Green Pool in "Paradise"
Review Submitted: November 24, 2009
Date of Stay: August 2009
Our nightmare in Greece began with arrival and finding the place disgusting. Rubbish throughout the house, in the front garden, pool with green water, dirty toilets, etc. It then took 7 hours to get the place “sort of” clean. This is after I spent 30 pounds sterling calling the property manager, caretaker, homeaway, the owner. This was one of the days we were without power. You need a card to insert by the door to turn the power on. This was different to all the other villas. We finally learned this after speaking to the owner and searching through the rubbish to find the card. I also received a strong electrical shock at the place you place the card. The second time we were without electricity (I think the caretaker did not pay the bill), he had his friend come wire at the electric meter so we could have power. But then for the next few days, “due to this power arrangement” we could not run all of the air conditioners at the same time. Other experiences in our nightmare: we were without electricity for 2 days, no water for 4 days. On the days we had water we had to ration it. One shower only and we used the water from the pool to flush to toilets and wash the dishes. After numerous complains to the caretaker, a water truck arrived at the house with 3 days left in our 9 days nightmare. His explanation that a water truck was expensive, 50 Euro. From talking to local people, the lack of water in summer is very common. I as well as other people in the villa complex obtained an ear infection from the dirty water in the pool and had to see a doctor. The bed were very uncomfortable beds. There is no book to explain how the house works. The tanks that hold the water outside the house are extremely dirty inside. The main tank is open at the top and exposed to the environment, leaves, animals, insects, dirt, etc. The place is 2.6 km from the nearest beach, about a forty-minute walk. There is very little within walking distance to the villa, we definitely should have gotten a car.
Owner's Response: I was disapointed to hear the gentlemans review, over the past two seasons we have had a few issues with water and electric as the island is small and they don't have a lot of rain. To ensure there is always enough water there are two storage tanks containing 2000litres of clean water which normally is sufficent if the local supply is unavailable. The pool is cleaned twice a week and the people who went in before the American gentleman left an excellent review and my sister went in straight afterwards and again thought it was lovely. Villa Ella is new and has marble floors and granit worktops, the beds were purchased from a hotel chain supplier so are very high quality with a king size double bed in the main bedroom. The cleaners have been working with the management team from the begining and ensure all areas are clean both inside and out. I ensure the villa is clean and well maintained personally as we are keen for people to enjoy their holiday and rebook for the future, there are local directions for shops beaches, and vehicle rental information along with all contact numbers for the management team fixed to the kitchen wall so I'm not sure why these were over looked, they are A4 size. Every effort is made to ensure the villa is kept up to the highest standard which is why we usually get great feedback. To ensure new arriveals can gain immediate access we have installed a key safe which allows clients to settle in straight away, unfortunitly the American gentleman didn't realise the keyfob needed to be placed in the slot at the front door for electric. After he called and I explained he fitted the key fob into the slot and had electric and water, shortly after the manager arrived and explained how the airconditioning controllers worked. He did call again during his holiday to ask if he could have a reduction in his rental fee if he didn't use the cleaners, this was refused as I have contracts for the management of both the pool maintenance and grounds and villa cleaning. I am disappointed that he has said these things as we make every effort to ensure all return home relaxed and happy. We have just planted an extra six trees in the garden and covered the planted areas with white stones which looks really nice and we will continue to look with a critical eye for other improvements. Many thanks the owner.
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Helpful votes: 4/5
