Manolo Studios

The location, facilities, and views are fantastic. My concern is that there are no mattress protectors and the sheets don't fit properly, with only one sheet provided. The mattresses seem to get dirtier with each guest.

The setting is presented in a way that can make it seem close to the beach, but that wasn't our experience. The studio is actually high up a very steep hill, a hard climb that people with heart problems may not manage. There was no water bottle supplied or any option to buy one during our stay, so we had to carry heavy bottles all the way up. The owner was extremely aggressive and rude after taking our payment. The studio badly needs renovation. The mattress was so old that even a homeless person wouldn't want to sleep on it, and I could feel the springs in my back. The bathroom was old and smelly, with damaged plumbing and cramped cubicles. The chairs were broken, and the TV was just a dummy with no channels. The view couldn't make the holiday better either: on the shared balcony, damaged air conditioning dripped water over our heads, so we couldn't relax there. The price is far too high for the standard of these studios. If you doubt this, look at the owner's previous rude responses on other websites to guests who raised the same issues. Avoid this place at all cost. We paid for five nights but cut our losses and left after three, then paid to book and stay in another hotel.

The view from up there is the main event. Every studio in George's complex looks out over Paleokastritsa's bays, and the panorama was even better in person than the online photos suggest. The shared terrace has little tables for chatting with neighbors or sitting for hours over the blue water and the golden-hour light. Each studio also has its own terrace or balcony. As someone always chasing a good view, I'd say staying higher up gave us the best of both worlds compared with beachfront. George had texted all the important details a few days before we arrived, and we trusted right away that he'd look after us. When we got to Paleokastritsa, we couldn't find the apartment, partly because Corfu doesn't really have street names. George showed up in less than two minutes and guided us to the studio, much faster than a hotel check-in. Inside, everything matched the description. The clean studio had cutlery, wine glasses, a sponge, towels, a safe, and hand sanitizer, plus the things needed for a COVID-safe holiday. The strategically placed air conditioning cooled the room fast, which really matters. If something was missing, George was easy to ask. George is the most devoted host I've ever met. He clearly enjoys making people's holidays special, and his bright smile and genuine positivity made us feel cared for. There were thoughtful little touches too. We made a makeshift ashtray one day, and the next morning there was a proper one on the table. After that it was cleaned each day. One evening we left the trash outside to take to a container the next morning, but it was already gone, with new bin bags left by our terrace. I still don't know who took care of those things. It felt like studio living with hotel service, or maybe a house elf. We stayed about a week at Manolo Studios and felt pampered from beginning to end. I usually travel on a budget and look for the lowest prices, but this place is a gem. Don't hesitate.

The mattresses were in good shape, and the kitchen had been renovated, as had the shower cabin. Giorgos and his mother were very helpful, and it was a lovely surprise to find local products, fruit, and bottles of water in our rooms for the first few days. Giorgo's appartement has a dreamy view, day and night, and we had a great time there. Just keep in mind you'll need to walk a bit to reach the beach or do your shopping. We were very satisfied and will definitely return.