Kalokenti Studios — Hotel in Municipality of Aegina

I have spent 12 nights, between August 2 nd August 14, 2017 at Kalokenti studios. I shared with my friend a double, at ground level. The price was 540 euros for 12 nights, 2 persons, booked directly with the owners, via e-mail. The property is located on Petriti street, 3 minutes to the closest beach, 5 minutes to the port and 7 minutes to the city centre (the shopping area). There is a minimarket at 100 m distance, and another one, larger and better stocked, at 200 m – both open until 11 pm.||Kalokenti studios consists of a series of buildings interlinked, with studios in semi-basement, ground floor and first floor. All rooms have a sleeping area, a bathroom and a kitchenette (very well stocked: big refrigerator, not the mini one typical for hotel rooms, dishes, tea maker, an electric oven, cutlery, etc.). The kitchenette is separated from the room by an arch with a curtain. ||The room is comfortable and large enough to accommodate two persons plus two large suitcases. An there are some nice touches that prove that the owners thought about the details that can make a stay better, like having towels of different pastel colours (better when you share with a friend), assorted to the colour of the pillow cases, anti-slippery carpets both in the bathroom and in the shower, napkins in the kitchen, pillows for the chairs on the terrace and even a beach mat to borrow. Each room has a space for drying towels – generally in the back of the room, on a secondary balcony/terrace, as not to be in plain view.||The rooms at the first floor and the upper terrace have views to the sea and a pistachio orchard, the lower ones are opened to the garden. ||And the garden ... This is, in my opinion, the best feature at Kalokenti. The garden is large, covered by 2 pistachio trees (with fruits at the time of our stay), a pine tree, 3 lemon trees, an olive tree, a mandarin tree ... And a cactus that was climbing on the pistachio tree. Under those, alleys decorated with marble mosaics, chairs and tables, evening lights and plants ... both growing on the soil or potted – and the pots were painted (by the owner’s father). All sorts of succulent plants and cacti, plus jasmine and hibiscus. I used to explore the garden every morning, and each time I found another delightful corner ...||The owners were extremely nice and helpful: when I booked I told them that I will spend a night in Athens and they suggested a concert in the Odeon of Herodes Atticus (I would not have known about it without this); while in Aegina they put me in a group of Greek people going for a play at Epidaurus and also about the music Festival in Aegina. They offered a small present to bring home at the end of our stay and also a small present for my birthday. Plus any information we wanted, they were there (including printing our on-line check-in for the flight home).||It was a wonderful stay, I will return there anytime.||Since when I booked I browsed the sites for reviews and I saw some critics, I want to address these separately:||1. Cleaning: during our 12 nights stay towels and bed-sheets were changed 4 or 5 times and I never found the garbage can full, so I really cannot understand some complains. ||2. Presence of the owners: during our stay they were always there, always ready to answer any question or requirement. ||3. Mosquitoes: yes, there were some mosquitoes – not only in the garden, but in the whole island. Not a big problem, my friend, who is more sensitive, used insect repellent about 3 times in the evenings, out of our 12 nights stay.||4. Chikadas and their noise: yes, they are and they are noisy. In the garden at Kalokenti and almost everywhere in Greece where there is a patch of green there are some of these insects. For me their noise is associated with Greece and with vacation and relaxation: I call their noise “the sound of silence”. But if someone is really “allergic” to their noise, then try to book a room in the heart of the city – there are no chikadas between concrete walls.||I recommend Kalokenti studios for: location, comfort, cleanliness, friendliness and especially for their garden: it was the last that made our stay really...

My room was near the back but although the sea view was limited through trees and power lines you could see the Kolonna (column) from the town’s archeological site and the sun setting over the hills. Those at the front are also slightly higher so would have better views. Balcony outside was a good size with table and three chairs, most are nicely shaded throughout the day and although mine was adjoining the neighbouring room the angle meant I was at the end so more private than my neighbours. There were also a couple of communal tables and chairs along a bit that had the afternoon sun. The road noise was only noticeable from the balcony during rush hour, generally it was a very pleasant place to sit amidst the olive trees and cicadas.||||The room was a good size with separate kitchen - full size fridge, foldout bench and plenty of plates and glasses and most cooking implements. Small but nice bathroom. Furniture and furnishings were a bit dated but all in good condition, so homely rather than modern. Good lighting but limited power sockets. Very good WiFi. A small TV. A gift of a packet of biscuits was given at checkin.||||Getting There:||A 7 minute walk up from the port where the Flying Dolphin and larger ferries dock. 40 mins from Athens port of Piraeus by Flying Dolphin (€14), 75 mins by normal ferry (€8).||||Getting Around:||The Kolonna archeological site is a few minutes walk directly down from the apartments. There are beaches either side of Kolonna with further coves within walking distance north. The bus station is just a couple of minutes walk from Kolonna, back towards the port. Buses to the wonderful archeological site of Afaia/Aphaia/Aphaea and the beach at Ag. Marina go most hours in October (€2 each way). Only three buses each day to Perdika in...

I stayed here over 20 years ago when I think the current owner's mother ran it. Back then it was spotlessly clean but basic. It has had a significant face lift since and the rooms have been modernised tastefully. ||||I dealt with them direct by email and they were very helpful and were available if needed but other than that, they leave you to your own devices. The rooms were cleaned well and there is a kitchen with basic cooking facilities if you wanted to eat something here rather than going out. There's a great Greek takeaway nearby as well.||||It's very convenient for both town and beach (tip .. rather than use the town beach, pop past Kollona to the beach the other side).||||One or two people have mentioned that there is nowhere to put the shower head so that you can stand under it. This is true but it's important to remember that, at the moment (I believe a pipeline is being built) all water has to be shipped over so it makes sense not to encourage people to stand under the shower for ages. Water pressure is good by the way.||||The only downside for me was the road. The first time I stayed, I didn't notice it .. maybe there are more motorbikes now or maybe it was because we stayed in a room towards the back, more sheltered by the trees. This time I had an upstairs room near the front and it did make sitting on the balcony much less enjoyable, especially at busier times. That said, once the doors and shutters have been closed at night, it is hardly noticeable so it probably depends on how much time you plan to sit on the balcony as to how much it affects you .. maybe request a quieter room.||||Will definitely be staying...