Karpenisi Holidays from £426

Stayed for two nights, what a disaster it was. On arrival the first night, I checked in, then had to literally drag our luggage by myself with one woman also petite like me about a 5 minute walk from the hotel to the room. While we were walking and dragging the bags up the stairs, a worker on a golf cart sped by and waved and said Kalispera! Didnt offer to help. Then the room smelled strongly of mold and was falling apart. Second room was improved in terms of the smell, but same tired, deteriorating decor. Beds were hard and uncomfortable with cheap linens. I thought I would be staying in the main hotel, but instead I was in one of the "Bungalows" far away from the hotel. You need to drive to get to the hotel itself where any amenities and the breakfast is. Breakfast was mediocre for Greece. Coffee was extra. I was told if I wanted to use the beach or pool facilities I had to spend at least $5 euro. I declined, what a low life request, if you never said anything I would have easily spent that to enjoy my time at the facilities! What a turn off. Location is good but the hotel itself is deteriorating. Staff did accommodate my request the second night to not sleep in a mold infested hole, but really that first room was not suitable for human habitation anyway and should have been closed. I paid over $600 USD for the 2 nights and it wasn't worth the price at all. Many better places to stay with clean rooms and excellent facilities and breakfast. I would skip this one.

Very lovely staff, very beautiful hotel. Incredible view of the Acropolis.

Fantastic staff. A truly excellent boutique hotel! With rooftop view of the Acropolis.

Great food, exclusive Grecotel only location, amazing water park, the best beach ever. Excellent al-la-carte restaurants with stunning views. Same as at Costa Botanica, it never feels too busy - you can always find a sun bed, limited queuing for drinks at the beach bar, water park with minimal queues on slides. Water activities run by a lovely family at the beach were great fun. Water temperature was perfect both in the pools and in the sea. The beach is cleaned daily so no sea weed at all. Kids loved to play near the natural springs on the beach in the sand to create rivers running down to the sea. Staff was friendly throughout. Room felt dated and some facilities are in need of upgrading which can be excused given how grant the place as a whole feels. The bed was very creaky which was a nuisance with the kids in the family room. Beach bar opens at 11am while 10.30am would have fitted better with our schedule. This is our 2nd time at a Grecotel after visiting Costa Botanica. We highly recommend both places for a family holiday with primary school children. We travelled from the UK to Zakinthos and took Levante Ferries over to Kyllini. While overall a longer journey than flying to Kalamata, the ferry is a nice experience with short taxi rides either end which avoids a long car/coach transfer.