Zafiris Hotel

10 readers found this review helpful

We travelled in a group of 4 (2 couples) ages 18-21 early in June 2010.
We checked out the reviews before we left, and the few bad ones we read left us feeling a bit skeptical. However, when we arrived all our bad feelings were gone - this hotel is AMAZING!!
We stayed in a one-bedroom apartment with a balcony overlooking the pool, and were blown away by how modern the apartments were decorated. We were shown to our rooms by Niccy, who was a wonderful help throughout the whole holiday, and better than any rep you'll get! The rooms exceeded our expectations; there was a canopy over the bed, the bathroom was beautifully tiled and the sofas in the living area were wonderful to lounge on during the day.
The only downfall was the kitchen; as we were on a self-catered holiday, we would expect a bit more in the way of room and utensils. The kitchen consisted of a few cupboards, a hob but no oven, and a toaster. For us this didnt make a difference, as we were planning to eat out every night, but its something to bear in mind if you're thinking of cooking often.
We saw a lot of hotels as we walked down the strip, and can safely say this is the nicest. the pool area is about 3 times the size of some we saw, and always spotlessly seen. There were an abundance of sunbeds, including some with mattresses under canopies to protect you form the sun. One thing we found very impressive was the staff - there were always right there when you wanted a drink or something to eat. Nothing was too much trouble for them. The service was outstanding, and the people always stopped for a chat.
While there, you really must go to the greek night. Not only was the food INCREDIBLE but the entertainment allowed us to get to know everyone staying at the hotel a bit better.
The food at the zafiris (especially the baguettes at lunch!) was restaurant quality, and offered value for money. We genuinely were very impressed, and ate breakfast/lunch at the hotel most days.
Overall, this was a fantastic holiday; the hotel is in a great location, there are plenty of bars and restaurants within walking distance, and lots of beach activities to enjoy during the day.
Ignore all the bad reviews you've read and book the zafiris - it won't disappoint!

9 readers found this review helpful

We have just returned from one week at the Zafiris Apartments in Sidari. This must have been our best holiday EVER! My friend and I holiday in May every year to celebrate both our birthdays. This year's choice was faultless.
The apartment was superb. Very modern and pristine and cleaned every day except Sunday. And-the situation of the hotel has to be seen to be believed. On the cliff top with restaurant terraces overlooking Canal d'Amour. Breath-taking.
I still wake every morning with that vista in my mind.
Nothing was too much trouble for any of the staff. The pool bar staff are constantly at hand to serve your every need. The food and service from the restaurant was superb (and you can even have food delivered to your apartment at no extra charge!)
A big thank you to Dawn (aka Barbie) who runs reception. A very friendly competent lady who so obviously loves her work.(Whatever you want to know-just ask her) Thanks Dawn-I hope you read this and I hope your boss reads it too. He is a very charming man.
I've never believed in going back to the same place twice as the world is a big big place. I have found my exception and am hoping to return in the autumn if my partner can get time off from his work.
That says it all!!!!

8 readers found this review helpful

Ok, lets agree that the Zafiris in a few places needs a little tidying up...."Good News" for 2010 the whole place will have been totally refurb'd & if their other place in Acharavi is anything to go by the Zafiris will be the place to stay at once again. We've been here for the last 3 years & have already booked for 2010, the staff are fantastic, the location probably one of the best in the area & I'm sure like many others once you've been you'll be going back.

13 readers found this review helpful

We (a family of 4) came here in May 2009 with FIRST CHOICE as we got a good deal from a "Window Deal" which worked out just under £200 each for a week, whoch wasn't too bad. We were informed that May is the beginning of the season and that it would be quiet and laid back (which it was) and also told the weather wouldn't be 100% guaranteed - HOWEVER it topped 30 degrees every day throughout the week so that was a bonus!! We got an awesome tan!
Ok so about the holiday. First of all for those of you who have never been to Corfu before, the airport is really small and it involves you queing up outside (which isnt too bad when the weathers nice) but staff are really friendly. Since ZAFIRIS is situated in Sidari which is at the top of Corfu it's approximately a 2 hour transfer time from the airport - this does include drop-off's too at other complexes. Personally I found the transfer a little uncomfortable as going up to Sidari involves driving round narrow roads at very high peaks!! Since I'm scared of height it was sickening for me...
So we arrived at ZAFIRIS quite late at night I belive it was around 3am. Driving through the little villages and resorts I was a little put off as I thought it was only a small place with not much around - but don't be fooled! There's lots of little shops, supermarkets, pubs, bars and restaurants all withing a small stroll away from the ZAFIRIS. The location I would definitely award 10/10!!
We had a 1 bedroomed family apartment which was based on 2 levels. The downstairs had the usual amenities: kitchenette with kettle, toaster and a mini stove. Also featured a sitting room a TV and 2 big settees (which both folded out to make double beds) Then finally the balcony which was quite spacious and featured a Pool View!
The upstairs featured a bathroom which has a bath/shower, basin and toilet, then the double bedroom with french doors opening to aother sea/pool view.
A FEW THINGS TO NIGGLE ABOUT... 1) There were quite a few ants about the place and since me and my partner slept downstairs on the sofa-beds we did get bit a few times. However, we did manage to prevnt them by wearing insect repellant which sempt to keep them off.
2) Some of the kitchen appliances were a bit old fashioned and certainly needed replacing. We did complain about these and he was mor ethan willing to replace them with a different one, whoch was good of him.
3) The Kids entertainment was a bit poor (even though there were no kids in our party this time) it was a little dull to be honest.
The complex itself was gorgeous. Almost like a small village with its own little secluded beach bay. The pool was lovely and clean, roomy although cold at times!! The terrace is a complet must-see. At teh end of the terrace is the Canal De L'amour which really is something! The views from the terrace, especially watching the sunset were breath-taking!
Sidari is a lovely place. I really like it! The sea it absolutely beautiful, warm and clean. The locals really do take pride in their beaches as they rake it every morning to free it from any stones and seaweed its great to stroll across and theres lots of restuarants along the beach front!
Just to mention: if you get chance to go on any excursions whilst away - do go on THEO's BBQ BOAT TRIP! 10/10 for that! Well worth the money and certainly a barrel of laughs.

3 readers found this review helpful

let me do a list of the bad points first.
1. balcony rail had one screw in each side, ( so unsafe you wont believe it )
2. ants in the room and when you wake up they are in the bed with you too.
3. cooking appliances that i wouldnt sell and a boot sale in fear they would kill somone.
4. no way of drying your wet clothes, and it rains cats and dogs in october.
5. i think the pool was filled using ice cubes, ( never know water so cold )
6. food was always cold or half cooked and also way over priced.
7. no hot water (only in certain blocks) unless you are the first person in the block to have a shower, and that was so bad.
8. At the end of the season most shops have run out of stock and they dont stock frest items so most food is out of date.
9. Most people in the area dont care that your on holiday and they just want to go home and couldnt care less you have paid good money and the fact they are still being paid to do a job.
10. no entertainment anytime of the day or night. (this was in october, i take it that they do have entertainment in the main season, i guess my money is not as good as people who go at peak season.)
11. the kids play area in the sax bar is more dangerous than a building site, two kids were hurt the week i was there. i dont think they know what health and safety regulations means.
12. T.V.s in the rooms are working, but you might get three channels if your lucky, (we got one, and you cant re-tune the sets.)
13. the area around sidari is what i can only describe as a [--] hole, it is covered in rubbish and old cars and bikes, trash, half built buildings and just general rubbish all over the area. it really is a grotty place,
14. the linen for the beds is so worn and old, i would not even give it to a charity shop to sell on.
15. last of all, if they tell you there is a Mc Donalds, there isnt, it burned down and was not re-opened.
NOW FOR THE GOOD NEWS.
1. The three pigs is a great place to eat.
2. The little shop opposite the sax bar selling wooden toys is great and the woman who runs it is really nice and friendly.
3. mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm well thats the good news. ( please remember this was in october as i cant judge what the early part of the season is like, but i feel i should be treated the same as anyother person who goes, no matter what time of year it is.

1 reader found this review helpful

I read all these reviews before going to Zafiris and was really looking forward to enjoying what people said. We booked the last week of the season to get some late sunshine and some peace and quiet. However, we were plonked into the ground floor of the bottom block, next to Saxaphones and it was dire to say the least. Although cleanish, it was dank and damp, smelt really musty with occassional sewage stench and most sparse by any standard. The view out front was of a half finished appartment in a rubbish filled field and out the back, well, a tatty looking square of a garden and to the right, the pile of rubbish and broken furniture deposited from the various appartments/saxophones. There was a pokey little TV in one of the two bedrooms and the kitchen had a 1950's chrome plated double hob which proved very useful as a mini heater to sort of dry out the dampness in the appartment. We left it turned on most of the time, very dangerous of course but we had no choice. We couldn't be moved because the complex was full. DO NOT GO AT THE END OF SEASON, no-one cares anymore, three quarters of the places are deserted and closed and the beaches are uselessly covered in the aftermath debris of the summer season. I'm sure it must be nicer in the summer but I certanly expected more for the very steep £1000 it cost for a week (in fact it was less than a week because of delays and diversions caused by the thunderstorms). No fault of the people of Corfu of course but let me say that due to the Euro being almost on par with the Pound it is much cheaper by far to eat out and drink in the UK. Saxophones was not cheap, £2 for a glass of lager and £2.50 for a Coke is not good. There was zero entertainment with the exception of the single Pool table and at £2 a go, well what need I say. Will I go back to Zafiris - Definitely Not, will I go back to Corfu - probably not.

10 readers found this review helpful

We have been going to the ZAFIRIS APARTMENTS every May for the past 7 yrs.
And everybody seems to forget they are apartments, not a Hotel? AND they are only classed as 2 STAR???? Which in our opinion is wrong. YES! at the bottom block there is the main enterance to the complex, BUT why would you let your child play on the road? The staff are second to none.They cannot do enough for you.If you don't ask, they don't know you are unhappy. SO THEY CANNOT HELP YOU. The food is great, The Saxaphone Bar is great,(and cheaper than in town, and NOT the noise that is in town)There was entertainment round the pool, and in the Sax this year, for the first time, and he got everybody going.(Kids and all, PAUL) Zafiris & Costas (Owners) take the time to come speak to you. Where in the world do you ever speak to the owners of a big complex? I have read the reviews for this year! And I am really annoyed. Of Course it is going to be more expensive, evereywhere in Europe is expensive. It's the state of the Euro? Every year we meet the same people that were there the first year, we actually make a point of going at the same time each year, so we can meet the same people. And we have actually have seen Kids,that were toddlers the first year, grown into young adults. It's the best place we have ever been. One year my husband was really sick at the time of flying back to Britain, And Barbi(Dawn Receptionist) Found us a room to relax in.

how can people give this place anymore than a 1 .i witnessed a guy called chris entertaining familys over there working 14 hour days and his reward for all his efforts was to be put in a [--] of a room and i mean that litterly human sewage coming up the broken shower tray and filthy bed clothes then the bully owner did nt pay him any money for his last 2 weeks .when i see his room i was physiacly sick then as i was there with 2 daughters i asked to see the kitchens were our food was coming from i was put off for too days presumeably to let them clean up when i did get to see them i was not impressed and we did nt eat there again for the rest of the holiday .so if you like to see brittish workers getting bullied and living in squalor by all means go to this hotel and have a ball not

7 readers found this review helpful

We have just returned form Zafiris and I have to say it was brilliant.
The apartments were comfortable, basic (but it is Greece) and sheets were changed daily and fresh towels every other day. Very clean apartments. We were down the hill and these ones seemed nicer than our friends up the hill in the main complex.
Dawn, reception, was very helpful and always smiling. The hard working Nicky, Demetris and the girls made our odd times round the pool easy. Meals at the hotel were fabulous, however the prices are more than out of complex (esp drinks round the pool). The surrounding area was beautiful and the beaches clean. I would most definately recommend Sidari and Zafiris, although get a car and go to Kalami for fantastic snorkelling!!
Our children 8 and 7 cried when leaving they had such a fabulous time!

1 reader found this review helpful

The Zafiris Hotel is one of the better places to stay in Sidari, it has amazing views of Albania over the water and the hotel itself couldn't be any better. It is basic, but by Greece standards, it is better than the rest. The rooms are cleaned daily, except for sunday which is unheard of anywhere. Free air-con as well, which is what you need at this time of year.
The staff are very friendly, to the guests anyway, and can't do enough for you. Sunbed service, amazing.
Chris, our entertainer, was amazing, especially under the conditions he needs to work. He spent our entire holiday keeping us, as parents, entertained, and keeping our two young kids entertained. Even after dislocating his ankle one day, which was one of the most painful things to see, he was back, that night, it full swing, working as hard as he has been our entire stay. This is when I noticed something not very nice. Chris is, by the looks of it, one of the hardest working members of the Zafiris Team, and yet, the most under-appreciated. He can go on and on about how happy he is there, but his eyes tell a different story. Not one person, with the exception of the BRITISH receptionist, seemed to bother that he had hurt himself, really quite bad, they were only concerned that he would miss work at the Saxophone Bar (which, for the record, is an amazing night out).
Get to the Zafiris at somepoint soon, and enjoy Chris whilst he is still there, he is a great entertainer, and an amazing person, and I just hope he is around for other people to enjoy him before he decides it's too much.