Dionysos Village Resort

This friendly resort is a quiet, unassuming place sought after for the spectacular views afforded from its remote, hillside location. The grounds are appealing, with eight buildings spread around the property -- most fairly close to the pool. Flower beds and vine-drenched pergolas dress up the green lawns and native trees all around the property. Inside, common areas are casual and functional. The lobby is a small space with practical furnishings and a couple of curio cabinets displaying awards and memorabilia. The atmosphere is casual, with many guests feeling comfortable enough to walk around in swimsuits and flip-flops. Stunning sunset views also make it very popular for weddings, which draw a crowd to the facilities. Clientele is primarily couples who appreciate the quiet beauty and don’t mind the distance to town, but families come as well. 

This hotel sits on a hillside just south of the popular tourist town of Lassi, in the southwest of Greece’s Cephalonia island. It is an isolated spot; aside from a few hotels, the only things in walking distance are a supermarket (12-minute walk) and the busy Makris Gialos Beach (15-minute walk). The return trip from both places is a longer and more difficult walk up the steep hill; those without transportation often prefer to take a taxi. The main street through Lassi has restaurants and shops to explore, situated a five-minute drive from the hotel. Argostolion is Cephalonia’s bustling capital city, and it's a 10-minute drive from the hotel. A bus stops on the main road at the bottom of the hill, a 12-minute walk away. Cephalonia International Airport is an 11-minute drive from the hotel. 

Standard rooms are modest in design, but spacious and clean. Tile floors and white or ivory walls are a neutral base for simple furnishings and limited embellishment. A wardrobe, built-in vanity, and double bed cover the basics, and some rooms have a fold-out chair or sofa bed. Some rooms have bright, colorful accents in artwork, curtains, and bedspreads, while other rooms maintain a relaxing, neutral palette. All rooms have balconies and terraces facing the sea, providing beautiful views that are a highlight of the hotel. Also standard are mini-fridges, kettles, and safes. Most also have a TV -- some are flat-screens -- and unfortunately, air-conditioning costs extra with some bookings. Suites and apartments with separate bedrooms are available. Self-catering rooms have a small kitchenette with an electric hob and limited dishes. Bathrooms are tight, featuring walk-in showers behind glass doors. Some show their age with minor wear, but refreshed bathrooms are lovely. Higher-category rooms offer larger bathrooms with a beautiful design and upscale extras like whirlpools and separate showers. 

This hotel is designed for relaxation, providing several options to unwind. The big, attractive pool has a good-sized wading pool on one side and an infinity-edge defined by a balustrade above a large hot tub. There are plenty of loungers, and a private section with rentable cabanas is quieter. An adjacent pool bar serves snacks and light lunches, while Dionysus Restaurant offers breakfast and dinner. Food is not included in room rates, and many guests prefer to make the trip to Lassi for breakfast. The a la carte dinner menu consists of delicious Greek cuisine, with many ingredients homegrown in the on-site organic garden. 

The spa is essentially a nice room where massages and beauty services are available. The gym is tiny, housing only a few cardio machines. Entertainment includes a pool table, lending library, and evening events such as live music, quiz nights, and a Greek barbecue with dancing. Wi-Fi is free in common spaces, and some rooms get the signal, but it is unreliable.