Hotel Orfea was a very impressive four star hotel. It came part of the package I had with CHAT tours which did an overnight trip from Athens for £100. It is one of Kalambakas better hotels and is only a few steps from the main street. Not to mention, as it faces north, fabulous views of the mountains. But if you have been hiking around the monasteries all day or have arrived tired from other parts of Greece it is a pleasant place to lay your head. It lives up to the notion of "Greek hospitality".
The rooms are beautiful. As well as featuring a north facing balcony it has white and navy blue decor and a walk in shower/spotless bathroom. Downstairs was a busy oval reception with multi-lingual staff and a small lounge area with bar and sofa. The whole downstairs had been decorated in white pine as well. They were going for the Greek antique look but with a fresh twist.
The dining area was massive and caters to the tour parties with a buffet in the evening. The buffet was tasty with chicken, vegetable, and rice dishes. And all could be washed down with a bottle of retsina for another five euros. It caters mainly for tour groups and features conference facilities. And despite the fact we were there one night we could have taken advantage of the Olympic size swimming pool at the back.
But it is the proximity to the nearby monoliths which give it its character. We were so close we could see the convent of Ayia Stefanou perched hundreds of feet up on its cliff. The elephant grey rock cylinders loomed over everything in the town. But they are Kalambakas 'bread and butter'. The reason you came to Northern Greece in the first place. And Orfea is an excellent base to explore these wonders
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