Irini (Irene) Studios - (Accommodation in Katelios)

Tony F           

We've stayed about 6 times now and many visitors are repeat bookings. Beautiful airy rooms (8 studios and one gloomy basement apartment)though some have two balconies and are much to be preferred. Stunning views at the back over countyside especially in the evening. Traffic noise is very minimal despite brochure comment - great fun watching drivers negotiate the poorly sign-posted junction. Irene the owner is friendly and helpful though has limited English but very patient with our broken Greek. She and her daughter keep the rooms unbelievably clean and linen is changed twice a week. Son Dionysos mooches round but not as good with the remarkable fruit and vegetable garden as his father Dmitri who seems to have disappeared a couple of years ago. We are unable to go in 2002 because of illness. Can anyone let us know which company Irene is with for 2003. Tony Farson and Kath Jones.

Persas Taverna - (Restaurants in Katelios)

Tony F           

Definitely the best food in Katelios (though we once had one spectacular and untypical dud - some very dodgy prawns)and well worth the hike up from Kato Katelios and the poor view. Lots of dishes not to be had elsewhere and varying daily specialities and some nice touches with free appetisers. Can get very busy and service can suffer but usually poly endaxi! Don't miss the family photos inside and the stories of the flight from Smyrna in 1923. Also see if there are any of the original menus around with the photos of the opening night and the blessing by the priest. The Greek night in 2001 was pretty disappointing but may be better now - best in the Elleniko. Tony Farson and Kath Jones

Sunrise Fish Taverna - (Restaurants in Skala)

Tony F           

Our most visited taverna on the planet and probably the most relaxing taverna in the galaxy. So many times we hiked to the beach past the rocks, stopped off for the excellent and genuinely big beers and then lunch and then more beers, then..... Victor is a great character - as every ex New York cabbie should be - and salesman and regularly plied us with free beers - but the quality of the lunches - get the sardines whenever they're available - meant the place sells itself. We found it very quiet in the evening but day time was our regular mode. We checked out the rooms too. They looked really great but we just couldn't drag ourself away from Katelios. Tony Farson and Kath Jones.

Irini (Irene) Studios - (Accommodation in Katelios)

Tony F           

Just an update from an earlier comment. Irini still the main contender for quiet but well located accommodation with stunning views. (Doumas to be avoided as part of a growing "complex" - unless you like that kind of thing !) Visited in 2003 - and delighted to see beautiful new furniture. Towels could do with replacing, though. Irini still working her heart out for her guests and we'll be there again in 2004. Agree please feed the kittens !!

Jerrys Elliniko - (Restaurants in Katelios)

Tony F           

Surprised to see comments about the service. We were hugely impressed by the number and attentiveness of staff even when it was busy, and had intended to post to that effect even before reading others' views. Food has gradually improved and was excellent in 2003 and am glad to see the beef stamna praised. Only taverna in Katelios that doing it and not to be missed, though do not expect to return to the UK (or wherever)without adding a few kilos ! Music fans will be impressed by the CD collection and Gerry may let you choose when he retires to the bar late on. After several years in Katelios the Elliniko is now our all round favourite taverna.

Sunrise Fish Taverna - (Restaurants in Skala)

Tony F           

Great to be back in 2003 to see a few changes: easier to get to now the road has been surfaced to the end, and Victor has invested in some swish furniture (up on the terrace) and a new terrace roof. Ignore the posers' places on the way and head for the best food and real Greek hospitality it town.

Sirines - (Restaurants in Katelios)

Tony F  (24 February 2004)         

The guy who worked in Sirenes (and other places) was probably Stuart. Stuart got himself into some very serious trouble, we heard, and the locals made it clear he was no longer welcome. Whereabouts no longer known. Seemed OK to me, but the allegation was not at all nice. Sorry. PS Service in the Sirenes seems to run on slow or stop.

Katelios Resort - (Resorts in Kefalonia)

Tony F           

We have been to Katelios many times and have always enjoyed staying at the Irene apartments. We are due to go again for 2 weeks on 24th June. Can anyone tell me if you can still hire electric fans from Marinos? Anyone booking for the Irene should reqest either room 7 or room 8 because the 360degree views from both are magnificent.

Kath Jones(UK) 17/06/04

Irini (Irene) Studios - (Accommodation in Katelios)

Tony F           

Didn't realise Irini surfed this site ! Visited again summer 2004 and beautiful new fluffy towels have appeared, so all possible requirements met (see previous post). Also very smart new french doors installed on to the balconies with - we kid you not - double glazing. Staggered to hear from Irini (if my fractured Greek is right) that Dimitri is 80 this year. He still keeps his extensive fruit & veg garden immaculate. Was slightly surprised and honoured to be embraced by this reserved and proud man 10 minutes after Greece won the European Cup, but I guess that was a once in a lifetime event ! Irini says Dionysos is working in the wine trade in Athens but puts in an appearance from time to time. Booked again for '05 - of course ! Tony Farson & Kath Jones.

Albouro Restaurant - (Restaurants in Katelios)

Tony F           

 
A new Arbouro restaurant opened in the grounds of the Arbouro acommodation in summer 2006 to the west of the original now closed eatery.  We have been very complementary about all the tavernas in Katelios.... up till now.  The new Arbouro was appalingly awful both for service and especially food on both occasions, though why we went twice escapes me.  On the second visit they told us they had no fish, although it was on the menu.  They then served a table of Greeks with a fish banquet while providing us with a tasteless seafood meze mostly out of tins.  The main courses were little better.  Given the quality of the food available I would not expect this to be there in 2007.
 
Tony Farson & Kath Jones, Prescot UK

Irini (Irene) Studios - (Accommodation in Katelios)

Tony F           

Visited again in July 2006.  Up to the usual very high standards and nice to meet Dimitri and Irini again.  Great holiday despite torrential thunderstorm and hillside fire starting to edge a little close for comfort. 

 
Photos show the front of Irini and views from top back balcony in 2003, left
towards the sea and right towards the Blue Sea with the village of Markopolous higher up on the hill.
 
Tony Farson & Kath Jones
 
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Irini (Irene) Studios - (Accommodation in Katelios)

Tony F           

 
Forgot to add to previous post.  The building work on the side of the valley continues so the photos are a bit out of date.  The smart new house are some distance away but not quite the pristine rural view it used to be sadly.
 
Tony Farson and Kath Jones

Sunrise Fish Taverna - (Restaurants in Skala)

Tony F           

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We've been coming for years - see previous posts.  Glad of the opportunity to re-post the photo of the the great man Victor always ready to re-fill that glass.  Food seems to be improving over the years.  The "isikia" - peace and tranquillity remains the same.  I suspect the bites are not from cat fleas but from the day time mozzies who enjoy the lunch time shade as much as we do.  Tony Farson and Kath Jones.

Jerrys Elliniko - (Restaurants in Katelios)

Tony F           

 
We ate there 3 times in 2005 and also in 2006 and had really great food every time and the Elliniko even in it's new location continues to get our number 1 vote against the very strong competition in Katelios.  The courgette patties are light fluffy delicious concoctions made stunningly fresh to order and we had them on every visit they were so good.  Try getting Jerry to say the name in Greek - even he can't manage it! Several other places have followed Jerry with the beef stamna (see previous post), a rich beef casserole topped with cheese.  His is by far the best and comes in a trencherman's portion that should really be renamed beef stamina.  Jerry's daily specials are good value - the only downside is that he mostly doesn't have the fresh fish his competitors on the front provide but he more than makes up for it with quality, range, freshness and service.
 
Tony Farson and Kath Jones
 

Venus Car Rental - (Car Rental in Kefalonia)

Tony F           

 
Agree Costas is a top man.  We hired a great car one year but had to go back to him in an emergency a few days later to "borrow" a car to move someone who was ill and could not get her flight home to alternative accommodation.  The Olympic rep was u/s in the whole thing but Costas told us to take a car for free for an hour or two and stick the keys back through his letter box as he was picking someone up form the airport. 
 
A new and rather swish Venus office was opening up the road opposite the Efrosini in summer 2006 - hope it doesn't go to his head and spoil the natural generous Greek spirit which gets him so much well deserved business.
 
Tony Farson and Kath Jones

Katelios Resort - (Resorts in Kefalonia)

Tony F          10/10

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We've been coming to Katelios for about 15 years and it remains the great place for a relaxing holiday in an authentic quiet Greek holiday/fishing village that it always was.  (It can get a bit busy like anywhere else in late July/August when Italians and others turn up in droves in camper vans.) Tourism and building are starting to encroach and there are one or two smart joints on the seafront but it retains the genuine feel of old style Greece with several local characters, especially Marinos the friendly supermarket owner who works 18 hours a day in the season and Irini and Dimitri who run the best accommodation in the village (IMHO).  Many visitors return year after year like us and staff stay on and work their way up from waiters to taverna owners and are happy to share the latest gossip and occasional scandal!   The quality of food in the tavernas is renowned across the island - especially for freshly caught fish - and townies from Argostoli drive over at the weekend with huge extended families arriving at about 2230 sending waiters into a frenzy of table reorganising.  There's not a lot to do apart from lounging by the pool or the beach, eating in the tavernas or visiting the low-key bars so will not suit some people.  The beach is very gradually shelving with some small patches of sand so great for small children .  Seaweed is a problem very early in the season and if there has been a particularly heavy storm but the Demos tractor it away to the organic farm (not joking!) up the road.  No water sports.  Accommodation is small and family owned and the comments on this site are very reliable.  Unfortunately the big travel companies have put the bite on owners in recent years over prices and availability has been variable.  I have extensively checked out the rumours about the harbour and it will be at the end of the beach by the Cozy bar and quite small and only for yachts and there is no truth at all about road widening. We'll be back again in June/July 2007.
 
Tony and Kath
Prescot UK

Persas Taverna - (Restaurants in Katelios)

Tony F          4/10

We've been coming to Persas since a few weeks after the opening and have posted some very positive comments in the past.  However we feel Persas seems to have lost interest in the business and food and service (particularly) are well below what they were.  She now seems to be starting up some sort of accommodation agency/car hire outfit round the back of the taverna (where no one will see it!).  Other tavernas now serve most of what was originally a very exciting menu and rather better quality.  The location is not great and the walk we mentioned is not now worth it for us staying in the Irini, but handy for the increasing accommodation at the top end of the village.  Would not be surprised to see it change hands in the next year or two.  Big shame.
 
Tony and Kath
Prescot UK

Sirines - (Restaurants in Katelios)

Tony F (28 June 2007)

My sincerest apologies to Alison and of course Stuart if we have misrepresented the situation in good faith.  I remember you both in Katelios as very friendly people and particularly Stuart's high speed waitering, rather different to the usual "siga siga" of Greek tavernas.  What we were told seemed surprising to say the least, and I am glad the record has been put straight. 
 
Although I check this site every couple of months at least I am sorry that I have not noticed this comment before today.  By coincidence we are leaving for Katelios in a couple of hours and I will be speaking to my source by the end of today.
 
Tony Farson

Irini (Irene) Studios - (Accommodation in Katelios)

Tony F

Very sorry to say after visiting Irini 11 times over about 14 years she will not be with an English tour company in 2008.  She has decided to go with Dutch Tui - she showed us her contract with much regret.  She decided partly because of the continuing low rates from English companies but mainly because Thomson's are now expecting all accommodation owners to be computer savvy and handle communications with the company and room allocations etc via email/internet.   When you are a nice old Greek lady of 67 you may not want to go to Argostoli every week for computer training from scratch.  Thomson's are generally hugely reducing their rep support to clients and accommodation owners as part of increasing margins on holidays.  Families travelling to Skala this year were dropped in the square and given a hand drawn map and told to find their own way to their accommodation, just what you want with suitcases, buggies and young children, having caught the 0600 flight from Manchester.

Hopefully Thomson's Dutch counterpart will treat Irini better, as she deserves.  We will miss Irini and are making arrangements to stay in private accommodation in Katelios next year.  It's easy to do and cheaper.
 
Tony Farson and Kath Jones

Captain Jerry - (Restaurants in Katelios)

Tony F          9/10

New for the 2007 season and expanded in 2008 as doing well.  No relation to Jerry's Elliniko, as Jerry is one of the commonest names on the island, after the patron saint, Gerasimos. 

Service and food excellent especially from the grill - had one of the best pork souvlakis ever.
 
Tony Farson and Kath Jones

Sunrise Fish Taverna - (Restaurants in Skala)

Tony F          6/10

I'm afraid after praising Victor to the skies here several times we have finally fallen out with him for the same reason as others.  After welcoming us on our return in 2009 he flatly ignored our order and brought us the lunchtime fish special.  It was a very good fish special, but not the sardines we had ordered.  We haven't suffered this before and had always thought he treated us well.  He knows we have recommended him on the Net and we have been very frequent visitors in the past - possibly our reduced rate may be why he decided to rip us off. The homely food, views and ambience are still good but buyers should beware. 

Tony & Kath