Paris Village

Our week at Paris village left us feeling more rested than we usually do after a holiday. Angela and Wim gave us such a warm welcome, even though we arrived late. Wim took the time to explain everything, and our accommodation was spot on. There was a welcome basket full of lovely treats, plus milk in the fridge. The pool area was just right: no rush for sunbeds, no early noise, and a lovely peaceful spell in the afternoon. By the pool there's a little bar for drinks, snacks, ice cream, Greek coffee, and our favourite 0.0% beer, Fix. There are also handy repurposed fridge freezers filled with books and games. The WiFi was great, which mattered a lot with our teenage children. There are some lovely, reasonably priced restaurants nearby, all good quality. We liked Socrates for a higher-end meal and Billy's place for the best Gyros at 3.50 euros. The beach close to the apartment is lovely but stony, so sea shoes are a good idea. Getting in and out of the water wasn't graceful! We didn't explore the area during our week off, but people we spoke to said there are lovely beaches nearby. I also heard Angela is very helpful with arranging hire cars. We were sad to leave Paris Apartments. They're special, and we met such lovely people there. Maybe the place attracts them, or maybe we just got lucky. We'd love to come back!

We spent our summer holiday here as a family of four, and enjoyed it even more once we had a rental car and could get around. Angela and her staff were fantastic whenever we needed help, from sorting a car and suggesting outings to finding cream for mosquito bites. The welcome basket was a thoughtful touch. I'd recommend having a car: parking is provided, and it's easier to reach places further away. Our two-bedroom accommodation had a well-stocked kitchen with enough plates and dishes for six, plus plastic cups and dishes that would suit younger kids. The fridge was the biggest I've ever had, with a freezer compartment for stocking up. There was a filter coffee machine and kettle, but no toaster, so we used the oven grill. I missed having a microwave for quicker warming. The stove's two plates took a while to heat up and cool down. The bathroom had a shower but no bathtub, which worked for us. There was one double bed and two singles, plenty of wardrobe space though the wardrobes were a little outdated. We could have used more hangers, but I didn't ask. There was no ironing board in the room, which I did miss, but I didn't ask for one. A/C was only in the bedrooms, which was enough, but it costs extra and is a must in hot weather. The pool area has loungers and tables, and guests shared them sensibly without hoarding or abusing them. The grounds are lovely, with well-kept trees and vegetation that are especially welcome in the heat. Towels were available on request, and there were a table tennis table and basketball hoop with equipment provided, though we used our own. There’s also a poolside library where you can read or leave a book. For longer stays, you can access a washing machine. Pool towels are provided, and each unit has a clothes stand and washing lines. Be ready for mosquitoes and keep the screen door shut to keep other insects out. I wish I'd known to bring repellent and bands, as both my kids got bitten indoors and out. We also came across a few centipedes, which initially freaked my daughter out, though she got used to them. We didn't have the ant problem we've had at some other places. WiFi was available but a bit patchy. There are restaurants within walking distance, but the food is very Greek and meat-heavy. There are vegetarian options, though after a few days the selection can feel repetitive. Allegro was good, Socrates was better, the Garden was okay, and I wouldn't go back to Hellas. We got most of what we needed at the supermarket and picked up water at reception. We also took the bus to the farmers market in kalamata, which stops in front of the supermarket. The beach takes about 5-10 minutes to reach on foot, depending on who's walking. It's stony with a few sandy patches. It was ridiculously hot during our visit, and I'd choose a more bearable time of year so we wouldn't have to stay in the room some days. We still enjoyed the holiday.

The gardens are gorgeous, with thoughtful planting that gives each apartment its own privacy. The rooms are a lovely size, with modern shower rooms, and the whole complex is kept very clean. You can tell the staff take real pride in the place. We had a blissful stay, thank you. ❤️‍🩹

The pool looked nice, but we couldn't really use it because the owners' children played in it all day, seemingly without considering the guests. During our nine nights, our room was cleaned only twice. The boiler was in a closet in the adult bedroom, which felt extremely dangerous, and on arrival the owner handed us a book full of rules. The so-called breakfast was a basket for three with one loaf of bread, a spoonful of each of two cheap jams, and 50 grams of cheese. Air conditioning cost an extra 3 euros a day, despite us paying over 100 euros a night. One day my wife brought coffee to the pool and was told she'd have to pay for it next time. Their coffee is terrible, which isn't our fault. This was the most unpleasant place we've ever stayed. We'd never recommend it.