I have done this trip twice now, once in 1998 from Argassi, then again in 2001 from Tsilivi. Thought it was a fantastic place both times. The first time I was with my sister and we were a bit scared so we didn't really do much the afternnon we got to Athens (you arrive around 3:00) a older couple took us under their wing and we went to see the changing of the guard. The reps basic tell you to go out with them in the evening for your meal, the coach comes and picks you up, but it was not a good meal. the food was below avarage and you get rushed through ready for the next coach load of brits arriving from the islands. The organised excursion the next day takes in the things that most people want to see in Athens. The guides were very good on both trips. Even though I went from seperate resorts with different operators I was in the same hotel both times. I think the hotel is used purely for this trip. The reps tell you that it is right in the middle of the red light district ( which it is, but so is virtuallly the whole city) I think this is a ploy to make you go on the evening meal with them, and then stay in the hotel bar drinking (ie reps get lots of commision. However it was quite entertaining sitting on my balcony timing men coming in and out of the brothel opposite.
When I returned with my boyfriend we were much more braver. We wondered of into Athens in the afternoon and visted some fantastic museums etc that you would otherwise not have been able to do. We ended up in the Plakas under the acopolis (stuuning views) sitting under a olive tree drinking beer. The owner was lovely. We then wondered back to the hotel a good 45 min away to be greeted by a frosty rep saying we didn't have time to change for dinner the coach was leaving for the restaurant in 5 mins. We told her we wouldn't be attending we were going of on our own and she was not happy. Anyway we browsed through the leaflets in reception and picked a restaurant in the plakas to go to and got reception to order us a cab. The taxi driver didn't know the resataurant but said he would take us to one that he and wife attended regulary in the plaka so of we went. We pulled up outside a beautiful building stunning views again of the acropolis and the taxi driver spoke to the woman on the door and managed to get us in. It was packed out and we were the only english people there, but all the greeks were sitting on big long tables swigging ouzo by the bottle and we soon got roped in. Then the traditional dancers came out. they were better than any I have ever seen. We finally got back to the hotel about mid night. The next day the entire coach was well jealous as they had had a crap meal and were home by 9:00. Many had walked out of the restaurant and gone across the road to macdonalds as the food was better there than whwt they were been served.

Was there in 2001. Discovered this place purely by accident as we were in a restaurant across the road from there one night (nothing to write homw about, can't remember it's name) and we noticed the queues to what we thought was a burger/snack bar kind of place, very similar to something you would find in Blackpool. It was somewhere on first appearance that I would never choose whilst abroad as I go abroad and like to live their culture. Anyway after seeing the queues to gwt in we tried it the next night, and considering that I am a woman that never eats in the same restaurant twice on Holiday. We ended up goinb back 3 times. The menu ranges from brit grub to greek to mexican and italian. The roasted rack of lamb was to this day one of most memorable meals ever, it just melted in your mouth. The portions were huge, and a good price. Beware the house wine in any restaurants we would have a kilo of it with our meal and be plastered.

Booked this place last minute for September 2001. I thought it was cute, for what we had paid. The apartment was clean and in a very quite spot (about from the bloody cockerail and donkey). The nearest pool was 5 mins walk away if that at the Santy Maria. This was a lovely pool which served nice cheap snacks at lunch (salads, jackets, toasties etc). There was a shop at the end of the track that led to the apartments( which we affectionalty called Jims place as the owner looked like jim royale from the royale family. He had fresh bread and croissents in for breakfast on a morning, and was also very good for loo roll after the half roll you are provided with on arrival has run out. He also had by far the best exchange rate for travellers cheque cashing. this was pre euro so not too sure now. One main problem we found was the nearest place to hire safety deposit boxes from was a good 10 mins walk away. So sometimes we had to lock stuff in the wardrobe for practical purposes. However I would recomend you hire a safety box.
The pool at Santy Marias was also good as it was never busy, the busiest we had it was when their was 8 of us around it one day. So you didn;t need to worry about having a lie in to recover from cocktails and not getting a sun bed.
I thought the resort itself was a good size, the night could really be as quite or as manic as you wanted it to be.

The bar across the road from the Litsa was good for lasties on the way home. Also very handy for catching up on the latest premiership match without having to change out of your bikini and heading into town.

All in all a lovely holiday, only marred by the horrific queues at the airport which come as standard anyway, but were extra long for us as it was the day after the horror which was september 11th, so the extra security was a nightmare, but obviously understandable.

In answer to Leanne Sherridans question. Me and my fella were in Tsilivi Sept 2001. Basically the place can be as mad or as tame as you want it to be. We were 24 and 26 when we went so wanted to get boozed up and boogied up most nights, and we definately managed it. I am sure you will have a great time. We are giving Corfu a whirl this year (sidari) so I am expectimg similar if not more there.