Barbara Studios & Apartments

“Kefalonia at its best”

This was our second visit to Barbara Studios. It is unusual for us to visit the same place twice. It has everything we need and more. The family are absolutely lovely and so welcoming. Erato greeted us when we arrived and gave us a fantastic welcome back along with her family. They are all lov… more

This was our second visit to Barbara Studios. It is unusual for us to visit the same place twice. It has everything we need and more. The family are absolutely lovely and so welcoming. Erato greeted us when we arrived and gave us a fantastic welcome back along with her family. They are all lovely people. The cafe-bar is great with a huge selection of drinks and good food. The selection of restaurants within walking distance is great and we had good food at all of them. The pool area is lovely and we never had a problem getting a sunbeam with shade (I prefer to sit in some shade). We will definitely visit again.

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“Disappointed”

We had a nice holiday but…… First the good points: Spacious clean 1 bed apartment. Drying rack outside. Bus stop outside. Peaceful & quiet at night. Plenty of storage space. Nice to watch the planes, none at night. Large balcony east facing. The bad points: Kitchenette v small, no washing up liqu… more

We had a nice holiday but…… First the good points: Spacious clean 1 bed apartment. Drying rack outside. Bus stop outside. Peaceful & quiet at night. Plenty of storage space. Nice to watch the planes, none at night. Large balcony east facing. The bad points: Kitchenette v small, no washing up liquid & only 1 tea towel which never got changed. Beds uncomfortable & creaked. Only 2 pillows for 4 beds - we are a couple but like 2 pillows each. Crack in shower tray & hose dirty. Hot water took many minutes to come through. TV old & poor reception. No restaurant, only bar/pool cafe. Some pool sun loungers broken, some sagging so uncomfortable. Closing down for winter started: The ice cream freezer emptied 4 days before we left. Sunloungers & umbrellas started to be cleaned around the pool 3 days before we left. Only 10 sun loungers left by our last day for 10 residents giving us no choice & area limited as sunloungers plus bar stools & loungers stacked up by the pool. A delivery of new mattresses arrived & stored in the empty rooms either side if us while we’re were sat on the (shared balcony). It was the last week of the season & unfortunately due to the bad weather the previous week the shop next door had closed as had a few restaurants. The very bad: Following the cleaning of the sunloungers & umbrellas my sister in law mentioned to the older proprietor that there was debris & insects in the pool & she was handed a fishing net! This was funny at first & I took a photo but the lady, Barbara I presume, got very angry. In the bar area the confrontation escalated with her shouting aggressively at my sister in law, accusing her of always complaining. (She had previously asked for a stuck drawer to be fixed & for fresh towels after a thunderstorm when they got wet on the drying rack. She was refused them by the cleaner saying not today but tomorrow, that’s when you get new towels!) My sister in law was traumatised & reduced to tears at being shouted at so aggressively & right in her face. Barbara & her daughter even shouted that they wanted us all (3 couples) to leave & repeatedly shouted “phone Jet2” My husband phoned Jet2’s 24/7 helpline, the rep phoned & then spoke to the proprietors. She then told us that they said the fresh towels were refused as they had taken their towels to the beach. They had not. They had brought their own beach towels. We asked the rep to come & talk to us all but she never came. I’m thankful this rant by the proprietor happened near the end of our holiday as we had enjoyed our stay up to that point. Upon reading other reviews there have been other confrontations with her. We loved Kefalonia but if we return we shall not stay at this resort.

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“Relaxing”

Handy location for the airport, short transfer time, hotel rather odd set up, two buildings separated by a cocktail bar, restaurant and small shop, non of which appear to have been part of the hotel. Strange method of getting sorted for your room as there is no reception as such, just the bar, whic… more

Handy location for the airport, short transfer time, hotel rather odd set up, two buildings separated by a cocktail bar, restaurant and small shop, non of which appear to have been part of the hotel. Strange method of getting sorted for your room as there is no reception as such, just the bar, which also serves as the breakfast area and dining area , outside! Swimming pool rules long and the owners make sure you know the rules, enough said. Clearly an adult only hotel, which is not bad if you want that quiet relaxed holiday. Rooms in our block basic but clean, not unusual for Greece, had to hand hold the shower as no rail fitted, but did not find this an inconvenience, it was very powerful though. Gardens and areas around the blocks well cared for and in general the atmosphere very relaxing. Breakfast again rather odd, toast, cheese, ham and a fried egg! We didn’t eat at the hotel but it did appear to have a varied menu and from wheat we saw, looked good. Staff helpful polite, appeared to be all family, mother, daughter and papa. Hotel is within easy walking distance of many restaurants, notably the Acropolis which has a Greek music night once a week, the Fois again with music and is a must visit, further away is the Taverna Espirides, excellent food and atmosphere, but be advised, booking a table is essential. For that extra treat, try Dolcie Far for superb pastries and brunch. Another taverna with excellent sunset views is the Milos, but food just okay.Beach with in easy walk but steep steps down. Our visit to the Barbara Suites was good, no real issues, peaceful and relaxing, oh and yes the cocktail bar next door is a MUST visit.

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