Arillas Forum
Welcome to Arillas => Accommodation reviews => Package Holidays => Topic started by: lynchan on July 05, 2009, 11:27:18 AM
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before i write this i must say that arillas and the people are wonderful and we had a fab holiday,but i would not recommend the 2 bedded apart at the kokinos to anyone unless things have changed.we found it to be dirty,very dated and for such a large apartment nothing in there.we had nowhere at all in our bedroom to put our clothes.we didnt unpack for 3 days till the rep got us a rail.the cooker was a health hazzard.it was so dirty the grease was scraped off with a knife.just 1 pot to cook in which we had to scrub before we could use as it was covered in dried up food.quite a few days the bins in the toilets were not emptied.we had to do this ourselves.
i could go on and on.i must say that the studios down stairs did look better. so all i will say if you going go with an open mind.perhaps it was us being fussy but when the reps seen the place they agreed with us
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I must say I'm quite surprised by this. I've never stayed at Kokinos but know some people who have been in a 2 bedroom apartment there and they loved it - not sure they tried to cook though. I'm never sure how much they get used so maybe they aren't always kept "ready" like the more popular places that are generally full. Having said that, it wouldn't account for the lack of furniture. I've never stayed anywhere on a package holiday that didn't have wardrobes and a few drawers.
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sandy ive been all over greece and believe me i no how basic things can be.thats why we choose to go year after year.basic i put up with and enjoy but dirt is something i dont.i have taken pictures and as soon as i can i will try and put them on here.
when you have 4 adults sharing an apartment you would think that they would have facilities for 4 adults.we even had to empty the toilet bin for several days as they did not do this
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Oh I agree lynnchan.....dirt is unacceptable. You would only get one bathroom though I think in all the 2 bedroom apartments. Sometimes we have booked 2 studios for that reason.....but of course that is more expensive.
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sandy i no i might sound if im nit picking but when we arrived first thing we said cup of tea.the cups were stuck to saucers with tea rings all around.so we washed them.next the toilet.no flush.had to use the bowl to flush.5 hours after arrival they ame andsorted it but surely this should have been checked b 4 we went in there.we do eat out alot but we do like to have breakfast snacks etc and the occasional night in with a meal on the balcony but all we had was 1 pot and after asking many times there was still only 1 pot at the end of the holiday
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Did wonder if you would post on here.If you decide to go back to Arillas,which I am sure you will,we recommend the bardis sun hotel.That is where we saw you on your arrival.I hope you enjoyed the rest of your holiday.
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We never seem to stay in the same place, but have never had that sort of problem. Wherever we have stayed has been embarassingly clean and tidy. Anna's studios are a perfect example like I said when we came back last July.
Thanks for posting about it. The history has been that if that if something like this happens, the next year you hear how much effort has been put in to rectifying it. I have only ever heard great reports about Kokinos until now. But that's what the forum is for - to share the great things about Arillas and also the not so great.
But as expected, just being in Arillas was magic for you too. Will be there Tuesday soaking it all up....
Phil
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Lynchan
It's good for you to post this and when booking with a Tour Operator it is equally important to let them know the problems you experience.
For example, the owner could maybe be thinking that the staff he employs are doing a very good job. The Tour Op would/should report the problems to him/her and I'm sure drastic steps would be taken for the necessary improvement.
Owners take a very large pride in waht they have to offer. After all, they want you to be comfortable and feel relaxed. ---- And then come back next year.!
Cheers
Negg
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Hi,i'm new to the board.We have booked for a 2 bed apartment at the kokinos and i am absolutely bricking it after reading the report by lynchan.
I have emailed thomas cook to tell them about this and that if it is not up to standard that we want to change.
Thanks a lot lynchan for your report.It is not acceptable for people to be spend their hard-earned money being sent to places like this.
I hope you manage to post photos of the apartment.
I wonder if you could maybe email me the photos?
Thanks a lot.
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That's it sunfun. Without lynchan's post you would be too late to do anything.
I always feel very sad when something like this prevents newcomers having the Arillas experience I know and understand. Nearly everyone does though.
Keep us all posted.
Phil
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thanks for your replies.to be truthful in our situation i would blame the tour company for alot that went on.when i phoned the main office on the day of arrival they told me that they had had complaints before and would we like to go to another resort.we gave them a firm answer of no.we wanted a resort like arillas and we wanted a 2 bedded apart so they offered us 2 studios in sidari.our rep sophie also told us that we were not the first to complain which made us feel a little better.
but like i said besides these hiccups we made the most of what we had and had a wonderful holiday.
my only other warning to anyone on the bristol flight who have a pick up at 03.45 in the morning please double check if there is a room available as we had to find a room ourselves as the rep told us she couldnt get hold of the owners to confirm that we could keep our room.we phoned the main office once again and they told us we could stay at a nice hotel on the front called the mimosa.well one of our party walked the length and breadth of arillas to find this hotel(and as you all no can be a fair walk)and couldnt find it.when we phoned back to the office we had the reply sorry we gave you the name of a hotel in sidari by mistake.wel by this time besides being mad all we could do was laugh because dave who had gone looking was absolutly knackered and fell asleep on the sunbed.finally they told us we could try the akti hotel.this people here were brilliant to us.they really helped us and we cannot thank them enough
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I'm shocked by this. We stayed in a 2 bed apartment Sept 07 and there were wardrobes in both bedrooms, it was basic but clean, the bins emptied every day except on the Sunday.
There were reports on here a while back about problems with mice/rats but that was in the ground floor studios.
I would have booked again any time. Hopefully it will be sorted soon.
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Shame you didn't ask Monica and Spiros in the Akti, or Olga in Olga's travel or just about anyone else along there. Tour operators are not my favourite people.... As I read your post, I could have told you there is no "mimosa." So could anyone there.
You sound like us - the awful experiences will turn into laughs and reminiscences down the line. But believe me, Arillas can do much better. Our eighth visit coming up tomorrow, and it will be really special. Perhaps it is because we know so many and are known by so many. But our first visit when we knew nothing and nobody, I asked if I'd "died and gone to heaven?" Well, I'm still alive but I will be in heaven tomorrow....
Best wishes
Phil
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arillas is the best place in the world do not get put off so menny place`s to go in arillas sorry about that next yr well be hour 3 yr
trey the kalodus
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Thanks everybody for your replies.I have also asked on trip advisor but the expert for arillas is actually there just now and is getting back to me on her return.
I am so greatful for people posting "warts and all" or we could have ended up in a craapy place.Arillas seems to have you all hooked and we really want to give it a go.
Will let you know what happens with thomas cook.Cheers¬
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sunfun, there are more people on this forum who are real Arillas experts.
As a first timer, take my advice. Smile and chat with all the business owners/staff. Slow down and take your time. Expect little and you will get lots. Eat the wonderful food. Go and give the cook a hug if you really enjoyed. Meet people and chat. Watch the gorgeous sunsets with others. Chill, relax, enjoy. There's hundreds of us who have done that.
Phil
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Thanks for your messages Phil.Hope you have a great time.
Anybody any more info on the kokinos please?
Also,is the artemis cafebar next door open very late? Is it rowdy?We do like to enjoy ourselves but we also like our kip.
Any info...good or bad much appreciated.Thanks
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sunfun, there are more people on this forum who are real Arillas experts.
As a first timer, take my advice. Smile and chat with all the business owners/staff. Slow down and take your time. Expect little and you will get lots. Eat the wonderful food. Go and give the cook a hug if you really enjoyed. Meet people and chat. Watch the gorgeous sunsets with others. Chill, relax, enjoy. There's hundreds of us who have done that.
Phil
Il say.
The biggest problem I have is getting the bill at the end of a meal.
But then who is in a hurry ?
Not me ))
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to justphil.we spent the first 2 days of our holiday just talking to the reps trying our best to sort it out. the last thing that we wanted was to spend our first 2 days without unpacking cause there was nowhere to put our clothes and all we wanted was for the apartment to be cleaned
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Thanks for your messages Phil.Hope you have a great time.
Anybody any more info on the kokinos please?
Also,is the artemis cafebar next door open very late? Is it rowdy?We do like to enjoy ourselves but we also like our kip.
Any info...good or bad much appreciated.Thanks
We came back from Arillas on 26th June and stayed opposite Kokinos at Dimitra Studios. Artemis Cafe was shut!
We spoke to a couple who stayed at Kokinos on the top floor and the kareoke (not speld rite...) kept them awake at night......(It was from The Coconut or Malibu, which was a long way off but it was VERY LOUD!)
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hi artemis is closed for good
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Thanks a lot folks!
Any info much appreciated.
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Cheryl,i have tried to send you a message twice,but don't know if it worked.Could you let me know if you got it? Cheers1
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Sunfun, no, it's not come through to me. If it's easier you can send me an email on cheryl@bucklandharvester.co.uk. Ta x
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Hi Cheryl,have sent you an email
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Hi all
Not been on line for ages, but have to come on to say that we have stayed at Kokinos three times in the last five years in the upsatiars two bed appartments. We have booked again for this year as we have always found it to be okay. The folks are always helpful and we have never had any problems with anything at the apartments.
As for Arillas we just think it is brilliant and cannot wait to go back, went to Skiathos in May but have to say Arillas has the edge on when it comes to being chilled out.
cheers, yammas
beachbum
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Thanks a lot beachlover.Glad to hear it.You've put our minds at rest a bit.Cheers!
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Have been told by thomas cook that their accomodations are all up to standard.Asked them if they would move us if it was not,but they will not commit to that,just saying that the places are checked regularly and they work in close liaison with the reps and owners.Hopefully all will be well!
We'll just have to wait and see how lynchan gets on.
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Hi Sunfun,
You say you messaged the Arillas expert on Trip Advisor, that is indeed our dear Eileen off this forum too, im sure she will be able to put your mind at rest when she replies to you.
What date are you travelling to Arillas??
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Hi,we're going on 9th of october,so there's plenty of time for it to be sorted.Hope the weather's still good then!Have you ever been so late on?
Anyway,we're not going to worry about it,we'll just go with the flow.
It's only a base after all.but obviosly we want it to be clean!
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The weather can be anything. We stayed the last week of October in 2007. Had two sunny days, a thunderstorm and some rain. The sea was like getting into a warm bath. But it could be quite different this year. Some places were closed for the season, but not many/none will be that early in Oct. Just enjoy it all.
Phil
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Daughter Fran and Hubbie Tim stayed at Kokkinos a few years ago, They found it quiet but tiny. They had a good time there and, as a base, a good location to reach everything fairly easily. ( A quiet Taverna right next door can't be bad! )
Any type of loud noise can travel around Arillas quite easily though but, recent rumours tell me, that the late night music is being toned down now in a good spirited response to recent "Local Council" advice.
I have always been fascinated by sound and sometimes, I'm sure, it feels quieter in a local bar than bedding down for the night 200 metres away.
Cheers
Negg
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I was there at the beginning of Ocotber last year Sunfun and the weather was fantastic - still pleasantly warm, sunshine every day and not a drop of rain.
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Thanks for the replies folks.Hope we're as lucky as you with the weather Sandy.
Eggy,we're in a 2 bedroom apartment,so there should be bags of room for us.
Glad to hear it's in a good location.Really looking forward to chilling out.Cheers!
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Hi Lynchan,i have tried to send you a message twice,but it doesn't seem to be working.Just wondered if you'd had any word from the travel agent yet?Could you let me know please?Also,are you going to put some photos on the board?Thanks.Hope to hear from you soon.
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saw the very apartment being discussed and hate to say it but unless you analyse the brochure you often get basic. I thought for the kokinos that apartment was nice. The brochure page doesn't quote wardrobes and lots of cooking utensils it is a basic what you see is what you get sort of complex. Nice of the rep to get you a clothes rail though!
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Thanks for your reply.We've been to greece loads of times and realise it will be basic,but please,can you tell me...is it clean? That is the main thing.There are only two of us,so surely one of the rooms will have a wardrobe.Any more info would be much appreciated.Thanks a lot.LYNCHAN...WHERE ARE YOU?
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When will you be there sunfun? We will be in the downstairs apartment , and my sister will be in another one from Monday 10th for a couple of weeks We can't wait !!! although I have been following this thread closley and as long as the apartments are clean I don't mind basic ! Jac
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Hi Jac,we don't go till 9th of october.Hope you have a great time.Please will you put a post on to let us know what the kokinos is like?We're going to an upstairs apartment.Cheers!
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I certainly will let you know as soon as we get back, and I'm sure we'll have a great time !!
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Okay getting nearer, from my reckoning, only 33 sleeps to go. Any more news on Kokinos? has it improved any?
As we said before we have never have had a problem. This will be our fourth time there. When we keep thinking about it, we have stayed in both. Was it No 6? In number 6 we think there was just the one wardrobe in one bedroom. We think one bedroom had two balcony doors.
Oh well we dont care we just cannot wait to go back
cheers and yammas to all
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Hi Beachlover,you can stop worrying! Cheryl has just got back and emailed me to let me know that iit was fine,so if it's good enough for her,it's good enough for me!
Thanks a million, Cheryl, for keeping your word and getting back to me.You're a star!
I don't think we need to worry,just look forward to it and enjoy!
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Glad to be of assistance!