Princess Hotel & Apartments

The apartments we stayed in was very clean and was cleaned on a regular basis. The pool area was lovely and was kept very clean at all times. The staff Freddie, Tony and Vanessa are just wonderful, nothing is to much trouble for them and they always made a fuss of my 2 year old daughter especially Freddie! Tslivi is a great place with lots of nice places to eat. The best taverna is calypso the food is great. as well as the staff. Popeyes made my 30th birthday a fantastic experience. Jokers cocktail bar just across from the hotel is a great place to be and the PR girls are great. Definately be back next year.

we have been coming to tsilivi for many years this was our first time at the mavrias apartments. they are joined with the princess hotel and you are able to use the pool and snack bar there. the location is nice and quite just off main road and within 2 mins you are in the hub of everything. the apartment was spotless and very cosy with a wonderful view over the swimming pool. the staff were only too happpy to help and i felt if we had any problems it would have been sorted imedialtly. we will be gong back

This was the second holiday at the princess hotel. We were there at the same time as others, who have posted reviews, but we never got ill, and we had ice from the bar. The holiday at the hotel was perfect like the last time we went. Everyone at the hotel went out of there way to accommodate our every need. Freddie at the bar is wonderful, looking after both the men and the women alike. Miltos spelt incorrectly i suspect is responsible for the cleaning of the spotless pool area and security. The owner who we have become friends with invited us to the Greek night on the house which was unexpected and very nice. Tsilivi its self can be as lively or quiet as you want it to be, suitable for all ages. The boat house restaurant attached to the Tsilivi hotel is a must. Excellent value, good staff, good food, and good view located on the beach. The moby dick restaurant also located on the beach is suitable for those on a budget, because it supplies free of charge sun beds for customers. Good food and staff. We hired a quad and drove all around the island it was a fun and exciting way of seeing the sights. I recommend kalamaki it was lovely. Don’t go to the best view of the island taverna the drinks are very over priced. We were so impressed we are going again in September.

Just returned from a lovely holiday staying at this hotel for a week. We didn't pay over the odds and as its 2 start we weren’t expecting the Ritz anyway.
The rooms are clean, towels changed every 2nd day and the breakfasts were adequate. Ham, cheese, toast, cereal, fruit and Greek Yoghurt. The rooms at the front of the hotel just beside the pool don't allow a lot of privacy for sitting on your terrace as you're only a foot or so away from the people lying at the pool and it can get noisy from the pool bar at night.
Friends of ours had a room at the back looking on to pretty gardens which was much better. The pool area when we were there was very busy and sun beds were being booked early on, then people strolling away for a couple of hours and keeping their beds. There were only British people there so we can't blame other nationalities for this.
The pool area is nice though and the hotel is quite pretty and set off the main road. The staff are the biggest asset the hotel has Freddie, Danny and Eva all deserve a big thank you for making everyone feel relaxed and welcome.
There is a lovely relaxed atmosphere at this hotel and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay. If we were to return to Tsilivi for a week we would not hesitate to book up there again as we thoroughly enjoyed it, however if we were to go for 2 weeks we would be looking to book a hotel with more stars - either that or specifically request a room at the back and pay for the air conditioning to be put on.
All in all a smashing holiday and I would recommend the hotel and commend the staff, Freddie, Eva and Danny in particular.

Just returned from this hotel. It's 2 star and we didn't pay over the odds for it so we just expected your basic fare.
The hotel accommodation was ok, our room was at the front just beside the pool and there was one night I couldn’t sleep for the noise from the pool bar. Friends of ours had a room at the back looking out on to pretty gardens and they were not bothered by noise at all.
The pool area is quite nice, a bit busy as it's not really that big and as usual people were booking their sunbeds early on then strolling off and going elsewhere. We can't blame other nationalities - there were only British people at the hotel. This put us off a bit and we only spent one day at the pool.
We had a couple of snacks at the pool bar which were very nice Pizza's and burgers -the pizza's appeared to be freshly made.
The staff were fantastic; they couldn't do enough for you. Freddie, Eva and Danny really go out of their way to make you feel relaxed and very welcome. The hotel is situated just off the main road and a gentle stroll will take you to the nearest restaurants, bars and supermarket. It's not too far from the beach either and it's a lovely walk. Tsilivi is a lovely resort and we would all return.
If we were going for 2 weeks, we would probably choose a hotel with more stars, i.e. for air conditioning etc but if we go back for a week we would not hesitate to book the Princess again, there is a nice friendly atmosphere, the rooms are clean, the pool area is nice, the bar and snack bar are good and it's in a great location and the biggest plus point for the hotel is the staff - they all deserve a special mention.

Pool very clean. Bar Staff very helpful - everyone talks about Freddie but I think the real gem is Eva - she is the hostess/bar person and makes you feel instantly welcome - she really is the unsung star of the show.
Room clean - though sheets for bed too small so though freshly made every day you end up sleeping directly on the mattress.
Water supply - flaky - sometimes its they’re sometimes it not. The worst thing though is the stench of the water - it really honks and doesn’t look clean.
We asked day after day for a bed for our 2 year old - I ended up having to get one myself from a friend’s room.
Virtually everyone in our party was struck down with a bug - strangely though it seemed to effect people the night after drinking drinks that contained ice from the hotel bar.
To sum up - the hotel is very nice - the bar staff are very nice - the pool and surrounding area is great - however I felt that the owners were not concerned with our requests and the water really needs to be sorted out, as in my opinion it is a hazard.

1 reader found this review helpful

Please read this before you book!
I and my boyfriend stayed in Tsilivi July '06, absolutely fantastic. Officially the best week of my life, no exaggeration. We stayed in the Princess hotel on a B&B board basis.
The hotel:
The rooms were extremely clean and cosy. It is a shame that you aren't allowed to flush toilet roll down the loo, due to poor sewage system on the island, feels unhygienic putting soiled tissue in a little bucket, although the hotel staff emptied this every day!
I believe our room was tidied most days, towels prob every three days?
Our room was quite untidy with our belongings anyway, so couldn't really tell too much! Very clean though.
The breakfast really wasn't anything to shout about- ham, cheese, bread, toaster, fruitini style fruit salad etc, continental. Although most days we were out so early that it didn't matter! If it works out cheaper to go self catering, I would prob do this.
Please note- I’m not really a continental breakfast person, need bacon and eggs for breakies!
The pool:
Very clean, slightly cool very refreshing in the hot weather!. Plenty of loungers, even in the middle of summer! The pool bar, although small is very nice. Does cocktails! With all the trimmings, will let you wait and see! Very nice. Also poolside pool table and air hockey. Freddie (bar man) even challenged us to a match for free! :)
The service:
The English receptionist (can't remember her name! Sorry.) Was so wonderfully helpful. She gave us directions to get to Zante town, told us amazing places to eat etc. Really helped us make the most of our trip (thank you .x.).
She helped us find a place to hire bikes and told us a beautiful spot to ride up to get a beautiful view over the capital (Zante town). Definitely recommend if you like views, you see most of the island! To be honest, saw our actual Thomas cook rep once? Maybe we were out too much?
By my use of first name terms, we are not even the type of people who go on holiday to make 'friends'. The staff were just so friendly and helpful!
The Greek night:
Is a must for anyone who hasn't been to one before (as I’m sure they are prob all the same?). The hotel do a bbq- chicken, pastas etc. I'm vegetarian and still had a wonderful time. The dancers dance around fire and invite the guests to dance too.
The area:
Wow. (One word). There are several little shops/ stalls to arrange trips round the island etc. (warning-don't go with the rep, they rip you off for exactly the same trips!!).
Beach was nice, clean and tidy, not sure why someone else has complained about it. The amount of shops and restaurants was overwhelming! Although the shops etc were quite repetitive, found myself looking around them all. Very enjoyable experience!
Beautiful little outdoor restaurants, especially a little Chinese near the hotel- can't remember the name! Also, amazing little bakery next to hotel, try the funny shaped choc cakes with mousse inside-yum!
Nice 54 hole (?) Crazy golf course up the big hill past Popeyes restaurant. Three courses in one, we did them all! Nice bar joint to it. Just down the hill from that is a bar with all footy shirts hanging up, nice for cocktails. Quite youthful- sky sports etc.
The boat trips: (a must do!)
Take plenty of sun cream!
Trip around the island:
Very nice all day trips, you visit the Keri caves, shipwreck eta (about four stops along the way to swim, amazing to swim and cool off!) Be careful not to get sunburnt, very easy when lounging on top of a boat all day (like I did!). Also the water is often slightly deep.
If you are a panicky/weak swimmer, like me, you may struggle a little. Wouldn't have missed it for the world though.
The shipwreck was a slight let down, just because it felt like the highlight of my hol, then when I saw it, it was a rusty boat (still amazing, I just over anticipated). The shipwreck beach is slightly weird sand, slightly gritty (not stony). You normally get around fifteen mins at each small stop, and an hour at the main sites.
Don’t think I’m being picky, it was stunning, and I am just trying to be informative! Make sure you take a snorkelling set/ goggles! Saw so many little fishes! The water is extremely clear!
The Keri caves are nice; it's easy to get carried away with the camera! Some smaller boats go into the caves so you can swim in there! (Did this on a different day was really nice!)
Turtle hunt/ glass bottom boat trip:
Was guaranteed to see turtles or money back! Saw about six!! And saw them nesting on the beach, although the boats aren't allowed to get too close to the nests/ nesting turtles. Beautiful creatures. Even saw a lady diving in the sea; she was swimming alongside a turtle stroking it!
Amazing! Unfortunately, there is no point taking photos through the glass bottom (don't come out!) But often the turtle’s surface!!
We also went to Turtle Island, a little island just off the coast of Kalamaki that resembles a turtle shape. This island is a little turtle reserve! It has the most amazing beach, and snorkelling here is a must- saw flat fish and loads of little ones! Nothing too colourful but very nice.
Patrolling officers circulate the island to stop people treading on the eggs! The take the turtle preservation very seriously, which is also nice.
There are even trips to Athens for three days and a day trip to Kefalonia (would have loved to do these, too much to do in such little time!)
If anybody has commented badly on this resort or hotel, do not pay attention. They honestly must be extremely picky/ awkward people! This resort is stunning.
Perfect for adults, couples, youth, families (prob with older children, not too much to entertain little uns!).
I will def go back one day! However, there are so many places in the world to explore out there it seems a shame to repeatedly visit the same place!
Found this site as I was just looking at my booking for this year in Fuerteventura.
I feel so strongly about this resort I have taken nearly half an hour to type this!
I hope this helps your decision! Have fun!

My wife and I have known Babis and Dimi for 16 years and have holidayed with them many times.
We have stayed in the Nezi and Haralambous apartments and in the hotel. We have not always been happy but problems arise and Babis always sorted it. The rooms are always cleaned regularly and the towels and bedding changed every couple of days I've always found, the Greek night superb and real value for money. My friend Freddy and his wife are gems nothing is too much trouble, Vikki is just what you want in reception, always a smile, ready for a chat, and a mine of information about the island in general and Tsilivi in particular.
We eat regularly in the Olive tree and have always found the food delicious. There were 11 of us and 2 small children this year and we nearly all had different meals and we were all happy, you only have to speak to Lakis if you're not. If you like Italian try Enzo and Renzo first class food, good service and a pick of very good wines.
We are already planning for spring '07 and looking forward to seeing all our friends. 10/10

I returned from holiday two weeks ago and would just like to say how friendly and helpful all of the staff are at this lovely family run hotel, August is a busy time of year with it being national Greek holidays we know as we have been traveling throughout Greece for the past 15 years.
I still cannot believe the ignorance of some people it amazes me to find people who book bed and breakfast and then expect there to be kettles, toasters and some people even microwaves. We did find that we now require more from our holiday so in future we will book self catering but we will be returning to the princess studios, (fabulous).
After reading the comments made by the previous people what rubbish, I stayed in room 203 great room overlooking the pool yes it did get a bit noisy now and again with the fab BBQ and Greek night what do you expect, sheets and towels changed every third day, beds made, bins emptied and floors mopped every day what more can you ask?
Vikki and Helen the receptionists where always busy but still nothing was too much trouble, Freddie the legendary barman lived up to the comments on most of the web. look forward to seeing you again soon. Xxxx

First the positives: The best thing I can say about the Princess is that is very very clean. We had clean sheets every couple of days, bins emptied & beds made every day. The pool area is also scrupulously cleaned every day. The overall look of the place is pretty and there is a nice atmosphere in the evening at the pool bar. The staff are all very friendly and did make all guests feel very welcome and put on a great night for Greek Nights. Also the location of the hotel is perfect, right in the centre of things and very close to the beach.
On the downside, we complained about the toilet in our room on a daily basis, as it did not flush. We were first told that this was typical for the island, then that it was a problem in the hotel and after we had checked with other guests we were told it was a problem just in our part of the building. Whatever the real reason was, no solution was offered or actioned at any stage during the two weeks, so we had to use the public facilities at the pool at all times which is just unacceptable.
The hotel advertises fridges in every room. We requested a fridge and none ever became available so we had no facility to keep water, cosmetics or medication cold! We also requested a kettle in our room which we were told we could hire for €2.50 per day - You must be joking!!! The air conditioning cost €70 for two weeks but worked very well and was much needed, as temperatures were climbing to the 40s.
The room itself was nothing special - very little usable storage space for two people. It faced onto the pool area, as most of the hotel rooms did, so there was often a lot of noise at night as the pool bar stayed open till the very early hours.
In general, I would recommend Tsivili as a brilliant resort for families & couples. There are lots of fabulous restaurants and bars etc. However if we went back, we definitely would not stay at the Princess again. Even allowing for the fact that it was peak season and very busy, a fridge and functioning toilet are necessities, not luxury extras and the Princess did not come up with either.