Popi Studios & Apartments

3 readers found this review helpful

My husband and I wanted to go on a sunny holiday before the winter at the beginning of October and we thought Greece would be the only place sunny in Oct and close by.
First Choice did mention that it was pretty much the last week or the season for Kefalos, but we didn't expect it to be so empty. Most restaurants and bars had closed until next spring and we quickly ran out of options for entertainment and meals. So we picked our favourite restaurant and kept going there as food was delicious, fresh and staff friendly 'Captain John' on the beach.
At the studios, it was just us and a lady with her teenage daughter at the pool every day. Popi's husband was taking care of the bar and didn't speak much english but we understood each other, so that was fine. Not much was happening at the studios since it was just the four of us and Popi and her family, but we were looking to spend some time together, peace and quiet, catch up on sleep and get a bit of sun and that's exactly what we did for the first half of the week.
Unfortunately for us there was a serious storm on the Aegean sea and the weather went from gorgeous (no clouds, light breeze, 30 degrees) to very strong winds, pouring rain and quite cold which lasted for a couple of days. As if it wasn't bad enough, I pulled my back out (I've got a scoliosis) and so because we've got a really good bed at home, my back 'rebels' if I'm sleeping on a cheap'er' bed. We had to go to Kos Town so I could see a physio and so we rented a car for little money actually. I have to say the First Choice rep was here within 15 minutes after we called and gave us the address for the physio. For 50 euros, I got an hour full of all sorts of treatments that very much helped until I got back to my chiropractor in London. It was great to do some shopping and walk around in a busy town in a rather grey weather, when we would have been bored back in Kefalos otherwise.
Then the most amazing thing happened. The next day, as we were going back for lunch, someone knocked at the door. Popi was standing there with a smoking hot mountain of freshly cooked delicious pasta on a plate, obviously for two. She must have seen me walking like a granny for a couple of days and felt bad so she offered us some warm food for lunch! We were gobsmacked!
Not only that, she did the exact same thing the next morning, the morning we were packing to leave! So we quickly went to the only shop opened at the end of that week - it was pretty much deserted especially after that weather (!) - and we bought her the best bottle of wine we could find. She refused it at first, but finally accepted and gave us both a big kiss on the cheek, waved us goodbye when we got on the bus for the airport and kept blowing kisses as we drove away. Very sweet.
So although the studio was very basic as everyone else said, but it had all we needed really. We may have liked a TV/radio for the rainy days and a curtain to the shower perhaps, but it was always very clean and peaceful.
Overall, I'd say it was half successful because of the deserted empty resort (First Choice should have warned us), the weather, and my back problem that spoiled it all. But Popi & her family are modest and she's very sweet but simply very passionate about her establishment. So people trying to take advantage of their generosity will get yelled at unevitably, they're Greek!

Having read some not too complimentory reviews of this holiday complex I was a little apprehensive about what we might find. However I am delighted to say that having just returned from a week at villa Popi, my wife and I have had a very good holiday indeed. The appartments are clean and well presented, perhaps a little basic, but we have stayed in Greek island studios before which couldn't even come up with two matching mugs! The pool area is lovely and always spotlessly clean and is plenty big enough for the amount of guests staying. The pool bar is nice although it does close quite early and it would be nice if it was still open when returning from a meal in the evening, but perhaps they have found there is not enough trade to make it worth while. I have stayed some places where the pool bar is the life and soul of the complex and others were you stand almost alone of an evening. The Villa Popi is at the quiet end of a fairly quiet resort so if you are after a serious nightlife you have got the wrong place but if you want a quiet relaxing holiday in pleasant suroundings then this is excellent.

Both me and my partner stayed at villa popi for a week and i have to say it was one of the best holidays ive had.We were very welcomed by the friendly staff of First Choice,who visited on a daily basis.The staff were friendly and helpful aswell.The studio was basic,but provided us with eveything we needed;as the room is only to sleep in really.Kefalos is a nice village.the nightlife was ok,the main bar was Sydneys,which provided entertainment every night.We also went on a bus to kos town which is not far away at all.
Overall, we had an excellent holiday and stay at villa popi and would definately visit again.

Apartments are small, but clean. They are very much on the edge of the resort, and although this is quiet, expect to walk or drive for any real entertainment as the entertainment at the hotel is non-existant - Tina (daughter) manages the bar and doesnt speak to you. Advertises the bar is open until 10pm, however it is more like 8pm - so no real atmosphere to speak of at all. Pool is small, but so are the number of apartments so this is fine. We, overall, had an 'ok' week. Not the best holiday by far we have ever been on in Greece, but relaxing. This was until the last night, when myself and another guest received a gobful of abuse from both Poppi and her daughter. The facilities are very basic indeed, with no where to store bags on check-out or take a shower. As the normal check-out time is 12 noon, there is an option to keep a room on until 8pm, costing 20 euros per apartment. Another guest and I decided it would be a good idea to keep one room on for an extra day, sharing the 20 euros cost - just really to store our bags and somewhere to shower in the evening as we were not being picked up until the middle of the night. This is something we have done many times before, with no problems. The family went ballistic, shouting at us across the pool and bar, mother and daugher - behaving like they had seriously lost their minds. We were then glared at all day by the whole family, ignored, and meant to feel very uncomfortable on our last day. Another gripe you can expect is the daily influx of Greek relatives and neighbours that constantly use the pool on a daily basis - 10 in one afternoon I counted. It really does feel like you are gatecrashing a family get together every day. I understand they live there, however if they are opening up their homes to guests for the summer, then they should at least be pleasant to people who are paying to be there and respect their useage of the facilities. We left with a high opinion of Kos, but really let down and disgusted at our treatment by the owners of this property and First Choise, who were just never there...

Fantastic apartments, quite basic but extremely clean, family who own the apartments could not do enough for us. We were a family of 3 staying with our 9 month old baby and they were falling over themselves to help us, they are so friendly and helpful, highly recommend. Small pool is ideal for young children, very safe. Food was fantastic and very resonable as well. All freshly made there and then, was delicious. Resort was quite but that is exactly what we wanted. Small beach which was sand was only a couple of mins away, only about 10 beds, but lovely and quiet, with turquoise blue sea. Resort is only 10-15 mins from airport on coach so very close but you do not get any planes flying over, will definitely be going back!

Popi Studios is a tranquil, relaxing and enjoyable place to enjoy a holiday, the rooms are small but big enough. The studios are kept extremely clean by Popi and her daughter Tina. Towels and bedding being changed twice a week. The pool was clean and the bar always open serving cheap drinks, snacks and even a full English breakfast in the morning for just 4 euros.
Kefalos itself is a beautiful resort and Popi Studios is a short walk from the beach, supermarket, harbour and plenty of bars and tavernas. We stayed for two weeks and only managed to cover about a third of the bars and tavernas. I recommend The Golden Fleece mostly, it is very affordable, the food is excellent and the staff are more than friendly, by the end of the holiday they treated us as family. Another restaurant that we found excellent was Captain Johns which is on the beach itself and again 10/10 for the food. However, the only taverna I would say to avoid is Sabastians you can smell the pre made meals as you walk in. Not pleasant.
We travelled as a party of 2 adults, 3 teenagers and 1 child and we found that night-life in Kefalos for the teenagers was basically non-existent. Sydneys bar however provided fun for the whole family, every night of the week was different. The acts included 2 bands, 2 comedians a quiz night and a karaoke night. There is 2 nightclubs in the centre of Kefalos, Siwa and Survivor, both good fun but not enough people there really.
The beach is fantastic, water sports excellent however the pebbles are annoying and hurt your feet. We hired a quad bike for just 12 euros a day and used it to visit the smaller beaches just up the main road. Ten mins got us to a beautiful white sand beach called Laga Da Beach definitely worth visiting.

Popi Apartments:
The Greek family-run studio and single bedroom blocks which are situated on a side road near the port in a quiet part of Kefalos surrounded by gardens and trees and has a tranquil atmosphere.
Villa Popi has about 14 apartments which are a mixture of twin or double bedded studios and some with single bedrooms in two blocks and each block has two floors which at first seems basic, but are more than worthy of the 2 Key rating it is afforded; they consist of a kitchenette with two cooking rings and fridge, bathroom with shower and wc, and private balcony or terrace.
The first floor studios afford views across the bay of Kefalos of which we can substantiate the claim; ground floor studios look out onto the jungle like garden or pool of which you can watch the sun rise and set, we enjoyed pleasant afternoons seated with a cool drink soaking up the sun.
The apartments were kept very clean even when we left clothing all over the place, the crockery and cutlery was in place, basic but clean, our party had two apartments one studio on the first flour and one single bedroom apartment on the ground level, the apartments were cleaned three or four times a week, towels and bed linens changed twice a week.
The beds in our apartment was one of the most comfortable we have ever slept in.
There seemed to be amble supply of the solar heated hot water for showers and washing.
The air conditioning cost 35 Euros per week and the room safe deposit box cost 5 Euros per week.
The owners live in a small building located in between the two apartment blocks. It was a convenient five-minute walk from the resort centre to the sand & shingle beach a large supermarket and eating places.
The resort has two lovely swimming pools, sun beds, and parasols and a pool bar which serves inexpensive food, ice creams, and drinks all day, use of the pool is free.
They showed their pride in their vocation by making the complex so clean and tidy and going out of their way in being helpful.
Kefalas is truly a peaceful hillside town and a great place to relaxation, with its beautiful little harbour and a good choice of shops, bars, and restaurants.
We dined at proper Greek restaurant/s as well as your normal ones with Fresh Fish and Greek food, Italian and English and we also tried the same places that Greek families used, all the restaurants we visited were friendly, kind, good, inexpensive, and fun.
After reading some of the bad reviews for Villa Popi we were apprehensive about our holiday thankfully we can say they were unfounded (professional complainers).

Our Stay was one of the most relaxing and enjoyable holidays ever, we picked this holiday from First Choice to chill out and chill out we did. Thank you Popi and family for making our holiday so enjoyable not forgetting the First Choice Rep.

My girlfriend and I enjoyed a great week in Kefalos at Villa Popi. We found it to be ideal for young couples such as our self who were looking for a quiet, peaceful location with just enough night life to eat and drink at a different place every evening.
The apartment was simple and clean, with a decent shower, hob and fridge. The pool area was particularly nice and there were always plenty of sun lounges where we could keep our self to ourselves.
The bars and restaurants were friendly and reasonably priced, if not always very busy. However there were a couple of lively bars where it was possible to socialise and enjoy the occasional extravagant cocktail.
There did appear to be a number of interesting exertions available, although there was also plenty to do if as us, you are on a shoestring budget and we were grateful to the rep for not forcing these on us.
Overall Kefalos is a typically English /Greek resort with a relaxing atmosphere ideally suitable for holiday makers looking for quiet holiday in a beautiful location. As for Villa Popi we could have no complaints and would have no problems with returning there.

After arriving here everything seemed to be great! I was unable to use sun loungers due to a bad back and could only spend the days sat on a chair reading and watching our 6 year old and his mum in the pool. 2 days from the end of our stay I was confronted by the mad woman who owns these apartments and accused of breaking two sun loungers and demanding 100 euros.
After all, the rest of the English guests had rallied around to my defence. The mad woman owner was having none of it so if you’re thinking of going here! You’d be better off stopping just down the road at the NORMAN BAITES HOTEL, cos his mummy is off her rocker.

Poppi studios are a lovely quiet place to stay. The rooms are clean and nice enough and the pool is lovely. Always clean, never too crowded (which is good considering it is on the small side) and Popi herself is friendly enough.
We really enjoyed our stay here, the only draw back to the whole holiday was we found it too quiet in the evenings with not enough to do. We went as a group of 6 with 2 kids aged 11 and 8 and really there was not much to keep them entertained.
Luckily they were happy once we found a pool table but I would recommend to think twice about this resort if you have kids. I imagine it would be great if you are an older couple, but as a family we would have liked to have seen more evening entertainment, kids games, karaoke etc.
Having said that there are no shortage of restaurants and tavernas along the stretch of beach. The beach wasn’t particularly nice, quite rocky, but that didn’t bother us as we are more pool people anyway.
We had a great holiday and I’m glad we've been but I don’t think I’ll be going back to Kefalos.