I have just returned from a fabulous two week holiday in Kefalonia which is one of the Greek islands quite close to the mainland and the island of Zakynthos. As I usually do I booked my holiday way back in January on the internet and liked the look ofthis particular hotel. If not for the small ... Read review
NH Hotels, the hotel chain leader in Europe, with more than 300 hotels in 20 countries in Europe, Latin America and Africa. Enter into our web site and find the best available tariff at all times
Advantages: Gorgeous location,friendly staff,great cocktails Disadvantages: Up a very steep hill, 1.7km from main resort
I have just returned from a fabulous two week holiday in Kefalonia which is one of the Greek islands quite close to the mainland and the island of Zakynthos. As I usually do I booked my holiday way back in January on the internet and liked the look ofthis particular hotel. If not for the small property then for the picture of the pool and the stunning view.
Never having been to the island before and not knowing what to expect from ... .../>
Our Arrival...
The transfer to Skala from the airport takes an hour. The roads are windy and I did grip the seat and swear on more than one occasion. The views may be stunning but then so are the sheer drops. And when the driver keeps answering his mobile phone you get a kind of lurching in your stomach resulting in the hankering for a stiff drink.
As we reached our resort we were the last people to be dropped ... more
I have just returned from a fabulous two week holiday in Kefalonia which is one of the Greek islands quite close to the mainland and the island of Zakynthos. As I usually do I booked my holiday way back in January on the internet and liked the look ofthis particular hotel. If not for the small property then for the picture of the pool and the stunning view.
Never having been to the island before and not knowing what to expect from the level of accomodation I was pleasantly surprised.
Our Arrival...
The transfer to Skala from the airport takes an hour. The roads are windy and I did grip the seat and swear on more than one occasion. The views may be stunning but then so are the sheer drops. And when the driver keeps answering his mobile phone you get a kind of lurching in your stomach resulting in the hankering for a stiff drink.
As we reached our resort we were the last people to be dropped off at our accommodation.As the hotel is actually on the way out of Skala and situated up a steep hill.
On our arrival, we teetered off the coach, dishevelled, tired and wanting a beer quite honestly. Our bags were off loaded, and we were greeted by a heavily pregnant woman whose spoke better English than I do.
Our luggage was given our room numbers and we were invited in to reception to sign in and then had a few things explained to us about the hotel. For example if we wanted a safety deposit box, or pay the 40 Euros a week for air con. The latter of which we did, as it was so hot I would have melted into a Kitty puddle without it.
We were then led to our room whilst a man ran around delivering bags to rooms and not hanging around like a puppy dog expecting a tip.Everything was done with the greatest of ease and very quickly. There was just over ten of us to check in, and all was done in a matter of minutes.
The Room..
On opening the green door to our room I was initially surprised at how big it was. I have been to Greece a couple of times before, and the room sizes arent anything to have a dance in.
The room was painted white with two very tasteful modern print type pictures on the wall. One was over the bed which took me a whole week to notice. We had two of those twin beds that you could shove together, or if you were sulking, could pull apart. We also had a sofa bed, which was excellent for me to chuck my clothes out onto.
Not that there wasnt enough storage, as we both had bedside tables with drawers and a lamp which was attached to the wall, but you could twirl it round. Opposite the beds was a huge mirror, dressing table and chair. Which means yet more storage. The dresser was a decent size, as I could fit all of my cosmetics onto it. I think the cleaner had a problem cleaning round them all though. She used to put them in little bunches after a few days.
There was also another small table next to the dresser. This housed a wash bag of Mr Fluffs and numerous other bits that got moved around during our two week stay. You then walked through an archway into an area where there was a double wardrobe, drawers, a little fridge and a kettle. Yes a kettle! Which seemed to boil whenever it wanted to, even when you were'nt near it.It would spring to life, bubbling and rattling like a tiny volcano.
And into the most important place, the bathroom. It was all freshly tiled with a shower cubicle housing a power shower. Yes a power shower, with ample hot water any time of day, and you could set it so hard that it actually gave you bruises. You also had a couple of shelves in the bathroom to put your toiletries. They werent very big though, but just enough for a shampoo and shower gel.
Moving over to the sink, you had a mixer tap and power point for a razor. A little soap dish wish some complimentary soap which I dint nick I have to say. And a large mirror with really good lighting. Next to this was a hairdryer which I used quite a lot. And three fluffy towels, with a special thin one to put on the floor when youd got out of the shower. So you dont fall and break your neck.
Air Conditioning..
We had a very small modern Air Con unit on the wall. Now there is a charge for this of 40 Euros a week, but we went in high season where the temperature was regularly in the high 30's and low 40's. I begrudged paying it, but then it was a godsend at night. Or if you'd had too much of the Sun and just wanted to sit in a nice cool environment.
You just pay for it before you leave, and you are given the remote from reception and showed how to use it.
Other types of Room..
As The Aeleos is featured in the Thomsons small and Friendly brochure they only have 28 rooms.
14 standard (like ours) 12 Studios (with a little kitchen) 2 Apartments (with a little kitchen and more space generally)
Bed and Breakfast
The standard rooms are mostly B and B. Breakfast was served from 8-10.30 by the pool area. So you had a choice whether to sit outside or not. There was a choice of toast,yoghurt,cereals,crossaint things,tea, coffee and juice. All of which is self service. Or you could pay 3Euros extra and have a full English which Mr F did a number of times. This is then cooked and served to you.
For Greece it wasnt a bad breakfast at all. Just enough to keep you going until lunch.
Pool and Bar area
The Pool is just stunning as its set on a plateau overlooking the sea and the beach. So you can sit on your sunlounger and watch the boats and ferries in the distant, and people doing stupid energetic things like parasailing or riding a giant infalatable banana.
There was always plenty of umberellas and sunloungers. All of which were really stylish looking in a beige colour. No tat or holes, and they were all fresh and pretty new.
The Pool was lovely.So clean and un cluttered.I did find the deep end very deep, it must have been over 7ft as on the last day the men got together and had a top bombing contest.
The bar..
The bar was open all day until 1am in the morning. Well thats if we let the barmaid shut up shop. We were many a time asked to go to bed and had the lights turned out on us.
But during the day they served drinks and bar snacks. So the usual eateries such as Burgers,Souvlaki,club sandwiches. The highest price was 7Euros. A sandwich with fries would come in at about five Euros.
We ate here pretty much every day as we could'nt be bothered to walk into town. The food was really good actually. And your order is even taken from the table for you, so you dont even have to get up.
The bar by night...
Ahh this is my point of expertise. We would mainly drink..well anything actually..but the cocktails were darn good. At around 5Euros each (3.50 during happy hour), they werent bad value at all. I even nicked the recipe of one to bring home.
A large Mythos Beer was 2.50, and it was draught beer..not that out of a bottle rubbish. It was actually beery..a bit like our beer. Spirits ranged from 3-7 Euros depending on what you had.
My only gripe here is that the bar did shut at 1.Which is just too early.Their arguement was that it was a family hotel..my arguement was I aint drunk yet.
Positioning..
As I have already mentioned the hotel is set up a steep hill off the main road. So isnt suitable for anyone who has a problem walking. Also walking back to the hotel at night is fairly hairy, as the path ends and there arent any street lights. So make sure you take a torch to find your way back again!
You are 1.7km from the main resort, which is a fair way to walk in the heat. But at night its not too bad. It took us around 20minutes and that was at dawdling pace, taking time to poke insects,chase cats and try and get a mobile signal.
However there are a couple of decent Tavernas about a ten minute walk away.One which is owned by the Aeleos and you get a 10% discount in.
Other bits of General info...
The beach is only 100m away, and the water is warm and clear.It does shelve off steeply though so just be aware of that.
The Aeleos has won a Gold Medal for two years running from Thomsons for the best Accommodation in Greece. These are proudly displayed behind the reception desk.
They have satellite TV in the lounge area, as well as numerous books you can borrow to read by the pool.
Theres a daily maid service, except for Sunday.
Summary...
We have just had an excellent two week holiday. I couldnt have asked for more. We even were given a little pressie when we left for propping the bar up every night. The staff were excellent, nothing was any trouble. There was regularly a Thomsons rep at the hotel if you ever wanted to ask anything. The standard and cleanliness of the whole hotel was excellent. They have kept it looking new and fresh, but then it was only built four years ago.
Price and Availability..
We went in high season, August, and paid £1158 for two weeks B and B for two adults. This is a hotel though that people come back to again and again. So if you were to go, book early!
Flights that go to Kefalonia include Luton,Gatwick, Manchester and Birmingham.
Contact Info..
www.hotelaeleos.gr tel: +30 26710 83002
Also if you go to www.Thomson.co.uk, they have a lovely little video that you can watch before you go.I watched this about 50 times before I went just to make sure.
And when the time came I didnt want to go home. I now have an extended Greek branch of my family tree...
