Afentouli Studios

"I read many reviews before I booked this self-catering apartment and as a result, was better informed for my trip then perhaps some visitors that went before me. My family and I arrived late at night and as a small family run business, there was no one to greet us but I had read previously to check for our room number on the white-board, and all the info was there. (We were promised a ground floor apartment but on arrival were situated on the first floor, but no biggy, we still had a sea-view). When we did meet Mr Afentoulis and his daughter Katarina the next day, they were warm, friendly and very hospitable. The rooms where spotlessly maintained and cleaned and new towels changed every 2 days. It's a budget self-catering apartment and for what you pay, I think it's well worth the money. We were free to harvest whatever fruit and veg we liked from the gardens which was a bonus. I understand guests are able to use the pool of apartments near by but we never felt inclined to as the beach was so close (10 min walk). Along Main Road, heading in both directions, you're spoilt for choice as to what beach to park yourself on for the day. There were a few minor points, that did not tarnish our holiday but I shall mention for future visitors.... Firstly the additional accommodation tax. Due to a language barrier perhaps, we had a stomach turning shock when we came down one morning to find on the whiteboard that we owed 150 euros per night for the tax. This far out-weighed what we had paid for the week. However once we approached Mr Afentoulis on the subject, he quickly corrected it to be 1.50 Euros per night, phew! Secondly, kitchen self catering equipment was basic. I have never visited Kos, or Greece for that matter before so maybe this is the standard used across country. However I do not expect to spend my valuable holiday money buying washing up liquid and scrubbing brushes. There are pots and pans and cutlery but nothing to wash them with! Humm? Also there was a microwave but it didn't seem to work and had it done, there wasn't anywhere to really sit it. Bedside table? Last little point is, if you're travelling with young children, take your own travel bed guard. The beds are quite high and as with everywhere in Greece, floors are hard ceramic. Our toddler fell out of bed, head first on the first night, fortunately unharmed but it could have hairy. Katarina did offer us a travel cot the next day but our daughter is too big to use one. We spent the week, re-shuffling the apartment each night by putting her mattress on the floor next to ours and putting whatever soft bags and clothes down on the floor around her bed. I think many of these issues could perhaps have been avoided had we been able to contact the studios directly ourselves as the travel agents have such limited info. For this reason I include Katarina's email address here. afentoulisstudios9_gmail.com Overall, it was perfect for us and we would go back again. Kefalos is definitely the area we would stay in again if we return to Kos. Despite a couple of small things, the hosts and their genuine hospitality is what made this stay worth writing about."

"Arrived at efantoulis at midnight on 1/9/2018 we had booked months ago through travel republic for a seven night stay, we are regulars to kefalos so the location of the appartments suited us perfect, upon arrival the place was in darkness with no welcome or reception, we stumbled around in the dark with our luggage along the ground floor ,but could not find anybody, as is sometimes custom in greece to leave your room key in the door, again no sign of any keys,a young greek girl appeared and showed us a white board on the wall and asked if our name was on there, it wasn't so it appeared we weren't expected, the girl phoned the owner who turned up in a battered old truck, who promptly informed us there wasn't a room for us even though I produced the relevant accomadation voucher for our stay provided by travel republic, he said he would take us to other studios near the beach, we said we would take a look,we set off at 00-30 am to see other studios with us cramped into the truck,we are a couple in our 60s, after going along the beachfront the owner turned inland and proceeded to travel uphill, after many twists and turns uphill he stopped got out and said he was lost? By this time it was 1am in the morning, he knocked on some random door for directions, and we set off again, to get lost again, by this time the patience was wearing thin, he was on his phone and a guy on a motorbike turned up for him to follow to the beach studios up the hill hmmmmm upon arrival at the studios and without hesitation after seeing them we refused to stay there and after a heated argumement we got back in the truck and he drove us back to the efantoulis were we had been two hours previously , he reluctantly gave us a room at 02/30 am ,not a ideal start to our holiday,we then seen throughout the week people turning up and sharing the same experience as ourselves,obviously overbooking problems I believe caused by travel republic, during our stay the studios were spotless cleaned regularly and nice and peaceful a lovely family buisness"

"We have been to Kefalos for many years and have stayed at Afentoulis many times. The studios are spacious clean and very quiet all you need for a nice relaxing holiday. We always receive a warm welcome from all the family and would not stay anywhere else. Thanks Afentoulis, Kula and all the family see you next year Marcos and Julie"