Aresti Villas

3 readers found this review helpful

Fantastic holiday! Luxury villa with maid service & air-con (essential in August). good location as long as you hire a car, can reach all parts of the island. Pool was great, our kids loved it. Nice & private & quiet, we weren't particulary aware of our neighbours.
Greek night on Wednesday was an experience!
Katya was great and couldn't do enough to help.
Overall we would love to go again. The kids found the heat a bit much, 35-40C every day but we loved it, made a change from rainy Devon!

4 readers found this review helpful

We booked directly through Simply Travel, as our previous experience with them (10 years ago) was so good. We were not disappointed this year. We've been to other Ionian Islands before; Cephalonia, Ithaca and Corfu previously and Zakynthos, compares very favourably, if a little more densely populated (on the eastern side at least).
We stayed in Ioannis ('Joanna', in English), which sleeps 6 although there were only 4 of us. All villas are self-contained, in a tasteful modern/traditional greek style. The kitchen was great, air-con in all 3 bedrooms; spotlessly clean and thoughtful beach towels (we needed have taken ours!). Cleverly, the villa is situated so the pool is in shade late afternoon.
Although there were a dozen or so villas (I wouldn't call it a 'complex'), you're never really aware of other holiday-makers and you can keep yourself to yourselves.
There's a nice taverna on-site serving good food, they'll set a tab up for you and even deliver to your villa, but you really need to get out and about as Zakynthos has some lovelly tavernas. Our favourites were in Agios Nikolaos up in the NW and at Limionas in the West. Agios Dimitrios is ideally situated in the centre of the island.
There's also a kid's playground, basketball hoop and a dusty football pitch. Couldn't fault the amenities.
Staff were great too. Beverley, our rep form Simply is a star and a mine of information. The ever-friendly and helpful Katia seemed to do most of the running around on-site and the maids were brilliant. The locals were lovely too - making shopping for provisions and finding your way around, fun.
There's a good selection of sandy / pebbly / rocky beaches. Our favourites were those away from the crowds, in fact we spent a lot of time just chilling by the pool!
The only thing that caught us out was just hot and dry it was. Humidity was quite low and our two children suffered a little from dehydration - so be careful. Even the locals were saying how hot it was, mid to high 30s every day plus 40+ on a couple of days.
Enjoy!

2 readers found this review helpful

This place really is as good as it looks! We booked through Thomson but the operator was Simply Travel. We stayed in Andouan Villa, which is not on the website but is just as beautiful as the ones pictured. It's at the end of a row of four and surrounded by olive groves. It is very private and we were never aware of our neighbours. It was spotless and beautifully furnished (although the beds were rather hard!) and had everything we needed. For those who think about such things, there is an iron and ironing board as well as a washing machine and Simply Travel provided beach towels too. Daily maid service was extremely thorough and the pool was kept really clean too. The staff were really friendly and very helpful when needed, other than that they left us to it.
Car hire was included in our package, which is a must as Agios Dimitrios is about a 10 minute drive from Zakynthos Town or Alikes. Also, it meant we got to explore the whole island including the mountain areas and had easy access to all the beaches and beauty spots, which in May are practically deserted. It was so much better than staying in a noisy resort - thoroughly relaxing and away from it all.
Our favourite beaches were Gerakas and Agios Nikolaos but Keri was also beautiful. Alikes was a good beach too and the only decent resort town (Laganas, Tsilivi and Argassi were pretty awful but depends what you're looking for in a resort).
All in all, we loved it and could have happily stayed for another couple of weeks. Would definitely go back.

2 readers found this review helpful

Having spent holidays in cramped and frankly tatty apartments on other Greek Islands, we were absolutely delighted with the standard of Aresti Villa Illia. The decor was beautiful and the standard of cleaning impeccable. I agree with some of the other reviewers that, if all you want is sun, sand and gallons of beer, then stay on the coast. The hinterland of Zakynthos is beautiful and the car provided was put to very good use exploring the island away from the coast. We always looked forward to getting back to "our" villa for a relaxing g&t before deciding where to eat in the evening. The meals at the on-site bar/restaurant were quite good if you didn't want to drive in the evening. However, we found plenty of small tavernas only a few minutes drive away. I would say that this is an ideal spot for people who don't need bars and discos to make their holidays enjoyable but who like to find the "real" Zakynthos!

2 readers found this review helpful

I went to Zakythos with my boyfriend, his dad, sister, stepmum & stepsister on 8th August this year (2007) for one week, wishing it was for two. When we arrived at Aresti Villas we were surprised at how beautiful the surroundings were, they were awesome, very peaceful and we knew the week ahead was going to be great. The villa was spotlessly clean & the pool area was gorgeous.
There was a restaurant within the close vicinity, literally 2 minutes from our villa, where we had breakfast almost every morning. You could choose from a variety of foods, ranging from continental to full English.
The only disappointment was we were almost in the middle of nothing, the night-life was a 10-15 minute taxi drive away! Which was unfortunate as it came to 30 euro a night (there & back), although once you arrived in Tsillivi or Alykes (2 of the best places for restaurants & nightclubs) it was fantastic!
I would and I'm sure the rest of us who stayed in Zaythnthos would recommend Aresti Villas, Tsillivi & Alykes!!! We would love to go back (if only we had stayed for 2 weeks rather than 1)!!! The waterpark which was only 5 minutes drive away is also a great attraction (we went twice)!!!
Katie Nettleton
Durham

2 readers found this review helpful

Booked through Thomas Cook - Tour Operator Olympic Holidays. Villa supplied with car.
Having previously taken our holidays spent on a number of Greek Islands, we did not set our expectations too high in terms of accommodation.
On arrival at Aresti Villas we were pleasantly surprised when we were taken to our Villa.
The Villa comprised of three luxury bedrooms, one of which had a cast iron four poster bed, a second bedroom with cast iron single beds and a third bedroom with a large wooden bed. All rooms were beautifully furnished and in a "farm house" theme.
There were two bathrooms one large (with washing machine) and a smaller on suite. Downstairs comprised of an open plan dining/living area and kitchen. Floor boards and beams throughout the villa.
Excellent air-conditioning units (and not noisy) much needed 42degrees!!
Lovely pool and outside breakfast/dining area.
Maid service daily (and excellent if your little ones have the occasional accident at night).
Aresti Villas are set inland and therefore a short drive to the beach is required, but look upon it as respite from the intense heat. There are some excellent tavernas but get a map of each resort and go exploring if you are looking for traditional Greek food for example Tsoukalas Taverna, Alikanas - lovely.
There is a dining area in the grounds serving a selection of traditional Greek dishes. A play area which is well lit in the evenings and don't forget room service (which is free) if you want to be spoilt with breakfast brought to your villa.
Lots to see and do - Turtle spotting, blue caves, ship wreck and a water village to name but a few. Zante does attract a lot of young people and there are allot of English themed bars but if you are prepared to do a bit of exploring you can find some lovely beaches - Gerakas turtle beach (shallow and much like being in a bath) Keri beach and a lovely bay Alikanas.
Wonderful holiday for young families!!!
The only downside of the whole holiday was the long queuing under a canopy at the airport in extreme heat (arriving back in England to flooding and temperatures of 16degrees). We were not disappointed.

2 readers found this review helpful

A beautiful well cared for villa just off the main road but very tranquil.
Maid service excellent. Pool area stunning with good quality sunbeds and patio table and chairs.
Garden well stocked with flowering plants.
Holiday would suit family or couple who do not want the "Brits abroad holiday".
You need a car to go anywhere but only 5 mins to nearest beach and resort.
Would definitely go back.

1 reader found this review helpful

An awful booking service. I booked one villa - to then find it was double booked, then another to find the same. In total this happened three times - I wish good luck to anyone who finally manages to get to the Villas - but be expected to go through hell on the booking process. Get confirmation in writing before you book. Nightmare

1 reader found this review helpful

Stunning location, peaceful and private. We have rented a number of villas in Florida and whilst it differs in a number of ways, both in terms of fittings and size, this was every bit as good.
However, if its sand you are after then be prepared for a few miles drive each day or book elsewhere! The villa was traditionally built with a pool, charming and comes with a daily maid service.
You will definitely need a car, which gives you the opportunity to explore this beautiful island.
So much more to reflect on, when you are at the airport to discover most of those queuing under the canopy with you have seen little more than a British themed pub, their hotel room and an adjacent beach.
I've awarded a 9 because the pool was a little cold.

2 readers found this review helpful

We have just returned from probably one of the most relaxing holidays I have ever experienced. The location was idyllic with views across Olive Groves and mountains yet complete privacy. A genuine peace haven. The standard of villas was superb with daily maid service an unobtrusive yet welcome occurrence.
I was surprised at the comments of a previous reviewer. Aresti doesn't profess to be a hotel complex, and as a result you are left in peace and tranquility safe in the knowledge that you can contact somebody by telephone at a moments notice. When required, the staff were incredibly helpful. This included delivery of evening meals from the Aresti Restaurant and Piano Bar in Zakynthos Town direct to your own villa as individual courses without extra charge!
As far as supplies are concerned. A friendly village shop was but 5 minutes walk away with larger and well stocked supermarkets no more than 15 mins drive. We traveled the whole Island and found some beautiful scenery, beeches and tavernas and never once felt it 'too much'.
If you want a beach holiday with the usual mix of shops and restaurants on your doorstep, try a resort. If it's peace and tranquility you crave in a tasteful and quality environment, Aresti has it all.