Anyone have any feedback on or experience of these?
Thanks,
Ivan
Guests arriving recently are experiencing some problems with standards of cleanliness and safety of some electrical appliances which when reported to Olympic rep. were just passed on to site operator in the hope that something would be done. Request for move to other accommodation refused on grounds that all other Olympic sites (in Sidari), were fully occupied.
My own experiences as a rep., were very poor at that acco9mmodation.
These are the "Christos Appts" at the top of the hill where you turn off for Agious Staphanos, are they not?
Don't Olympic have other Appts in Arillas?
Negg
They used to have Mathraki but that is now independent. At one time Hotel marvellous was with them too.
Sandy - Thanks. Maybe Olympic are concentrating their business more on Sidari then?
Ivan - I may PM you about Christos.
Cheers
Negg
Also the Olympic transfer is even worse than Manos....never less than 4 hours but you do get to see most of the island en route!
Negg, yes the ones at the turn off for San Stef. They were about the only thing available from Belfast for that week which is the only one we can go. By all means PM me as I'm starting to get a bad feeling about this!
Ivan
Ivan - can't you just get a flight and book accommodation separately?
Sandy, have done in the past but from Belfast it has got to the stage where flight only is as and in some cases more expensive than a package. Also all our accomadation of choice was booked up.
Ivan
Hope you manage to get something sorted out Ivan.
Thanks Sandy, it's booked so we'll just have to make the best of it,I'm sure we'll enjoy Arillas as always - I'l post a judgement on the Christos after I've stayed there!
Ivan
Ivan, I'm sure they will be fine. Just think of them as a base if they arent up to scratch. Also, I have often wondered, as you can sometimes get last minute package deals cheaper than the Corfu flights, what would happen if you just used them as a means of getting there and back then made own way to Arillas? Is there any legal oblifgation that you actually have to go to the apts booked?
We've done that before. My daughter came out once in October to join me and got a last miute package to Benitses really cheap. She simply told the rep when she got to the airport that she was staying elsewhere but would be on the return flight, and got a taxi to Arillas. I bet the rep was relieved - one less person for her to worry about!
I have often wondered that. Just get a cheap package for the flight and then stay wherever you like. My parents did that once on Kos, used the accommodation a few times but went island hopping most of the time.
When we were in Arillas last month a couple booked through Manos but didnt like the accommodation and booked a few nights with Poppy at Bardis Sun (because of the amount of mozzies at the other place).. The tour operator and owners have already got their money so it probably doesnt matter where you go after that I would have thought.
That is a good cheap way of getting there isnt it!
We always do last minute holidays and have always been lucky. We have always said if we did get somewhere we didn't like we would stay there for the first night (late arrival time from Norwich) and then just hire a car and head to Arillas.
We did that a couple of years ago. Got a really really good last minute deal, think it only cost £135 for both of us. The apartments were in San Stephanos and were actually really nice but we wanted Arillas. Couldn't have got flights for that price. We informed the rep at Corfu airport so that the transfer bus wasn't waiting for us and got a taxi straight to Arillas.
Wish I could find a bargain like that now.
Jill
Mick & Jill
If "Doing your own thing" ,once you get to Corfu, what procedure do you have to take to get back to the Airport for returning home.? Do you have to confirm your flights personnally with the tour operator or just contact your rep to confirm you'll see them at the Airport? and... If the rep how contactable are they?
Had a little look at Christos today. Fairly busy, but quiet and no loud music in the background. ( gotta be a bonus ) Appts set back from the pool.
Couldn't get to see an appt as the owner said all were in use. If that's true it may be a recommendation in itself. Didn't see any unhappy faces.
Negg
Negg, when Avril flew out last year we didn't confirm the return and just turned up at the airport and ignored the queues.
Thanks everyone who took the time to reply, we are now booked and I'm sure will have a good holiday
Ivan
Im sure you will, its not as if your be eating in is it. oooo yum Viv
(http://bestsmileys.com/fish/16.gif)
Viv, that made I laugh that did!!!! Dimitris, get the sardines in!
Ivan
Pleased about that, love to Avril. Viv
Hi Eggy
We just turn up at the airport about 2.5 hours before the flight time on our ticket, bit of a gamble I know but it has always worked for us so far and hey at the worst we get left in Corfu and have a longer holiday. I'm sure Spiro would have us for longer, might have to clean a few rooms mind.
We never even speak to a Rep, think over the last 8 years (first 2yrs we went package deal) the only time I have spoken to one is when she tried to get us to wait outside in the balzing sun. We had already been at the airport for 30 mins and she wanted us to go to the back of the queue which wasn't even there when we arrived at airport. The first 2 years we went it was with Manos and Olympic, found the Reps ok but they soon lost interest when we didn't want to do the trips.
Jill
Jill
We just turn up too jill. I object to standing out in the sun, so always just go inside. Never had a problem so far.
My Daughter came back from Arillas a couple of weeks ago with a couple of her friends. The Rep told her it was the airports policy for eveyone to wait outside. She refused as she had been there some time and like myself object to then getting put at the back of a long queue. She refused and the Rep just walked away.
I just feel that as we do the whole thing ourselves why should we then have to do what they want us to when we are on the way home. It's the only time I ever speak to a Rep. I know alot of people won't agree with this, but hey each to their own.
Jill
blondegirl - what was the queue like outside the airport when you came back from Arillas??
Thanks for the feedback all. - But what I meant was:-
If you book a cheap, last minute package deal, say to Kavos for example, and when you arrive at Corfu airport tell the rep you're going elsewhere does that mean his/her responsibilty for you is relinquished.
So do you then have to:-
a, Confirm with the rep, the day before you leave, that you will be at the Airport.
b. When you get to the Airport does he/she then take responsibility for you again and insist you rejoining his/her party, and his/her queue of travellers?
Interested because this is the sort of thing my daughter would do.
Negg
Hi Eggy
When we booked out cheapy to San Stephanos we told the Rep at the airport that we didn't require the accommodation and we had made plans to stay with friends. She said that was fine, she didn't tell us anything about the return flight etc. So no after we landed they had no repsonsability for us at all. Didn't see them at the airport on the way back and they didn't look for us. It was as if they had our money and then we didn't exsist as far as they were concerned.
Thanks Mick & Jill.
I wonder there is anything in the contract you get when you make the booking?
-- Maybe one for Joe here.
Negg
Well, we left the Bardis and it was slightly later than we thought, then the driver stopped at a bakers to get his lunch so by the time we got to the airport we didnt have to wait under the marquee bit. We were directed around the back of the coach and joined the queue straight away which was slightly embarassing as we had only just arrived and all the other people had probably been waiting ages. They directed us inside and there were about 3 queues for Gatwick, we must have waited about 1/2 hr to get through to check in. They weighed the bags and gave us our booking cards then Mike took the bags to the security bit and said goodbye to them. Then, we had to queue again to go through passport which was only about 10 mins, then we went through the security cameras. Going airside we only had to wait about 1/2 hr if that before we were called to board. Everything went smooth until then.... we then waited 45 mins on the plane for late comers which made me cross a bit as some hang about in the bars and dont hear the calls but perhaps others were justifiably late. Anyway, we have never had a problem at Corfu airport.
That was the same as us, we didnt have to queue under the marquee bit, but the queue to get into the terminal took blooming ages, we were stood outside for ages, then queued for about 20 odd minutes once inside, but then straight through passport control and security, although once through to departures it was so rammed, there were about 3 or 4 delayed planes, so all them people were in there plus all of us still coming through, it was not pleasant to say the least.
Anyway luckily we were in departures for all of half hour and then we were on the plane.
I just think would it be easier if you could just make your own way in to the terminal like it was before and not have to queue?
We were thinking of going away again in October but cant really bear the thought of dragging our cases around just for a few days so we have booked to go to of all places... Ilfracombe for 5 days... Driving there will take as long as Corfu I think. We have never been there and it wont be hot or as nice as Arillas but it will be a break anyway and we wont have the flight problems. You are off to Mexico soon arent you?
Thats in Devon isnt it?? Lovely part of the country, a break is abreak at the end of the day!
Yep just over a month til we're off, sooooo excited!!
I promised somewhere earlier in this thread while it was still on-subject that I would comment when I returned after staying at the Christos.
We got back yesterday after a weeks stay so here goes.
Plus points,
A warm welcome from Angela who probably speaks better English than I do and most definatly better Greek!
A real proper kettle in the room for a cuppa
A large fan which was most welcome
Room was of a better than average size, we were loooking over the pool and the balconey was very pleasent of an evening, and the plastic chairs had those nice little cushions which ease the pressure when you've sat a while.
Unfortunatly while we were there the water pressure was low ( The Christos is at the top of a hill) this made showering interesting. I spoke to Angela about this and she was more than keen to have it looked at but we came to the conclusion that it was just a lack of pressure. We had a little noise from the road but nothing to worry about.
All in all we had a very good and restful holiday,
Ivan
Nice reveiw Ivan
Really good to see you both. - Back soon Eh?
Best Wishes
Neill & Wendy
( PM's on the way soooooon ? )
Greg
Take a look at this feedback on Christos. - But start at page 1 as it does go off thread a bit.
It will give you an idea about the appts.
Negg
As usual a blend of opinions - mine is just another one but here it is.
Phillip and Angela could not do any more for their guests than lay down and die. We have spent many happy hours in the pool/bar and everybody staying has described it as their best ever holiday. Some couples and families have been going there twice a year for so many years they've forgotten how long.
Its position is perfect for both Arillas and San Stefanos, being at the top of the hill. Reasonably able bodied folk can walk to either easily.
We have stayed most times over the road with Alecos Sgouros, about 100 yards. We may not have have stayed in his apartments but have seen them inside and out. We would be very happy to stay there.
The walk down to Arillas beach is punctuated with Annas studios and bar (absolutely wonderful) the "cake shop" (try their Greek Delight) Yannis supermarket (tries hard)
then you're at the bottom of the hill, and all of the main bars, shops etc etc. The only problem for us is we did so much it took us 4 hours to do it! 10 minutes with no visits would see you on the beach.
I would recommend it to anyone with the proviso of getting back up the hill. But the locals will always drive you up if you need it.
phil and jen
You mention Annas! Best bacon n bread for brekkie. Tomatoes too, yummy.
Ivan,
We visited Christos Apartments in September 05, also with Olympic. A while ago I know, so cannot advise on current position. The apartment was excellent, the pool was super, even in September, and the owner (forgotten his name) was great. There is a supermarket across the road. The walk into Arillas is easy, all downhill. The walk back up again is quite an effort, takes about 20 minutes (along the road, not including shortcuts). Don't be put off by this.
The apartments are in an excellent position, almost equidistant between San Stefanos and Arillas. It is a very easy walk into San Stefanos for a superb beach and a further selection of great restaurants. Not that these are missing from Arillas!. Walk back from San Stefanos is quite easy. Need a torch !! There are also some good walks into the surrounding olive groves.
We would return to Arillas in a second. Just cannot seem to manage it.
Hope this is useful.
Wil