Arillas Forum
Welcome to Arillas => Accommodation reviews => Package Holidays => Topic started by: buzz17 on July 29, 2008, 05:02:05 PM
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Just a note of caution, stayed at leonidas for 2 weeks. Absolutly no problems with the apts in general, typical greek and exactly what i expected basic and clean with a varander to drink some ouzo and retsina in the sun. Set in lovely gardens. The owner leonidas is very friendly and solves any problems as soon as you let him know.
However i decided to wear a certain top i'd took with me and could not find it, thought maybe i'd made a mistake and forgot to pack it. As we'd left camera, jewellery and money in there with nothing taken (the couple who were next to us often left things on the balcony table and nothing was taken. Since coming home though i've discovered that the top is not here and another top which i'd actualy worn and put back into the case ready to re-pack is also gone. So my only assumption is that the cleaner likes my taste in clothing. I did not report this as i could not be sure until i'd checked at home. Please be aware!!!!
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Oh dear, you poor thing, I'm really sorry to hear that.
I don't know the apartments you stayed in I'm afraid so can't really add too much but apart from that it sounds like you had a really good time?
We're hoping to get back in Sept - we were there in May & reading evryone's holiday reports is making me so envious!
What else did you get up to in Arillas?
BeckyB.
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I don't like getting involved in these topics, but this has happened to our friends a couple of years ago at these apartments. They had clothing and other small items go missing. It was reported to the rep, but 'nobody new anything about it'.
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Devils Advocate here . - ( I love that phrase )
Most appts and Studios etc always keep a healthy supply of bedlinen and towels because any used bedlinen etc can take a week at the laundry.
( Once in a large quantity and has been delivered/collected etc )
I know this because Wegg and I look after a rental Villa now.
So, We had a lovely little story from, another English cleaner, around September last year , I think.
She was in a hurry to do a linen change and, as the guests were hovering around, scooped up all the bed sheets, pillowcases etc and popped them in a black bag.
A week later, when the cleaned items were collected from the laundry, on top of the nicely ironed sheets etc was a very nice short sleeve shirt, duly pressed and folded.
Whoops - Where did that come from?
This nearly happened to Wegg this year and only came to light because she itemises everything that goes to the Laundry so piles it on the floor before it goes into a bag.
( Someone very nearly lost a short sleeve t-shirt !)
On the other side of the coin, the Villa we look after has lost 2 knives and a plastic glass? No Guest has the need to take these away but I have the habit of not looking when I throw scraps away and quite often one of our kniives has ended up on on the compost heap to be found a few days later.
Funny ole game innit?
Cheers
Negg
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I understand this must happen at times but one t-shirt went from inside the wardrobe and another was in my case. On the plus side my 700 in euros, camera and watches stayed exactly where i left them. Also i could have went to Kavos or Sidari so every cloud has a silver lining. LOL
This hasn't spoilt my impressions of Arillas though what a fantastic little resort, Lovely views and restaurants and best of all no english named pubs. Will definitley go back but probably to Tria as Helen and phill where great hosts.
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You are right buzz17, but in Benidorm you would have had to lock your underwear up or gone home without any.
The fact that your money and camera were still there says it all and confirms my belief in the honesty of our hosts. Sadly this year there were robberies by outsiders and the details are posted elsewhere. A forum friend was affected by it, so we know that care is still needed.
Everyone blames the cleaners, which is very unfair. Most of them work regularly with the owners and are more trustworthy than the tourists you will meet. We have never used safe boxes etc just simply used a padlock on the bag with our passports and tickets in. But then they could take the whole bag easily!
So glad you experienced our version of Arillas. We can't all be wrong
Phil (Anorak?)
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Hi, everyone. Stayed at Leonidas twice and had no problems. Sorry to hear about your missing items,buzz17.
Yammas, Paul d
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Another slant on this is the Albanians (my favorite people)
We went on a couple of Thomas Cook trips and the reps are constantly having stuff swiped off the lines (mostly Sidari) and sometimes by the cleaners. Never electrical stuff or money just clothes. They end up being sold from the back of vans usually with loud speakers. One rep even saw her item and simply bought it back as it was a fav pair of shorts.
I think with clothes, they are sometimes not missed till you get home and are not always new so most people just think what the hell, whereas a camera......
Again as with my other posts, Arillas is a wonderful place, but nowhere in the world is perfect. Just be on your guard as you would at home.
Hope it did not spoil you hols, our troubles didn't, but when you save all year for two weeks it can be damn anoying.
GazCaz
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All i can say is we have stayed at the Leonidas twice and had a great time on both occasions with no problems what so ever.
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If anyone wants my clothes they welcome, I'd say they'd be pretty desperate! I never take anything of value and lets face it, there'll be more space for duty free!
However, on a more serious note, it's more un-nerving that they searching around the apartment in the first place, especially if things are being taken from inside wardrobes and not just lying around.
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We also have stayed at the Leonidas several times with no problems.
We have however had items of clothing go 'missing', only to find that they are under the bed/blown off the washing line and are 20 yards way in the next appartments/still at home/under the detachable bottom of the suitcase etc, etc.
I am still far happier about the honesty and trustworthiness of the inhabitants and workers in Arillas than here in the UK and will continue to be for many years to come, I'm sure.
Angie
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We too have stayed at Leonidas several times, the last time was however the last time. This was 2 years ago. We were in one studio & our 2 sons & their girlfriends each had a studio.
I suspected after a few days that someone had been "looking" through our things, so one morning before going out I placed items in specific places that had no reason whatsoever to be moved, when we returned late in the afternoon I found my handbag had not only been moved but was now lying open & a £20 note missing from my purse, several items of clothing went missing, including a bra! One son had several packets of cigarettes go missing & both the girls "lost" t-shirts.
I mentioned all this & several other incidents to the rep, he returned later to tell me that Leonidas & Eleni said I was "mistaken".
I also requested that the children of the cleaner be asked not to enter any of our studios as I had walked into 1 of my sons studios thinking he was there only to find the cleaners son playing on my sons computer game, which he switched off guiltily, losing my son a lot of data he had saved, plus the cleaners daughter was in the bathroom spraying perfume.
Also there were 2 girls staying in 1 of the studios, it turned out they lived not far from us back home, they left a week before us, when they got home they texted me to say they must of left 2 shirts behind, could I bring them home & they would pick them up, needless to say no-one had seen them!
I decided not to pursue anything as we return to Arillas every year & did not want to create hostility!
I was also reticent to report it on this forum at the time as I knew people would be quick to defend.
I know no-one wants to believe these things go on but I also know that I wasn't "mistaken"
I will say that it didn't put me off Arillas but it has made me become a little more aware.
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The first time we came to Arillas we stayed at Leonidas, whilst the accommodation and Leonidas and his wife were faultless, there was a couple and their daughter staying next to us. The teenage daughter said loads of her clothes had gone missing, and a couple further down said money had been taken. So it looks like unfortunately, there is some truth in this.
Sharon x
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The problem with this is that it is all very well trying to be careful with money, cameras and jewellery etc but when you go on holiday you don't expect to have to lock up your clothes!! I hope Leonidas sees this and does something or they may find they have not many visitors next year.
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The more this is raised the better in my view. Its one thing to think that somewhere is heaven on earth (Arillas closer than most) with people too afraid to speak out against the forum. But in todays ecconomic climate, it will not take much for some to be put off by these comments especially if people think nothing is being done and those who are "mistaken" are hounded. Im sure many have no problems what so ever, but for a cleaner to take their children into someones room and use their stuff is an utter disgrace. I'm sorry, its bang out of order. Well done buzz17 and carol2, I for one support you.
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I was pretty shocked to find this thread as I have never had anything taken in nearly 30 years of going to Greece. I find it very hard to believe that a Greek person could be responsible for this.
Dare I suggest that the influx of people from certain very poor parts of Eastern Europe may be behind a rise in this sort of petty crime?
Even so, Greece and her islands are still a haven of honesty and safety compared to most of western Europe (including Britain!)
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I have mentioned this before in another thread but we had the same problem in accommodation when we were in Crete a few years ago. When my daughters packed up to go home (they didnt use the wardrobe or drawers, lived out of suitcases!) they were missing tee shirts so after a good scout around they found one under the mattress on the spare bed and another stuffed behind a drawer they didn't use. Other people had cosmetics used and small change taken. We left a note in the visitors book to beware of this and it was ripped out the next day. I think it must have happened before.
This can happen anywhere, in any country, in any hotel/accommodation. We just cant afford to be complacent about leaving stuff out on show and if you are sure clothes go missing then make a complaint straight away - especially if you are absolutely sure as that is not on!
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what a shame that there have been thefts in Arillas, it just goes to show no where is immune from it. I will be more carefull next time I come here as before I have never given that sort of thing a second thought and have even left my money on the bedside cabinet, mind nothing has ever gone missing
Mary
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Thanks for the warnings guys! Me and my fiancee are due to stay in the apartments from 20th july til the 4th august and will be sure to keep a close eye on our clothes!!!
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hi evanjonesaber, we been to arillas 5 times and never had any problems regarding missing items etc, the only thing i recall missing is breakfast after a heavy night the night before, ask jimmi and spiro from rainbow lol, many regulars to arillas will tell you the same, yammas, jinksy, p.s. may see you around we are there from july 31st
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From experience I found that there were no worries staying at the apartments
We spent two weeks there two years ago.
There were no problems and our belongings were never touched at all, even when the cleaner came in all our things were put back where we had left them.
I would certainly stay there again.
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I think the message is don't judge before you go, but simply be aware that even in Arillas the odd thing can happen.
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It's so sad that several people have had this bad experience. We've only been to Arillas twice (staying both times at Kaloudis) and felt we could have left our door open, it felt so safe.
I hope I continue to feel like that. Looking forward to booking 2010!!
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Janis
Continue to feel that way. Today I have been to Acharavi and Roda and parked up in Sidari. All times I never lock the car and in Sidari I left my mobile on the passenger seat. It nevers bothers me.
And when, I left the house in Kavadaddes I left the downstairs window wide open and have been, depending on evening ouzos, known to leave my keys in the car overnight.
And.... I never remove the stereo fascia front. - Wots that all about?
We've lived here 26t months now and I have yet to panic about securing diddley squat.
I do worry though, if leave my darts in the car - Although sometimes I hope that they will vanish mysteriously - Best excuse in the world for not playing very well.
So far , so good.
Negg
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Same here Janis. Never even used the safes at the Kaloudis. Neill i have seen the way you leave your car open, windows too, leave your car by the beach and walk to the coconut. You gotta watch the plants in your garden in some places over here.
riggers...
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Yes, and a locked car from right outside your front door!!!
lynn xx
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its such a shame reading these posts, we have been coming to greece for years and this year will be our second in arillas, we,ve already booked for next year, in all our time we have never had any problems with items going misssing, we find the greek people the most friendliest and honest by far.
On a lighter note, when my son was 5 he was regularly taken by the cleaner , to her house, and always came back with bag fulls of fruit and goodies......
Anyway hello to everyone, and happy hols to all x
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That is our experience too kb62. Like the others have said, it happens and we have to accept it. But there are so few by comparison, the risk is very small. Arillas is more honest and decent than anywhere else I've been, and I've been around the block...
Phil
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i know what your saying phil, but i still dont know anywhere else i could leave my camera and money and stuff on the beach while im in the sea, just wouldnt happen in blackpool would it, my names karen , my son set this up for me i couldnt use karen it said someone else already had it, kb are my initials , anyway heres to many more jaunts around the block ..........
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If you've read the forum Karen, you'll know I am the forum windbag, and a forum anorak. (There's plenty of those. Not naming any names, but I'm only 5th in the list of most posts.....)
Arillas means more to me, and to my Jen, than anywhere else in the world. We are true addicts, and the forum gives us a chance to feel normal. If you keep seeing the same names, it is because we have all become great friends with each other. It happens to anyone who visits Arillas and arillas.com.
You will see banter, jokes, and sometimes our in depth knowlege of our place. My new mantra is relax, chill, enjoy. It works for us.
Where we live in Baltonsborough, you can leave everything on the pub table and it will never be touched. It is the same in Arillas except the incomers may not be as honest as our hosts, but the level of care you need is so low.
See you there one day
Phil
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i have been reading it for a few weeks now , and i have noticed the same names all the time, but its good fun reading and it has a great feel good factor,
this will be our second time there, we stayed at the marvel last year, this time we,re in jimmy and perrys, we cant wait, when i step off that plane i always say im home, we thought that we,d go forever to bali, in crete, then we found here, and well what can i say , the rest is history, as you lot already know.
anyway have a lovely time, we.ll be there on the 17th cases are already packed.......... ... karen
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Sorry all we are on the wrong thread - Leonidas has some great reviews including our good friends PaulD from Swansea and JohntheRef from Arillas. OOPS - he wishes...
Karen, we all get that drop in blood pressure, feel-good hormones, combined with excitement. Some make Arillas babies (Gotty and Liz, Josef and Maria amongst many) but Jen and me seem to make Arillas friends. And by rights I used to be quite shy. Insular as someone posted earlier. An anorak. I so understand.
But Arillas is such a joyful place to be, if you join in. And it gets better and better. That is why the Facebook site I started after a few one Sunday has 98 Arillas Addict members. And 100s of photos after 6 months.
If you're there on 17th July, we are still around till 21st. Come and say hello.
Phil
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i joined the facebook site a while ago, i,ll look out for you when we get there.
i can always be found with my head stuck in a book, its usually johnny my husband that starts chatting to people, if you hear someone saying "" thankyou my mate"" after ordering his beers, thats him .....
hope to see you there
karen x
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So looking forward to this now - me and my new fiancee are off to Arillas in two weeks today! First time but have been reading up and can't wait to get there!
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Hi everyone
Just returned from Arillas, fantastic place; we went with a tour operator and will be looking at returning next year independantly.
We stayed at the Leonidas for 2 weeks from the 6/07/09.
Unfortunatley the owner passed away and the wife now lives in Athens with a Manager dealing with the properties.
I would say beware of studio room No 5, it is tiny with a double bed against the wall, no room to swing a mouse.
The Manager was not the pleasantist of people, the rooms were supposed to be cleaned every other day but this consisted of making the bed and mopping the floor. Bedding and towels only changed once a week. Another holiday maker had the nerve to ask for fresh towels and bedding mid week which was met by a furious row between the cleaner and the Manager.
I had to clean the shower myself as this was not touched, neither was the bathroom sink.
Another neighbour had 2 T shirts, money and travellers cheques missing, no signs of a break in and Thomas Cook/Manor Rep told them they would have to get a taxi to the Police station to report this costing extra expense.
Saying all this our holiday neighbours were fabulous and the Arillas resort the best place we've ever stayed in all the islands and resorts we've visited.
Final word on Leonidas is that a developer is looking to buy it so things may improve.
From Dave and Jane, posted by Jane.
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Hi, Jane. Reading your post has saddened me a little because on our two stays there, you couldn`t fault it. Leonidas and Eleni came to our room everyday to clean, even doing dishes that we had left.
Things have so obviously changed with Eleni now in Athens.
I really hope things improve for future guests.
Yammas Paul D
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I had a very good conversation with an accommodation owner, in July, about the problems being faced due to reduced bookings and tighter margins being imposed by travel companies. Some owners get as little as €6 per night for their rooms from the travel companies. That is a very small amount of money when you consider the cleaning and towel washing that has to be done.
I think someone who empties the toilet bins should be paid at least €6 per room per day for what they do, in addition to money for their other daily duties.
We will always pay to go independent, but I appreciate that its not possible for everyone to book that way. I think you could sense a certain amount of stress in local people this year. I just hope that good family businesses, in Arillas, don't go under this summer, because every single one adds something to making Arillas special.
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Agreed, very well said, Terry.
lynn xx
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Hi Jane
Was good to meet up with you in Arillas
Hope you have recovered from that walk to Paleokastritsa
Yes I herd about the owner at Leonidis.
I spoke to Philip at the Tria who informed me that He had died following an Heart Attack whilst at a wedding last October.
Having stayed there and previously met with the owner and on several occasions had tried to have conversation with him this came a surprise, I was saddened to hear the news.
Philip said that his wife was about to return at the end of August but was unsure what was going to happen.
I surprises me that there is problems there because when we were there the cleaner came in every day and towels were changed on a regular basis.
We left things lying around and nothing was touched or moved.
By the way tell the City fan (Dave) we will have some of that strike force they have overloaded on send a few down the Molyneux
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Hi The Ref & Dot
Dave says why don't you get Steve Bull & Derek Dougan out of retirement as your not having any of their strikers.
Re next years hols we will be going independant because we've always thought that the apartment owners have a raw deal from the tour operators. We have always been nervous about taking the plunge but realise we can do this financially now due to easyjet flying from Manchester.
We hope to be going around the same time of year again but looking at 3 weeks this time.
When we were there we had a look at Vivallas on the quieter beach road, Thomas and his family seemed lovely, traditional family run fish Taverna. Thomas showed us the studio which seemed huge in comparison to where we stayed and his prices are very good. Also looked at Spiros & Poppy's they used to be called Bourdis, their studio's are lovely although smaller very well laid out.
Any info on either of these would be appreciated as may be booking next month.
Dave & Jane
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Terry W Wow! - 42 Euro a week wouldn't cover what we pay our cleaner in our UK property to do one laundry change and clean, never mind make us any profit! I know things are different here, but even so! Cross reference that with Dimitris interesting post about how the tour companies encouraged rampant growth and you can see where the squeeze is coming from.
As to honesty, Greece in general is always somewhere I will treasure for the honesty and generosity of spirit of the people I have met, but I guess economic pressure will always lead to some petty crime. There sure is less here than in places like Spain and Italy in my experience though !!! It's easy to blame it on the economic migrants, and I suppose they are bound to change the balance of a place and affect cultural taboos (of which stealing seems to have been a major one in Greece). Best to keep that idea in perspective though perhaps.
and Phil
You are right buzz17, but in Benidorm you would have had to lock your underwear up or gone home without any.
Would that really be a problem in Benidorm?
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We've not stayed with Poppy and Spiro (and Bobby!) but have visited them several times and they're such lovely people! Poppy's eggs are to die for - absolutely perfect every time....
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Just returned from a fortnight in Arillas, what a lovely resort - great food, good company.
A special thank you to Jane and Dave (next door neighbours) for tipping us off about things going missing from Leonidas. Locked our good clothes in suitcase and took valuables with us every day. Still didn't stop one of my brand new, but very cheap tops disappearing together with some cigarettes but we're ok because the rep has 'logged it' whatever that means.
Spent last day in Galini (early morning flight so out of Leonidas at 12 noon) absolutely brilliant and such welcoming people - would definitely stay there next time.
Terry and Ann
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Locked our good clothes in suitcase and took valuables with us every day. Still didn't stop one of my brand new, but very cheap tops disappearing together with some cigarettes but we're ok because the rep has 'logged it' whatever that means.
Terry and Ann
Terry n Ann
Glad you had a good time but, nobody should have to lock up their valuables.
Let's hope the rep does his/her job on this. It reflects on all the good people of Arillas when this happens. The Gallini was a good place to finish uo for your last day and I'm told, aint that bad for a holiday break either.
Cheers
Negg
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I think this little "Problem" may have been solved as there were no hassles in the two weeks that we've just had.
As a matter of fact from what I saw, the owner was on the cleaners case for 90% of the time the poor lass was at work, I must have heard her name called at least 500 times in two weeks!
The only gripes I have were the ineffective mossie screen in the bathroom and the almost non-working cooker, along with the owner standing at window at 11.30am on the day of departure saying "You go at 12 quick-quick" and looking at her watch meaningfully!
If it hadn't have been Phillip and the Tria across the road I think we would have gone mad!
The only real word of advice I have for anyone going for the remainder of the season is stock up on anti-mossie stuff as the waterway behind Leonidas is FULL of the little buggers! At least one mossie machine per room and Always wear a "DEET" type repellant!
I'd say in general my expreience of Arillas is 50/50 and if I were to come back it would be at an apartment a bit closer to the beach...
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We`ve had no gripes, and really enjoyed our time at Leonidas. It was all so clean and comfortable. Elene was a very lovey hostess. Mozzie`s? Same everywhere.
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We`ve had no gripes, and really enjoyed our time at Leonidas. It was all so clean and comfortable. Elene was a very lovey hostess. Mozzie`s? Same everywhere.
The mossies seem to have built up a resistance to the usual ploys and methods of repelling/destroying since I was last in Corfu, for some reason i've never been bitten until now.
I can say it was clean and comfortable, it's just that i've stayed in places that are just as basic but better, Elene was fine until the last day as she seemed to be under a lot of pressure.
Next time I book anywhere I will have a closer look at the booking out times and facilities after booking out, as 16 hours before a flight to sit around waiting with nowhere to shower/change or even rest is a bit much, as nothing was offered and without the forebearance of Phillip across the road, we would have ended up with not so much as a chair to sit on!
The one thing I really do dislike is being "Homeless" for the day before a flight, I know you can always find things to do, but that's not really the point.
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Well I think you would have had a lovely time. The thing is------- enjoy yourself, if not why?
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i am so sorry to hear some of these comments and some of you thought 50/50 for your holidays we like most forum members rate arillas 100 and 10 percent our peice of heaven you must just have had a bit of bad luck which we are sorry to hear the greeks in the area are lovely people but as with any where there is the odd bad apple