1
San Stefanos news and views / Back after 3 weeks and here's the requisite holiday review.....
« on: August 30, 2016, 06:47:30 PM »
Returned home on Sunday after 3 glorious weeks in SS.....its the first time I've had 3 weeks there and unfortunately 2 weeks will now never be enough so have booked for 3 weeks again next year
Stayed with Vagelis in his Helena Villa which was fabulous yet again - cleaned and beds made daily by Anthoula who is now 8 months pregnant but just looks like she's had a big dinner - nothing slows that lady down, absolutely nothing
As usual we spent majority of our time at the Nafsika pool and had breakfast and lunch there most days. Consider it as my second home and thoroughly enjoyed the company of Spiros, Stefanos, Chris, Patricia and Penny with some memorable nights had including the 80's night, Killer pool and the Quiz night we had last Friday - both were comedy gold....
I found the resort to be busier than last year and even Acabar seemed to be getting into double figures most nights and many of the shops and restaurants/businesses seemed to be happy with the summer so far.
I just went to the restaurants that I really rate this year so didn't eat at hardly any on 'the strip'.
I decided to retry both Olympia and Brusko again after disappointing meals in 2009 and 2015 respectively. Had some lovely after dinner drinks several nights at Silver Star which was much busier than last year (lovely to see) and also made it to Bar 38 one night for some very nice cocktails and live music.
Olympia - I cannot fault the food, it was lovely this time round. However for me personally, there is absolutely no atmosphere in there..... In addition, I will never eat there again after being charged a €7.50 cutlery charge on my bill. Literally couldn't get my breath at the cheek of that and met several other people who had experienced this item being added to their bill.......!
Brusko - this year I thought the food was excellent - great staff, great food and a lovely atmosphere - back on the hit list and happily so!
Nafsika - my home from home and I absolutely love their breakfasts and the grilled chicken and Greek salad is my lunchtime favourite. In addition I tried the Greek roasted chicken and their curry this year and loved both so Nafsika continues to shine for me.
Ozzy Oil - we took friends who hadn't eaten there before and unfortunately it was a disappointing night. The menu has changed beyond recognition and all the Oz dishes which were preceded by Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane etc have completely disappeared and there is just one token Australian dish on the menu now. I was not bowled over by anything that I ate and to be honest, I feel like it has lost its way a little bit and the menu now is just like a Greek restaurant when the point of Ozzy Oil was to bring an Australian flavour to the resort.
Fantasea - still one of my favourites and I just love what Kostas is trying to do in terms of being innovative and coming up with fresh ideas. Every meal was great and the location, ambience and service continue to be excellent.
Beachcomber - again, one of my favourites and Sue always seems to get it right from a perfectly cooked fillet steak to home made Tiramisu. Had several lovely meals there and they never disappoint - also sunsets to die for!
Beer O Clock - Had a 2-3 meals here and again, always very good with lovely staff and a nice atmosphere.
Yiannis - infamous orange cake and good service
I also ate at a few places outside of SS for a change. I can thoroughly recommend Trilogia in Kassiopi - just love going back here as never disappoints with a superb location and fabulous food. We also returned to Anemos in Afionas one night which again had great food (and cocktails) with those amazing views and the sunset of all sunsets.
New for us this year was Bikolis in Peroulades which was an absolute hidden gem and I would definitely both recommend and go back next year. Fabulous food in a lovely garden restaurant with very helpful and friendly staff.
Also new this year was Horizon hotel in Arillas - went a couple of times for lunch and wished we had heard about it earlier in our stay. Uber cool hotel restaurant overlooking Arillas beach with Ibiza type music and a very laid back vibe with excellent food and cocktails. Definite winner for me and will be revisiting next year for sure.
All in all another fabulous holiday and also flew home with Norwegian Airlines for the first time and cannot rate them highly enough. Superb on all levels and will definitely be my first choice airline next year.
Only 49 weeks till I'm there again............
Stayed with Vagelis in his Helena Villa which was fabulous yet again - cleaned and beds made daily by Anthoula who is now 8 months pregnant but just looks like she's had a big dinner - nothing slows that lady down, absolutely nothing
As usual we spent majority of our time at the Nafsika pool and had breakfast and lunch there most days. Consider it as my second home and thoroughly enjoyed the company of Spiros, Stefanos, Chris, Patricia and Penny with some memorable nights had including the 80's night, Killer pool and the Quiz night we had last Friday - both were comedy gold....
I found the resort to be busier than last year and even Acabar seemed to be getting into double figures most nights and many of the shops and restaurants/businesses seemed to be happy with the summer so far.
I just went to the restaurants that I really rate this year so didn't eat at hardly any on 'the strip'.
I decided to retry both Olympia and Brusko again after disappointing meals in 2009 and 2015 respectively. Had some lovely after dinner drinks several nights at Silver Star which was much busier than last year (lovely to see) and also made it to Bar 38 one night for some very nice cocktails and live music.
Olympia - I cannot fault the food, it was lovely this time round. However for me personally, there is absolutely no atmosphere in there..... In addition, I will never eat there again after being charged a €7.50 cutlery charge on my bill. Literally couldn't get my breath at the cheek of that and met several other people who had experienced this item being added to their bill.......!
Brusko - this year I thought the food was excellent - great staff, great food and a lovely atmosphere - back on the hit list and happily so!
Nafsika - my home from home and I absolutely love their breakfasts and the grilled chicken and Greek salad is my lunchtime favourite. In addition I tried the Greek roasted chicken and their curry this year and loved both so Nafsika continues to shine for me.
Ozzy Oil - we took friends who hadn't eaten there before and unfortunately it was a disappointing night. The menu has changed beyond recognition and all the Oz dishes which were preceded by Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane etc have completely disappeared and there is just one token Australian dish on the menu now. I was not bowled over by anything that I ate and to be honest, I feel like it has lost its way a little bit and the menu now is just like a Greek restaurant when the point of Ozzy Oil was to bring an Australian flavour to the resort.
Fantasea - still one of my favourites and I just love what Kostas is trying to do in terms of being innovative and coming up with fresh ideas. Every meal was great and the location, ambience and service continue to be excellent.
Beachcomber - again, one of my favourites and Sue always seems to get it right from a perfectly cooked fillet steak to home made Tiramisu. Had several lovely meals there and they never disappoint - also sunsets to die for!
Beer O Clock - Had a 2-3 meals here and again, always very good with lovely staff and a nice atmosphere.
Yiannis - infamous orange cake and good service
I also ate at a few places outside of SS for a change. I can thoroughly recommend Trilogia in Kassiopi - just love going back here as never disappoints with a superb location and fabulous food. We also returned to Anemos in Afionas one night which again had great food (and cocktails) with those amazing views and the sunset of all sunsets.
New for us this year was Bikolis in Peroulades which was an absolute hidden gem and I would definitely both recommend and go back next year. Fabulous food in a lovely garden restaurant with very helpful and friendly staff.
Also new this year was Horizon hotel in Arillas - went a couple of times for lunch and wished we had heard about it earlier in our stay. Uber cool hotel restaurant overlooking Arillas beach with Ibiza type music and a very laid back vibe with excellent food and cocktails. Definite winner for me and will be revisiting next year for sure.
All in all another fabulous holiday and also flew home with Norwegian Airlines for the first time and cannot rate them highly enough. Superb on all levels and will definitely be my first choice airline next year.
Only 49 weeks till I'm there again............