Iberostar Plagos Beach

just returned back from zante ,23/09/10. the hotel is welcoming,staff are very helpful and considerate,especially restaurant,bar and reception,eleni on reception always greeted with a smile and nothing was to much trouble.Accomodation clean tidy well serviced by the maids.Picturesc surroundings, but no beach,just rocks , the beach is up thr road and round the corner and is very small with 2 or 3 taverns.Entertainment is a throw back to spain in the 60s,with a lack lustre staff who did not want to be there,however they exude enthusiasm in trying to sell bingo , tombola and tshirts for which they pocket the money,disinterested and unorganised.
Food starts off okay until you realise its mostly processeed and starts to become repettitive,but full marks for the deserts.Basically get out when you can and use this as a base,beware prices on coffee at various other parts of the island st nicholas port 15 euros for three coffees and a tea at the cafe right of the car park,but enjoy the sun and the hotel staff who work hard to make the holiday for you..not 4 star but would be a good bed and breakfast yasoo....steve

2 readers found this review helpful

Nice hotel if you are ablebodied steps everywhere !! Apart from this the food was excellent and the staff are great and very helpfull.Alex the head barman was lovely and very funny

3 readers found this review helpful

Just arrived back from 2 weeks at Plagos Beach, was very disappointed,air-conditioning in room was not ample, we found it better to open the balcony doors and front door to room to cause a through draught. Hotel has not got its own beach, this is a walk down a steep hill, and back up, here we had to pay 6 Euros for sun beds which had to be hired from a local taverna. Polystyrene cups supplied as tea/coffee making facilities. Hotel is a good 45 minute walk to Tsilivi, again down hill, We didn't feel that it would be safe to walk back at night, no pavements or street lights, taxi costs 7 Euros for return to Hotel.(Perhaps a Courtesy bus would be a good idea!) Could have supplied entertainment around bar area, only time was a Saturday evening when there was a traditional Greek Dance performed, quite enjoyable. Food was enoyable, but feel that perhaps tablecloths would help to make the restaurant look less like a canteen, and children should be supervised in restaurant. No Al a Carte. Although the staff were very professional and friendly, it couldn't take away the fact that it was more like a 3* than a 4* hotel.

I have recently come back after a weeks holiday with my mother at this hotel. We were very impressed with the hotel and the only things against it was the number of steps which were not mentioned on the website or in the First Choice brochure. Luckily when we arrived I explained that my mother would have difficulty with the steps and they did find us an alternative room. However for a hotel which caters for couples, and then seeing a coach of Saga holiday makers arrive I think this should have been made clear. The other thing is the evening entertainment took place at the bottom of all these steps and the hotel wondered why people didn't join in the various shows etc.
However, the food, staff, pool, hotel were lovely. Most welcoming and polite. Never had to queue for anything, lots of areas to sit in the evening and relax. Multi-national guests which was nice. Pool lovely and clean. There was a small cove by the hotel down some more steps and a slope which had a jetty which was perfect for swimming and snorkling. beautiful clear water. Room was fine for the two of us but I think the family room isn't much bigger so would be a bit cramped. In the brochure it shows a superior room I think. Overall perfect for us but don't think I would take teenagers there. Not enough for them to do.

1 reader found this review helpful

Went to Plagos Beach in August 2008 with my mum and my 10 year old son. Had booked the holiday nearly a year in advance as we were visiting my sister and wanted to book a 'good' hotel. Unfortunately this was not what we got! On arrival the reception area looked fantastic but then we were taken to our room (68 steps). We had booked a superior room and had seen the photos on the internet and in the Thomas Cook brochure but what we got was not what was in the photos. As this was a superior room and there were 3 of us we were expecting a large room but we were very disappointed. There were 3 beds but there wasn't room for the little table and chairs in the room so these had been squeezed between the beds. The luxury balcony we had seen in the photos was not there! There was only room for a small table and 2 chairs and you could reach your arms out and touch the patio doors and the end of the balcony when you sat down, also the air conditioning unit was on the balcony which leaked stagnant water all the time which attracted any insects within 2 miles of the hotel. The fridge in the room would not close properly, therefore there were no cool drinks. Our fridge was eventually fixed but when we went in the room there was wood shavings all over the floor which we had to clear up. The furniture looked like something out of the 70's and drawers were very hard to open and the bathroom was very old fashioned. There was nowhere to store the suitcases so these had to be squashed into the room along with everything else. The swimming pool is not suitable for children who are under 4 feet as they will not be able to stand up. You had to be up at 6.00 in the morning to get a sunbed and if you did you could not move them when the sun moved as you were sandwiched in like sardines in a tin. We were constantly harrassed by the 'entertainers' trying to sell CD's/t-shirts etc and to play water polo/sing stupid songs. I explained to them every time they asked that my son could not play water polo as he could not touch the bottom of the swimming pool. My son is a very good swimmer but I felt that I had to watch him all the time in case he got tired as most of the time the 'entertainers' took up the shallowest part of the pool to play games (if you can call 4' shallow). The food was disgusting and we lived on soup all week. We found a nice restaurant overlooking the sea which was about 5 minutes walk away from the hotel down a very steep hill and we must have looked like we hadn't eaten for a while as we devoured 3 pizzas and chips in approx 5 mins. We started going to the beach after 3 days as I was sick of having to get up early (even though there was a sign in reception saying that if towels were left on sunbeds before 7.30 they would be removed)but the beach was down a very steep hill and we had to pay for umbrellas and sunbeds but it was better than fighting with everyone in the hotel. Some people were getting up very early, putting their towels on the sunbeds and then going elsewhere and turning up after dinner to claim their beds. As we have previously stayed in a 4* hotel in Cyprus (part of the same chain of hotels) we expected better but this is only a 2* and that is being kind. The staff were very unhelpful as we complained about the room and the manager was very abrupt and the Thomas Cook rep was no better. I showed the Thomas Cook rep to our room to ask here opinion to it being a superior room and she agreed that it was not acceptable but did nothing about it. On one occasion the maids had collected all the glasses from every room in our block and had left them on the ledge outside our room - these were left for 2 days and you can imagine what they were attracting. After complaining 3 times these were moved. Eventually I think she was sick of us complaining and didn't come to the hotel again or if she did we didn't see her. We had paid £2,000 for one weeks holiday and expected better. The bar and restaurant staff were particularly 'grumpy' apart from one waiter who was the only member of staff in the hotel that smiled. We spoke to several other english families/couples and all were very disappointed with the hotel. According to my sister, who lives on the island, the Plagos Beach is supposed to be the best hotel on the island - well if that's the best they can keep it! I would love to show the photos which we took but unfortunately after downloading these to my computer the hard drive went and this is why it has taken so long to write this review. It should be stated in the brochure and on the internet that if you have any disability this is NOT a suitable hotel. We couldn't even relax on our balcony in the evening as we would have to walk 68 steps just to get a drink!!
If you are thinking of going to Plagos Beach, think again - I'm sure there must be better hotels on the island!

I stayed in this hotel with my mate and friend in August 2007 and the only thing I can fault is the location.
The staff were really friendly, the pool was nice and so were the rooms.
I loved the holiday and so did my mate and dad, and we should be returning to the same hotel the same time next year because it was truly amazing.
I can't wait to be back out there.

We arrived back into Manchester yesterday to a dull overcast, 16 degrees after basking in temperatures of 36 to 39 all last week.
I cannot find fault with this hotel.
Breakfast and dinner was served in the restaurant and the food was excellent, cooked and continental breakfasts, wonderful salads, traditional Greek dishes each night but enough choice for the fussiest of eaters.
The pool bar was similar, serving snacks from ten in the morning till six a night. If you'd missed breakfast they served a cut down version to the main restaurant between ten and twelve.
Not once in either the restaurant or the pool bar did we have to queue for a table and when we were there the hotel was fully booked and very busy.
The staff cannot be faulted, from the second we checked in nothing was too much trouble and everything was done very efficiently. Extra pillows and towels arrived almost as soon as they were asked for. Restaurant staff were very efficient keeping the place spotless. The barmen were very friendly and helped make the holiday. The pool area was kept tidy by the gardening staff, with a life guard regularly on duty.
The pool was deep in places so care should be taken if you're not a good swimmer.
Entertainment might not be to everyone's liking as it was over by ten thirty each night, but with one small son in tow, this was more than enough for us.
Also, this is a very cosmopolitan hotel with a mix of Italian, German, Dutch and even some Hungarians. However, the hotel also had a lot of Greek guests which in itself speak volumes over the quality of the place.
The island itself is stunning. We were fortunate enough to be there for the Festival of St. Dennis in the main town. A fabulous experience when the whole island turns up to pay respect to their patron saint.
To truly experience the beauty of the island you need to take a boat trip. We went on the trip chartered by Thompson’s and it was fantastic. We discovered hidden coves, went snorkelling and we were diving off the boat into the clearest waters I have ever seen.
Only slight criticism is the size of the room, for two adults and two kids it was a little small but the other facilities in the hotel were so good we only used the room to sleep.
I have holidayed in many place including Portugal, Corfu, Crete, Spain and America and I also travel extensively with my work. This is one of the best holidays we have had as a family.
We had such a good holiday at Plagos Beach we are already looking to book for next year.

2 readers found this review helpful

2 Adults and 2 Children under 11, we booked this holiday 24 hrs before departure.
What a fantastic place we found it to be. The staff are very polite and helpful. The Hotel is spotlessly clean and the rooms are cleaned every day.
The food is excellent - we'd go as far to say the best we have ever experienced in Greece on an AI basis. The hot food was always piping hot with plenty of choice every day.
All alcoholic drinks are locally produced but are served plentifully and its service with a smile.
Children's cocktail drinks were a big hit as were the 'to die for' milkshakes!
The Pool is big and deep, so beware with very small kids. There is a small children's pool next to the main pool. There is a resident lifeguard who does a very good job.
The rooms are spacious enough for a family of 4. Best try to get one with some sort of view of the sea/resort. Our one was an inland view room so just looked out on other apartments. Room though was ideal.
The beach is a very short walk away (no more than 5 mins) but most of the hotel guests used the jetty which is a 2 min walk through the hotel grounds. Sea lovely and warm and sandy bottom. Some close rocks nearby that were ideal for snorkelling.
There is night time entertainment. Once a week Greek dancing and the rest was down to the animation team who are all from Italy. Despite limited resources they do a fantastic job and keep everyone entertained throughout the day (and night). Well done to them!
This is a small hotel complex about 10 mins (by Taxi) from Tsivli where you can find all the noise and nonstop entertainment you could ever wish for.
This hotel is just off the beaten track and anyone looking for a relaxing holiday should definitely consider here. It is a real gem!

Just returned. Superb Holiday - Hotel very clean and tidy, superb selection of food for all tastes.
Rooms clean and tidy. All food areas were kept spotless, and during our stay temperatures of food and storage was very good.
Entertainment somewhat weak in the evening, but the team of 4 did the best they could do, and all the kids enjoyed the level of fun and enthusiasm they portrayed.
Very limited 'sunbed towel savers' you would usually be able to go down after breakfast around 9:30 and still have very good selection.
Lifeguard now present - did seem to blow his whistle a lot!
All staff were very helpful. Recommended.

This hotel is not a four star hotel. Whilst I cannot fault the staff as they were more than helpful, the room was damp, and our clothes smelt within two days. The accommodation is very disappointing considering the brochure write ups.
I think the food was good and the location great, apart from the awful smell, which we could not decipher whether it was the sea or the hotel sewage works. I am not saying don't go, I was just very disappointed after staying at an Iberostar in Lanzarote where the facilities were four star?