Arillas Forum
Welcome to Arillas => Accommodation reviews => Package Holidays => Topic started by: GaryS on July 15, 2008, 05:16:30 PM
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Arillas is a wonderful resort, we have had a lovely time there this year, but the Arillas Bay Apartments are doing their best to ruin the resorts fine and deserved reputation in 2008.
What’s the difference between the Arillas Bay Apartments 2008 and Guantanamo Bay? Well having not actually been interned in the Cuban facility without trial I can only imagine the difference is the linen is changed on a more frequent basis at Camp X-Ray.
We, like many others arrived on a Monday (30th June) and were shown to our apartment (B5) by the wonderful Jayne (Thomas Cook). It was clear that for 2008 season the owners of the AB had added sweet FA, the apartment was full of bugs, there were squashed insects on the walls that required removing with a quantity of scrubbing. The kitchen tap leaked the whole stay. The glass in the front door was cracked. A third of the shower curtain was missing. The fixed shower head made the water spew over the top of the remaining curtain if fitted correctly in place, the drain in the bathroom stank and was useless as the water much preferred to run into the kitchen rather than the drain (poor design) the ‘maid’ would leave a manky mop an bucket with filthy water in the corner, never emptying it away and the linen and tattered towels were changed once a week, if you stayed a single week that meant never. I could go on but there are more important issues with this place.
The Sea Breeze bar and restaurant would not look out of place in the opening scenes of a Spaghetti Western (dusty and run down) and the once popular restaurant on the beach was almost constantly empty. The owners avoided and questions regarding fans, linen or safety deposit boxes with a shrug of the shoulders in the timely’ I don’t speaka the lingo’. The whole pool area was umbrella free and the gardens were a mess.
Now the real bad points. Three nights into our stay someone attempted to force entry into out apartment twice, twice they failed and I slept the remainder of the night in my shorts with a pen knife in my hand. I missed the rep the next day and let the incident go. On the Friday night we were awoken by shouting and found that the next apartment had the same happen to them. Twice someone tried to force entry and was actually chased by the guest. Twenty minutes later it happened again, but this time a posse of guests caught the guy and frogmarched him to the Sea Breeze and to the owners. This served no purpose at all as the 'Albanian' gentleman was a summer tenant of the AB and lived in the back of the property in a little cottage. We explained the situation, while he sat there stuffing his fat little Umpa Lumpa face all smug lucking having a laugh in tongues with the owners.
We were assured he would be made to leave. He was not. We saw the Thomas Cook rep Jayne the next day and she said she would sort it out or we would be entitled to compensation paid by the AB. We were issued emergency numbers to call if future incidents occurred. That night, mindful of a full day trip to Parga and Paxos we had an early night, returning to the AB we observed the Albanian person leaving the Sea Breeze and heading up his hovel (still there) We retired for the night, only to be disturbed minutes later by someone attempting to gain access to out apartment again. By the time I got to the door whoever it was, was gone. I called the emergency number and a Thomas Cook rep said the authorities had be informed.
Following our boat trip we discovered a young couple on the other side of us who were terrified at nights, but had not actually had an attempted break in, had been moved to the Akti Arilla Hotel. We waited to see Jayne on the Monday and via Thomas Cook, paid by the AB we were also moved to the Akti Arilla Hotel. By the time we left Arillas on the 14th July 4 couples had been moved in the 2 weeks we were there and we believe that makes 8 couples for June/July.
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I am horrified by this report and really don't know what to say at the moment....
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WOW!!! These things have to be said, well done 'GazCaz'. You've got to dodge the bullets now!.
I'm glad you had a 'lovely time there this year' despite ALL your problems.
Spiro at the Akti is going to have GOOD trade from them this year :)
Mango you can come out of hiding now :)
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Thanks GazCaz for your report, see the slagging off I got for reporting on these incidents (under just back from Arillas). Get ready for it cos you said a lot more than me. thank god someone is going to speak up.
Your report is very details and highlights the badness and sadness that is happening in Arillas at the moment, we too spent our last day at the Akti.
Spiros was more than helpful to us.
I'm not going to say anymore but thanks for helping me highlight the worries.
Amanda
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I had heard the Arillas Bay apartments werent up to much and that was from last year, but didnt know whether they had improved or not. A couple from last year had bad mozzie bites and there were no screens etc. they left after a few days and stayed with Poppy at BS emergency chalets. I cant believe you had all that to deal with... it is really worrying especially as we shall be staying around the corner.
We noticed last year how run down the Sea Breeze restaurant was last year compared to the year before. The food wasnt up to much, not very well cooked and the portions were pathetic. Also, the tables were dirty, so we only went there once. Something is definately wrong there.
I am so sorry you had all that to deal with, it must have been very worrying especially as the guy was still hanging around. I expect you felt like lynching him!
No wonder Amanda had such strong feelings and I dont blame her.
I wonder if there will be any more feedback. I am sure those who have booked to stay there in the future will be worried now. TC must address that problem properly.
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no comment,we are in dispute with Thomas Cook over our holiday there.
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The facts of our holiday are these.
our first night at 0330 ish the solar heating on our roof exploded hot and then cold water poured down over our balcony untill the plumber arrived at 0700.When it exploded steam was rising up into the night sky and the noise was terrible.As the owners had called a plumber out and told us it was fixed we did not report it,but 2 nights later it happened again at 0300 again going on untill 0700 again the plumber arrived.Also that second time we were kept awake untill about 0230 by the owners young kiddies shouting and screaming next door to us.We did report all this to the rep,who told it was all sorted,2 nights later at 0300 it went again,i phoned the Thomas Cook emergency number straight away and was told we would be moved.The rep turned up at about 0900 and again told us we would be moved and she would see us after her welcome meetings around lunch time.We had to find her and we told her we had friends and Relatives staying in Arillas and that we would only be moved within Arillas.She told us the office would contact us.At 1630 we had to ring the office to see what was happening we had sat all day with our bags packed waiting to be moved.We were told oh its fixed and we had said we did not want moving,which was rot.Anyway we had to stay as no accommadation in Arillas was free.At least the solar heating would not explode again or so we thought mid way through the 2 nd week it went again.
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OMG what terrible experiences you both have had. I know where i will not be staying. This with the attempted break-ins is very disturbing news. I hope it all gets sorted out very soon.
riggers...
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Gascas
Are you the gentleman I spoke to last week?
I am absolutely stunned and horrified at this report. Like Sandy I don't know what to say. And,if I can't even make the usual Eggy wisecrack then it's a really serious issue !
For 99.9 % of Arillas to be doing their very best and to have it tarnished by one or two rotten apples is....... Well, what can I say?.
Dimitris must also be so upset about what you had to endure. He told me how bad he felt about Amandas problem. And he only looks after the website!
( We all know the website is for all Arillas)
I am an "enquiring" sort of person, so I'm told , and will be asking a few questions during the next week or so.
Dumbstruck! - What to say! - All resorts all over the world have a version of this problem. Even paradise can have a scorpion in the sand!
My opinion at this moment in time?
Continue please to put pressure on the the tour operator who must make your frustration felt to the Appt owners.
It's all a bitter pill to swallow.
Stay Well
Negg
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I agree with you Eggy. Unless everyone who has had problems there complains to TC nothing will be done. What amazes me is that the tour operators are supposed to inspect all their accommodation each year at the start of the season to check it is up to scratch and accords with the description of it in the brochures. This surely cannot have been done at Arillas Bay this year.
The kind of problem Harold describes could happen anywhere (once!) BUT most owners would then bend over backwards to ensure that it was remedied and did not occur again. Their attitude when told people were breaking into the apartments is beyond belief.
I think Paul is right, Quack....take a copy of that report to your travel agent before you go and ask to be moved....
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I cant believe anything so serious as boiling hot water pouring past your balcony cannot be thought of as a serious health and safety issue. I am stumped for once to find anything more to say that hasnt already been said.. it must have been a terrible experience!
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I dont blame Yanni and his sister they have a lot on their plate with their father in hospital,But i do blame TC and i bet they are still putting people in there.As you can see this happened early May,so this shows how reluctant i was to post about this,but thought i would speak up after seeing the other two reports.
As most of you know Sally and I have been going to Arillas for like 13 or 14 years and are not put off by what happened.
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I don't think anything could put me off. If you don't like where you stay try somewhere else. :)
riggers...
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Harold, Mango and GazCaz, I for one am shocked about this and find it hard to believe, but must accept what is being said, Thomas and his family have been very good friends of ours since 1992 and it is with a heavy heart that I am reading this, but you said that Thomas is in hospital, do you or anyone else know what is wrong with him or could someone find out and let me know. This leaves me very sad and I can only hope that things get better. Mick.
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omg i am so shocked
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I'm horrified by what I've read here, and we're booked into the Arillas Bay from a week Monday!
I'll be contacting the agents in the morning and demanding a move.
I'd appreciate some recommendations as to where we should be asking to be moved to (and I guess availability will be somewhat restricted now).......suggestions welcome!
Quack
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Hey, I totally get the point about the Father being ill (think it was Cancer) but to let the place get in that state so quick AND to refuse to get rid of a thieving scumbag is totally out of order. Yes Thomas Cook have to shoulder part of the blame and we are taking it up with them further, but when the owners of the AB had the option to get shot of their lowly paying one tenant or lose guests hand over fist and have to pay for us to stay at Akti, it is 100% their fault.
Like I said even with this Arillas was heaven, the food, the friendliness, all wonderful. Then you have the Akti Arillas, Spiros and his brother Costas (new dad last week to a little boy) Spiros Girlfriend Monica (wonderful hard working fun loving ray of sunshine) the Parants, the Grandfather, the Sister and all the staff made our 7 days at the Akti seem like 5 star all the way. And do you know what? its a lower grade than the AB....madness.
I will be heaping praise on the various places we ate in and of course a review of the Akti, plus all the things we did. We will be back for sure many times, but some things have to be said. The same review for the AB will be going on other sites too. Im sorry, but this was our holiday and had it not been for the wonderful warmth of the rest of Arillas and the Akti it would have been ruined.
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If you are looking for beach front Id suggest the Marina, The horizon or the wonderful Akti Arillas just up the road. Im sure many others on this forum would give more detailed advice.
Im sorry for all this but it was too much not to say anything. Arillas is lush mind and still worth being there at the AB, if only they get shot of the Albanian Umpa Lumpa it would be a start. I believe they have started cleaning up a bit, but how much I dont know.
The reps talked about clothes being stolen from lines in Sidari, all down to these Albanians. No wonder the Greek navy patrol the waters in Gunboats at Kassiopi where they are only 3 miles of water away.
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Thanks GazCaz for your post. It just goes to show that even in the place we all love, bad things can happen. At least we all know about it now and will never book the Arillas Bay. Glad you could still stay positive about other aspects of your holiday.
Best wishes Paul
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I'd like to echo previous comments. Truly shocking and terrifying. One of the major pulling points for me as a mother is the safeness I have always felt in all the years we have been visiting this beautiful resort. It has certainly made us rethink our usual routines in terms of security (ie: very little!!). That said, this does thankfully seem to be confined to Arillas Bay but even so, it is very sad that this has happened and that we have had to question things. If it was just a case of the poor conditions well that wouldnt be half as shocking as the intruder reports. It makes me shudder. I am so glad that it hasn't totally put you off though.
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O>M>G> I have booked at this place for next year along with 14 other members of my family, 7 of them children 3 babies. Dont no what to do now. Is there any other accomodation through thomas cook in arillas we are so looking forward to it.
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Talk on the street, rumbles from Thomas Cook is that The AB could well be dropped by them for the 2009 season. Might be BS but really it needs the question asked at the highest level.
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I am sat here close to tears i couldnt believe what i have been reading. I have printed all of the reports out and will be sat in the travel agents at 9 in the morning. There are some bad people in this world and i have had dealings with the albanians when i was in Halkidiki but that was 10 years ago. That was pretty scary and i didnt have children with me then. We work so hard all year for our 2 weeks of heaven just so someone can spiol it for us.It will not stop us from coming to Arillas just probably stay somewhere else. JILL XX
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Good luck Jill. Let us all know how you get on.
Eileenx
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After reading all this thread, I am speechles :(
*shaking my head with disbelief*
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we stayed at the arillas bay last year, our experience wasn't as bad, but it was enough to put us off ever coming back to arillas! thank goodness then, that we met the boys at the gratzella, who made us welcome every evening in their taverna. we have been back to arillas recently and stayed at the akti which as you say is a lower rating than the arillas bay (unbeleivable!!) met up with the gratzella boys again this year, and were greeted like old friends, everyone at the akti were amazing and it is such a lovely place i am so glad we returned. it's always nerve racking telling it like it was for you, and good on you gazcaz for being brave enough to do that, please don't let it put you off arillas though.
ger x
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Well im sat here stuned. We stopped at the Arillas bay quite a few years ago, Itt was our first time in Arillas and Thomas welcome and hospitallity and the way he looked after us were part of the reason that made us return. Im sure he would be really destort if he knew what was happerning (it was with manos then). I knew about Harold and Sally upset as we were there at the same time, managed to get them a room with Poppy but because they were told it was fixed stopped where theey were only to find out to late that the problem was still there. I have never heard of any over thiefs from Arillas (as a matter of fact never used a safe) and am really upset that it is happerning now and hope that it is stopped soon, I know if it's up to most of the locals it will be. All I can say to you guy's that have had this dreatful thing happen to you is that it is not the norm (I know that dosent make it any better) and that im sure we all find it very sad. Viv
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Dont worry viv and ger, we despite this still had a wonderful holiday, which goes to show what a truely special place Arillas is. I can't praise all the shops, bars, tavenas and hotels enough and a special note for the Marina Hotel. We only rented a safety deposit box there, but the manager would chat to us like old friends and wave in the street as we passed. If I had the cash and it was said by others too, would return and buy the AB and transform it to its former glory and make the resort proud of it.
As it is, Im skint but if all the bars, tavernas and hotels would like to chip in I would gladly spend my summer clearing away all the dead umbrellas and stuff at the far south of the beach past the Sea Breeze, its a magical little walk along there.
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I wouldnt mind helping either (if I had the cash too)!
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We could form a 'forum co-operative' and all have a part share!
We could take it in turns to go over and run it during the summer - special rates for forum members!!
(- next year maybe)
Angie
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what a good idea.... the member list will reach sky high though, theres 23 people on here already!
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lol.
With so many 'volunteers' to run the place, I can't see it making much profit somehow.
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The profit would be the chance to stay there a bit longer and all the happy faces. :-)
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Hi All!
I have just picked up on this posting and like the rest of you 'regulars' am totally stunned by this report. The 'unthinkable' has happened in Arillas! One of the main things I love about the place is the peace and security of the resort.
I bet all the other residents and hoteliers are devastated by this slur on the resort's wonderful record!
Vivian, like you and Pete, I was there in May and having talked to Harold and Sally saw how upset they were at the condition in the Arillas Bay Apartments. I thought it must be 'teething problems' as the place was just opening up, but obviously not! Its about time Thomas Cook intervened and took some responsibility for these incidents as they take hard earned money fast enough when you trustingly book with them.
All I hope is that these incidents which are totally 'out of character' for this resort will not deter other visitors and ruin the good reputation built up by the rest of the extremely hard working and caring hosts in the area!
Martin..
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Just been reading these reports and I am totally shocked. We stayed at Arillas Bay the first year we came and didn't have a problem and the food at the Sea Breeze was excellent. The past couple of years we have not ate there as it always looked quiet and we had heard some reports that the food had gone downhill. Our friends stay there every year and are doing so in September, I don't know if I should tell them and put a dampner on their holiday before they even get there or not, as they don't have a computer so won't know about what has happened.
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I too am saddened and shocked reading the thread. A lot can happen between now and September. Let's hope that TC pull their fingers out and become proactive.
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Hi, Jill. I really hope you sort things out. Good luck!
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We stayed in the Arillas Bay - Cell B1 at the beginning of May. We booked at quick trip - only for 4 nights. The place was disgusting. We thought we were unlucky. We arrived to be greeted by a burst water tank, no lights, and damp beds. The studio had been recently paint, but not aired so the condensation went straight into the furnishings. Nothing was done. Illness in the family is not a valid excuse, especially in a Village like Arillas, where in our experience everyone helps and supports each other. We too are in dispute with Thomas Cook, who sent out a standard reply letter explaining the volume of rain Corfu receives and that they felt that the holiday in the brochure was the one we received, and hope it didn't detract from our holiday!!!! I have responded back to TC and are awaiting their reply. Thankfully we were not intruded by the Albanians, but maybe that's because we couldn't stay there, and were taken in by friends.
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I hate to say it, but I think more problems like those at Arillas Bay Apartments will occur. The travel companies hardly pay anything to the owners of the hotels etc, and the owners are finding that their other expenses are increasing. On top of that we, the holiday makers, are spending less on food, drink and activities.
I don't think that the travel companies will ever take responsibility for the incidents and will just pull out of Arillas, just as Libra did last year. Whether we like it or not we are all going to have to pay more for our holidays in the future, and with our increased inflation at home it will be very difficult.
I was told that Libra booked 200 beds in Arillas out of a total of about 800 so that, in itself, means a big reduction in money being spent in Arillas. Over the last two weeks, it was very noticeable that there were less people in Arillas, and it was very strange to see the bars sparsely populated.
I just hope that people don't have to give up going to Arillas because of cost and I hope that the Hotel owners keep working hard to give as good value holidays. This forum is the perfect place for the members and the business people of Arillas to debate things and to use it as a tool for continued improvement.
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i too noticed that, malibu and coconut were empty each night!
Me and my brother, we went in coconut bar once! previous years weve spent everynight in there!
But i dont know what it was wether it was the loadness of the music (yes two teenage lads complaining about noise! we get places like that at home, we go to week in week out) or the price of drinks!
It was cheaper for us to sit round our pool bar at night at splish splash, we became great friends with jimmy and billy the kid who looked after us and even took us to sidari for the night! the entertainment is good too
plus is helped that there were a ton load of girls our age stayin there, that may have been the reason ! ;-)
lol !
ash
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Terry, I think you might have hit the nail on the head there, as we all know that tour companies do rip off the owners leaving them hardly anything to work with on their properties. It is very sad to see...thats what happens when they get greedy. It is totally amazing when you think of all the problems in the world, it has a knock on effect all the way down the line... fuel costs, flight costs with all the extras now, owners accommodation with no profit... it all comes back down to the consumer and if we dont pay then it all goes back to the beginning again! ITS THE OIL!!! There, I am going off on one, how easy it is to do that!
Perhaps Self Catering might just end up being that soon. Most will only go and eat and drink out occasionally during their holiday, which isnt what its all about is it, the food is one of the highlights of our holiday.
Ash.....Glad you enjoyed Arillas with the added attractions! ;-)
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I say cut out the tour operators except for flights and book direct with the hotels. I know the Akti does this and gives them a much bigger payout as the slice they get from TC is small. I too noticed the Malibu was quiet, but it was our first visit to Arillas so I had nothing to compare it with. Places like the Marina restaurant, Horizon Bar, costas on the beach and of course the wonderful broukalis were busy, infact we had to book tables even after 10pm at the latter on 2 occasions.
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hi gazcaz, rob was just looking on here at work and noticed your comment, so just writing a quick note to say we will be writing a full report on here later when we get chance as both back to work now.
just to let every1 know it will be very much the same as gazcaz as the place was a complete dive! we are the young couple that gazcaz spoke about in their first message who got moved.
a full report will follow later this evening so keep a look out
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Hey Guys, hope you enjoyed your last day in the Akti. Glad you will add your weight to the condemnation of the AB, maybe they will take note and do something to help the people yet to visit it. Cant believe in other threads people are saying it was one couple moved according to Thomas Cook, who are they trying to kid eh? Hope you got home ok, did you here about Rob and Cath, they were delayed a day and had to be put up in a hotel with their bags back at the airport....nightmare.
Gary
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Gary, when i spoke to TC this morning they denied that there was a problem at all!!!!
Thank goodness for this forum, we may be heading out the AB in a week or so's time but at least we're now informed as to what we may find and what we will need to do about it!
Forewarned is definately fore-armed!!
John
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We can only hope that this is an isolated incident, attributable to the one individual. In which case we should take not to blow this out of proportion.
I noticed that Olympic use the phrase " Arillas is renowned for its beauty, friendliness and the honesty of the villagers." on its website. We can only hope that in the majority this remains the case and that one bad apple etc etc
Having said that it would be foolish to ignore the warnings and we will take care not to leave anything of real value in our room.
Does anyone know if safe deposit boxes are available to hire anywhere, as our accommodation doesn't have them.
Dave
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Hey John, well now the other couple involved in being moved have also posted ‘robalysha’ So guess we are both making it up according to Thomas Crook (correct spelling in my eyes if the are denying it all) I suggest when you get there and if you have any complaints, speak to Jayne the TC rep for the AB and ask about Gary/Carolyn, Rob/Alysha and Steve/Kate from the B block (30 June – 14 July) you will surely be able to see in her face with that info if there is a cover up. I think Jayne will be fine though as she even after our move stopped to chat with us in the Malibu Bar on her night off to see if we had settled into the Akti okay.
Good luck and enjoy.
Dave------the Akti has boxes as does the marina. We used the marina, 10 euros a week open 8am till about 11pm. They even ahve a safe if you take the crown jewels with you :-)
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All this has just made me be sure never to book with Thomas Cook, their attitude towards all this is disgusting. And the bad apple isnt a villager its a bl**dy albanian! So the honesty of the villagers remains intact.
Sharon x
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I'll be keeping my crown jewels with me..... :)
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I know it sounds stupid but the idea of buying an apartment block in Arillas isn't really a bad one, Tropicana is for sale for 530,000 euros. It has a pool, a snack bar and 2 studios and four apartments on site at the moment. That means that if 48 of us chipped in about £10,000 each, we could have a fortnight in Arillas (between june and september) per investor each summer for the rest of our lives! Five or six years of family holidays and you've made your money back. If you found good staff they could readily manage the building based on the profits from the pool bar and probably cover the running costs too. Sod Thomas Crook, Anyone in?
http://www.ionianrealty.com/tropicana.html
P.S. there's some other cheaper ones on there too without pools
P.P.S. I'm only joking really, If you sent me money I'd probably spend it on wine, it was just a nice thought!
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I hope your first job would be to paint the outside of it then.....I hate that colour.....lol
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Traditional White with Blue Lintels it is then Sandy, You in?
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I'm told traditional Corfiot colours are cream with green shutters.....
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I was just assuming white and Blue because they are the colours I see everywhere I go in Greece. I'm open to offers though so Green and Cream if you prefer Sandy! LOL While we're at it you can even pick which drink you prefer the Bar to stock!
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We stayed at the sea breeze last year. The apartments were basic but okay. The appartments weren't spotless but they were habitable. I used to give the bar a wide birth as is was dirty and smelled of cat pee. My daughter came home with a nasty ear infection. I can't say it was from the pool as she's gone into other pools as well. The owner was miserable chap and he shouted at me one day because the wind had blown the door causing it to slam. I enjoyed our holiday but tended to spend our days either on the beach or at Mirage who have the best pool. They're quite happy for you to use the facilities as long as you buy some drinks or meals and it's only a couple of minute walk from sea breeze. I know that you shouldn't have to go elsewhere when you've paid your hard earned money. Having said that we had a lovely time and are due to fly ouot to arrilas 4th August for two weeks. I had heard that last year that the owners wife had died, since then the appartments were said to have deteriorated.
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Hi all, well, having been to the travel agents yesterday and them denying there was a problem. They said ring the tour operator. So i rang MANOS!!!! What a rigmorall! hanging on the telephone on hold with music without music. Eventually i was told if i didnt want to stay at AB i could pay to be moved, so i said lets look at some alternatives then. There were none. There will be 15 of us travelling so not an easy job when it is split down to 5 different lots, i myself need a room for four sorry they say only available at AB. So the outcome is we will be staying put. Manos said they are not aware of any problems at the moment but will monitor the situation. So i say to all the people that have stayed there or are going,if you booked through Manos, write down everything times dates etc so you can claim compensation if warranted. I am not happy about the situation but seem to have come across a brick wall, but i will not give up and the horrible person spoiling all these holidays will not put me off Arillas. Love Jill x
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Graham
We go way , way off this posting here but when you mention buying! - Well!
Eggs ears begin to flap.
Take the Calypso for example - Look it up on the Ionian website.
First floor rooms to rent , which could be easily upgraded. A taverna beneath plus office space to rent. Land size gives room for a pool ! - Plus a house linked too the sale.
340,000 euros, or offer. - So near to the beach! - Bargain !
Wegg and I can't afford it , but a small group of people? - Well ! - Food for thought?
Negg
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I think someone hit the nail on the head on here about the travel agencys having no idea about the existence of this forum.
They are obviously used to all their customers splitting up and going their seperate ways after the holiday.
Then they can turn round and say that "you are the only one that's complained".
But when the great people on here are all in touch and sharing their information it turns us all into a sleeping giant !
Various folk have said that T.C. have denied theres a problem.
Remember that all the comments on this forum are dated and can be quite easily corroborated.
And as someone said already "forearmed is forewarned".
I think that maybe T.C would get a shock if they knew how many people have shared information on here about their lacsadaisical attitude !
I really feel for the people on here who are now worried about their upcoming holiday.
I hope you all have a great time and that this is all sorted by the time you go .
Power to the people ! (On this forum )!
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Oh dear i have just realised the football shirt i am wearing on my avatar has TC on it.
Don't shoot please, it's not my fault..
riggers...
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Riggers we will let you off if you give Albion 3 points next season.
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Judging by all the posts about Arillas Bay, it seems to me to be a one off bad apple because I`m sure if other forum members had really bad times at other accomodations,then they would be on this site. All I can say is that three times with Manos to Leonidas(twice)and Dionysos 2, we had no complaints. For the tour company to say there isn`t a problem,is a load of b`````ks.
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You can keep all records etc of deallings with TC but it does not mean they will do anything about it. I have found their customer services very unhelpful and quite blaise. It may mean taking your complaints further and considering arbitration.
Saying that I have not had a problem with the reps they always seem lovely, I think it is the people at customer services who do not have to face you that are the problem.
It seems strange that all these problems seem to have arised after Manos was taken over.
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A letter arrived today from Thomas Cook,saying they were very sorry for the problems we had at the Arillas Bay and that they understand when on holiday our room is our home from home and that the owners should have sorted out the heating system after the first incident.They also enclosed a cheque for £70,so as far as I am concerned Thomas Cook have acted as they should have done within the terms and promises they made to us and Sally and I are both pleased with the outcome.
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That's great to hear, Harold. Pleased for you and Sally after all your problems on holiday.
Seems to us it's going to be a different ball-game for others who had these intrusion problems, but good luck to all concerned!
And as Barry says, hope everything is sorted for everyone else with upcoming holidays!
lynn and colin
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Today strongly worded letters have gone to Thomas Cook and to ABTA, hi-lighting my utter disgust with the AB.
I have logged all the times and days of the attempted break-ins. the numbers called in Arillas to and from which phones. Basically its a three pager. Ive also told them that now we are all back in the UK we can't be devided or isolated and told them about the forum on here. That way they know as lovers of Arillas we will not stand for this kind of thing. If they feel they have a resort against them and can see the depth of feeling something might just get done to pull the owners of the AB in line.
I will keep you all informed as to our progress. I decided to CC Abta the same letter as they are the regulators of the industry and are likely very interested. Might make TC speed things up a tad. :-)
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Gaz if you go on the abta website theres a lot of useful information on it all about how to put in a claim and how the compensation works.
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This will be probally very similar to Gazcaz's first post but we have alot of the same things to say.
The location of these apartments were ideal as walking out of the apartments you could see the sea and had all the shops, tavernas and resturants within a short walking distance. Arillas as a location is wonderful and the people are very polite and welcoming.
However the Arillas Bay Apartments are a complelete dive and the worst place we have stayed in self-catering! So much so we only stayed 5 nights out of 14 before we were moved to another hotel. There were alot of reasons contributing to our move, including:
1. The fact that our towels and sheets were changed only once during our stay and that was the day in which we were moved. Another couple we met who were only staying 1 week didn't have they'res changed at all!
2. The bathroom smelt of blocked drains which is probally the reason behind the basin in which you stand to have a shower filled up with water each time. Also the water on the bathroom floor would run away from the drain in the middle of the floor rather than towards it so flooding the bathroom and kitchen!
3. In the bedroom there was no air-conditioning (wasn't stated in brouchure so weren't expecting it) and didnt have and option of hiring a fan unless walking approx 1-2 miles up the road. However if you did hire a fan there was only 1 plug in the bedroom which meant a mozzie plug couldn't be used aswell. Therefore having 2 options, either to sweating all night but not being bitten or being cooler but get eaten instead!
4. The swimming pool area had lots of sunbeds to use but only if you didnt want to use an umbrella as there were only 3 broken ones! The swimming pool itself was never witnessed being cleaned during our stay by us or any of the other couples we met. We were later informed that the owners had bought some more umbrellas.
5. To top off all this on night 2 (wednesday) the couple in the apartment next to us (b5) had someone trying to break into their apartment through the shutters. On night 5 (friday), we woke up to a lot of comotion outside our room, later to find out that someone had tried to break in through another couple's room (b6) through their shutters while they were awake, talking and with the light on! The man returned to them 3 times in the same night even after being chased off each time! The man was identified as a resident of the bungalow behind our apartments who was paying the owners to live there. It was reported to the rep on the Saturday who told us that the gentleman was told he had to move out that evening. After going out to have something to eat in the evening he was still there and was later in the bar at the apartments drinking with the owner, helping himself to the beers!
We requested to move through his presence being a threat to us even though it didnt happen to us directly. We were moved on the Sunday to the Akti Arilla Hotel which according to the Manos brouchure 1st May- 31st Oct 2008 was of a lower rating. This couldnt be further from the truth! It was of a completely better standard on every level. We were later joined by the couple that the first attempted break in happened to on the Monday to find out that the same man had tried breaking in to their apartment (b5) again on the Saturday night after being told he had to leave for that very reason!
We are pleased to say that both us and the other couple in which were moved and became friends with, had a much better 2nd week at the Akti Arilla Hotel, thanks to the general hygine being better and the staff being a lot nicer. By the time we left Corfu on Monday 14th July, the gentleman was still living at the Arillas Bay and were also told by the owner of the Akti Arilla hotel, he had 8 rooms being taken up by people being moved from Arillas Bay within 1 month!
We were told by our rep at the Arillas Bay that the owner was in hospital and left his son and daughter in charge, which we appreciate is probally hard but as far as we are concerned is no reason to let the Apartments slip so much. The Sea Breeze resturant that is part of Arillas Bay was previously a very busy place to eat but during our stay in Arillas it was mostly always empty. Clearly showing a problem.
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We have put our post on now, might take a while to read though! I managed to upload Albainian Bay onto Trip advisor, well i think ive done it right anyway, ha ha! I know wat a nightmare! we seen them when we got the airport and we ended up leaving before they did! do you know what time they finally got home? i did try to e-mail them but it wouldnt go through for some reason. It was a good last day thanks and a good flight home, how about yourselves. hope your both ok although being back home!
alysha
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Hey Guys
Have sent you a personal message on this forum, check your profile. Have included what happened to Rob and Cath and contact details for us should you decide to fight with Thomas Cook for the first week.
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Just picked up on this thread but will see what I can dig up, bear in mind I work for the airline and not the much maligned Tour Operator so no promises on what information I can find.
Arillas Bay is not a TCX property (was it Manos by any chance?) so I assume it is something else we 'picked up' with the merger but this is all heresay until I can speak to my old colleagues in Bradford.
I have no affinity for TCX after the past 12 months but as I have posted before the aim of Tour Ops is not to bleed the town dry, they do try and work with the businesses and I usually see a healthy relationship. Yes they can earn more by going independant but by aligning with a Tour Operator a guaranteed income in assured even if the rooms are empty, this is a great businesss model for both sides.
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Oh forgot to mention Thomas Cook are very aware of this forum and especially the website, resources like this are invaluable to all :)
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Joe you are correct TC did pick it up in the merger with Manos.Fair play to TC they did the right thing for us £70 returned and a nice letter to boot,just hope it works out for the others.
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Lets all hope that we dont have to read anymore bad reports from the Arillas Bay and that maybe some of the other business families in the village have had a quiet word.The damage may well have been done for the remainder of this season and Im sure allot of planning will need to be done for 2009 and thereafter, afterall this family have been providing for the tourists for many many years with little or no complaint but they will now have to change if they are to capture some of that holiday spend and survive.
I wish them good luck
Ang
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I'm sure you understand that when anything relates to the company I work for I have to be careful what I post, opinions are fine but beyond that I have to be mindful. I also have the benefit of family living in Arillas so sometimes I feel at cross purposes, it pains me to see people after spending their hard earned money have a bad time but I also get to see the inhuman effort that goes on here getting the aircraft away.
The Merger between Thomas Cook and Airtours completed in March 2008, Thomas Cook historically only used the Mirage / Marvellous and part of the Atki with the Galini as overspill, I am sure you agree each of these properties are diverse and show the best of Arillas. Since the merger all the properties that were under the Airtours umbrella now fly the Thomas Cook flag, this included all Manos properties and holidays.
Manos is a good brand and previously the accommodation named in this thread has been received very well, obviously there are problems which have been noticed, if anything the bigger problem would be the way it has/will be dealt with, it’s a legacy of the merger that we as staff feel as well, two incompatible systems are being brought together and being made to work as one. I posted last year that this summer would not be pretty and that has turned out to be the case, however things are slowly coming together now.
This forum is a nice exception as forums themselves usually breed negativity, much as in real life we tend only to comment if something is wrong, if we are happy we are quiet. That is why when something upsetting or bad happens in Arillas it shines like a beacon on this forum, I am not way belittling the problems people have had, in fact I have made sure that the issues mentioned here have been passed on to higher levels.
If anyone yet to travel out still has concerns contact whoever you booked your holiday with, either your local travel agent of the tour operator, now is a good time to be a customer and you may be surprised at what retentions are offered.
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Joe
Very well said and, I'm sure taken on board by many of us. The very unfortunate past can now be replaced by, we all hope, a very positive and enjoyable future.
Regards
Negg
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Getting away from Thomas Cook for a moment please. At the end of the day the owners or the Arillas Bay could have saved so much face by simply honouring their statement of the early hours of Saturday 5th July and making the scumbag leave after he attempted to break into two apartments on no fewer than 5 occasions. Had that happened I would have been less angry with the state of the place. However they did not, the scumbag tried again the next night and the owners, during face to face conversation showed a desgraceful lack of respect or concern for their guests. Its tough that their father is ill, but to treat their guests who were distressed in such a manner was unforgivable.
They made no attempt to rectify any of the situation and blanked us until we were rescued by the Akti Arilla. They were more interested in hiding in the corner of their near empty bar with their Albanian scumbag friend. Oh sorry they did do something for us, I forgot. They replaced the tattered bath towels after 7 days with horrible tatty beach towels and left a bucket dirty water in our bathroom. Bless them.
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Hi Gascaz
Apologies if it was my little post that has , possibly been mis-interpreted. I'm just pleased that a small step forward has been taken too ensure, hopefully ,that it doesn't occur again.
Loved yer boat post by the way. - I suppose for a full day Wegg and I could take a couple of fishing rods in the hope that we could fill our freezer.
( I calculate that 10 good size fish would make break us even )
Cheers
Negg
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No appologies, needed my friend. I just wanted it to be known the further this thread gets away from my original post that the owners could have done so much more for not just us, but many others at the AB. Glad you liked the boat post, more will follow with wonderful praise for all the places we ate and drank. Im so sad we are home, Arillas is wonderful.
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Also not my intention to disrail this thread in anyway as I said on subjects such as this I have to careful what I post, what happened to you should not happen to anyone and I hope something good eventually comes of this.
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Last week we booked a weeks holiday travelling mid August to Arillas Bay Apartments and I thought i'd done my research on the resort and apartments and was satisfied that it all sounded good. I'd also checked holiday watchdog and trip adviser and couldn't find anything negative.
The resort sounds fantastic just what we need for a relaxing week away from the day to day grind and the apartments sounded basic but sounded similar to other places I stayed in the Greek Islands.
However although i'd found this website last week I hadn't found the reviews section and I am now kicking myself - if only I'd read your comments before we booked.
I am now going to try several routes to get either my money back or a change of accomodation. I really don't want my precious holiday time ruined but I will be really dissappointed if I can't find a solution that still finds us in Arillas.
Obviously the villagers rely heavily on tourist income for their livelihoods and I hope that TC sort this out quickly so the reputation of what sounds like a wonderful resort doesn't get damaged by what sounds like an isolated problem.
Any news from anybody in the same boat would be appreciated.
Thanks
Dawny
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If as I think they were doing as we left, trying to clean things up (fingers crossed) and either they have got rid of the tenant from hell or he has mended his ways you will have a fab time. Had it not been for the Albanian apartment breaker (attempted breaker, the muppet couldnt even do that right) we could have coped with the rooms....just. It was dirty and the linen needed changer more than it was.
The rest of the resort is magical. Pop into the Akti, free pool and great bar, speak to Spiros and Monika, tell them the Geordies from the AB sent you. :-)
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Hello All !!!
Claire and I have decided to leave things as they are and see for ourselves what the situation is when we get out to the AB on the 29th. If problems still persist then we'll deal with it with the TC / Manos Rep. Maybe I'll have to learn a few choice Albanian phrases before we go?? :)
We're really looking forward to our first holiday in Arillas and are determined not to let anything spoil it! Hoping to meet up with forum members out there as you all sound like an incredibly friendly bunch (and I owe one or two of you a drink already!!)
Needless to say, we'll be passing on our holiday report when we get back but, in the meantime, are looking forward to a week in paradise......bring it on!
Case almost packed ........ and still a week to go!! :)
John & Claire
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Lucky you. Id trade you the UK for the AB anyday. I really hope I have not put you guys off Arillas, that was never my intention, simply to highlight a problem that if not addressed correctly could spoil the resorts image. You will have a fab time, cant say we had a bad meal or snack the whole time there. Keep an eye out on my posts Ive started with the good side of thing now I have the AB off my chest.
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Quack John... if you have any spare time would it be possible for you to leave a quick report from the internet connection in the Mirage (I think) or one of the bars (with a beer in hand of course!). If anyone is leaving before you come home they will know if its improved or not. I truly hope that it has for you especially as its your first visit. If it hasnt at least you know where you will be looked after properly.
I am just as excited for you as we knew how we felt when we arrived in Arillas for the first time. Have a great time!
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Hello Blondegirl,
Yes I'm sure we'll get chance to post an interim report during our stay, especially if there is a beer in hand!! All assuming that I'm sober enough to type!! :)
We'll be heading out to Arillas with a very positive outlook, especially after all the wonderful things we've read on this forum about the resort.
We're grateful to people like Gazcaz and Harold (amongst others!) for posting honest reviews of AB as we would much rather know what to expect before we went rather than get the shock of finding out when we arrived. It certainly hasn't put us off.
Rest assured that if there are still issues with the AB then I will be dealing with it with the TC / Manos Rep and will let you all know the score!
The only problem now is that there's still a week before we go and this week will go soooo slowly.......
Quack John
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Make the most of it, when you are there it flys by at a great speed, even though the resort is so chilled. I so wish we still had the horrid slow week before again. Next year we have a big family birthday trip to Crete, but rest assured if we can aford it and are fit and well we will be back in Arillas in 2010.
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Hiya Gary/Carolyn and Rob/Alysha
Kate and Steve here!
Finally we've got around to writing our review and sending yet again another complaint to TC.
Hope all is well with all of you.
To everyone else out there-depsite the incompetent muppet attempting to break-into our cell/apartment three times in an hour and the apartments resembling something out of Tenko-we loved Arillas and would not hestitate to recommend it as a holiday destination.
This incident definately has not put us off.
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Hi
Just thought i'd update with my progress incase anybody else wants to try the same thing.
Tried today to change my accomodation on the holiday. After around 2.5 hours of being passed around on the phone being told I needed a different departments etc concluded that I would have to pay an £80 admin fee to change accomodation £40 each person and the price difference. Happy to pay price difference but have big issue paying £80 for the pleasure.
Tried to get through to "customer relations" who I was told may be able to revoke the fee considering the circumstances but they just didn't answer the phone. Lost track of time and got very frustrated.
They claim that they have no knowledge of any complaints against this accomodation so I gave them details of this website....
Now considering our options again. I think I could be fighting for the £80 back for sometime if I pay it.
Really looking forward to any more updates from anybody who is there in next few weeks. The more I learn about Arillas the more I look forward to our holiday but I just really regret my choice of accomodation.
Just curious - most of you seem to have been in block B - is block A any better?
Dawny
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Guess it was all a dream, maybe we never got transferred to the Akti by the Thomas Cook Rep, or spoke to them on the phone using the emergency number or met up with others that had been moved also. More likely you were talking to the lying department of Thomas Cook, located at Head in the Sand, Please go awayville.
Hey ho, a long drawn out fight might be on the cards it seems. I of course will let you all know how TC try and slither out of this one.
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came back ysteray,mon thomas has lung cancer had 1 lung removed .doing chemo/ radio treatment in athens
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Just read all these postings about Arillas Bay apartments and am feeling pretty anxious about it. I'm travelling out there on 11 August for two weeks - my seventh trip, and seventh stay at AB. We felt it was going downhill a bit last year - we only ate at Seabreeze once and found it dull and disappointing, but the pool was clean and linen changed twice a week. Accommodation has always been basic, hot and buggy but good mosi control and renting a fan from the bar made it manageable.
What I CAN'T manage is dealing with the fear of wandering Albanians breaking in at night. I am a woman holidaying alone this year and feel particularly vulnerable.
Eggy, I don't know you but I always enjoy your posts (I wrote on this forum earlier in the year about coming out to Arillas alone and asking would there be others to play cards/scrabble with, and I loved the ribald replies I got!), or anyone else who is in situ, is it possible for you or someone to check out AB in the next few days and find out if the Albanian has moved out, please ? Also if AB are getting their act together, or if I should ask Thom Cook for a change of accomm. (Doubtful mid-season, I guess).
I am really sorry to hear about Thomas. Did someone say that Nicoletta (his wife) had died earlier this year ? They are not mixing her up with Grandma who died last year, are they ?
If anyone else is reading this who is going to be in Arillas 11-25 August and would like to meet up for a meal, drink or game of cards/scrabble, do get in touch. I'm 58, fat, female and definitely NOT on the pull !
JC
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hi all!
B block doesnt have such the threat of the albainan gentleman getting in as A block have diferent doors/shutters but B block is the block that they put couples in as it only sleeps 2.
JC, when we left on the 14th july the albanian was still living there and apparently showed no signs of going anywhere as he is very friendly with the owners who dont seemed bothered by his presence and recievin money from him to live there.
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Thanks robalysha. Is the Albanian living in Thomas and Nicoletta's little shack round the back of the whole complex ? Or in the big apartment through the grapevines ?
JC
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if you walk past B4 or look straight down from the main road, its that bungalow there where he is living.
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Thats terrible news about the father. It does not however excuse what has and is happening. My Father died last September of cancer, very sudden, working in June and gone in September. My mother bless her paid for our holiday as a thanks for the support during a terrible time.
Our holiday was very special, but for us the Arillas Bay, did everything it possible could to spoil that. Sad as the situation is for their father, it does not excuse them and the the piece of filth they have living on their site (yes Im talking about the Albanian)
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There was a family living on the site who'd move from England. The mom used to work in the bar. They had three children does anybody know what happened to them as my kids were hoping to meet up with them again.
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Hi MicK-G,
We are the family from England that were living at Arillas Bay. Sadly we had to return to England in October 2007 as things didn't work out for us in Corfu. Hoping to return one day when the kids have all left school and maybe try again.
Linda.
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Hi
I have just returned from a week's stay at the Arillas Bay apartments. I am so glad I did not know about the reported incidents before we went although I did think it was strange we were the only ones there on 14/07/08. This was our first time in Arillas and we loved the resort although we were surprised how quiet it was. The apartment was basic as expected and the towels were tatty but that was not a major problem. There were a lot of tiny ants in the kitchen and the family staying next door were convinced they had loads of flee bites but I dont know if this was correct. We were in A block and the view and balconies were brilliant. B block had no views and I was glad not to be staying in there. We noticed how quiet the taverna was compared to next door. We did eat in the Seabreeze one lunch time but when my friend went to pay she saw a large cockroach on the floor of the main bar area. My son used the bar toilet on one occasion and said it was very dirty. We decided not to risk eating there again. My main concern was that the owners put up a notice to say the fire/smoke alarms were not working and that if we saw a fire we should inform them direct. The signs stayed up for approx 2 -3 days but then we were not notified if they were working again after that.
The sunbeds and brollies around the pool were quite tatty. During our stay a child of a family staying there, decided to pooh in the children's section of the pool. As not wearing trunks this was disgusting. This prompted a discussion amongst some people around the pool that apparently the owner had informed them earlier that day that the pool fiter was not working. The child was then allowed by his parents and grand parents to wee twice into the main pool whilst standing on the side. They were not a family to be confronted! I do not know if the owner was informed of these incidents but I never witnessed the pool being cleaned during the entire week. There were insects floating on the surface. Needless to say the pool area was deserted for the remainder of our stay. The pool table was covered in dust. There was a dart board but they did not have any darts. The bar area was deserted most of the time and did not look very clean.
Reading the reports on what happened before we arrived has taken the edge off an enjoyable holiday although I did not see a man fitting that description so maybe he has left. The beach was fantastic, the views and sunsets were lovely. The resort was relatively unspoilt. A few windy days and not cheap food and drinks wise. The location of the apartments was great but I would not risk staying there again.
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Can things get any worse?
It's such a shame K that you did not come across the previous reviews before you left for Arillas as you would have then known to demand a transfer.
Perhaps this is a silly question and I hope you don't mind me asking, but you said...
"Reading the reports on what happened before we arrived has taken the edge off an enjoyable holiday"
Do you think it has altered your overall opinion of your holiday and would you consider returning to Arillas?
Regards,
Eileen.
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That is such a shame. We have walked past these appartments in previous years and the swimming pool area always looked very pleasant (from the road, not close up).
How absolutely discusting to let a child openly wee in the pool.
It is such a shame that these appartments have gone down hill, lets hope things improve over the next couple of months because if they dont, i cant see many people booking them up for next season!
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please don't let it spoil your view of arillas k, we stayed at the arillas bay in 2007, and i have to say it was pretty bad then (no albanians though) but it did not put us off, the friendliness of the people and just the beauty of the place for us was somewhere we had to return. we stayed this year at the akti arilla, which was wonderful, please give arillas another try!
ger x
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The more I read the more I feel angry that both the tour company and owners are totally oblivious reminds me of the first cheap holidays that came about some 25-30yrs ago when we all thought we were getting a real good deal and then ended up in flea ridden dirty smelly hole of a room or apt, I think we have all moved on from those days so why are these companies assuming that all we want is sun sea and a kiss me quick hat and we have no standard's If TC had the courage they should make changes NOW honour the agreement with the owners but at least treat the customer with the respect of ensuring they get a reasonable quality for the price paid AFTERALL its hard enough over here at the moment so a well earned holiday should be just that,why accept less standards than you would at home.
Rant over
ANG
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Blimey, it just gets worse!!
Sounds like my first task when we arrive at AB on Tuesday morning is to track down the TC / Manos Rep and sort out a move!
At least there was no mention in k's report about the albanian, so maybe that's a start!
John & Claire
(still positive and getting more excited by the day!) :)
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Dear Linda of reply no. 96
Fairly new to this site so don't know if this is how you send a personal message ...
I am Jenny - JC of reply no. 90 on the Arillas Bay Apartments. Do you remember my friend Emmy and I stayed at AB last summer (and many summers before) and your kids became friendly with Molly (whose parents we befriended). We took them all canoeing one afternoon.
I was wondering what had happened to you and if you made it through another winter in Arillas ? Would love to know more about how it didn't work out for you, and are you back in Cornwall ?
What do you think about all the disasters at AB ? You will see from my post yesterday that I am fairly anxious about going to AB in two weeks time, particularly as I am travelling alone this year.
Would love to hear from you. Best wishes to Steve and the kids.
Jenny PS Apologies if this is going out to the rest of the world but it doesn't say how to send a personal message.
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k, i have to agree with ger. we were moved from the arillas bay apartments to the akti arillas and would certainly go back to arillas because it is such a lovely place but would just book up for the akti arilla as that is such a great hotel we couldnt fault it!
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Getting more anxious by the day with all these bad postings and would really like to change my accommodation.
Anyone who managed to contact Manos/Thomas Cook by phone either before or after, what number did you call ?
I managed to contact Thomas Cook who said they couldn't deal with my request because my original booking was made with Manos (on line). They referred me to the Manos website and when you go to 'Contact Us', it just says there are technical difficulties with this page - sorry. I can't find a phone number anywhere. Does anyone even know where they are located ?
Thanks for all the replies I've had to my posting (no. 90) but I'd still like to know if the wandering house-breaking Albanian is still in situ ?
Thanks JC
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The number for manos is 08712302405 but don't hold your breath I've been telling them since last monday that My tickets aren't here yet and I fly in 4 days.
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Dear Graham
Thanks for this. I've made about six calls since I posted my last message and finally have a number for the Duty Officer - 01274 387634. She said this was the right number but I'd have to call back in the morning as it is an emergency only number in the evenings.
Can you - or anyone - tell me, please, how to send a personal message as a reply so that I don't clog up the forum with messages just for one person ? Thanks.
JC
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Hi JC.
Just click on the persons name. Then you will be able to send them a message.
riggers..
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JC, go to near the top of the page shown as below and click on the "Members" sign,
Home Help Search Profile My Messages Calendar Members Logout
then use the first initial of the members name 'A,B,C, ect. scroll down until you find the name wanted (may be on a following page) click on their name and scroll down to find (additional information) I think it's called and you will see it say's send a personal message. The rest is easy.
I think i've got it right, Mick.
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riggers it just goes to show how long it is since I had to think, it's lovely not having to work anymore. Mick
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JC - I have been trying since Monday to get my accomodation changed. Tried loads of numbers - best one so far is 0870 7580184 at least i've spoken to humans on that line. But they insist that there are no problems registered so you have to pay £80 admin + upgrade costs - Looking at the prices of other accomodation available I suspect it will be around £288 for 2 people. This number was given to me when I phoned the "Customer Service" number on my booking confirmation - I too booked on the internet.
When I told them I wouldn't pay the £80 they said they have no authority to waiver it. I was told to call 0870 0100569 which is customer relations but haven't so far had anybody answer the phone. I sat in a queue for around an hour and gave up.
Out of frustration I asked them to go ahead and move me and had resigned myself to pay the £80 so they (0870 7580184) have send an email to Manos to ask for a cost for me to change. You have to tell them what apartments you want to swop to as they seem incapable of giving you any options and it must be a Manos property not any other Thomas Cook.
I was told that Manos would call me within 48 hours with a cost and it is now around 40 hours later.
I suspect from a legal position all the evidence on this website is "hearsay" and not admissable as evidence when you haven't experienced problems first hand so I suspect it is a difficult situation to force them to accept.
Maybe this is something for Watchdog???? I guess the industry aren't used to people comparing notes and sharing experiences on forums - maybe its time for some new guidelines from ABTA?
Good luck I think you'll need it.
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Hi Jenny
I remember you from last year. My children were friends with Molly, Holly, Joe and Lindsey. I wouldn't worry too much about the Albanian chap, this seems to have quietened down now. We used AB just to sleep in last year and we used the pool at other apartments as we weren't impressed with AB's. We'll lookmout for you and say "Hello" on our arrival on the 4th August.
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We share everyone's frustrations with trying to get moved from the AB, our agents and TC have been worse than useless!
We've left things as they are and are heading out to Arillas on Monday night. We'll have a good look round the AB on Tuesday morning and will be tracking down the rep if all's not to our satisfaction (which, from reports back on this forum, it clearly won't be!).
The emphasis will be on TC / Manos to sort us out with alternative accommodation at their expense, and by the sounds of it this has been the case several times over the past few weeks.
After all, we've paid them a lot of money for our holiday and for suitable accommodation, why should we have to pay more? The AB should be at an acceptable standard, if it's not then it is TC / Manos's problem, not ours, and they should been made to pay to deal with it and make things right for their customers.
Sorry for the rant, I'll get down from my soapbox now!!
All I can say is watch this space! Reports will follow!!
The main thing is, we're still very excited and looking forward to our first holiday in Arillas ....... only five days to go....bring it on!! :)
John & Claire
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I have no axe to gring with Arillas bay apts,as I have never stayed there...and can only comment on the opinions expressed in the postings...If anyone has booked these apartments..just go ahead with your original bookings and make your own mind up when you arrive...If they are as bad as the comments on the forum..then I am sure you could transfer to other accomodation...Maybe having read the comments on the forum the owners will make a special effort to rectify any problems & you could have a great time there........again just my opinion and that is what I would do...I would not pay £80 for transferring!!
Anyhow I hope you all get sorted and have a great time in Arillas
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Eggy, I don't know you but I always enjoy your posts is it possible for you or someone to check out AB in the next few days and find out if the Albanian has moved out, please ? Also if AB are getting their act together,
I am really sorry to hear about Thomas. Did someone say that Nicoletta (his wife) had died earlier this year ? They are not mixing her up with Grandma who died last year, are they ?
Sorry JC
Living now in North Corfu this is a very difficult problem for us to get too invloved in. Knowing many people in Arillas, by name or face, makes it unacceptable for us to interfere, especially as it is a problem down to the owners and tour operators to rectify. I will now remain neutral on "favourite" bars/tavernas/hotels as it can quite easily offend people. An example of which is that there was a recent suggestion for forum meetings to be held at specific places. Although not my idea I took a little flak from other places. "What's wrong with us then?" and "people should decide for themselves" were responses. And quite right too when rethinking about it. - so many places. Not all suit all.
Both Mrs Negg and I are sorry that some people have had a bad experience when staying at the Arillas Bay apartments. However, as said earlier, if people have travelled with a tour operator that should be their first port of call if they have a grievance. We cannot be seen to be taking sides.
Nothing can remove the fact that there have been continuous reports on the conditions of the rooms and it is right that people should be able to report on their individual experiences during their holiday. However, my view is that if people have grievances that they wish to pursue this should be done via the Tour Operator and not on this forum. And If I was found hovering around with a camera or asking too many questions? – Well….
We must not forget that Dimitris , as website administrator, is responsible for anything he allows onto the site. I don't know what, if any, are the possible legal complications of all these posts but our advice to him now would be to close this thread as this has ceased to be a discussion about experiences and has become a greivance issue.
What concerns me now is that reports like this can damage all of Arillas which I do not believe any of us would want to do. Not only would Arillas suffer but possibly 1000 plus forum members as, if a finger of blame is pointed at the website administrator from people with businesses in Arillas, it could mean the website being forced to close.
One last word. Both AB and Sea Breeze looked to be with customers yesterday so let's hope all is now getting back to normal and important lessons have been learned,.
Negg and Wegg
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hear Hear Eggy. I too have been horrified to read about it all but have refrained from commenting. My only comment now is to agree - Dimitris should close this thread before it damages Arillas as a whole.
Phil
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THIS THREAD SHOULD NOT BE CLOSED!!! and doing so will damage the reputation of this site.
If the thread is closed the site should be renamed to...
"www.arillas-only-posts-we-the-self-chosen-agree-with.com"
or
"www.arillas-stick-your-head-in-the-sand-and-all-is-wonderful.com"
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Maybe I am a bit naive, but do the owners of Arillas Bay Apartments actually know how much flack they are getting on the forum. They must have had complaints from individuals but they would not be aware of the worry that is being caused for new customers from the comments on here. There are also negative comments, on other holiday review web sites, from people who have stayed at AB this year.
May be some positive feed back would help them to understand peoples feelings and they could try to put things right. Everyday, people in businesses get complaints but nothing ever gets actioned until the owner or MD finds out.
The reviews for previous years for AB have been very good on sites like Holiday Truths or Holidays Uncovered ( no, Phil, it doesn't mean that kind of uncover).
I wish they had an email address so they could be made fully aware of what is going on.
Terryw
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If it wasn't for this thread we would be travelling out to Arillas completely oblivious to the problems that others had experienced, and at least we're now better prepared for it.
The fact remains that by reading all the threads on this forum, good and not so good, we know that we're going to a fantastic place and we're really looking forward to it.
Every holiday resort has it's issues and it's problems, and by knowing these we can all make decisions as to where we want to go and where we want to avoid. It's better to paint an honest picture rather than a false one and disappoint people.
Deleting this thread would be like sweeping it under the rug, better that people know what's been happening at the AB and then they can make their own minds up what to do.
The honesty of everyone on this forum is quite refreshing, keep up the good work i say!
John
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I don't agree that this post should be deleted. I have read through the post and have made my own comments about how I found Arillas Bay appartments. Nobody has posted anything libelous and honest feedback has been given. I can appreciate that as you live in North Corfu then you do not want to get involved as it could make life difficult. I did not complain when I returned as the holiday had been enjoyable and the main concern that I had was that my daughter returned with a serious ear infection which caused a perforated ear drum. If I could prove that it was because of the pool at AB then I would have complained. All I know is the water was cloudy and didn't appear clean so we chose to go elsewhere during our days. I did what we all have the choice to do and I booked to spend my holiday elsewhere. It appears that this site is to promote Arillas. Surely by us having this forum people will be able to improve the one blot in the town? Arillas bay is in a great location and is not in a position that it can't be pulled back from. Last year I was told that it had deteriorated and this year it sounds no better but possibly worse. Some of us are not fortunate enough to have more that one holiday abroad and so we work all year to pay for our two weaks away. Hopefully presure can be put on the owners to improve the service offered or if people continue to request transfers or cancel their holidays then the owners livelihood could be threatened. Also if others are going there with children they can make the educated risk of whether or not to allow their child in the pool. I am sorry that the owners have had there own problems recently but to continue to offer the service that they do is not an option.
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I would like to make one comment.
Eggy only posted on this topic because he was replying to a post from JC
Eggy, I don't know you but I always enjoy your posts is it possible for you or someone to check out AB in the next few days and find out if the Albanian has moved out, please ? Also if AB are getting their act together,
I am really sorry to hear about Thomas. Did someone say that Nicoletta (his wife) had died earlier this year ? They are not mixing her up with Grandma who died last year, are they ?
I can also see why Eggy thinks that the post could damage Arillas and it can be proved.
Imagine you are looking for a holiday and know nothing about Arillas. Someone suggests that you book an apartment in "Arillas Bay Corfu" there so you Google "Arillas Bay Apartments". The fifth entry is ...
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&ct=res&cd=5&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.arillas.com%2Fpage%2Fcomponent%2Foption%2Ccom_smf%2FItemid%2C165%2Ftopic%2C3763.90%2Flang%2Cen&ei=kYmISIS9K4yq1gaF6eTNCA&usg=AFQjCNEKbT-57B6Kgt_LHjRllUfYEmPnzQ&sig2=FVUmhzblq6DyCYQujBPLgQ
Click on the above link and imagine how you would feel if you had never heard of Arillas. Most people I speak to have never heard of Arillas
It could damage Arillas, so lets all start to post more, positive, comments.
I know nothing about Arillas Apartments or the Sea Breeze, but I could go to the forum directory, and get the telephone number and a name. I still think that a direct communication with the owners could help to put things right. They could be under a lot of pressure from the holiday companies and could be owed money.
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Terry, you can only follow that link if you are a member!!!!, because this thread, I think, has been moved on the sly to the members area, a little bit of censorship, its like being in the UK.
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I agree with the move to place this article in the members area, as we already know the place this post won't put us off. I also agree that enough's been said, maybe we should move on now.
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Personally I feel when the problems have been addressed and positive reports come back then it can move on. If someone else comes back disappointed then it will only come up again and will be reported on here, as they can on other holiday review sites.
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Apologies if my post has been misread or misunderstood.
I did not say "delete" the thread but "close it" as, I think since 19th July all that needed to be said has been said. This can therefore still be read, therefore nothing is being hidden, but it can no longer be added to.
Equally "sticking head in sand" has not arisen here. We must not all forget that any website administrator can delete a post before it sits too long on a website.
( And I wouldn't dream of sticking my head in the sand - bucket of Ouzo maybe ! )
I look forward, hopefully, to a definite post which means problems have been sorted.
So, to JC, tell us about your holiday after you're home, the good and the not so good (if there is any)
And....
1. No good at scrabble as I failed English Lang at school xxx years ago.
2. But I'm happy to take part in an Ouzo drinking competition.
Stay well everybody, Negg
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see nothing wrong with what people have said eggy included,he is correct Dimitris is responsable for anything on this site and lets remember that both Eggy and Dimitris live in the area.As you know we had our problems and they have been resolved.
But to the people that are booked in the AB go and enjoy your holiday if you have problems talk to your rep,it might be the Thomas Cook accommidation in Arillas is fully booked like it was ehen we were there.
The main thing is you know what others have had to deal with you know what happened and you know what to do if any of it happens to you.Go enjoy Arillas and its people are great and that includes Yannis and his sister at the Arillas Bay,they never stopped saying sorry over the exploding hot water system and did even change the plumber so i have NO GRIPES with them.in fact no gripes at all now.
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Thanks Harold. A very sensible view.
Go enjoy Arillas and its people
And that says it all. It is what philandjen do in our own way and always will. Yes we can see the problems but they NEVER stop us.
Phil
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I as the originator of this thread am disgusted that it was even concidered to close it or remove it. I and others made honest and informative comments about the state of the place in early July and the fear we were subjected to by HIM. Maybe this had been going on before we arrived, but no one had the guts to speak out. If they had and we had read about it we would have demanded a move 4 days earlier after the first attempted break in.
I had many more wonderful comments to make about things we did, ate and saw in Arillas, but if you get this much grief for daring to speak your mind, then forget it. I will leave you all to your forum in piece.
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Hi GazCaz,
I have just read your post and can understand how you feel. I think everyone on here was glad that you started the topic and you mast have been pleased with many of the comments. I think the comments about closing this topic were due to a misunderstanding, plus we have to remember that we are all "Guests of Dimitris" on here and we also have to think about his feelings.
It could have got to a stage where legal action could have been taken by the tour operators, against the forum and I don't think anyone would have wanted that. Also I don't think anyone gave grief to you personally and I can't see why anyone would want to.
Please Gazcaz, just carry on as normal and keep on posting things. This is the best Holiday forum, and Dimitris is one of the nicest people you could ever have as an administrator. Please respect his feelings and carry on enjoying the forum.
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I too would like to thank GasCaz for starting this topic and I think that this website is fantastic. I think what has been posted has been great for those of us who are booked in AB this summer. I think you have tried to keep it to the facts and have been balanced by also saying how good Arillas is. If only more people would post positive and negative reviews we would all be better informed.
Lets face it the rest of the website is gushing with praise for Arillas so anybody following the link I don't think will be put off the resort.
As a result of reading this I am even more excited that we have choosen a fantastic resort and i'm sure will have a fantastic holiday but are just better prepared for what we might face and better armed for dealing with TC.
I also think that most of us understand that the owners of the AB are going through a temporary crisis with the father been ill and therefore there is nothing that can't be resolved when the crisis is over so in future months/years it could all be well.
I actually do feel for the family it must be a tough time. It is TC that I am most frustrated with - I think they should be doing more to help the family through this and ensure their guests still have adequate accomodation. The guests should be paramount and they should be providing support to resolve these things. After all it is primarily TC that will make the money on our holiday. TC should ensure that certain standards are in place and maintained and be pro-active about ensuring this or re-allocate guests while they sort it out.
I feel that TC have been really poor. Some of you may remember my post from several days ago when i'd been promised a call within 48 hours to advise me of the cost of changing accomodation. Well..... still no phone call or email.
I probably haven't ever spoken about my holiday prior to departure more than on this ocassion to friends, family and colleagues. All of them are now very informed on how wonderful Arillas sounds (most of whom had never heard of the resort but most have been to Corfu and other greek islands). Also I'm sure I will also get asked after the holiday how it went. I think that is probably true for many of the previous and future visitors and this could actually be excellent PR for the resort as a whole.
Anyway we are now really looking forward to our holiday in Arillas and won't let anything stop that.
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Dimitris is the website owner and so responsible for the content, the forum is independent of that and is provided as a means of information and discussion, anything presented here will always be each posters opinion, and we are all entitled to have one. Dimitris is not responsible and cannot be held accountable for anything posted within the forum, there is the usual disclaimer indicating so, much as your internet provider is not responsible for the sites you visit.
This thread has been informative, helpful and lively but there is nothing in here that would set the legal ninja's pulse racing, I asked :)
The reaction to criticism can be a little sharp on here but this is understandable when family businesses are concerned instead of big headless entities like Thomas Cook. From speaking to people in the trade though I always find that is there is a problem they want to know about so they can learn from and fix it.
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This is my last post (honest) I have discovered that Manos and TC deny anyone was moved from the AB to the Akti. So Im now following legal avenues against both companies and in doing so feel it is unwise to say anything further. I will however report any final outcome. Today I received a letter from ABTA, saying they too were looking into the matter. 'I will not go into the night quietly'
Yamas
GazCaz
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Good for you GazCaz. Your action might actually achieve the improvements we all want to see.
Phil
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Congratulations GazCaz someone withe sense. I am booked into AB Sept 09, although i cant wait to come back to Arillas it is with trepidation to say the least. I have a son who has a heart condition and will be two when we are there. He cannot/wont be able to walk far without becoming breathless, so we booked own own peace of heaven for him the AB, so he wont have to go far from the apartment for the pool beach etc. I am hoping and prayin that these problems have been resolved by then. When we stayed in Arillas at Kokinos we had a wonderful time and i am bringing with me 15 members of my family some 1st timers and i have felt so guilty about all these problems because i made the booking and picked Arillas too.As many people have said it is truly a magical place and i for one cant wait. Jill
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I have just returned from the Arillas bay apartments on Tuesday morning (22nd July)
It was our first visit to Arillas and we absolutely loved it.
I have been reading this thread and just thought I would add to it.
We arrived at the apartment at around 5.30 am on 8th July. We were greeted by a large number of mosquitoes due to the apartment doors being left open through the night!
After a couple of hours sleep we had a chance to look around the apartment.
We were in the A block on the ground floor. The apartment was very spacious with plenty of storage space in the bedrooms. The kitchen had a huge amount of cupboard space, a double sink and a mini oven. The kitchen cupboards did have quite an unusual smell (a bit like a pine fragrance) which had transferred to the crockery, but we washed everything in soapy water before use.
The bathroom was a little outdated with an avocado suite, (but hey, so is my bathroom at home!) but seemed clean enough.
We were given a warm welcome by Yianni. He enquired if everything was ok, and should we need anything, he would be happy to help.
Later that evening, we asked him were there any fans that we could rent. I find that they help in keeping the mosquitoes at bay. Next morning he delivered 2 fans to us. The rate he charged for the fans was the cheapest we have paid anywhere in Greece.
We did find the beds a little on the lumpy side! so we placed 3 of the thick woolly blankets on the matress and covered them with a sheet, problem solved!
The toilet paper bin was emptied daily and the sheets and towels were changed at the end of our first week.
We did not use the pool at the Arillas bay. We are beach people and never use a pool anyway.
During our last couple of days, we were told by the couple in the next apartment that the pool was out of action due to a pump problem. We did notice that it did look a bit cloudy. On our last day we did see some children in the pool.
We ate in the Sea Breeze on one occasion. I had a chicken fillet which I didn't really enjoy, but my husband and daughter both enjoyed their meals. We always like to try as many tavernas as possible.
We were completely unaware of the problems suffered by the original poster of this thread, even though we were there around the same time. It must have been terrifying and it's no wonder that they wanted to move accomodation.
Our room in A block did not have a balcony, just a terrace which did leave you feeling slightly exposed.
I did think that it was very quiet around the Arillas bay, but thought it was due to it not being school holiday time.
The Arillas bay was what we expected. Not 5 star, but we didn't pay a 5 star price.
It suited our needs just fine. It's in a perfect position for beach lovers.
If you are going in the near future, I hope that you have a great time.
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hi Meryl
So glad you experienced our version of Arillas. Others have had horrendous problems and we have been dismayed and horrified to read about them. We have suffered with them in a way that many would not understand. So glad you got past the c**p and had a great holiday.
BTW are you Meryl Moyse who used to live over the road from me in St Dunstans Drive? Would be the ultimate small world...
Phil
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Hi Phil,
No, I'm afraid I've never heard of St Dunstans Drive!
Thank you for your reply.
Meryl
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Hi I've posted in the past fairly negative comments and I'd like to add some better news. My sister is currently on holiday in Arillas and on behalf of another member I asked her husband to have a look at AB to see if it was as poor as had been suggested. My brother in law told me that the Chap behind the bar was very pleasant and welcoming. he offered to show him around an apartment at a later date when one was free. A negative was that the pool was out of action due to a problem with the pump. At least it was not being kept a secret. The only negatives are nothing that I didn't already know last year. Anybody that hasn't already been needn't worry too much. The town is small so anybody with health problems shouldn't have a problem getting to any local hotels, restaurants, the beach etc if you so desire. If you haven't been already please don't worry the town is small and if you don't like the pool area where you are staying, then the locls are so welcoming that you can go somewhere else. I have stayed in other resorts that have had power faults, blocked toilets interesting smells and lots of other problems. I don't let a mishap spoil my holiday. Arillas is more beautiful than most other areas so I can't wait to see it again next Monday. I've already arranged to go back in 2009.
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Hear hear Mick. I might be obsessed, but it isn't perfect. What is?
But making two weeks of serious holiday is very easy to do there.
Phil
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My silence is broken. The AB may have tried its best (and failed) to spoil our and a few others holidays, but it seems that me being a right so and so and hounding these people over the net (AB, Manos and TC) has started to show results. Lets hope that what I started returns the AB to its former glory, because Arillas deserves it. I will continue to hound Manos and Thomas Cook and will tell all on here if its okay with the good people of Arillas.com. Im only doing this because I hate to see the average Joe put on by the big boys, we need a voice not just for telling the good, but reminding these major companies that they have a duty to us the paying public. Thanks for the kind words for what I started. I only wanted to help, even if what I said wasnt that nice.
Yamas All
and happy holidays
Gary and Carolyn
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Gary
I hope, very much , as we all do that you and Carolyn will be back to Arillas in the very near future.
Looking forward, very much, to sitting down with you both, ale in hand, when all this has been resolved.
Your final results with the Tour Ops concerned will, I'm sure, make interesting reading for us all.
Best Wishes to you both
Neill Egg
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Cheers Neill
We have commitments in Crete next year, but Carolyns Parents are back to Arillas next year again and we hopefully will be back in 2010. See everyone, even with what we went through does not put us off Arillas.
For those who have had their holidays this year we hope it was great, for you who have yet to visit......you lucky b#ggers :-)
Yamas
G&C
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In light of what has happened to the couple in Antigua at the weekend, don't you all agree that bad news as it might be, that the information about the attempted break ins at the AB not only needs to be put on this forum, but left there for all to read? People need to go into these situations with eyes wide open, simply if its just a reminder to lock their doors and stow their valuables in a safety deposit box. Also by publishing what happened gives the parties concerned a little kick up the backside to put things right.
My thougths are with the family of Catherine and Benjamin Mullany and hope Mr Mullany pulls through. Such a sad event.
Gary
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I agree....what a tragedy....only married on 12 July....puts things in perspective.
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(http://Well, what can I say after all the worry before I arrived! Nothing to worry about at all. We had a fabulous time! After we arrived, Yanni asked if everything was ok and if we needed anything then we were to ask. I asked and I got!!
We were in A block (so I cannot comment on B block) The apartment was cleaned every day, bins emptied etc...
The pool was clean.There were problems with the pump on one occasion but as soon as Yanni knew he fixed it. (this could happen at any pool!)
There has been problems, his father has just had an op re cancer and Yanni recently separated from his wife and he has the two children to care for. It was touch and go whether it opened at all this year. He said that he was behind with painting etc due to the family problems...he was busy painting around the pool area, and generally tidying up the place, and you know what I believe him!
WOULD I GO BACK TO ARILLAS BAY? YES
I do not feel that Arillas bay has let Arillas down. Arillas is a lovey place and we are going back again next year (our 5th time)
I have had bad experiences in Portugal and Crete and wouldnt go back. Dont even start me on Portugal and Crete!!
I JUST WANT TO SAY TO ANYONE GOING, GO WITH AN OPEN MIND AND ENJOY. ANY PROBLEMS LET THE REP OR YANNI KNOW AND THEN THEY CAN SORT IT.
Joanne
PS
Eggy could you let me know whats happening with Whispers?)
The guys from Whispers are still in America so I don't know any future plan at the moment.
Negg
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I thank you all greatly, having booked the AB this week. I would rather know "how cold the water is" before I jump in!
Are there any update on the out-of-order pool or prospective burgular?
I have sent Thomas Cook an e-mail in anticipation of these 2 concerns. They rang me and offered somewhere else in Corfu. After your fine reports, I am determined to go to Arillas now! The Akti Hotel was available to us for almost double the AB cost.
Hey Ho! We will spend the week on the beach and in the tavernas if we have to.
Again thank you all. I will let you know how we get on.
regards, Wilco.
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Hi Wilco,
if you read the thread under package holidays 'Just got back from Arillas Bay' (http://www.arillas.com/page/component/option,com_smf/Itemid,165/topic,3904.msg50107) You should find that all is as it should be at the apartments. I'm heading out there on Monday 11th so I hope to find that that is the case. When are you going?
Janine
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Glad things are all coming together at the AB, too late for us and once bitten........There are many fab places to stay in Arillas and many open to the public pools. As long as you buy a drink which from what it seems on here most people including us do lots of :-) So if the AB pool is still out of action its no great problem.
Ive got some lovely vids and pics to post so watch out for them on the video section via you tube, if I can get my head round the technology that is :-)
Hope you all have a good holidays in Arillas and at the AB, but please remember your security and safety. It does not take much to put your cash and passports in a safety deposit box and even less to double check you have locked the doors and shutteres at night.
PS please if anyone has an update on the Albanian 'Umpa Lumpa' please let us know.
PPS We have had a reply from ABTA and they are now investigating Thomas Cook on this issue as we have had nothing from them...surprise surprise.
GazCaz
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An update on our struggle with Thomas Cook regarding our stay at the AB in June/July 2008. As many of you know we have a long standing battle with them regarding the disgusting state of the B block at the AB and terrible security issues in early July. So far they have broken the ABTA code regarding responding to complaints and after 80 days (28 is the rule) came up with a lame £90 TC voucher, with conditions, said their Quality and HSE team had been working closely with the AB (only to drop the place it seems) answer none of our concerns and to cap it all they said they hoped other aspects of our holiday to TURKEY were enjoyable. Muppets. We have now referred them to ABTA with the possibility of going to arbitration. Further updates as they happen.
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Well after over four and a half months of dispute with Thomas Cook, we have finally received what they claim to be their final offer of NOTHING, ZILCH, ZIP and DIDDLY SQUAT. They take on board our concerns regarding our personal safety during that first week, but it appears in our view the lives of their customers amount to nothing during the current financial climate. They appear to say procedures they failed to follow correctly regarding questionnaires, reports from other guests and reps at the resort mean they can not offer anything else (basically they are calling us liars) As for others, its been documented enough if you go back to the start of the thread by guests in the same position as us. Obviously the other customers moved from the AB in June and July did not exist, events did not happen and their decision to drop the AB quicker than an English wicket keeper was simply for the sport of it. We seriously pity anyone who really has to rely on this company in the future because from our experience they are not fit for purpose.
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How frustrating and disappointing for you Gazcaz. Well, we all believe you and one good thing is that you discovered the Akti and its fantastic hosts and at least it hasnt put you off Arillas.
Also, that Thomas Cook are not a company we would like to book with again, (sorry joe, you are the exception!). We are booking direct with Akti this time.
Really hope that you have a brilliant holiday in Crete and hurry back to Arillas in 2010!
Sharon x
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Well said Sharon. At least this thread has opened opened our eyes to what can go wrong and shown ways to overcome it. That is really what the forum is for. We all felt for you and your family GazCaz, and all the others who were so badly affected. Without your regular updates, the whole thing would have disappeared under the carpet. It has been a tense and controversial thread, but I am glad it happened.
Phil
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Just another hurdle Gaz Caz keep at them if you can principles.
Ang
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At the end of the day all we wanted from TC was a prompt and detailed personal response to our serious questions regarding safety and standard of accomodation. To this day we have had a series of in-personal robotic computer generated guff which spews out buzz words and phrases such as 'taken on board' 'fully understand' 'new procedures in place' without ever once saying what actually was done. All we have seen is the dropping of the AB from TC 2009 list. We are taking this up with ABTA now to try and force TC to explain our situation. Its not about the money, we still had a wonderful holiday, but that was down to the Akti and the wonderful people and restaurants of Arillas, who apart from the AB were superb in every department. You pay your hard earned cash in the hope that you get a wonderful holiday, but you also pay your cash in the hope that the tour operator gives a damn about you and your precious family. When you get the response we have had, you wonder if this is true. You can take other holidays, replace cameras and clothes, but your family and loved ones can not be replaced.
Heres to 2009 and another wonderful summer for the lovely people and resort of Arillas.
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You are right GazCaz - we have been hurt too, but we still dream of our favourite place and will be back next summer. Arillas is still a fantastic place to be if you want peace, quiet, a fantastic beach and good food and drink. A slice of heaven...
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Hi all, as promised a little update regarding our fight with Thomas Cook about the errr, shall we say well documented on this thread problems last year.
Basically TC have washed their hands of it and ABTA, because TC offered us the "standard" pathetic TC £90 voucher with conditions of use (read back we are not the only ones to get this offer for a whole host of different problems) are also washing their hands of it and suggest arbitration. This of course costs us at least £70 just to start. Basically ABTA give you a reference number for your complaint should it not be resolved and they feel that the tour operator have made some kind of effort, no matter how piterful and this allows you to take it further at your expense...........bit like a crime number with the Police for the insurance man.....sort of fits well from our experiences :-) Basically unless your holiday is cancelled you are p***ing into the wind on your own.
As you can guess we are not taking it further as £70 is a nice night out on Holiday. We will be back in Arillas, hopefully 2010 as this summer its a family get together in Crete, but Caz's parents have two holidays this year and hit Arillas in June, back at the Akti....lucky them :-)
Thanks for all the comments and feedback relating to this thread, but for us this is the end of the very long moan. I hope the AB pulls it round in 2009 and to all you lucky people holidaying in Arillas in 2009......have a wonderful time.
Gary and Carolyn
PS we never accepted the TC voucher, would have choaked on it after all this