard is varying from simple small rooms to hotel like sleeping accommodations. The prices therefore varies a lot.

Studies are apartments with no separate bedroom. So you sleep in the living room and the kitchen. You will always find your own bathroom with a sink and a shower. In apartments you will find the same choices but one or more separate bedrooms can be found. Do not expect to much of the kitchen. This is usually just a corner in the living room. If you find 4 plates, cups, knives, forks and spoons you should be satisfied. Most of the time you will also find one or two casseroles beside the frying pan. The stove is either electric or a gas stove. Both studios and apartments are divided into single letter codes where A is the best.

Hotels are the sleeping accommodation that are most common. There is a long list of standards but luxury hotels are not found on the islands. Most hotels will be classified as one or two stars by plain standard. A hotel room usually consists of two single beds of varying quality and comfort. You will also find a closet, a chair and a little table. When it comes to your own personal hygiene you will find everything from a common sink in the corridor, via a sink in the bedroom and common showers to your own bathroom with sink, toilette and showers, all with varying standard. It seems that if a hotel has been given a certain classification it remains in this class no matter how old and fatigued it gets.

Many low standard hotels like this has been built the last few years, Here Asteras, Antiparos.

This is a question I still cannot answer. Often the room standard are equal and even better the one you find in hotels. Even the price can be the same but usually there rooms are a little bit cheaper. However, we have observed that most often (may be always ?) there is a tavern or a restaurant associated with the hotel. This might be the reason for the different categories.

You should always take a look at the room before deciding to rent it. What to look for ? First of all how clean it is. This is especially true for the bathroom. Most of the time it is the standard of this room that makes you decide whether to rent or not. Be very picky. If it smells like a sewer, drop it. Usually a weak smell when you arrive in the room will be a strong smell when you use the toilette. When you are inspecting the room, flush the toilette and see if it leaks or smells. However, if you don’t do the appropriate checks and regret the next day all you need to do is to find a another place to sleep.

To many people, the Greek toilette routines are a little bit different from what you are used to. In Greece you do not throw the toilette paper in the toilette but in a basket next to the toilette. This seems a little awkward especially in the beginning of a trip but you get used to it. But remember to drop this habit when you get home!

The reason for this Greek habit is the narrow size of the sewer pipes leading to congestion if the paper was thrown into the toilette.

Back to Where do we go ?	Further on to How do we find a place to sleep ?
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Thanks to Kjell Inge Gjesdal, Oslo, Norway for his translation into English!
© Jan Bergtun, 3. January 1999	Updated, 02.07.2007
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