Plus Soda - (Bars in Kalamaki)

Sarah A  (03 June 2006)         

We got back from Kalamaki early yesterday morning after a week and we spent every breakfast, tea and night in Mermaids and Plus Soda - we were the couple who were always there (girl with long blonde hair and lad with short blonde hair).

Plus Soda (part of the Mermaids Restaurant) is by far the best bar in Kalamaki. The bar staff were so friendly and we ended up being the last customers some nights and even played pool with some of the locals. We were welcomed every night and given free shots with most of our drinks. The DJ (Dan) did a good quiz most nights, which most people joined in with, and funny pub games. Thanks to Yiannis (spelling?!!), the cocktail bar man, for the free pool tokens, shots and drinks, despite wetting us with ice cubes and a water gun! The barmaids (Paula, Stacey and the other who we didn't know the name of!) were lovely and really friendly.

Also, thanks to the boss Con who made us feel very welcome in both Mermaids and Plus Soda, and for the free bottle of champagne!

We hope to see you all again in September, fingers crossed

Metaxa Hotel - (Accommodation in Kalamaki)

Sarah A           

We came back from Kalamaki early yesterday morning after a week at the Metaxa Hotel B&B. We arrived about 6am and the owner was there to greet us and show us the room.

The location really is excellent, it is equal distance to the beach and the main strip, and is very peaceful despite being close to everything. If you like planes then it is great, you have a perfect view of the planes landing and taking off over one of the other hotels as the airport is only a few minutes away. The noise is pretty minimal and everyone who stayed there never complained of the noise and quite enjoyed seeing them. They are also not allowed to land after 10pm or before 6am because of the turtles nesting on the beach.

The rooms were very clean with fresh towels and bedding everyday, apart from Sundays, and the maids didn't come in too early to wake you up. Although we were B&B, we got up to late to eat it, so cannot comment on the food. There was a pool bar which served some really nice foods though.

The pool was the best thing at the hotel, everyday it was the same people around the pool, and as you are set a little away from the pool you don't get splashed. There are plenty of sunbeds and the pool is extremely clean. There is also a phone box outside which is useful.

The only problem we found was that all the hotel is locked up at night meaning that if you were leaving at night or early hours of the morning (we left at 4.15am) you wouldn't be able to leave your suitcases anywhere, and have to pick up your passport and any belongings in the safe the day before. It also meant you had to pay to get the room an extra night, otherwise we could have stayed in the reception for a few hours kip.

We would definately return to the Metaxa and shall hopefully be coming back to Kalamaki again in September

Mermaids - (Restaurants in Kalamaki)

Sarah A  (03 June 2006)         

We came home from Kalamaki early yesterday morning after a week, which spent the majority of in Mermaids and Plus Soda (the bar owned by Mermaids next door). It is by far the best place to go in Kalamaki. The portions are HUGE and the starters are like a main course!  The place was packed out every night and they had to make up new tables occasionally to fit everyone in.

Although we were B&B at our hotel we ate breakfast every morning at Mermaids, which were lovely, as was the waiter who's name we didn't know, he would do anything to make you feel welcome and was always running around!

We also had our tea there every night and the staff were more than welcoming. The waitresses were so friendly, thanks to the waitress with short dark hair (possibly called Adele?!) as she was lovely and very friendly. Each night we had a starter, main course and desert with around three drinks each, this only came to about 55 Euros for the both of us, VERY good value for money for the huge portions. We would reccommend any starter with mushrooms, the steaks and banoffee pie!

The people here really take care of you and on numerous times we got free drinks. There was a hypnotist there one night which was hilarious and I think is on every Saturday night.

Thanks to everyone who worked there, especially the two breakfast guys who took care of us every morning. Also to the boss Con, the waitresses and the lads who cleaned up and rushed around everywhere!

We were sad to leave Mermaids and Plus Soda on the last night  but we hope to see you all again in September and shall be there every morning, tea time and night!

Thanks!
Sarah and Brendan (the young couple, girl with long blonde hair and lad with short blonde hair, usually table 33 unless it was taken!)

Metaxa Hotel - (Accommodation in Kalamaki)

Sarah A           

Just in case you see this website, a big hello to Katie and Neil who were from Yorkshire and there at the same time. Hopefully you caught your plane and didn't nearly miss it like us! Sarah and Brendan. xx

Plus Soda - (Bars in Kalamaki)

Sarah A  (09 June 2006)         

Hopefully returning at the end of September for TWO weeks

Here are a couple of pictures from our nights in Plus Soda - not the best pictures!click to enlarge
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Plus Soda - (Bars in Kalamaki)

Sarah A  (28 July 2006)         

Everyone at Plus Soda...we are back in Kalamaki on Septemer 21st for TWO weeks. We shall see you all in Mermaids and Plus Soda then :)

Cannot wait to return!
Sarah and Brendan (young couple who were there end of May/beginning of June for a week - spent all our time there) :)

Mermaids - (Restaurants in Kalamaki)

Sarah A  (28 July 2006)         

To all at Mermaids...we are back in Kalamaki for TWO weeks on 21st September. We cannot wait to come back - hope our table is free for whole holiday!

Cannot wait to return!
Sarah and Brendan (the young couple (blonde haired lad and girl) who spent every breakfast and evening in Mermaids and Plus Soda at end of May)  :)

Mermaids - (Restaurants in Kalamaki)

Sarah A  (06 October 2006)         

We returned to Kalamaki on 21st September for two weeks and returned back this morning. We had our first holiday here at the end of May and liked it so much that we booked to go back again.

Mermaids has got to be the best restaurant in Kalamaki and we made it (and Plus Soda) our second home - we had our breakfast, tea and nights there - and spend more time there than at our hotel.

You will not be dissapointed with the food. The portions are HUGE so you never leave hungry. I would reccommend the steak and chicken sizzler! The desserts are also excellent - bannoffe pie, apple pie and strawberry cheesecake all great!

Not only is the food great, the staff are also very welcoming and will do anything to please you. Thanks to Con, Adele, Stacey and Gemma. Also, a mention to the breakfast guys who seem to get forgotten (!) they were always bright and cheery in the mornings (well, 12pm).

I think the amount of people who are waiting for tables some nights proves how popular Mermaids is and how many people love their food. We will be going back to Kalamaki next year and will be spending all our time in Mermaids and Plus Soda once again.click to enlarge

Mermaids - (Restaurants in Kalamaki)

Sarah A  (06 October 2006)         

Another picture of the huge portions you get at Mermaids!click to enlarge

Mermaids - (Restaurants in Kalamaki)

Sarah A  (06 October 2006)         

The breakfasts at Mermaids are also HUGE and filled us up for the rest of the day. We always had an English breakfast and Howdie Doodie. Thanks to the guys working there in the mornings click to enlarge

Cave Bar - (Bars in Kalamaki)

Sarah A           

We went here back in June for a drink and was a nice place. We came back yesterday and found that it was closed on the days we went past -not too sure why.

Star (Caretta) Hotel - (Accommodation in Kalamaki)

Sarah A           

We were also at the Pelouzo at the same time as you - we were the couple in Plus Soda on your last night with DJ Rich.

The Pelouzo is fairly new so is in great condition. The location is excellent, as is the pool area and the rooms. HOWEVER, I agree with Ashton, some of them men at this hotel seem to have ruined some people's holidays. They also upset me one night.

Positives:
- the rooms are massive
- all the furniture is new and modern
- good cooking facilities compared to other apartments with a little hob, toaster, kettle, fridge/freezer, and cooking untensils
- big terrace/balcony
- excellent location (especially for the planes!)
- we had a lizzard living under our door step (room 109)
- the maids were excellent, everything was spotless, they changed towels and beddings every day, and they didn't wake you up or come early

Negatives:
- the shower is handheld
- the bathroom floods when you have a shower
- the rooms are so large but only have three lights (above the bed and by the dressing table) and they don't even light up the room, they need to have a central one
- our room had loads of big marks where insects had been squashed, some of them were massive and you'd expect they'd paint over them
- the pool can get busy and sunbeds were sometimes limited
- no entertainment
- one night (well, 2am) I was getting undressed and I saw a man outside looking into our room. The curtains were closed with a teeny gap reflecting onto the mirror. I was disgusted and just glad I had my back to the doors and still had most my clothes on. I believe it was someone who worked at the hotel and this in some way ruined the apartments for us. As Ashton has also said, there seems to be some men working there who think it is normal to look at the female guests, remember, some Greeks don't have the same values/morals as we do.

We would probably stay at the Pelouzo again although would think about another hotel if it was a similar price.

Plus Soda - (Bars in Kalamaki)

Sarah A  (08 October 2006)         

Well, what can we say about Plus Soda (and Mermaids) apart from that it was our second home once again. It is one of the livelier bars in the resort and by far the most friendliest. Everyone in there seems to go back every night.

Thanks to Con, Stacey, Gemma and Yiannis for another great holiday. Plus Soda has some great entertainment including karoke, quizzes, Kylie act etc...and everyone gets involved which is excellent.

The bar has a lively outside terrace and the inside is like a club with a pool table, dance floor and DJ booth. The bar staff are the best we have found on all our holidays giving out free shots to everyone.

We would like to make a particular mention to Yiannis - the cocktail/bar man - who once again made us feel very welcome and made us enjoy our nights with free shots, drinks and pool games. It's a shame that he won't be there next year as he really entertained all the people there. His cocktail tricks are excellent but do watch out for him throwing ice at you haha!

Also, thanks to the owner Con who runs an excellent bar and restaurant next door. We were made to feel so welcome and this place was our second home. We went to another bar to watch football once but ended up leaving at half time as it was rubbish compared to here.

If you ask, they will also put stuff on the TV if it's possible. We were always asking for the football to be and they are more than happy to put whatever you want on.

Again, thank you to all the staff who work here. I would tell everyone going to Kalamaki to go to Plus Soda and I am sure you will go back night after night.click to enlarge

Plus Soda - (Bars in Kalamaki)

Sarah A  (08 October 2006)         

  More pictures from Plus Soda....click to enlargeclick to enlarge

Rose n Crown - (Bars in Kalamaki)

Sarah A           

We went here to watch some football and ended up leaving at half time to go to another bar. There were quite a few people trying to watch football yet the music was on so loud you couldn't even talk to each other. We also felt like we were invisible and were not really made to feel welcome.

Some of the people, who weren't watching the football, seemed to be having a good time but I just thought that if they had football on then those people watching should also be able to have a decent time too.

Mermaids - (Restaurants in Kalamaki)

Sarah   (11 October 2006)         

Hi Lucy, nice to see you also posting on here :) shame the weather let you down - and you're apartment!

Sarah
(the girl and lad from your last night in Plus Soda!)click to enlarge

Star (Caretta) Hotel - (Accommodation in Kalamaki)

Sarah            

I think some of the comments about the men working here will put people off. Like Ashton said, she was bugged by one of them and he said he knew which room she was in, one of them watched me getting undressed through a tiny crack which reflected on the mirror and others have mentioned being watched by others.......it's quite upsetting to have it happen to you, especially if you are staying alone like Ashton was.

Mermaids - (Restaurants in Kalamaki)

Sarah L  (19 October 2006)         

If you had stayed when DJ Ginge was working you would see the amount of people who were there. We went to Plus Soda every night and he was there most nights. The terrace would be full every night, all night, and most people would then move inside.

It might not be your taste but he was catering for the main customers around at that time (older couples), who enjoyed it and came back every night.

Plus Soda - (Bars in Kalamaki)

Sarah L  (20 June 2007)        10/10

  Hi everyone at Plus Soda and Mermaids....Con, Adele, Yiannis, Stacey, Dee etc...

Once again we spent every night in Plus Soda after eating next door in Mermaids. This is the third time we have been to Kalamaki and have spent each night here.

Got to be the best bar in the resort. There's an outdoor terrace where they do any entertainment they've got on...a lot of people get involved with the quizzes and I finally got a spot question right too lol! The hypnotist is fantastic and well worth going to see. Cocktails are fantastic and good prices. If you stay out late the inside is like a club and is open into the early hours.

Hopefully be back again in September for another week :)
click to enlarge
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Plus Soda - (Bars in Kalamaki)

Sarah L  (20 June 2007)        10/10

  Here's some more pics taken in Plus Soda.
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Mermaids - (Restaurants in Kalamaki)

Sarah L  (20 June 2007)        10/10

  Well once again, we ate our breakfast here every morning and our tea here every night. We cannot fault this place one bit. The portions are massive, the choice is fantastic, the food is great and the staff are excellent.

Breakfasts are great value for the amount you get and are fantastic. Evening meals are amazing - I recommend the steaks, chicken sizzler and cream and garlic lamb cops. My boyfriend likes the mushroom starters too.

Puddings are exactly the same as the mains and huge! We also had a platter for a starter and it would be enough to feed both of you for your main meal!

We would never eat anywhere else apart from Mermaids. Thanks to all the staff once again for such a great holiday!click to enlarge
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Mermaids - (Restaurants in Kalamaki)

Sarah L  (20 June 2007)        10/10

  More pics!click to enlargeclick to enlargeclick to enlarge

Mermaids - (Restaurants in Kalamaki)

Sarah L  (09 August 2007)        10/10

Hi all at Mermaids and Plus Soda.

I don't think we'll be making it back this year as we're going to Egypt in November. But we will hopefully be back sometime early next summer.
 
Hope you're all well and it's got busier now the season is going.
 
Sarah and Brendan.click to enlarge