Panorama Apartments
(Apartments in Lassi)
 | 10/10 |
Well, once again, Wendy, Phil, Robyn and Alice have just returned from 2 weeks in Kefalonia staying at the panorama. We had a WONDERFUL time and homesick for this beautiful island. DEFINITELY returning for a late break in October. The owners Nokos and Andreas remembered us which was nice and the new guy at the bar, Arthur, made us welcome. We missed Dennis who used to run the bar but found him elsewhere and he came to see us which was good.We ate out every night and highly recommend Ionio in Lassi, La Gondola in Agostoli, Nefeli in Lassi but rcommend you avoid Mystic Gusto, not good.   The killer hill seemed less killer as we hired a car for longer this time!! Not a lot to do in the evenings at Panorama, just 1 BBQ with quiz and a kind of karaoke on a Friday eve. So Simple Bar is the place to go for good vibes and drinks into the early hours. Love love love Greece and keen to try other islands for our next main holiday but do go to Kefalonia and if you stay here at Panorama you wont be disappointed | |
| wendy anderson-welsh (Tuesday, July 17, 2007) | View 2 posts by wendy anderson-welsh | |
 - UK |
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I've just returned from a weeks stay at the Panorama Apartments. They were up a very steep long hill. Not how described by the holiday company. Even fit people who were there were getting taxis up the hill! The views from the apartments if you get a sea view are spectacular though and you get to see the sunset every night. The pool was big and set on a terrace overlooking the sea. The pool bar was ok, not the best I've had. Food was limited. If anyone goes here I would recommend getting what food and drinks you need for your apartment while you're down in the town so you don't have to venture back up the hill!! You will also need washing up liquid, tea towels and cloths as they are not provided.
The apartment I had was a 2 bedroom one with a large balcony. It was clean but the floor did always feel grubby and I felt could have done with a really good clean and they didn't change the towels often enough for me. Ours got dirty quite quickly like they do on holiday. The kitchen facilities are very basic but they work so you can cook a meal if you want to.
A problem I did have a few times was no hot water out of the kitchen tap so couldn't wash up one or two days and our last morning there was no hot water out of the shower so I had to have a freezing one!
Don't let this put you off though these really are just minor things and you do get these anywhere so it did not ruin the holiday.
I will say that Lassi is not a lively place, its probably the busiest and livliest on the island but not my idea of lively. There didn't seem to be many places to just sit and have a drink at night and watch the world go by and there were alot of middle aged and older couples there. | ||||||||||
| Sue (Thursday, September 21, 2006) | View 3 posts by Sue | |
| - UK |
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We arrived home yesterday after 2 very sunny weeks in Lassi,we, that is me ,richard,sophie and ellie. the panorama was fine, typical Greece, basic but very clean and the views were spectacular!the walk up the hill was fine once you get over the shock!!no really it was o.k. and a good way of burning up those extra calories!!we went on the ferry to luxouri which was nice and easy to do,and visited skala which had a different feel to the place.we ate out at a few places and our favourite was Ionio the staff were lovely and the atmostphere great, Eleni the waitress is fab a real sweetie oh yes and the food was excellent also. we ate at mystic gusto and the food was awful.The long beach was our favourite place and we got there by 10.15 to get a good posistion the guys putting out the beds were really friendly and helpful too. All in all we had a wonderful holiday in greece, hope you do too. | ||||||||||
| mandy walker (Monday, August 28, 2006) | 1 post by mandy walker | |
| - UK |
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WOW! At Panorama apartments there was a really cute horse called Billy! we would feed him carrots and lettuce in the day! he was cute!! i really enjoyed my stay in Kefalonia and i would definately go back! Arthur was fab at the bar in panorama apartments! the rooms were always clean but the shower annoyed me but hey its Greece! but it was an amazing holiday!! Also there were NO MOSQUITOS when we went in August! it could be because they have eucalyptus trees!!
im SAD to be back i want to go back!! | ||||||||||
| Erica Wilkes (Sunday, August 20, 2006) | 1 post by Erica Wilkes | |
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This picture was taken from my bedroom window in our apartment.
  We absolutely loved it here. I'm 22 and i went with my parents and younger brother and sister 19 and 16, all of us had something to do, on camp and out and about on the island. The apartments are basic 2 rooms a sofa bed table and chairs and a kitchen area and bathroom but plenty enough for the average family.The pool and pool bar were brilliant with Betty and Artor behind the bar, if you go try betty's ham and cheese omlettes theyre lovely. A wide variety of drinks, soft and alcoholic including cocktails are available throughout the day and the views are spectacular all around the complex with a special seating area with benches and tables at the best spot.
Although the walk up and down the hill is a task it is not a death defying stunt so long as you are clever and chose not to do it in the mid day sun and even if you do the taxi fares are really cheap at just 5Euros up the hill or into argostoli. And the views from the hill are stunning along with little houses and a cute little church set into the hill side.
There are plenty of trips to go on although i would suggest hiring a car or scooter and arranging most of them yourself to actually see what you want to see and have just the right amount of time for you. One trip i would highly recommend doing through a guide is the glass bottom boat trip to see the dolphins and turtles and have a beach bbq and swimming too.
If you want a nice restaurant i would recomend zorbas particularly on a meze night, a guy named christos dances with two tables on his mouth, and sirtaki's meze on a wednesday is really really good. A restaurant bar called so....simple is one of my favourite places too but mainly on the dancing bar side as i found the food in the restaurant ok but not great, they have a brilliant live singer on the restaurant side though (either on a thursday or friday i forget which) On a bad note I would have to say avoid mystic gusto, i went twice once as a group of young people out for a meal and with my family and both times the staff seemed more interested in themselves and the food was poor compared to everywhere else we tried and we tried pretty much all the eateries in Lassi between the 9 of us.
Top marks for the holiday though and a group of us have already booked to go again next year.    | ||||||||||
| Jenni Milburn (Monday, July 17, 2006) | 1 post by Jenni Milburn | |
| - UK |
Just returned from Lassi, Kefalonia, and it was superb. Want to go back RIGHT NOW! I've never thought of going to the same resort/apartments/island twice but this proves the exception.
The Panorama Apartments at the top of the hill in Lassi are like a lot of Greece, basic but clean.
Unless you spend your holiday complaining about why your bed hasn't been ironed every half hour or your kitchen surgically cleaned with nuclear bleach (see CJ Hobbs below), then you'll enjoy it.
Look hard enough and you'll find something to moan about - ignore the little things and concentrate on the good points and you'll have a much better time.
I had to come here and write something because I read this comment page before going and nearly put my name down in advance for Holiday Watchdog, but I am glad I didn't take notice of the criticisms because it's obviously just one person's opinion and we are all different.
The apartments are clean, the complex is attractive and well laid-out with a good sized pool and spacious bar area.
It's true there is a twisty-turny hill to reach the apartments (you get dropped off by your transfer bus and then onto a minibus because it's small enough to make the road to the top.)
It's not a "Hill of Death" but it's a fair walk and you should be able to do it if you have either of the following:
A: Feet
B: The ability to walk
The walk also takes you past a lovely little church and some guys who regularly sit on their front porch at night playing the mandolin ala Captain Corelli!
The hill would probably be unsuitable for the elderly or those with mobility problems but the benefit is you get great views from the pool platform area - looking down across the bay.
Which is great in the morning and romantic at night!
Dennis is the friendly (and award winning) barman and another girl on the bar is very helpful. They serve good snacks through the day and there's satellite television available too.
We went in September and it was quiet and relaxing, just what we needed. Probably not the place to go if you are into clubbing and all-night discos, but great if you want a romantic holiday with the one you love.
Two places spring to mind for eating out in Lassi - Il Gabbiano, the Italian place, along with Sirtaki, which has a great garden area. My girlfriend particularly enjoyed the Stifado.
We also ate at the Captain's Table in Argostoli (the one nearest the main square is probably better than the harbour restaurant of the same name, but only because it had live traditional Greek music and an intimacy of its own.
Lassi itself is a nice little resort along the main road to Argostoli with many tavernas and bars either side of the road for about 100 metres. Watch out for the friendly dog that walks the tourists into town!
Holiday musts are the Drogherati (?) Caves and the boat ride in the Lagoon. We also did the Island tour which was a great way of seeing many places at a relaxed pace.
We did go on a boat trip expecting to sunbathe and visit places but there were so many people packed onto the boat you couldn't.
Still, we found a space for ourselves and it was a superb day.
I can't believe Kefalonia hasn't appeared on my holiday radar before now - it's a stunning island, a great destination and trust me, you should enjoy yourselves. |
| Dave Kissbang (Monday, September 12, 2005) | View 2 posts by Dave Kissbang | |
| - UK |
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Just returned from Lassi, Kefalonia, and it was superb. Want to go back NOW! Always thought I'd never go to the same resort/apartments twice but this proves the exception. The Panorama Apartments at the top of the hill are basic but so is a lot of Greece. Unless you spend your holiday complaining about everything (see below) you'll enjoy it.
Look hard enough and you'll find something to moan about everywhere - ignore the little things and concentrate on the good points!
I read this comment page before going and was concerned but I am glad I didn't do anything because it's obviously just one person's opinion and we are all different.
The apartments are clean, the complex is well laid-out with a good sized pool and spacious bar area.
It's true there is a twisty-turny hill to reach the apartments (you get dropped off by your transfer bus and then onto a minibus so it can get to the top.)
It's not a Hill of Death but it's a good walk and you should be able to do it if you are half fit, you also pass a lovely little church and some guys who regularly sit on their front porch playing the Mandolin ala Captain Corelli!
It would probably be unsuitable for the elderly or those with mobility problems but the benefit of it is you get great views from the pool platform area looking down across the bay - great in the morning and romantic at night!
Dennis is the friendly barman and another girl on the bar is very helpful. They serve good snacks through the day and there's satellite television available too.
A good vibe all round.
We went in September and it was quiet and relaxing, just what we needed.
Lassi itself is a nice little resort along a road with many tavernas and bars either side of the road for about 100 metres. Lassi is also good for two sandy beaches and eating out.
Just 20 minutes from the main town of Argostoli, it's a lovely place and we really fell in love with it.
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| Biskey Howe (Monday, September 12, 2005) | View 2 posts by Biskey Howe | |
| - UK |
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Spent two weeks at the Panorama Studios from the end of June '05. This is the studios/apartments in Lassi near the Olive Grove Apartments (booked through Unijet/first choice). Had an excellent holiday, we had one of the smaller studios but was plenty of room for us. Location is ideal to explore the island, we hired a car for a week form CBR hire (recommended). The walk down is fine, but walking up is quite tiring,not so bad at night when a bit cooler. Our apartment was spotless, the maid does start cleaning the rooms from about 10am, so not much chance of a lay in! Staff very freindly, Denis the barman and a girl who worked in the bar as well- both helpful. We really enjoyed the bbq night on the Friday, food was lovely. Spent most evenings in Lassi, really nice restaurants and tavernas. Beaches around Lassi are lovely, Long beach gets quite busy,. Went to smaller beach a few times called Antonio beach, although actual beach not as nice, the sea is better to swim in and much quieter. Excellent holiday! | ||||||||||
| laura slade (Wednesday, July 27, 2005) | 1 post by laura slade | |
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Just returned begrudgingly from a fantastic weeks holiday at the Panorama Apts in Lassi. It was our first trip to Kefalonia and I think we picked a great base. The apartments were lovely and clean. They're quite new by the looks of it too and have everything you should need, apart from a shower head hook (my handy husband made one out of a coathanger !). Yep, they are at the top of a huge hill, but you do get used to it and lets face it, it's a way to burn off some holiday calories. Because of it's location, the apartments and pool boast great views and it's lovely and peaceful. Lassi has the best beaches and a great choice of modern restaurants and a few bars playing the latest RnB and dance. 'So Simple' is the only bar that you can have a boogie in. We hired a car for most of the week and ventured out to Argostoli for a couple of nights, Fiskardo one day and Sami another. We will definately be returning to the Panorama, but until we do, could you please treat the 2 cats for me (they like milk and Felix biscuits !) and Penelope the pony likes bread and fresh grass cuttings. Have fun !!! You'll love it. | ||||||||||
| Jaime Sutcliffe (Wednesday, July 20, 2005) | View 11 posts by Jaime Sutcliffe | |
| - UK |
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Hi there! Wendy, Phil, Robyn and Alice have just (yesterday) returned
from a 2 week holiday at the Panorama Studios in Lassi (with Pool). It
was the most fantastic holiday. We are homesick for Kefalonia! The
apartments are clean, spacious with all your basic requirements. Maids came in 6 days a week and changed beds and towels twice a week as advertised. The bar was tended by Dennis and Kristina and they are absolutely superb. Served us bar snacks etc through the day. Lassi is lovely and not at all too touristy for us. We have spent the last 8 years going to the caribbean but Kefalonia has seduced us and we will be back! Dennis was a star at the bar, he plays a great range of music and has allsorts of party tricks. We hired a car for a few days and then.........did the walking up and down the hill! It wasn't bad really, you do get used to it and it means that you don't get the passing trade in the bar which stays open til the last man (or woman) drops. Drinks are a bit expensive but make sure you go to the BBQ on Fridays, loads of food which was excellent, 2 happy hours and a quiz if you are feeling brainy! We won the quiz in week one. Such a laugh. Daniella the First Choice rep was brill. She was always around and willing to help. Argostoli is beautiful so is Sami. Scala is pretty and the beach at Xi is BRILLIANT! We hope Panarama, Nikos, Andreas, Dennis, Kristina and Penelope the horse miss us as much as we miss them! Already looking to book a late break again this year and hopefully 3 weeks next year! | ||||||||||
| Wendy Anderson-Welsh (Monday, July 18, 2005) | 1 post by Wendy Anderson-Welsh | |
| - UK |
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We liked these studio apartments. However our room No. 7 on 1st floor had a lovely view of an olive tree and nothing else. There is a little supermarket at the next door apartments (not the Olive Gardens) which sold freshly baked bread and other basic requirements. The hill is steep but we did get used to it. A taxi up is 4-5 euros. We also did the back road to Argostoli and it took us about 20mins to walk in.
Dennis the barman was excellent and spoke good English. The first week we were there he worked 10am till whenever every day, but on the second week a girl called Christina started at 10am and worked till 5pm, she also spoke good English.
We had a couple of minor problems with the apartment but we spoke to Daniella our rep and they were sorted in 24 hours.
All in all we had a lovely holiday and liked the resort. | ||||||||||
| Jane Morgan (Tuesday, July 05, 2005) | 1 post by Jane Morgan | |
| - UK |
[Available from Cosmos & First Choice]
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