Which would you recommend - Arilas or San stefanos - what is the difference between the two resorts? Can you stay at one and walk to the other for meals etc.
From my personal point of view - I would prefer to be staying in Arillas - it was our first visit this year and although we used the beach a fair deal in SS I personally wouldn't have been keen on staying there........ you can walk it over the headland, there is a pathway but you would need to be relatively fit ..... or you can walk the long way - but this would be too far to say walk at night for a meal there and back.
Not sure if you are likely to get a completely unbiased reply on this forum Diane ;-) most people here are confirmed "Arilliacs".
Seriously though - it all depends on what you are looking for from a holiday.
San Stafanos has a long, flat, gently sloping sandy beach. Really great if you have small children.
Arillas beach is not so big, and tends to suffer from the sea shifting sand around, so sometimes it is really good and sometimes it is quite narrow in some places. But it is a really nice beach and you can walk to the far North and South ends of the beach which are both very secluded. These ends are favourite haunts for naturists, but it is not essential that you join in if you don't want too - just be aware that they are there if any of your party might be offended by such things.
Both resorts have great places to eat, and there is plenty of choice at both resorts to suit most everybody, although overall there are more places in San Stefanos as it is a slightly larger resort.
Neither resort has what you would call a "noisy" night-life, although both have a couple of good bars where you can listen to music and they sometimes have live performers.
It is possible to walk along the roads between the resorts, or there is a shorter route over the headland between the two bays, and there is a really great taverna at the top where you can rest and get some liquid refreshment, but you may find both of these routes a little too much after a big evening meal!
I am sure that many others will post their thoughts on this subject, this is a very active forum with many wonderful contributors, so you can guarantee that any information you are given here will be honest and sincere.
Meanwhile, to get a better idea of Arillas there is not only the camera on this site which will give you a good view of the bay, but there is also a website which shows a "virtual" tour of Arillas here:-
http://arillas.corfu360.net/ (http://arillas.corfu360.net/)
You can also get a good view of San Stefanos beach from the San Stefanos Travel camera which is on their site here:-
http://www.san-stefano.gr (http://www.san-stefano.gr)
And a virtual tour here:-
http://www.agiosstefanos.corfu360.net/ (http://www.agiosstefanos.corfu360.net/)
Whichever one you choose, you will have a great holiday.
Hi Diane, and welcome to the forum! personally, we definitely prefer Arillas although quite often have a scooter ride over to San Stef. You will find that peole are drawn to San Stef as they are to Arillas year after year so you can't really go wrong whichever you choose. There are more shops in San Stef, including the excellent Perdita's glass. My take is that Arillas is more intimate and the food is just divine, but I have only ever had breakfast at San Stef so cant really compare. Next year is visit number 14! yipee!! Let us know which one you choose and be sure to visit the other if you get chance! If you had asked about Sidari you would have got a definite NOOOOOOO!!! :-) (well from me that is!)
If in doubt, and if it fits nicely into your agenda, I would say a two week break.
One week in Stephanos and one week in Arillas. - Or vicky-vercy.
( And then flit between the two for extra fun )
Stephanos and Arillas are "chalk n cheese" but they both have much to offer.
Jo.
You must see Sidari, sometime one winter. Visit one of the local places that serve a very nice goat in red wine!! - Not a whole one, obviously!
(And the waiter is not called Billy!)
Cheers
Negg
Eggy that place sounds interesting, we're over in december so may have a look. We stayed in san steph for the first time this summer, it has a bigger, slightly busier feel than arillas and a better beach. Food was great in all the tavernas we tried and staff were mostly as friendly as those we know in arillas. Arillas is still my favourite though.
john
San Stef love to go over for a swim and a day on the beach
Bigger than Arillas but the locals are just as friendly.
Arillas no contest when it comes to deciding where to stay.
Arillas no contest when it comes to a welcome from the locals
Arillas no contest when it comes to places to eat
Arillas no contest when it comes to Arillas or San Stef
Only my opinion.... on the other hand if I could not find a place to stay in Arillas then San Stef would be my choice.
I would be near enough to walk over the headland and down the donkey track back to my favourite place on earth
I'm sure you will enjoy where ever you decide NW Corfu is that kind of place
IF JILL READS THIS NO I AM NOT AN ARILLIAC....lol
Avoided commenting as yet - everyone knows what I will say. Or will they? Jen and I choose Arillas because we are so happy there. But we would always say that San Stef is a wonderful choice. In our more mobile and earlier days, we always stayed at the top of the hill and went to either, according to our whim.
You have the wonderful Anna Studios, Kostas (supermarket) apartments, Alecos Sgouros and other choices of places to stay. Best of both worlds if you can manage the hill.
And John me good ole pal, original definition of Arilliac was Dimitri's. Those with over 1000 posts on the forum...... so it's John the Arilliac!!
Phil
Must agree with John & Dot.We would always choose to stay in Arillas but if unable to get fixed up there San Stefanos would become automatic alternative choice.Sure you will have a great holiday whichever your choice.Let the Forum know which you decide. Ron.
Thanks everyone for your replies - I am fancying Arilas - any recommendations on which accommodation - we are a couple in our 50's - like nice accommodation, pool, just a drink and a meal at night and then back to the balcony to chill - nothing more!!!
Well everyone on this site has their favourites - and without a doubt everywhere in Arillas is good, as is the genuine welcome that you will get from your hosts. Your age group and criteria are the same as mine, and to my mind the best to match all your criteria is the Horizon - nice pool and right on the beachfront, great rooms that all face the sea, great sunset views from your very own balcony, great standard of food in the restaurant.
Take a look at their website -
http://www.horizon-hotel.gr/en/index.php (http://www.horizon-hotel.gr/en/index.php)
ou first trip to nw corfu was to san steph, we fell in love with the place, and planned to go back the following year, cant remember why, but we couldnt, so we ended up going to arillas, and the rest as they say is history!!!!
have stayed in sea breeze apts, akti, and next may (hopefully) marinaki
ger x
If you do plump for SS then the Little Prince is deffo the place to stay and eat where as in Arillas All the apartments are lovely and in a lot of years going twice a year we have only ever had one bad meal and the place is now under new management and served us a delicious meal this year. We are defo confirmed Arillacs. We are both in our 60s and still walk to SS once maybe twice a week to see friends that live there, only once walked home in the dark that was in a May and the fireflies lit our way but wouldn't really want to do it again. Viv
I think San Stefanos is also lovely. The 1st time we stayed in Arillas in June 2006 and walked into San Stefanos, we decided to return in the September and stay there for a week as yet hadn't formed the great obsession I now have with Arillas. It was on the last couple of days and I had been badly bitten by mosquitos so had to visit the doctors every day for injections. Verena ( Leon's wife from Amourada) was the receptionist invited to give us a lift to Arillas and back for a night out. It was weired as she drove us into Arillas it felt like I was coming home. Ever since I have never stayed anywhere else. But like Viv during my stays in Arillas I always have a few walks into Stan Stefanos. :) But Arillas is my special holiday place, so much now I go there alone and meet my holiday buddies there
We would always choose Arillas, and being in our sixties have done places all over Greece for the last thirty odd years. We found Arillas in 2002, but we now like a 'bit' of quiet time around the pool.
So we always choose the Mathraki because it's adults only (Thomsons think the kids might fall) the rooms are well appointed, sea view and the food is very good too, the best thing though is the wonderful family that run it, they will cater to your every need. Also just five mins from the front.
Love the beach at San Stefanos, but love Arillas more.
Val x
We have stayed at a few places in Arillas.
Tria Adelphia, Akit Arilla, Marvel, Rainbow (Dionyssos)
love them all, families who go out of their way to give you all you want, nothing is a problem for them, and as you will read on other parts of the forum that happens where ever you stay in Arillas.
Quote from: MaryH on October 26, 2012, 03:35:19 PM:) But Arillas is my special holiday place, so much now I go there alone and meet my holiday buddies there
We all have an afinity with Arillas. We all hold it dear to our hearts.
Be warned..... YOU WILL BE BACK
As many have said it is unlikely you will get anything other than a recommendation
for Arillas on this forum!
If it carries any more weight I am not a regular poster but I have to say that whilst SS is lovely it does not compare to Arillas.
I cannot conceive of anywhere that combines natural beauty with friendly locals who will happily do anything to guarantee a great time the way our favourite place and people do.
As to accommodation I cannot think of anywhere that would disappoint.We always go to Kaloudis which we love as it is the best choice for us from Glasgow.
Join the ever growing fans of Arillas! You will never regret it.
We already cannot wait until our next pilgrimage August 29th 2013 for 2 weeks.
Oh Diane!! Your query on wether San Stefanos or Arillas was unlikely to split forum members too much but asking where to stay is likely to get every accommodation in
Arillas name check.In 20 years we have stayed at many places including Bardis Hotel,Bardis Studios,Graziella Apts,Portofino Apts,Tria Adelphia,Makris,Akti Arilla and others.All have many,many good points and only a couple have very minor downs and these are probably more down to personal preferance.At all of them comfort,cleanliness and a warm,friendly welcome are guaranteed. When we first came to Arillas the main way of travelling was on a package.These days if you are able and willing to travel and book accommodation separately you will find a far greater choice of places to stay. However you get here I am sure you will have a holiday to remember and will surely return. Ron.
Do need to add that we have stayed in quite a few places but in the last couple of years have stayed at Mathraki Studios the most.
Where ever you choose Diane you will have the most wonderful holiday.
Val x
Thanks for that Val - I have been looking at Mathraki and also Kaloudis in Arillas - do you have further information to help me chose which one - although Thomson do not sell Mathraki to children, did you find that there were children there. Thanks in anticipation for any advice you can give.
We have stayed at Mathraki Diane. There are no children staying there. It is quiet and as with everywhere is very friendly. This is the perfect location for us as it is not far from any of the tavernas or the beach. Hope you find the right place for you.
Mary
This summer we stayed in July/Aug school hols, the only time we saw a child was late afternoon twice, when a couple came with their small child (think they were Polish) they had a quick swim and left after 10mins both times.
The Mathraki is very quiet during the day just a few couples around the pool, Bill is not very keen on the beach, although we do go often, he just prefers the peace and quiet of the pool and reading is my hobby so we seem to spend more time there.
We have breakfast about 10.30 which is the best we have had anywhere, and then a snack late afternoon. All very good value and delicious, Nic and family provide an extensive menu and a good bar.
Rooms are typically Greek, very clean with a kitchen equipped to cook full meals if you want to (not me) ha ha.
The rooms all have a sea view, with sunsets to die for, the upper floor are the best view. There are only 16 rooms so it is not overcrowded.
The Mathraki has lots of repeat visitors which tells you a lot.
Hope this has been helpful, just ask and lots of people can give you info about Kaloudis, we only visit there for a drink but it is nice and very good for couples and families.
Val x
I think Phil n Jen had quite a nice evening in a little place in Stephanos tonight.
They just might tell you about it on here on the Arillas ( WOTIDID2DAY )
today post.. - And didn't we do it well!
Negg - 2.23am? Not in bed? - WOTSALLTHATABOUT?
Oh yes Neill. OH YESSS!!! And I posted it before I read this. Thank you so much for including us in it all. The bladdy tourists are learning fast. And my liver now officially needs a holiday. Only Mythos today....
Phil