Corfu :~ Corfu is one of Greece's many islands and is located in the Ionian sea. It is the second largest of the Ionian islands and has about 113000 inhabitants with 46000 of them living in the capital Kerkyra. Corfu is the greenest of the Greek islands as it gets a lot of rainfall in the winter months. The main source of income comes from tourism then olive oil.
Paleokastritsa :~ As tourism is the main source of income there are over 42 tourist resorts on Corfu. These range from the lively (Kavos, Ipsos). Children friendly (sidari, Messonghi) These are all over shadowed by the breath taking beauty and magnificent scenery around Paleokastritsa. Paleokastritsa is spread along a winding road about 2 miles long with accommodation, tavernas, bars (only about 5 and not lively) cafes and shops dotted along the road. There are 3 main beaches that get busy but quieter one's can be found dotted around. Some walking is required to make the most of this resort.
Paleo Inn :~ The paleo inn is centrally located with tavernas, cafe bar, mini market and car/bike hire on its doorstep.
Arrival :~ Transfer from airport 30 mins taxi and 1hr to 1hr 30 by coach Upon arrival you are dropped off right outside the Paleo inn. Getting out of the taxi my first impressions as I see the pool area is how nice it looks and how quiet it is. No kids running around screaming and shouting splashing and annoying everyone. Now do not take that the wrong way I have nothing against kids
Pictures of Paleo Inn, Corfu
View from corridor
but this holiday was booked with a lot of preparation and thought for a holiday with peace and tranquility. The second impression was of a steep bank about 20 meters long (this felt like a lot more when lugging your luggage up it)going up past the pool to the hotel. The ramp is made of concrete with a brick imprint and can become slippy when wet. The hotel owners have placed along one side an astro turf type mat and a handrail up the side to help with this. The hotel is on 4 levels. Level 1 pool area. Level 2 reception, bar/breakfast area. Level 3 first floor rooms and sun terrace Level 4 2nd floor rooms.
Booking in :~ When we got our breath back after climbing Everest we were greeted by a friendly Greek lady. She asked our names and she gave us a key with the room number 220 on it. She then told us in her opinion we had the best room in the hotel. We took this with a pinch of salt as I'm sure she would say that to all her guests. We were not required to sign or hand passports over. The Greek lady smiled and walked off. Our daughter and her boyfriend had arrived on an earlier flight so knew the layout of the hotel which was lucky as the Greek lady did not explain how to get to our room. During our stay other people who booked in where helped with their luggage and shown to their rooms as was my daughter. So assuming we arrived when she was busy with other guests as it was on lunch time.
Room 220 :~ The Paleo Inn is only a small hotel with a total of 20 rooms. These are either double or twin bed. The rooms are accessed by a flight of steps at the side of the hotel. 17 steps take you to the 1st floor. Another flight of steps 18 in total take you to the 2nd floor. A corridor runs the length of the hotel with rooms on either side. An inviting breeze blows a long the corridor which is lovely after a day spent in the sun. Our room was located at the far end and the closer we got to the room the better the views got from the open doors at the end of the corridor. The views were of the bay and sea and hoped our views would be as good. Entering our room, we were surprised at how dark it was compared to how light it was outside. Turning the light on just through the door way made little difference. On closer inspection there was so many dead moths in the the glass lamp shade that it prevented the bulb from full illumination. 2 glass doors open inward and 2 shutter doors opened outward onto the balcony. Once these were opened plenty of light was allowed into the room. The balcony is only small with plastic table and 2 chairs and you have to manoeuvre things around to open and shut the doors. Now this has to be the best room in the hotel the views are amazing. The balcony can become very hot during the day as the sun shines onto it all day. So it is best to shut the outer doors but leave the inner doors open. This allows a little breeze into the room and also keeps the smell down. The only bad thing about the room. The bathroom had a drain cover in the middle of the floor, not unusual for Greece. But this seemed to allow a very bad drain smell and if the room was closed up all day it could be over powering. This soon cleared by opening the room door and balcony as this let a strong breeze through. 220 is not a bad size. It has twin beds (groan from wife) which we push together. Dressing table, fridge (god send for cold beer) and a built in cupboard with ample storage space even for all the clothes my wife brought along. Enough electric sockets but only after we moved the beds together as we found 2 hidden behind them. Lights are spread around the room. hall, above dressing table, 1 above each bed when all are on the room is well lit. The bathroom is functional, toilet, wash basin, mirror above basin and shower with shower curtain. Never seemed to be a shortage of hot water no matter what time of day or night. 2 bath towels and 2 hand towels. Oh yes and a bin, this is not for your rubbish but for used toilet paper. Yes that's right it goes in the bin not the toilet. This is the same all over Greece it is due to the narrow pipes they use. These can be easily blocked so make sure you use the bin. The room is basic but it has everything you need and is very clean. Rooms are cleaned every day except Sundays. Towels and bed linen is changed twice a week. Ample toilet paper is supplied and it is not that cheap stuff that leaves you sore. Air conditioning is in all the rooms on the second floor. This costs 5 Euro a night (£3.50) and it is worth every penny. The first floor rooms do seem to be cooler listening to other guests but fans can be hired for these.
Pool area :~ The pool area is half way up the ramp and is surrounded by a wall and wrought iron fence. The pool is kidney shaped. The shallow end is designed so you can just walk in down a couple of steps. Great for none swimmers. The deep end not really deep 1.8 meters can be accessed by a ladder or you can jump in. Diving in is not allowed but people were which was a bit stupid due to the depth of the pool. There is no children's pool but half of the pool is quite shallow anyway and to be honest the hotel seems to be catering more for couples anyway as there are on family rooms. Around the pool ample sunbeds (31)and parasols (15) are provided free of charge but these are plastic and hard on the body. Cushioned mattresses can be hired at 1 Euro a day (70p) A large Palm tree also gives shade in the afternoon. The pool area is open to anyone, but was never crowded (June)and you could lay back enjoy your Mythos or ice tea. Sounds like it does get busy July August as does all of Corfu due to its close proximity to Italy. Toilet block one for men one for women each with shower are provided for anyone to use. These are handy for people with late flights and do not want to pay 20 Euros to keep their room on. Only food and drink bought from the hotel can be consumed around the pool. The pool is near the road and some traffic noise can be heard (so annoying yawn). There is also a sun terrace on the 3rd level that has sun loungers and benches but never saw anybody using this.
Breakfast :~ Breakfast is served by Andreas one of the owners between the hours of 8-10. For small Greek hotels this is a very good breakfast. 2 slices of thick uncut toasted bread, butter and jam. Glass of orange, tea (Tetley) or coffee (strong nice)in a pot so you get 2 cups. Then a choice is given. 1 boiled egg and this is not soft boiled this is hard boiled even when asked for soft boiled. 1 fried egg, this is served with runny yolk very nice. 3 egg omelet cooked to perfection no soggy bits. Scrambled egg omelet cut up into small bits. Cornflakes these come with long life milk so if you do not like this but some fresh and store it in your fridge. Greek yogurt and honey but not enough honey so most people were adding some jam to the yogurt. Ham and cheese this is the processed type. Never tried this as I do not like cheese. Cooked breakfast can be bought but never tried it. Andreas was always happy when asking what you wanted and served people in the order they arrived for breakfast. Sometimes you had to wait if to many people came down together and if it was crowded there might not be any tables in the shade.
Bar :~ The bar is the same area as where breakfast is served and is open from 0830 to 0130 . Bar stools for barfly's are around the bar. Cane furniture with cushions make for comfy drinking. Snacks can also be bought from here, from pizza's to salads all very tasty and well priced. Local and international branded drinks with the local being cheaper. Mytho's £1.74 Ouzo £1.05 for what must be a treble. Cocktails range from £2.44 to £3.14. The main barman Spiros who is also part of the family will chat and have a laugh with you while keeping your glass topped up. The indoor part of the bar has a pool table £1.40 and dart board and more seating but everyone always sat outside. Music is kept low and most of the guests finish the night here and chat with each other.
Price :~ You can only go to the Paleo Inn if booked with Thomson Holidays. It cost us £680 for 2 weeks B&B including flights and transfers. The hotel only makes £6 per person from Thomson. So after 8years they are going to try and see if they can book 5 rooms privately from 2008. May/October £16 per room B&B June/September £20 per room B&B July/August £25 per room B&B As you can see this is very reasonable and if people can get good priced flights they will easily fill these rooms.
Conclusion :~ This is a very nice hotel for a quiet holiday. All guests during our stay were couples from young to old. It is kept clean and the hosts all speak good English and will take the time to talk to you. The area is good for walking and sight seeing with some of the best scenery to be seen in Greece. You have the choice of pool or beach. Most guests return year after year, one couple had been going for 8 years. So this speaks volumes for the place.
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A really super review with so much lovely info & the pictures helped. Now, I want to go along with most others in CIAO as well. Will return tomorrow to rate as an E (am out for today).
Mind you, the reviewers who said this was 'only helpful', i do wonder what they thought was missing!!?? Martin.
Craigshadow12 26.07.2007 02:07
Great review as allways. Craig ♥ :p
eve6kicksass 24.07.2007 13:06
You deserve an E for this awesome review there! Chris :)
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exceptional by (16%):
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