Kefalonia Bay Palace

The positives: Spectacular views over the bay of Agia Effimia - truly amazing. Staff generally welcoming and helpful and our room cleaned every day. The pool was good and always enough loungers without the need to 'claim' them. There is a short walk from the hotel down to the stony beach to swim in the Ionian sea but no facilities or space for staying there for long. Can't beat swimming in the warm waters of the bay. The town and harbour is beautiful and full of character and never gets too busy. We ate out at the To Perasma and had the best mussels we've ever tasted. The negatives: We did half board - don't bother simply. The fixed menus in the evening are poor in choice and the quality is pretty dreadful tbh. There are lots of wasps about and wasp nests in the alcoves. The hotel feels like it's on a slippery slope in terms of being tired and in need of investment. The rooms are dated and the shower facilities poor. The bar facilities are also limited. The breakfast was OK but no more than that. Finally if you have a dodgy knee like I have - you are going to struggle to get around the hotel and then getting to and from the town. It's very steep in places and although there are some lifts there is a lot of climbing to do. Very litte assistance in terms of taxis or a shuttle bus - God I'm sounding old! It could be an amazing holiday destination but TUI need to ask whether it's worth the 4 stars they think it is.

Simply stunning location and room view with large balcony. Reception arrival very good Maria very helpful. No idea why people are giving this place such bad reviews. Room was cleaned daily to a very high standard, fresh towels each day, water in fridge when we arrived, tea and coffee provided in rooms. Pool had amazing views and always plenty of sun beds. Yes I would slightly prefer a walk in shower rather than over the bath but that was far outweighed by the good points. Good choice at breakfast and always replenished quickly. Yes it’s got steps and a lift but we knew that before we went. Very clear it’s not for people with mobility issues and the walk to Agia Effimia is very pleasant with most of it a gentle incline or flat. It’s only when you get to the hotel it is steep. You can’t get the views and location without the height! As another reviewer said - we don’t go on holiday to watch TV so size doesn’t matter! So many lovely tavernas to choose from and I’m sure a taxi up to the hotel would be very cheap if you didn’t hire a car. We had a car but just to tour the island not to get from hotel to resort! Went on a package to this hotel with Jet2 and excellent value for money.

Was really surprised by how quiet the hotel was - no fighting over loungers in the pool area which was gorgeous and overlooking the bay. Bed and breakfast option is the best as there are so many great tavernas and restaurants to explore within walking distance from the hotel - starting from Paradise Beach Restaurant just by the hotel. Definitely stop by Cactus Bar when walking down to town and Pergola Taverna is the best! Little pebbled beach visible from pool area and just few minutes walk down the hill. Two lifts but still lots of steps to go up on the way to toiltets from the pool, which keeps you fit. Make sure to request room with a view, the best ones start from number 310 up as there is no roof obsuring the complete view. Super friendly staff.

Superb friendly hotel. As stated in other reviews the views are stunning. Rooms are clean and typical of European hotels. The breakfasts are good with a fair selection of choice. Staff couldn't be more helpful and work hard to make your stay as enjoyable as possible. There are lift's to the different floors within the complex, so climbing stairs can be kept to a minimal. I was sad to see bad reviews and feel they were unjustified. I realise though, some expectations just cannot be met. Would recommend whole heartedly and look forward to staying at the hotel again.

Myself and a friend have just returned from this hotel. Views are amazing. I'm afraid that's it. We booked 2 deluxe room and where given 301 and 302, not 103 and 102 which was previously written by my friend. I am not going to repeat everything she wrote. This hotel is being sold as a 4 star hotel, NO it is run down, tired and i am sure it is under receivership. Poor quality food, Pool bar, nothing in the fridge. No menu, 3 things for lunch. Dirty tables. Grass growing between the paving slab, green slime in one corner of the pool, filthy dirty wall at the back, where you climb 43 steps to the pool toilet to find it was out of order twice during our stay. Please my advice to anyone who has booked a stay here to contact there tour operator to cancel. You will be very disappointed, as myself and my friend were.

This is definitely not a 4 Star hotel, my friend and I booked 2 deluxe rooms we,were told,all deluxe rooms were top.floor but when we,arrived we were first of the 3 terraces not of floor room 103 and 102 we had to take 2 outside lifts to get to our rooms . They were not deluxe by any means they need a total refurb shower in bath with shower curtain book for shower head was facing into bathroom so useless furniture was,dreadful and mattresses were like concrete (they did replace one which made a difference) .my friend called the manager regarding the rooms he said I will see,what I can do ,in the end he said my friend could change rooms but not until 3 days before,we,came home it was,a,top floor room which was much better but they only offered one room!.and she hss,a lift phobia and the glass tower lift was horrible as,you walk in it says if you breakdown call this no ,we were told by people who have stayed Before that the lifts are not always working.Before we went we checked that the lift went to all areas,and they said,yes , but when got out of the lift for the pool there,were 43 steps to get to the pool no toilets,at pool level ,you needed to go back up the 43 steps and down another 6 to get to a toilet!! But in a couple of days they are shut off as they were blocked ! So then you needed to go up to the breakfast room which was,another level up . The pool bar , no menus or price list on!y a couple of choices of food for lunch and as for getting a drink forget it we,asked for a gin and tonic , first day no tonic second day no GIn apparently the One bottle of GIn they had,was passed to the upstairs bar and back to the pool bar until it ran out , how can a hotel only have one bottle of gin!! other guests were going and buying there own drinks at the supermarkets and going to there ere rooms which is not really what you want to do at,a hotel we never,saw,anyone at the upstairs,bar not very inviting cocktails were ok but in really small tumblers and they were,charging 12 euros 2 mouthful and they were empty. To get out of the hotel to the road into the village you either walked down 3 very steep slopes or plus steps either,way not good .we never saw,anyone clean the pool or hose down the floor,area tables,were covered in ants or spilt drinks bins always full also there was clumps of grass,round the edge of the pool and parts of the edge of the pool was green slime. Breakfast was not good yoghurt and fruit left out from 7.30 am no refrigeration and hot food,was cold . Spoke to someone was half board they said food was awfuland basically the same every evening . The only thing that place has going for it is the view it is amazing such a,shame as the village of Aggia Effimia was great loads of nice places to eat but a 15 minute,walk to the end of the road but it was the factor the steps or slopes to get back up to the hotel that spoilt it . We were told by locals that the hotel is owned by the bank so in receivership so not sure if is going t