Hi
Can anyone advise me on the night flight hotel checkout protocol. We are staying at the Xenos Kamara Beach Argassi -in Sept/Oct. I have the understanding that we will have to check-out by 12pm on the Thursday but do not fly home until around 6am on the Friday.
With Two teens and a 4 year-old. on top of reports about the airport, sounds fab :¬(
Can anyone please advise. Leanne --X--
www.leanne_fish@hotmail.com.

Hi Dawn
we going xenos kamara -same dates. Hope to see you there.
I hope he says yes :)
Leanne
--X--

The view was magnificent -platform was perfectly safe, I dunno why people say it's not, when we were there one guy was sitting on top of the the railings,(we thought that was a bit much).
I felt more unsafe going down the gravely steep steps from the coach to the platform.
Platform is much safer than the die hard David Bailey's who are hanging over the cliffs to get a shot.
When we were there a film crew were shooting promotional scenes for the Athens 2004 Olympics.
If you do not go to platform 1st you would not know it was there by looking up from the shipwreck beach.

If i hadn't been so knackered (6am flight 2.30am left apartment)I may just have blown a gasket.
The stray dog asleep on the check-in conveyor belt was a nice touch (not). We must have been privelaged we were allowed to wait inside, but there again it was bloody freezing out (25/10/03)

Sorry we did not leave Zante on 25/10/03 it was 10/10/03.
we went on 25/09/03 arrived at 6am and found that the airport was not too bad on arrival, but then again we had our luggage before another 2 flights landed.
The Birmingham flight times stink -knackered going in -knackered coming out.
OOhh did see a guy have a tantrum when the cafe there tried to charge him E6 for 2 coffee's (not even Costa).

We stayed in room 212 at the apartments xenos Kamara from 25/09/03-10/10/03.
Upon arrival we were very impressed but when we got to our room we were shocked at how dirty our apartment was, the room had obviously not been cleaned from the previous occupants. Although bedding was fresh and bathroom wasn't too bad, the kitchen area and floors were filthy, I was able to wash and wipe all areas and utentsils that we were to use but it was impossible to keep floors cleaned as there were no facilities.
Subsequently we felt that the apartment was never cleaned properly for the whole of our duration.
On a positive note; we had a king size bed and 3 proper single beds.
The view from our balconies was wonderful as we had a sea view. It was lovely to listen to the sea as we lay in bed, and just to eat breakfast on the balcony before the kids got up was a simple pleasure.
The staff at the hotel were brilliant the reception staff-Yiannia(one with curly hair)and Nikos(the night shift lad) were so friendly and there english was impeccable.
Frank the barman was amazing and both my 14yr-olds and 4 yr-old daughters absolutely adored him -the guy should be on TV.
George was a miserable git.
We were expecting a little more in the line of hotel entertainment as there was 1 quiz night in the whole 2 weeks we were there and nothing else, but we found our own thing to do on an evening though.
I seriously doubt that we will return to this hotel as we found Cosmos to be a complete let down, even charged us E40 for a courtesy room knowing we had to be out of our room 15 hours before we were due to be picked up for airport. This is a Cosmos exclusive hotel and they give you your flight times. Courtesy room was spotlessly clean but although we had paid for a room for 5 we were given a fold-away camp bed as our 5th bed -not good.
Also must mention Theo from Theo's supermarket in the high street, he was an absolutely lovely man and was forever letting me off with 20 cents here and 50 cents there.

We loved this place, the food, the staff, the atmosphere, the parrot.
The waitress was wonderful and she couldn't believe that my daughters were my daughters she made such a fuss. OOh also she is married to the chef so say something nice about your food :)

We enjoyed 2 dinners here and the only negative thing I could say is the guy out front used to keep teasing my 4 yr-old and cooing over how lovely she is. My 14 yr-old daughters thought he was fit though.
Lady with the glasses was lovely though, and food was nice better than some places we ate.

i thought this place was a bit s**t really. certain family members thought it was ok.
couldn't have been that good we never went back :(

Only went here because we were told it was owned by same guy as Ilision. Not a patch on Ilision and anyway it's the Ilision owners father who owns castaways. Food was Ok but the staff were well slack, the tall blonde girl was lovely and was compensating for all the lazy dosile staff. Food was a little slow but that was maybe down to the powercut we had whilst in there, must admit this was the only place we ever felt like walking out of before ordering. Greek staff there were friendly though.

Food here was nice -just not enough of it.
Ended up round Ethnic kekab house on the way back home.
Not very kid friendly either.

OMFG
I made the mistake of standing still outside of this place waiting for my hubby, when the annoying little guy lifted up my 4yr-old in the buggy up the stairs and into the restaurant, everyone was looking and thought it was really funny. So as not to make any more fuss we stopped for dinner, can't even remember what we ate but we would not go up past there again.
Scary little man.

Well it was Ok, food was alright and we sat upstairs on the roof terrace so that was nice.
I did hear reports that people had gone there and had all differnt prices on each of their menus. I thought it was maybe more expensive than some places though. And the Welsh guy outside was a bit of a dun that been there knob.

My daughter ordered pasta and it was cold she still insists mines better at home, I had the mixed grill and thought that the meat was not really cooked enough for me around the bones. Calimari was had by my hubby and daughter and they enjoyed, felt there was no atmosphere here at all.
The only good thing I can say is my little girl left her play jewellery here and they kept them until I went to collect next day.

Perhaps it was were we stayed -Xenos Kamara beach -that made us enjoy Argassi. Hotel is right on the beach and away from hussle of main drag.
Beach is not all that, but there are some nicer spots.
Good choice of shops and restaurants, we also found Argassi really cheap.
The pavements are a nightmare with a buggy.

I went to Zante town from Argassi as I wanted to, and did see, St Dennis in the church.
Enjoyed the walk from Argassi but wouldn't bother taking the kids.

As it was raining we decided to visit reptile house, so we got a taxi from Argassi to Laganas (E12) Taxi dropped us off right outside. Although when we arrived Mary had only just turned up herself, so was still opening up, subsequently we got a tour of reptiles to ourselves.
It was completely mad in there, she makes you want to touch these snakes and spiders.
At one point our camera ran out of batteries so I popped next door and when I returned hubby and the kids had all got a lizard sat on their heads, chatting as though it was an everyday thing.
I recommended this place to other families at our hotel but it seems that it shut down just after we visited (01/10/03) shame really as it was an enjoyable morning.
We didn't use any of the funhouse facilities there as it wass raining when we visited, but should imagine you could spend a day there with the kids if the weather is nice.

Weather was nice and Argassi was quite busy when we arrived 25/09/03 but by the time we left 10/10/03 lots of places had closed for the season, we could see how much quieter resort was and was glad we hadn't left it any later. Restaurants were closing hand over fist and weather really was much cooler towards the end of our holidays.
Although there were loads of bargains to be had.
I would not go in October, but definately would do September again.

We went with smile tours in Argassi, E10 per person and no charge for my 4 yr-old.
Our guide was Wendy and she was very imformative, coach was wonderful -comfortable and modern.
Loads of stops for visits and refreshments.
We paid an extra E5 and went on the boat trip INTO the caves -very enjoyable.
Enjoyed this more than the round the island boat trip.

We also went on the Mare Mare and it was just toooooooo long and very boring, aswell as very uncomfortable.
It was far to much for my 4yr-old and she slept for over 3hours on board, actually everyone looked like they were asleep on board.
We sat on middle deck and could not hear the on-board commentary. Those poor people who knocked you over to get a seat on top deck had there heads blown off in the wind going then was left baking in the scorching heat on the return journey.
The shipwreck is a must and sea there is lovely to swim in, but very deep.
Ensure that you wear trainers as the beach is not sandy but more like the bottom of a fishtank.
Also try and refrain from vandalising the wreck, when we was there I witnessed and old tosser who'd bought a tin of white paint especially to scrawl "Clive + Pauline" on the side, it's bad enough with the greek graffiti scrawled on it without some old dickhead behaving like a yob.

We liked this place, the girl behind the counter was lovely -so sweet, hubby used internet more than me, but mainly our 4yr-old used the ball pond facilities E2.50 for as long as you liked and this price included a bottle of coke for the babby.
Having Broadband at home spoils you a little when it comes to connect speed though.

Cash machine underneath the "Best" store worked fine, easy as the ones at home to use.
Just remember you have to select English from the language menu and you can't go wrong.
Personally if we went again I would take sterling as the exchange rates were better over in Argassi than back home, and monies exchanged commision free.

Hi Claudia
We were Argassi sep/oct this year and saw the Diana hotel -looks very nice.
Yes I'm afraid that places were shutting down rapidly by the time we left, but saying that it is half term so things may hot up a bit for the final fling.
Don't worry about the kids as if they are like mine (14) they will be in the Factory bar everynite, just watch as the bar will give them shots with every drink, I didn't mind the girls having a breezer or cocktail but had to draw the line with shots.
Argassi is nice and you do feel safe.
If you decide to go on a tour of the Island please go and see Karen at Smile tours -she is ever so nice -and English, she will put you right.
Hope this has helped and have a good hols.
Leanne
--X--
p.s
just wait until you see the airport :(((((

Weather was nice and Argassi was quite busy when we arrived 25/09/03 but by the time we left 10/10/03 lots of places had closed for the season, we could see how much quieter resort was and was glad we hadn't left it any later. Restaurants were closing hand over fist and weather really was much cooler towards the end of our holidays.
Although there were loads of bargains to be had.
I would not go in October, but definately would do September again.

Hi
Alex

I do hope your wife's ankle is better, I have thought about her since my return to UK (never got her name), but if you should read this please give her my best.
Leanne
--X--

Avalon bar was an absolute godsend on an evening for us -it is the only place we found that our 4 year-old could play safely, as there are swings and slides all on sand.
We found that the other families who used it too were really friendly and we had some good nights out the back there.
The music up-front is very loud and I think this can put families off, who do not realise there is a beer garden.

My 14 year-old girls got on really well with the DJ -something to do with his water gun fights.

Anyone going Argassi with small kids, it's the one that looks like a medieviel castle.
But be careful the cocktails are a knock-out :)
And the music is well cheesy, still it beats all the odd-bods around the hotel pool bar.

We stayed in room 212 at the apartments xenos Kamara from 25/09/03-10/10/03.
Upon arrival we were very impressed but when we got to our room we were shocked at how dirty our apartment was, the room had obviously not been cleaned from the previous occupants. Although bedding was fresh and bathroom wasn't too bad, the kitchen area and floors were filthy, I was able to wash and wipe all areas and utentsils that we were to use but it was impossible to keep floors cleaned as there were no facilities.
Subsequently we felt that the apartment was never cleaned properly for the whole of our duration.
On a positive note; we had a king size bed and 3 proper single beds.
The view from our balconies was wonderful as we had a sea view. It was lovely to listen to the sea as we lay in bed, and just to eat breakfast on the balcony before the kids got up was a simple pleasure.
The staff at the hotel were brilliant the reception staff-Yiannia(one with curly hair)and Nikos(the night shift lad) were so friendly and there english was impeccable.
Frank the barman was amazing and both my 14yr-olds and 4 yr-old daughters absolutely adored him -the guy should be on TV.
George was a miserable git.
We were expecting a little more in the line of hotel entertainment as there was 1 quiz night in the whole 2 weeks we were there and nothing else, but we found our own thing to do on an evening though.
I seriously doubt that we will return to this hotel as we found Cosmos to be a complete let down, even charged us E40 for a courtesy room knowing we had to be out of our room 15 hours before we were due to be picked up for airport. This is a Cosmos exclusive hotel and they give you your flight times. Courtesy room was spotlessly clean but although we had paid for a room for 5 we were given a fold-away camp bed as our 5th bed -not good.
Also must mention Theo from Theo's supermarket in the high street, he was an absolutely lovely man and was forever letting me off with 20 cents here and 50 cents there.

Karon-anne
I feel awful now :(
But I still stand by my comment of food being lovely -just not enough of it.
But we do have an "eat all you like" chinese restaurant here at home, so I guess I'm just a bloater when it comes to chinese food.
The not very child friendly comment, was the fact that my 4 year-old could not reach table as chair would not fit under table. -we were all seated on whicker tub chairs.
Must add that this restaurant was in fact immaculate to eat at.
Karon-anne, is this restaurant still open or this the business for sale?
I still think the mouse house was great and the staff were fab.
Karon-anne if you read this please say a big hi to Theo's supermarket and tell him Leanne and Lily say hi, I'm sure he will remember as he always made such a fuss.

This place was fantastic.
I don't like kebab back home but it was amazing here.
Staff were so lovely even the night we went in to eat and ended up breaking everything in sight, I'm sure you will remeber Gina, that night was just a comedy of errors, -We still had the nerve to go there and eat-in again though :)
Ethnic was recommended to us, as for some reason you tend not to notice it's there.