More Traveller Reviews of Amaryllis Aparthotel
Another Great Stay at Amaryllis
from Butterfly1978
My husband and I and our two children (5 & 3) have just returned from another fantastic stay at the Amaryllis. We went this time last year and loved it so much that as soon as we got back we booked to go again this year! This review may sound a bit contradictive, but for us the Amaryllis has everything we need; a lovely, safe and clean pool area; delicious food at the pool snack bar; it’s a nice easy stroll to the main strip and the beach; there's a lovely bar for my husband and I and it overlooks a little park for the kids, perfect! The people who work there are great, particularly Panos in the bar and Lola and the other staff in the snack bar. BUT... the rooms are very dark, even with the shutters open (we stayed in a two bed apartment in block B this year and last year) the showers are terrible, they leak and flood the bathroom, the beds are quite uncomfortable and there's no way you can cater for yourself in these apartments. There is quite literally a kettle and two rings. No toaster, grill etc so even a simple breakfast of toast is impossible. In saying all of that though, the rooms are spotlessly cleaned every day apart from Mondays and you get clean towels and bedding every other day. There is a lovely relaxing feeling about the Amaryllis, and for the amount of time we spend in our room when we are on holiday, those things are not really a problem for us. The resort of Kalamaki is wonderful for families. There are lots of lovely, family friendly restaurants, our favourites being Michaelos (it’s a bit of a walk out but worth every step, the moussaka is gorgeous!) Heavens Kitchen, The Olive Tree, and Buon Amici. Mermaids is also lovely for an evening meal, and they put on the best Greek night we have ever seen; plate smashing, fire dancing, the lot but I would defiantly give it a miss for breakfast, ours was terrible! Time Out do a great breakfast though, and quite a reasonable price. The bar right next door to Mermaids do lovely cocktails and so does the Oasis bar. We also took a walk up to the Cave Bar right at the top of the strip. The kids loved sitting in an actual cave and the view from the top of the bar is lovely, but watch out for the spitting cactus on the stairs up, it got my husband quite badly, he was pulling needles out for a while afterwards!! One thing I would really recommend is taking a pedlow from the beach to see the turtles. We loved it so much we done it twice this holiday! We were really surprised how many we saw, and some are really friendly, popping their heads up to say hello!! We spoke to one person who paid 100 euro on a trip to turtle beach and they saw one turtle. We paid 10 euro for an hour on the pedlow and saw about 10! We’re going to book the Amaryllis again for next year. The plus points of the resort and apartments far outweigh the negative points on the rooms.
Great Holiday
from Hants_holiday_makers
Really great holiday!. Apartments really clean and spacious. Staff are so kind and attentive. We certainly will be returning again
already booked to go again!!!
from yummymummy89
I first visited Amaryllis in 2005 with my parents and best friend, and we loved it! So I was more than happy to return with my partner in 2007. The apartments were brilliant and you get what you pay for. They were always kept clean. Yes they are basic but correct me if Im wrong you dont go on holiday to sit in your apartment?! One thing I will warn people about is the showers - luckily I do not sunburn however my partner did and with such a powerful shower I think its fair to say the whole block heard him scream! The gardens are beautifully kept and the gardener (who has not changed since my previous visit) is very friendly and used to buy you a rose if he saw you out in the evening. We did not spend much of our evening in the apartment bar - but when I came before it was a nice bar to sit in which had karaoke and bingo etc on different nights. The location of the apartments is excellent when you get on the main road you can either turn right towards kalamaki for the restaurants and bars ( Fire bar is a must love it!!!) or left towards laganas for the clubs etc. My partner and I stayed in Kalamaki on this visit and would definately recommend the italian balacony restaurant the food was gorgeous and you could sit and watch the stars all very romantic! When booking your holiday I would advise you NOT to include airport transfers as the Amaryllis really is only 10 mins from the airport and it is much cheaper and quicker for taxi transfer. The airport is a bit of nightmare but it still couldnt put a downer on the holiday. A trip to Zante truely is an unforgetable one - espicially for me as on the holiday my partner proposed to me and on return to england I then found out I was pregnant ( so our daughter was a Zante baby). We've booked to go back to the Amaryllis in October with 10 of our friends and we are hoping to start organising our wedding over there! It really is an amazing place bright blue sea white beaches you name it Zante has got it!!!
Dont stay there!!
from Holidays0508
Very basic apartments, dull, dark and smelt of damp. Tiny shower with a 'hosepipe' shower head which wets the whole of the bathroom floor, 2 cooker rings which took absolutely ages to cook anything as they were so old. Staff are very friendly, but that's about it! The location is good, plenty of shops & restaurants & a nice beach within 10 minutes walking distance. I would recommend the hotel next door, the Bitzaro Grande Hotel.
Nice hotel, but may be not again..........
from Beaney4
A group of us visited Zante in May 2007. The hotel was only about a 10 min drive from the airport and just of the Kalamaki Road. The apartments were clean, spacious and many of them had balconies. The maids visited 3 times a week to change the towels and bedding. There was an in-house mini-market but we found that the prices on most of the things were more expensive then in the local supermarket. There were 2 swimming pools and a kids play area. However I was bit concerned about letting my 2 year old play there, as it was right next to a set of gates leading onto the road.
Return to Zakynthos
from lizsmith
We returned to Zakynthos after 22 years and have had a very relaxing and enjoyable holiday at the Amaryllis. First impressions were that the appartments were extremely basic, 2 cooking rings and an old fridge, 3 knives, forks and spoons, 3 glasses, 3 mugs etc. for 3 of us. I can say however that they are kept scrupulously clean. All the staff are extremely polite and helpful and the pool is large, clean and warm at all times. Sun beds do tend to be reserved with towels early so if you are a late riser then you will struggle to get a bed! If you are prepared to pay 40 euros then the air con is very effective. Pleanty of good restaurants nearby - Artemis was our favourite with a very extensive menu to suit all and friendly staff. Fantastic sandy beach is a short walk and oh the Amaryllis bar, does cocktails at happy hour and are a bargain and not to be missed! Would recommend the holiday and be happy to return - just do not expect luxurious furniture and facilities. Oh by the way the airport is a nightmare, they tried to charge us for 19 excess kilos when it was only 8 and they sent bags off before telling us or giving us the opportunity to remove items. Be very carefull how you pack bags on way home!
Loved Zante and the Amaryllis
from cwmbowydd
We stayed at the Amaryllis earlier this month(Hubby, me daughter aged 17 and her boyfriend aged 18) After reading the other reviews I have to agree totally. The apartments are really clean and well looked after. The pool is fantastic and the water always warm.We swam there every day and there was always plenty of sunbeds available.Beautiful well kept gardens, and everywhere was so clean and cared for. Most of the food in the mini market is cheaper than other shops but with less choice as it is smaller.Small cafe/bar open all day for snacks and drinks till 6pm then the main bar opens. Theme nights in the bar, You can book any trips at Cavo grosso just up from the amaryllis on the main road..Costa is lovely..he cried when we left to go home..well he was a little tipsy!!! Hire a car just next door to him.sorry cant remember the name. Paolos restaurant just across the road has fantastic food..we ate there 4 times.Hi george!!..also Zeppos on the beach at the far end of the strip...call a cab from hotel reception. The cave bar is a must for a cocktail to watch the sun go down WOW. Free mini moke takes you up from the mustang bar..but not far to walk from mustang either. Island cruise is a must do..a whole day round the island in a boat with 3 chances for a swim. All in all a fantastic place
Will return next year
from beckalott
15th May - 22nd May 2007 - Partner and Me (both just under 30!) The Amaryllis Apartments are fantastic, ALL the staff were so friendly and welcoming. The rooms are a fair size, and very clean. The rooms are fitted with air conditioning but you have to hire the controller to work it (40 euros for a week) we didn't need it as it did get quite chilly at night. The pool area is lovely, mainly grass. Plenty of sunbeds and umbrellas. The pool bar is cheap for food and drinks but we found better food for the same cost in the town (a short 5 minute walk on level ground). Lots of choice for bars and restaurants in Kalamaki, we didn't find any bad ones! During the day we favoured a small cafe/bar called 'Time Out' on the left hand side of the strip it was brilliant food and fantastic value for money. The evening restaurants are good also, the only one we visited twice was The Olive tree (on the right hand side of the strip) greek, mexican and english food. Catch the bus to Laganas for a beautiful beach, i reccomend turtle spotting on a boat (10 euros per person). Very good value for money. Laganas is a 10 minute bus ride and busses run maybe every 30 minutes, as usual the busses are crammed full but for 1.20euro it's very cheap! The bus from Kalamaki will take you straight to the beach front in Laganas. Beware of Laganas airport on your return flight home, it's very very small and gets tremendously busy. Take your own water and food if you can, 4euros for a coffee and 6.50euros for a roll. There is hardly any seating but thankfully we had no delays. Cigarettes and tobacco are just as cheap at the airport as it is in the resort. The Amaryllis Apartments will get your cigarettes and tobacco for you and don't charge commission if your paying by card. You place your order in the shop by the pool. (we did this and highly reccomend it) I highly reccomend this holiday and accomodation and we'll return next year :) Happy holidays!
one hell of good holiday
from A TripAdvisor Member
me, my husband and 2 kids aged 9 and 15 stayed here for 2 glorious weeks, and i would recommend it to any one who just loves just relaxing and the odd stroll into town or to the beach, my kids made any friends as we did too. there is alway staff around to help you with any problem and event he owner will have a drink in the bar with you in the evening until late . all staff speak good english, and also a small cafe that make you english food. the shop sells a good range of english food also. the apartment we stayed in was on the ground floor, very clean and comfortable cleaner come in everyday about 10.30, they will even was up for you. as being on the ground floor you do tend to get a bit of noise from above you (toilet flushing, and even the odd slamming of doors). there are plenty of resturant in the area for evening meal, i would def reommend th mermaids on a friday night as you get to greek dancing, plate smashing and even fire dancing all in one night and its cheap. swimming pool lovely, in fact it soo good we have booked to go back again next year, with families that we met out there and they all said that it worth ever penny, as for the airplanes going over, you get used to it, they stop at 10pm, sunday and tuesday being the nosiest day. peddle boat for 4 to see the turtles is 10 euros for 1 hour, and if your lucky as we were you might even see dolphins, best time to go is early morning as the sands not too hot to walk on. the airport there is a bit of a nightmare as only 3 gates, there is a new one being built that was ment to open last year, as for going back home take plenty of water with you as you have to wait in the sun to check in and the cafe inside is expensive buy before you get there. holiday rep james is really nice and helpful, so is the blonde lady on reception who is english. board game for kids and also pool, table tennis and a computer, and one massive bit screen to watch tv on.
absoultley fantastic
from A TripAdvisor Member
Amaryllis was absoultley fantastic couldnt fault it at all very clean bins emptied every day very freindly staff prime location will definatley be going back soon.
Yes a wondeful surprise, this was a last minute booking and we didn't know what to expect, but the Amaryllis turns out to be a beautifully clean, friendly family run Aparthotel. All the staff were so very friendly and nothing seemed to be too much trouble for them. Hanna... more