Chrysoula Apartments

not our first choice for our holiday our first choice was cancelled and these apartments were offered as an upgrade,thank goodness our first choice was cancelled these apartments are the best we have ever holidayed in in 8 years coming to greece.fantastic swimming pool,pool area kept immaculate.bar area also kept very clean,meals great value,best stifado i have ever tasted.rooms are very well equiped very spacious and kept clean.the apartments are surrounded by small but well kept gardens.there is a small well kept play area for the children.we were very well looked after during our stay and are going back next year.

Hi
We stayed with this lovely family in May 2009. The family are so helpful. Rooms clean and basic, then again we dont take holidays to stay in the room, too busy enjoying the great weather!! The area is quiet as some say but if you want peace to relax its perfect. The food prices are reasonable & the chips are yummy. Tzatziki & bread equally tasty. We love it so much we are going again in June 2010.

1 reader found this review helpful

Me and my wife and three children stayed here in August 2010
rooms are basic but clean big enough for five,aircon is needed at this time of year which I thought was expensive at 50 euros per week very friendly family orientated place to stay and the chips at the pool bar are a must,bar food and drink is very reasonable pool is large and very clean, would definatley recomend this to anyone with family,Kefalos is very nice and not busy which is how it should stay,we are now booking the Chrisoula for next year.
The Hague family
Darlington
County Durham

2 readers found this review helpful

We couldnt have asked for anything better if we had tried. Apartments comfortable, people friendly and extremely helpful, trips wonderful and excellent food everywhere we went from the harbour which is about a 30 minute walk from the apartments to the ones that are on the main road. In the harbour area there are numerous bars and restaurants to visit as there are on the main road down to the harbour. There is a night club if you want that sort of thing but most of the time the cocktail bars have nusic playing and you can dance there if you want to. Didnt find it that exspensive at the apartments, supermarket or bars. As for the owners they are nost helpful people I have had the pleasure of meeting always willing to have a chat from Chrysoula through her children, Popppie, Nikos and Dimitri to the cleaners who are about every day. My wife was ill and had to have a doctor and the family and the rep couldn't do enough for us. Thankyou to everyone a very enjoyable holiday.

1 reader found this review helpful

July 29th 2010-August 12th 2010 (2 weeks)
Me, my mum and my brother arrived at the apartments on July 29th 2010. It was late when we got there but we were quickly shown to our rooms by Poppie, chrysoulas daughter. we stayed in room C8, and our first thoughts were small! we were only in the apartments for an hour when a cockroach came out of the kitchen sink! we told poppie but she said there were no availible rooms to move to untill the next week! all they could do was give us a cockroach killing spray! the next day we spoke to the rep; who was very nice! and tried to sort things out for us. He came and had a look in our apartment and found cockroach traps so it was obviously a recurring problem. We found that if we just kept the sink plug in the things would be fine, which it was. As the days went on we stayed by the pool because it was very hot. There is a supermarket across the road called jims, which is quite expensive but Jim and his wife are so nice! always saying hello, smiling, asking what your day was like- very nice people! Kefalos is VERY quiet! theres a restuarant up the road called Kastri which overlooks the sea which is about a 10 minitue walk, the foods alright but the service is very slow! if you walk for 20 mins you will find a resturant on the left called scorpios, its run by andrew and maria, very nice people and they cook very nice food, my favorite was the spaghetti bolognaise.The beach is stoney and sandy but be carefull because the sand has some sharp bits in. if you walk along the beach for about 30 minitues from the apartments you will find this watersports place called poseidon, its very cheap there! my brother went on a jet ski for 15 mins which i think was about 30 euros, but he said it was amazing! myself and my mum went on a pedlo which was 10 euros for an hour but we asked for half an hour which was 5 euros! it was very fun and we enjoyed ourselves. the harbour is about an hour away from the apartments and when you get down there, honestly theres nothing there, its very quiet and it would be a waste of time going down there. the first trip we booked was with trust tours, just down the road which was 75euros for 3 people! and with thomas cook it would be about 125 euros!! we went to an active volcano on the island of nisyros. we would of had to walk to trust tours and then a car would take us too the harbour but we woke up late and NO taxis go to kefalos so poppie gave us a lift to the harbour!which was very nice of her! when we got to nisyros after a good boat ride we had a walk around the town for an hour then we got a coach up to the volcano which was just amazing, and you can only do it in 2 places in the world; mexico & nisyros. we walked in too the crater of the volcano which was brilliant and you could see steam coming out of holes, but there was a very strong smell of sulphur!we took hundreds of photos!! would recommend! we came back down from the volcano then had another hour to do stuff and then got the boat back to harbour and car back to trust tours and walked to appts. we were so happy with first trip wanted to do 3 island tour with them but they had sold out which was dissapointing so couldnt do that trip and next one was on friday, but we'd left on thurs so would'nt be able to do it! the busses to and from kos town are bad, only few a day!! in evening theres one at 4.30 and one 9.30 and if you miss them then your stuck and its a 60euro taxi ride to kefalos! didnt go to kos town tho as would be too much hassel with busses! we didnt need air con as there was a ceiling fan in the room which was all we needed. air con 7euros a day but in the 2nd week when loads of people came they upped the price too 50euros a week and 100 euros for 2 weeks! 1st week we got up at 10 everyday and put the on the sunbeds and there were loads left! in second week loads of people came and so we had to get up at 7.30 and by the time we got down there at half 8 there were no sunbeds!!!! at night there is no noise by the bar but you can always hear the crickets outside!!! every window in appt has mosquito net, even front door! which is good! maids come daily apart from thursdays and they change your bedding & towels every few days. btw Jims sell loads of cheap alchohol and drinks and have fresh bread every morning and make lovely cakes and doughnuts! there is a free pasta meal every sunday and you have to pay for drinks only. its a choice of spaghetti bolognaise, carbonara or napolitana. spaghetti bolognaise is very nice!!!! the swimming pool is massive!! very well kept! nice and clean but found chlorine bit strong so skin dried out but that was sorted with a bit of moistuiser! few days before our last day we booked our room on which was 25euros because our flight was at 5 pm and you have to be out of your room by midday. they said we couldnt stay in our room so we were going to move to c3 (below us) but then they moved us to d7. chrysoula has 2 children; poppie and nick. Poppie basically runs it shes always doing everything and on the go! chrysoula ive only seen a few times!!! nick does the maintenance and chrysoula's husband takes care of the grounds, and there are beautifull flowers and palms trees! as the days went by we got used to the room and in the end we thought it was a very good size!!!!! and it wasnt small!!! had a good flight home, saw shooting stars ;D xx would recommend but very quiet place and far away from everything!

I have just returned from 2 weeks at chrysoula's,unlike some of the previous reviews i had a wonderful time,yes the rooms are basic we were in block B,but it is greece what more to expect as for cleanliness,the cleaners were in every day,emptying buckets,cleaning floors,bedlinen changed 4 times in a two week stay,the family were charming and couldn't do enough for you although they seem to work 15 hour days and nights,The pool area is spotless with plenty beds available and if not mention it to the family members on duty and they will go to the store and get beds for you,i have got not a bad word to say about these apartments or the way that they are run,you have to try grandma's chips,they are wonderful,the food served at the pool bar is of a very high standard and if like me you dont want to move too far them your spoiled for choice ,like the previous review we too were delayed on the way back for 5 hours,but i fail to see how that is the chrysoula's fault so marking it down for that is very unfair,I would most certainly return to these apartments in the future with pleasure

1 reader found this review helpful

I'll start off by saying that there are two sides to the apartments, the larger apartments with seperate bedrooms are much bigger (and look like the ones in the brochure) DO NOT BOOK A STUDIO.
Ok so i came back about a week ago and it was very much a holiday of two distinct extremes, the great part in kefalos, and the mess that was anything with Thomas Cook intervention.
Started off flying from Manchester (Thomas cook flight so delayed of course), the plane was clean (for a change) but the food was awful (some things never change). The transfer coach took us to Kardamena first (which is the opposite direction from the airport to kefalos) and as our rep was off sick we didnt have a rep on the coach. We arrived at the accomodation and the coach driver managed ''At the bar'' as a response to about a dozen confused looking passengers. I was in a studio A1 (which means hauling a case up 20 or 30 odd steps at 3am)
Welcome meeting was about 10:30am, so it was unpack and sleep, or sleep a bit then welcome meeting. i chose the former, and didnt see a thomas cook rep till the last day.
Kefalos itself is a lovely resort, the dolphin bar is a must visit and the food at the kastri restaurant is amazing.
Last day came all too quickly, the coach came on time and off we went to the airport, when we got there we were told we had a 2 hour delay. wait outside for an hour then you will get check in instructions we were told.
This soon turned into 7 and a half hours delay. This is when the british reserve was tested, someone asked why the plane was delayed- rep didnt know and wouldnt find out, had it left manchester? rep didnt know and wouldnt find out. could we go back to kefalos and come back in 7 hours when they are ready for us? thomas cook wont take us and if the flight gets brought forward then we would miss our flight and they wouldnt help us get another, by this time the reps were shouting at the passengers. They disappeared for about an hour and then came back, they were asked if any situations had changed and we were told not, it soon became apparent they hadnt been in touch with the uk. we were told that if we were to take our boarding cards to the restaurant over the road there would be food provided- a tiny burger (cold) and a dozen cold chips per person. No reps could be found once we returned to the airport, we saw one about an hour later, we asked for a complaint form to send in to TC in the uk, we were told we couldnt have one as only supervisors can give those out, supervisor will be there in an hour or so, we walked up to arrivals (about 500 yards up the path) found another tc rep and were given the forms with no objections whatsoever, we never saw a Thomas Cook rep for the rest of the night.
we came back the following morning, we had spent 9 hours outside the airport building, any corner of the check in area or chair was occupied by a TC passenger trying to sleep. we came home on a portugese 'luzair' plane, none of us had heard of them, the reason being they have one plane. yes ONE plane.
i'll go back to kefalos but there are nicer hotels than chrysoula (by a long way) and i have vowed never to book with thomas cook again.

11 readers found this review helpful

I have never written a holiday review before and this one is quite difficult because I had very mixed opinions. Kefalos was one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited. It was so hot and the views were just breathtaking. There were a lot of bars and restaurants, of different standard as would be expected, but there was enough to cater for everyone. I couldn't recommend Kefalos enough. If you're in any doubt whether or not to visit... do it. It was amazing.
The hotel on the other hand was a different matter. I'd read a lot of reviews before visiting Chrysoula saying how friendly the owners were however I found them to be completely indifferent. They were abrupt, and seemed very reluctant to help in any way, as if we were an inconvenience not a guest at their hotel. They seemed to make up the prices to items they were selling at the bar. It was one price for one guest, another price for the next.
The pool was faultless. There were plenty of sunbeds, no rushing down early in the morning to bag one and I think that was the best part of the hotel.
The room was substandard. Each block was completely different. We had a ceiling fan (which was excellent as it saved on air con) but a very small, cramped and dated bathroom. The kitchen area and cupboards were disgusting. I wasn't expecting much and even my low expectation were not reached. The pans, plates etc were covered in a layer or mildew, and everything smelt disgustigly damp. We had to keep the wardrobe doors open every day because our clothes smelt of damp and mould from the wardrobe. We visited friends in block b and they had no ceiling fan, a much more spacious bathroom, a smaller wardrobe and a dresser. Every room and every block was completely different. Each guest would have a plus point in their room that another guest was missing out on. There waws absolutely no continuity. There were only 2 cleaners for such a large complex. Our towels were no changed regularly, they were changed twice during the first two days then again on our second to last day. Our sheets were never changed once - just tidied. I can't blame the cleaners for this, there was only two of them but the rooms were definitely not cleaned properly either before or during out stay. There was rubbish left in the bathroom from the previous occupants.
We spoke to a lady in a local restaurant who said she'd received a lot of complaints about Chrysoula this year but commented that was very unusual. It seems that in the past they have given an excellent service but for some reason this year they have failed to reach the mark.

9 readers found this review helpful

Just returned from a two week stay (2 adults + 16 yr old boy) - we stopped in E Block and had some friends who stopped in F block. I can see what people mean about the difference in standard between the blocks - ours in E & F were fault less - clean, tidy, spacious and way over the standard I am used to in Greece - ceiling fans (no need, in my opinion, for the over priced air con), microwave, kettle, toaster, ironing board, iron etc etc. but the earlier blocks (A, B & C) did not seem as spacious or positioned as well.
We had no issues around the pool, very well kept, sunbed always available no matter what time you made it to the pool (bearing in mind it was peak season) although the pool bar was very expensive and if you love a diet of chips, fried food and ice creams then enjoy -(although Grannie's home made chips are excellent but 3 quid a portion!) but great for the kids.
The location is great (15 to 20 minutes walk to the main resort area so quiet if needs be)and Supermarket Jim across the road will do anything for you (tourist info / advice etc)- the family who ran the supermarket (especially Thoula) are delightful and remember your name each morning after only being told once (some doing bearing in mind the number who must pass through the store everyday). Use them for the ice creams etc - they are at least a euro (90p) EACH cheaper and only a 1 minute walk away.
What was the main problem? The family who ran the apartments - I am sorry but I have never known a less social family of owners. In 9 years of going to Greece, part of my holiday has always been meeting and socialising with the family - that is what makes Greece special and the reason we avoid Spain or similar destinations. My complaint is not based on a singular incident that was not resolved and therefore I am holding a grudge or anything, on the contrary I had nothing to complain about at all - this is based on two weeks of being a "customer" at their expensive poolside bar / cafe and expecting at least a smile or a good morning / afternoon / evening without having to instigate it first. Contrast the service you get at the pool bar versus the supermarket!
I read the other reviews with interest and it appears that the family maybe "moving on" - in my opinion this would benefit the apartments, I would never return with the current family there but as stated these are nice apartments in a nice resort - maybe with a different family that I am normally used to experiencing during our travels around the Greek Islands this would be an excellent place to stay and probably would have got a 10/10!
Don't let it put you off - maybe I / we did something wrong, maybe they did not like my spectacles or the colour of my shorts / beach towel but certainly a very, very strange experience (that could have ruined the holiday if it were not for all the other positives) compared to the last 9 years! ;-)

8 readers found this review helpful

PLEASE NOTE I HAVE NEVER PLACED A REVIEW BEFORE BUT FELT THE NEED TO DO SO!!
This was our 2nd visit to Chrysoula i have to say that this year we noticed a distinct change at the apartments. The family as always are friendly and welcoming and work very hard to ensure you have an enjoyable stay but the complex looks tired with broken sunbeds, parasols and light fittings around the pool. The rooms are basic but cleaned regulary (although the floors always feel gritty) with bed linen & towels changed weekly. Although we did have a couple of days this year when the toilet bin & bin in the kitchen were not emptied and overflowed and we had to chase! The bar operates as a reception, currency exchange, restuarant and bar with miminal fuss. The rooms include toaster, microwave, kettle, hairdryer & iron and the newer blocks E & F are large and spacious - well worth paying the extra for for! Grandmas chips and the freshly squeezed orange juice are to die for and all the food served is of a superb quality! You will be charged extra for air conditioning, safe deposit box & late check out. They have a free pasta night and offer a BBQ @ 10 Euros. Bar prices for drinks are dearer than in the bars along the walk down to the harbour but then you expect this around 3.5 euro a short and 3 euro a pint. Restaurants are in great supply with Hubs, Scorpios, Hippocrates & Sydney Bar are all worth a visit. Night life is there if you seek it at Players bar - top tunes and Popeyes who is always smiling still at 6 in the morning! Great watersports at Baywatch - George is a great guy!! Speaking to people at the bar who went on an annual basis and several said that they wouldnt come back as the family are building a hotel with 20 rooms and they felt that it would ruin the whole feel to the complex - which i have to agree as even now its like staying with the Germans as people sneak down early to put towels out and there is no room left if you fancy a lie in - this will become worse with the addition of extra people from the hotel vying for space at the pool. I know that a family who mentioned that they had items that went missing and they were sure it was teh cleaners and it wasnt addressed with the owners correctly. I am not sure what it was (think it was jewellery) but even so you expect things to be safe whilst away. I have to say that Kefalos is a beautiful resort very relaxing with great weather but if returning would probably stay in another complex as we were disappointed this year but dont let this put you off if you go with an open mind and get out and about you will have an amazing holiday.