8/10 Good
Alexander, Reading, UK
25 Sept 2016
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Nice hotel in a calm bay excellent for swimming
The hotel is located in the middle of the calm Gerakari beach, a crystal-clear and shallow bay ideal for swimming (just after sunrise - but also most of the day - you may be the only lone swimmer to experience this "nirvana" in the sea, undisturbed and "in union" with the elements of the universe); there is no much space on that beach to lie in the sun, though; yet, it is about 30 minutes of driving to the dunes of the spacious Banana beach (on the south-east coastline of the island), or the natural beauty of the Kalamaki beach (on the south coast just nearby the Zakynthos airport) and Gerakas beach (on the utmost south-east point). Less than 30 minutes of driving to the north-west will take you to the beautiful rocky bays with deep dark-green-blue waters around Makris Gialos. This family-managed hotel has a very welcoming and helpful staff. Delicious local food and drinks are served in the well-designed yard around a swimming pool. The rooms are clean and tidy, equipped with a fridge, TV and basic appliances to cook (if you would wish to). But cooking is not what one would do on a holiday, especially in Greece. We were impressed by the culinary excellence at "The Yard of Taste" in Zakynthos, "El Sueno" in Makris Nisi (just a few minutes to the north of Makris Gialos), "Zepos" at Kalamaki beach and the local Amoudi taverna, which we would highly recommend. One should definitely hire a car in Zakynthos and explore the many hidden secrets of natural beauty and culinary art.