Archontiko Loukis

We have just returned from a week at the lovely Archontiko Loukis near Pentati in Corfu and wouldnt hesitate to return. It's imperative to have some kind of transport as although close to Agios Gordios its really driving distance along a narrow road and the little village of Pentati has a couple of tavernas and a bakery shop within walking distance but I think most people will need to get to the main resort for supplies. We rented motorbikes for the whole week so had no bother and there are a few dedicated parking spaces in front of the hotel on the roadside. The hotel wouldnt be the best for people with mobility issues as there are steps from the roadside down to the back of the rooms on the third floor and then either a long flight of steps down to the pool side or a steep drive down on the other side worth considering. The fact that its out of the main resort is reason in itself for going there as it is so quiet and relaxing, and the road is so quiet but also set behind the hotel away from the pool area. There are only about 6 apartments at the hotel and due to everyone staying having their own transport and going off for the day, the times we were by the pool often we had it all to ourselves or maybe shared with just another couple of people. It really does feel like you have the place all to yourselves! The whole place is kept incredibly clean and there is housekeeping daily. There are plenty of towels for the bathroom and blue ones left for use at the pool. We had the larger apartment on the first floor and it was very well equipped with plenty of storage and lots of decent kitchen equipment, a microwave and little oven with three hob rings and a massive fridge with real freezer compartment for the gin and ice! The TV is a decent size and there is a dvd player but we never needed to use any of them! The only thing we lacked was a decent sized sharp knife as we did cook twice, and a bread knife! Im always a bit concerned going to Greece as I never seem to sleep well as the beds are often very very low and incredibly hard but found it to be firm but not hard and comfy enough. There are two shower rooms in the apartment we stayed in, I think it looks like it may have been two small apartments at once as there are working door bells into the living room and bedroom from the little hallway! The showers could do with a bit of improvement as if we had only had the one in the grey bathroom off the bedroom we would have had to ask to have it looked at as the clamp doesnt hold the shower head up at and it kept flopping down. Weirdly, trying to run more cold water through it dropped the pressure and the only way I got it to stay pointing in the right direction was by switching the head mode to the massage jet which was a bit hard to shower under but it was the only thing that pushed it upright in the clamp! This shower also has a tray with curtain round so its not as pleasant and we both only used it once before we realised the other was better.....the other in the peach coloured bathroom off the living area has a proper shower screen around it but doesnt look like its fitted square so the two doors dont meet properly and the gap lets water out. No real problem if you have the floor mat in the right place! Also, if you put too much water pressure through this shower, the opposite happened to the other bathroom and the shower head would fly upwards so you ended up showering the ceiling! It was a bit of a balancing act to get it just right! We were so relaxed and at home at Loukis that we just got used to it and was no major detriment due to having both bathrooms but think these points would be worth taking a look at improving. In both bathrooms there is a free hair dryer appliance on the wall which I was grateful for as we shared a suitcase so no room to take hairdryers etc! The balcony is really wide and you have a little airer and clothes pegs and table and chairs. There are shutters on the outside, useful for keeping the heat of the sun out, and double glazed patio doors from the bedroom and living room along with insect screens and free air con in both rooms, independently controlled, and a free safety deposit box. A lot of places still charge exorbitant rates for use of these but it was all included at Archontiko Loukis and we even had a complimentary bottle of water, bottle of juice and two croissants on arrival! We didnt even have to bring washing up liquid (note to self for next time!) The loungers around the pool are nice quality wooden ones and the mattresses really comfy. The gardens are kept lovely and we really loved the little covered seating area in the garden which was nice at any time of day for a drink or game of cards. Kostas was a very kind and welcoming host and very efficient. We would certainly like to return and hire bikes again to continue exploring as we had a wonderful week at Loukis and it was the perfect base for us to set out from and chill out at either end of the day.