Olympion Village, Kavos

"We travelled with First Choice on a package holiday here. We'd researched before we arrived, and were a bit nervous as we'd read about Kavos itself being a horrid resort for families. It's sold as a party town - nightclubbing, drinking until 6am, you name it. We hoped the hotel would be the holiday's saving grace, and it was. On arrival at 2am staff helped us with our bags to our apartment. We'd chosen a two-bed apartment as we were staying for 2 weeks, and we were surprised by how spacious it was. We had a small kitchen area with two electric rings, a fridge, sink, kettle and toastie-maker. Each bedroom had a large TV. Air con was not included and is 45 Euro a week per unit, so in a two-bed apartment for 2 weeks it would be 180 Euros! Luckily the first week we were there (early June) we found it possible to do without, as we opened our patio doors during the day and kept it cool. The second week we struggled a bit, but still not worth the extra money. The mosquitoes weren't too bad but go prepared! The hotel has a lovely swimming pool and also a toddler pool, each with sunbeds around it, which area free, but there's a very small charge for use of umbrellas or mattresses to go on the sunbeds. We whiled away sevral days just splashing by the pool, and my son met some other youngsters and they played together. There's a small playground at the hotel, too, with a slide, swings, seesaw and they are under the shade of palm trees, and in view of the open air bar seating area. On site there is a brilliant restaurant which opened early for breakfasts at very reasonable prices for a full English, or any combination of drinks and snacks you can think of. Kids menu was 4.95 Euros, and included a drink, main course and ice cream (pizza, spaghetti bolognaise, hamburger). But they'll whip up anything if you ask the very friendly staff, who genuinely adore children. We got the feeling the staff are used to Brits being impolite, hungover and monosyllabic, so were very happy to chat to us being a family, and frequently bought multi-flavoured slush puppy drinks over for him! They also sell ice creams and lollies from a freezer. There's an onsite shop selling groceries, inflatable toys and swimming stuff, snorkell gear, basic pharmacy goods, postcards, suncream and baby essentials like nappies. It's no more expensive in this shop tan you'll find in supermarkets elsewhere in Kavos. There are pool tables and table tennis, 2 internet stations (2 Euros for 45 mins) and the hotel organises a weekly Greek BBQ night with entertainment, which is around 12 Euros a head, including food and entertainment. The only fault we had (apart from the high cost of air con) was the noise from partygoers coming back from their nights out, often very early in the morning (4am-5am) which was a problem for us, but my son slept through it. There was often some very antisocial noise (swearing and such like) coming from neighbouring apartments as they got ready to go out, which usually coinicded with trying t get my son off to sleep, but it was never really bad enough to spoil things. Most of the young hotel guests were pleasant enough and kept themselves to themselves, but there's always one! The management fine anyone known to be noisy after 1am (a 300 Euro fine would put most people off). There's no laundry here but the reception staff will get a big bag done for you at 8 Euros, and it comes back dried and folded the next day. The decor and facilities at this hotel were all still looking very smart as the hotel is only a few years old, and is maintained very well. Staff were wonderful, and we felt like part of their family for the time we were there."