Arillas Forum
Welcome to Arillas => Accommodation reviews => Topic started by: simo on July 30, 2008, 11:43:46 PM
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Hi, 3rd year on the run to wonderful arillas in august . Late booking this year so was just wondering about staying at the thetis palace down the lane opposite yannis's shop. I used the pool 1 day last year and it was great but very quiet except for a few of our german friends. Does any body know if it has a large german following or is it mostly used by other nationalitys , also has anybody got any snaps of the inside as all the sites I have visited only show the standard pool view.
cheers, Simo.
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Simo
Look at the other recent threads about Thetis. I am seeing ,owner Spiros,tomorrow I hope, so may be able to give you a feel about age groups and who stays there etc.
( generally 8 people around the pool and it's busy )
Negg
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cheers negg,
I have booked the thetis today anyway through olympic holidays but any news would still be helpful, if its gonna be quiet I suppose could bring some cardboard cut outs of sunbathers .
thanks again, Simo.
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Simo
Just a sneak preview of the new pool bar which opened this year.
(http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/6214/thet1mc7.jpg)
A very relaxing place to be.
They do a nice line of ice creams and I was sorely tempted,
Scooped out the freezer and put in a tub - Big selection - aaargh!
(Had a beer instead!)
Anyway, there's another pic on "Arillas Today"
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Don't bring cardboard cutouts as I counted 12 asstd bodies taking advantage of the pool this afternoon. Mixed age groups but still very peaceful.
Spiros is, I think, a great host to make you feel welcome.
Cheers
Negg
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Negg,
I think you should change your nickname from Eggy to " cefax" . Forum users ask a question and you come up with an answer everytime .
Many thanks for the information and the photo, the new pool bar looks great. As for the ice cream , I'm not a great lover of it as it tends to make the Mythos taste strange, I'm sure the sausage dog who kept nicking our sunbeds last year may like a cornet or two though. I must seek you out this year and buy you a drink for your kindness, Do you have a local haunt or do you spread your self about ( in the nicest possible way of course).
cheers , simo.
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looks like youre chillin just fine out there eggy - how long you out there for.
big lee
hold on mrs over me shoulder and asks the question -do you have to be a resident to use the pool
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Hi. I booked the Thetis today via Olympic, 2 weeks from Aug 29th. It seemed nicer than the Galini. Hope this is true.
I am a solo female, aged 55 (birthday while I'm there!), like a drink. looking for a peaceful spot to chill out, walk, and be a beach-bum. NO night-clubs required, just some nice friendly bars and tavernas, and a fabulous beach.
The last time I was in Corfu was 20 years ago (been all over Greece in the meantime - love it, love it, love it!!), and I have have been saying I must go back for a long time, and had a fancy for Arillas for a good while, especially after I found out there is horse riding there! Any info on the horse-riding greatly appreciated (I CAN ride)
Very much looking forward to going, and all tips and hint gratefully received!
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lynwill53 the horse riding is in roda, but they have a minibus which picks you up. i think it costs around 23 euro, and you get a drink thrown in. They ride through the olive groves and then on the beach. I haven't been myself, but i've spoken to others who have, and had a very nice time! I think Arillas travel, and Arkokal do bookings for it. Probably Olga could tell you about it too.
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Thanks for the info Maggie. 23 euros is pretty reasonable for Greece. Almost glad it's not on the doorstep or all my money would go on it like it did in Tingaki, Kos, last year!!! (if anyone interested, fabulous fast riding on saltflats, beach and sand-dunes there!!!)
Who is Olga, and where do I find her?
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Hmmm!
Simo.
I have various watering corners such as Horizon, Coconut, Tria etc but, aftr having a relaxing drink at Thetis, this afternoon, it's another on my list.
So many places - So little time.
Lynwill53
Or... Lyn-you-will...
....enjoy the Thetis. It's got a tad busier now than it used to be but, this afternoon everyone was taking it easy.
Gallini and the Thetis are very different but they each have their own appeal. If I was offered a free week at both I don't know which one I would choose.
Swings n roundabouts.
Olga is at Olga's travel, easily found opposite Amourada Taverna, in Taverna.
Biglee
We're here as long as the cash + a bit of work keeps us here.
Cheers
Negg
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Cheers Negg, I'll look out for you propping up a bar!! Will you still be there at end of Aug/ early Sept?
Lynne
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I hope he is still there in September. I need a drinking partner again. :)
He lives there Lynne. ( lucky lucky) :)
riggers...
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And you won't escape PhilandJen lynwill53! ("Oh no!!" I hear you cry. "I'll have to cancel....") We are there from Aug 27 to Sep 26. Just say hello if you want to...
simo - Ceefax is well spread out but finds time for all he can. He is Arillas Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.... and according to others the Elgin Marbles and Athena all rolled into one!
biglee - he and Mrs Egg had better be there in September. Like riggers we need a drinking partner too (although I suspect it might be a few more of us than that...)
Planned to get to Thetis in July, but so enjoyed Mathraki on the way we never got there. Will put that right in September.
Phil
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Just returned from 2 weeks at the Thetis Palace which we booked through Olympic.
Apparently Olympic are trialing this Hotel for 2 months and have 16 rooms there out of the 26 available. It is a brilliant place. All the other Brits there were like us - booked at the last minute and were apprehensive because of the very low price we had paid. We all got on like a house on fire even though we were all different ages. They were couples in their 20's, 40's and 50's together with families. I have to say we had a great time there. The rooms are basic but very clean and big, sheets and towels are changed every 2 to 3 days and there is satellite TV in every room. We had 1 of the 2 bedroom apartments available which had great views. The pool area is superb and all the staff are very friendly and will go out of their way to make sure you are happy.
The only negatives were the kitchen equipment was a bit basic but Spiros is working on this and if you do not have a kettle in your room just ask. We thought the prices were a bit high in the bar but the Ice cream is great.
All in all we thought the Thetis was a great place and would have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone even single travellers. We all told the Olympic rep that they should keep this as a permanent destination.
Eggy I think the day you visited 6 of us were out on the boat and 2 other groups had gone out for the day. If you had come any other day the pool area would have been buzzing.
RobinM
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Hi lynwill,
Just caught up with this tread as been away for a few days.
I enjoy riding and went to Roda. It wasa nice day out but you all ride out together and have to stay in line. Im afraid there is not a chance of galloping on the beach (you may get a short canter if your horse takes of acerdently) hmhm but the guys with you soon have you back in line. It's still nice to hack through the olive groves, just make sure you give your horse his head when you get to the top of the hill on the main road after as the graval is very loose on the surface unless thats been changed now (this was May) Anyway it's worth going just so you can smell of horse. Enjoy. Viv
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Robin M.
It did look fairly quiet when I was there. ( Well, not as many bodies then! )
General rule of thumb is " If you aint got it - ask for it " - Spiros welcomes this as it always gives him another chance to judge the needs of his next guests.
Negg
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Eggy,
When you next see Spiros will you please thank him from us What a lovely man. We booked a few trips with him and once got there late and missed the bus and he took us there in his car for no extra charge. Please tell him that we shall be forwarding details on to him about Jersey (he had never heard of it before ) as requested.
Karen.
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Karen
Next time I pay him a visit , consider it done.
Negg
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Thanks for all the info chaps. Eggy, Rigger, Phil'n'Jen, look forward to having a beer with you somewhere while I'm there!
RobinM, thanks for the Thetis review, it sounds great! Spiros sounds like a diamond geezer.
Viv, cheers for horsy info. Nice to know they are not so worn out that you think there's a possibility one may take off!! Shame about no gallops on the beach (tip - for that try Tunisia in the winter. Arab and half-Arabs (some stallions!) for about £7 an hour!!Fantastic horses!Crazy gallops!!). I shall certainly go at least once for a hack through the olive groves. Sounds idyllic.
Only 3 weeks to go!
Lynne x
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Hi Again,
As stated in my previous posts my wife and I are due to stay at the Thetis on the 23rd aug, been to Arillas a number of times as independent travellers so its the first time on a package, in the past this has meant not having to vacate our accom' till our transport has arrived, checked our paper work for the Thetis and by International law your rooms have to be vacated by noon on your day of departure, does anybody know if this rule is kept to the letter at the Thetis as our flight out is not till 6.30 the following morning. Although arillas is a great, thats a long time to be wandering around homeless. Also hope that the reported transfer times of 3 to 4 hours are a mistake, if not its a taxi for us ,I will be posting our flight on the taxi forum for a possible share anyway.
cheers , Simo.
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Hi Simo
I would imagine it depends how busy they are and if they have available rooms. We book independently and had to be out by 12 as there was another family coming that day. We managed to get a room at the Marina for 40E but could have got one at Akti for 30E! Really took the hassle out of the waiting as we had a similar flight time. (Well, even though we then went on to have an 18hr delay but thats another story!!)
As for the Transfer in seems that Olympic is renowned for those horrendous transfer times so I would definitely just book your taxi.
Enjoy!
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Hi Simo
We always try to go independent to avoid the decision about chucking the transfer. We often think that having paid for it, you can suffer the 3 hour transfer at the cost of 20 pints of Mythos (at least I do - erja would be proud of me........)
Our first time in 2001 with Olympic had us dropped off a coach in Sidari at 6am after two hours in the midle of the night, totally new to the island let alone Arillas. We stood at the roadside for nearly an hour with our luggage just waiting for a minibus to take us the last few miles. For all we knew we could have been abandoned there completely. What a terrible welcome. We got to Arillas totally unslept, and in daylight. We had been up all night.
Never again. Apparently, Olympic still do this unacceptable transfer. Let them answer me and make their prospects a bit happier.
We always get a taxi or the local hosts on this website help us with a better way. Work with the forum - you will do better.
Last October Thomsons took us via Paleokastritsa (ie first drop) and it only took an hour. We went to Kaloudis and it was wonderful. And cheaper than the flight only. How does that work? I would love Joe our forum expert to explain. Do they charge the local business owners for the privelege of having Jen and Phil and having to put garlic outside their doors, and to keep their babies close to their chests....
For those of you who do not understand just read Arillas Today.
Forum anorak
Phil
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Simo, why not ring them and see if you can pay the extra to keep the room on if its available or book another room for the day, you can contact them via Arillas travel
Ang
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Jo, Phil and Ang,
Thanks for the advice on the noon kick out . Jo and ang , will check out those options , Phil , is that 20 mythos in one session ? No wonder you are on the p.c so much , yer legs have gone lad .
cheers , Chris.
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No Simo - my reputation is a lot worse than Eggy would have you believe. Maybe 19?
lol
Phil
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Hi Simon
You will find the Thetis quite accomodating about keeping a room on as long as they have a room spare. When we were there in July about 12 of us were due to leave at midnight. We were allowed to keep our room and everybody else used it to shower in before we went out for a meal. There was no charge.
I am sure you will enjoy your stay there. We will certainly go back there.
RobinM
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We have just returned from 10 nights stay at the Thetis in Arillas and I can't recommend it highly enough. We were in a ground floor room with a terrace and the room was huge (and I mean vast!!). The bathroom was also a decent size with a bath and excellent shower. There was no shortage of hot water. The mozzies were out in force while we were there and so the mosquito netting on the terrace doors definately helped. I didn't use the cooking facilities as I prefer to eat out so I cannot really comment on them. The only thing I would say is that there was a shortage of hangers in the (massive!) wardrobe but we managed well enough. The pool was lovely and warm and there were plenty of sunbeds surrounded by beautiful beds of flowers. We had the perfect, relaxing holiday that we were hoping for and this was certainly helped by the quality of the accomodation and our hosts who were very welcoming without being intrusive. I didn't want to leave!
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Lennie
Owner, Spiros , is one of the many "good guys" and runs a tight ship with very good staff. I bet if I mentioned the hangers to him that, next time, you'll not have enough gear to use them all up. Cooking facilities are basic but a slight cut above many you will find elsewhere. Glad you enjoyed your stay. Spiros willl be pleased when I tell him.
Cheers
Negg