This was our 5th visit to Kepholonia, the previous 4 trips were to the (more built up and hectic) Skala. This is a beautiful island, but one does need to hire a car to get around. Our first time to stay at Lourdas. It has to be borne in mind that these quiet apartments are in Lourdas village, NOT the resort/beach. The resort/beach is reachable, by foot, but, be warned it is some distance away and the walk back, up a steep incline should not be attempted unless fully fit, especially in heat (we are both fully fit and did it just once!). The apartments themselves are ALL subjected to walking up and down steps to get around the complex. The room is basic, but having said that, is of a similar quality to others we stayed at on the island. There was a sink, fridge, air conditioning (pay), safe (pay), three sets of crockery, a kettle, hair drier, and two solid electric rings (with no markings on to say which was front/back, and no indication of when they were on a low or high setting). There was no tea towel but two bath and two hand towels. The bath towels were made up from what possibly were bath sheets, cut into two and then machined, thus making them a little on the small side, the hand towels were much, much smaller (about as big, if we were lucky, to be around the size of a normal tea towel). We were there for two weeks, the towels and bed linen were changed half way through the first week, at the end of the first week and half way through the second week. It appears that all the laundry is done on site, but, having said that, all provided was clean, the rubbish bins were emptied just about every day.
There is a beach closer than Lourdas, Kanali Beach (there are no tavernas or anything else there). To reach this beach turn left out of the complex, walk for around 150 yards and just follow the sign & path. Remember that the road is at the top of a cliff and the path goes down a steep hair pin route and many steps (and seats!) but the beach/sea once reached is clean and sandy. If a taverna is needed just keep walking to the the left on the beach and Lourdas Beach will be reached (one will have to clamber over some large rocks to reach Lourdas).
If hiring a car, leave the complex, turn right, walk for about 100 yards and a footpath will be seen on the left, advertising car hire. At the top of this path you are on the higher part of one of the many hairpin bends and spoilt for choice; there are four different car hire places, two opposite the top of the footpath, one to the right and another about 100 yards away on the left. Do get a quote from each one, it will be worthwhile, our cheapest quote was for 25 euros per day for a 7 day hire (175 euro); the next nearest was 190 euro. Our best quote was from Express at the top of the path and we accepted this. The down side was that we had a 300 euro excess (we did not have any claim) where the 190 euro quote included a no excess clause. For a supermarket, Petros, at the top of the footpath has just about everything at fairly decent prices, and the couple that run it are very helpfull and speak good english.
Back to the apartments, built in two main blocks with an access road/car park, swimming pool, sunbeds, easy wicker chairs and bar (owner does snacks) in between. All is clean looking.
The owner and his wife are present every day from 8 am until the last person leaves the bar area, he is very nice helpful man but his wife can be a bit on the firey side and is quick to pounce on anyone she thinks may be doing something wrong and does not apologise when she realises she has made a wrong judgement. A barbeque was organised for the Thurs nights, we did not attend, the cost was 12 euros each (without drinks). As one can eat out, with drinks for around 20 euros per couple it made sense to do that.
For meals out there are a large number of local eating places locally, all within a 15 minute walk, Greek Island (nearest, opened 2010), Olive Lounge (very nice), Zorbas (just to left at top of path mentioned, lots of motor cyclist noise from road) and on other side of the road, further on, Afrodities (excellent food and host). By far the best is the Andromeda Restaurant (turn right out of complex walk straight across crossroads and its on the left, very exclusive).
We found the place a very convenient place and central to stay, especially with the car as the main roads (that's a joke!) were far more accessible than in Skala. We will book to stay in that location again.