Ionian Sands Villa
, Lourdas
Ionian Sands Villa reviews
- Holiday Date:May 2011
- Advice: Ensure you hire a car
- Good For: Beach
- Board Basis:Room Only
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
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5 readers found this review helpful
As a Travel Agent I have wanted to stay in these Villas for years but they can be quite pricey. I managed to get my Mum and Dad to come along and we took our 22 month old daughter.
We arrived by coach and then taxi Transfer as Coaches can't get down to the bottom of Lourdas.
The villa upon arrival looked stunning with an inviting pool that just warranted a dip.
The Interior is clean and ample in size, Some mirrors/shower curtains etc.. are a bit tired looking but the Air Conditioning was a god send.
On a negative the door to the ground floor bedroom onto the Terrace did not lock but my Husband managed to Jammy it to lock, The pool is really clear and clean except for some of the sides had Dirt and meldue that had not been cleaned and the Infinity Pool is not really an Infinity pool as the view has an overgrown hedge blocking the sea when in the pool. Again in the ground floor room the Air Con did not seem to work. Otherwise the Villa is Lovely.
The doors have screens to the outside terrace which stops the mossies and wasps getting in. As the property has fantastic flowers and trees around it there are alot of insects so make sure you take plenty of repellant.
I would also advise to eat out as the BBQ Meat etc.. is quite pricey and we thought it would be cheaper to eat out every evening
The walk sown to the IOnian Sun complex and the beach is through a wooded area with a Centre Parks feel. It is a lovely walk down but a nightmare up as it has 160 steps and steep paths to climb so make sure your fit and able as it was hard carring a child and pram as well as having a full blown meal etc!!
The big mini markets and some reataurants are up the top of Lourdes and that is a very steep walk up hill so make sure you hire a car or get the one and only taxi in town if you can get him and you would pay 6 euros for that.
The ionian sun complex is nice but the reception is rarely manned, The pool bar that serves snacks was only open 10 -17.00 when I was there so a bit of a pain.
I would highly recommend Lorraines Magic Hill Restaurant which is run by a american lady and her greek Husband. The food is fantastic and the portions are huge! Prices are resonable for what you get and it has fantastic views over the sea and beach. All produce is from her farm and allotment so all organic!! If you do go say Strawberry Daquri Jenni recommended it!!!
Also if you have a choice book into the Ionian Beach before the Sands only because I think it has more of a panoramic view of everything!!
All in all the place is beautiful but make sure your fit and able to walk as it is a very steep hilly resort!
Also we went end of May and some restaurants were only just opening up, so beginning of the may may be quiet and have limited places to eat out.
- Holiday Date:May 2009
- Good For: Beach
- Board Basis:Self Catering
- Tour Operator:Manos
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3 readers found this review helpful
The villa is lovely and the aspect perfect. But as with everything there must be some negatives; it took an eternity to get the hot water to run 'tepid' even let alone hot - at times we had to run the shower for five minutes before it became luke warm. The entrance to the drive involves a very sharp and steep uphill left turn - which was impossible in the little tin can of a Kia we had rented - so we needed to drive down the road, find a place to turn, and approach it from the other (Easterly) direction.
There was a total lack of information as to how to use appliances (it took several minutes to work out hoe the cooker worked) and zero personal welcome/contact from the management to check all was OK. However, they did respond relatively quickly when I phoned them and asked them to remove a rather large dead rat I found on the steps leading up to the villa (OK, rats are prevalent in this part of the world and they do seem to actually lay out poison as they say they do - so the rat was not an issue for us)- anyway they did deal with it quickly.
THe place was spotless when we arrived and was cleaned twice and linen changed twice in the seven nights we were there. No complaints there then.
Transport is essential - although those who don't mind steep uphill walks will survive - the beach is 10 minutes there and about 15 minutes back. Lorraine's Magic Hill is great - but a litte over-quick on service (little chance to catch your breath let alone a quick ciggie between starter and main), Trifelli became our favourite - no frills, quite robust and rustic food but very tasty with a degree of authenticity about it - and it's only a 5 - 10 minute walk away on the beach road. On the beach, Klimatis is very good for a light lunch - charismatic service and good food.
Tip: If you intend walking out in the evening (once you've parked your car you won't want to take it out again in the dark!) take a torch as the road to the villa is not lit.