Caretta Beach Hotel

1 reader found this review helpful

stayed at the ceretta beach in july 2010.after reading the reviews was really looking forward to going to a nice hotel.first impression of our room was that it was very dissapointed.very dark ,no room,no where to sit and only 1 wardrobe for a family of 4.all i can say is that it was clean .as for the location it was brill just off the main strip.a far way to walk to the beach though.all in all i would not stay here again but would go back to kalamaki as everyone was very friendly.

1 reader found this review helpful

We stayed at the Caretta Beach hotel for the second year running. Once again the bar staff were fantastic George, Craig,Joe, Demitri, Gary, Dennis and Dennis also the waiter Emilio were all a good laugh and made us welcome. The Caretta Beach is a fantastic place to stay and they cater for all ages. There is plenty of room around the pool areas and the prices for the food and drink is pretty reasonable. The only downside is that the one bedroom apartments are not very comfortable as there are 2 sofa beds in the one room and the air conditioning unit is also only in one half of the room so when the adjoining door is closed you cannot feel it in the other half of the room. A lot of bars and restaurants have also now closed along the main strip which makes it appear to be not as busy as last year. The hotel is also set to be all inclusive next year with a water park. Would definitely return but not for a couple of years as you run out of things to see and do at night. Zante town is a nice place to visit at night especially when it is cool ther are lots of shops and nice restaurants there. Overall a fantastic holiday.

1 reader found this review helpful

We stayed in the Carretta in july 2010 and were looking for a nice relaxing holiday.....we arrived on the thursday to very hot weather an apartment in block b which was basic but ok did everything we needed ....not huge but ok.....kids enjoyed main pool although quite noisey as pool bar plays music ....two young girls nxt door kept us awake most of thurs night , then their friends arrived friday ..about 30 of them (irish) very loud with bad language and no manners whatsoever, this needless to srge groups of louts allowed in this hotel ay changed the whole holiday!!!! we were then kept awake all friday night and the saturday!!!! they were around the pool early so the noise continued!.... i did complain twice and demanded to be moved which we were to blopck d which was fab! rooms were great it was luxury, a little noise from the bar until midnight but you expect that anyway! staff were great food and drink were so cheap but lovely! restuarnts in the area are great , wide variety altho they dont encourage you in every night! beach was much futher than a ten minute walk but there is a bus from the hotel. no noise from construction work or airport noise.....happy hour 4-6 buy one get one free on drinks , free pizza night on tues , great hotel and weather just a shame that large amounts of louts allowed in this hotel because it spoilt it for me. During the day you can stay clear of them as there are six pools spread over the hotel.... would recommend this hotel but ask for a quiet apartment and it will be a fantastic holiday!

2 readers found this review helpful

The Hotel is very well set up consisting of five major blocks, the self catering facilities were good and consisted of the norm (toaster, kettle, hob, fridge and microwave), Staff were only too happy to help with any queries that we had. The hotel was idealy situated for the resturants, taverns and touris shops that are all situated along the main road that runs through Kalamaki. Stray dogs wonder around the whole area but they are no problem they just wnder around they dont approach you and they are very friendly animals. The food from the hotel bars (the irish bar and the main bar) was lovely and was always how you asked for it. Only down fall was that the Greeks dont seem to be in any rush to serve you when you are at a resurants, all resturants done lovely food, The Pandesia was fabulous and also The Mermaid served absolutly mouth watering food. All of the locals were extreamly friendly, the hotel was clean and the swimming pools were there to cater for all .. there was the bar pool, the childs pool, jacuzii, sports pool, splash pool, quiet pool and a smaller version on the bar pool at the irish bar. George the Bar man was Fab and all of the Bar men were only to happy to help you. Emilio from the resurant was also lovely. The only down fall of the holiday was that durring the time of year that We went (me, my mum and nan) was that it was too hot to walk anywhere durring the day and the beach was a bit too far for my nan to walk to in the heat. I would recomend to everyone that they should visit bocli which is a tiny village on the hill above Zante Town and it has a wonderfull sunset and picturesc view. It only coz 12 euros to get to bocli from the main strip in Kalamaki by taxi and it only cost 10 euros to get to Zante town from the main road in Kalamaki. I hope you all enjoy it as much as we did.

2 readers found this review helpful

I have stayed at Caretta Beach Hotel for 4 years in a row now. We are always remembered when we arrive each year, we are greated with lots of smiles and ALL of the staff are welcoming, warm, friendly and caring.
We stay in room B209 usually, with a view of the pool, bar and airport so we can see all the planes taking off!! The rooms are always clean, new linen brought every 3 days. The cleaners are very friendly and trustworthy. B209 is a 2 bed roomed apt. but air con and the safe do cost extra..air con is €20 per day but there are 2 air con machines in that apt. We have a stairs and 2 balconies so my parents stay in one room and me (I'm 17!) and my friend stay in the other!
Its extremely child friendly, the kids club is amazing and the take great care of the kids.
There are 6 swimming pools altogether, they are clean and there are plenty of new sunbeds.
It is a 2min walk to Kalamaki main st. Its an €8 each way 8min drive to Laganas ( clubbers heaven!!) Its a 10min walk to Kalamaki beach also but defo worth the walk !!
I would advise EVERYONE to go here, kids, young couples, families, older couples, singles...its for everyone!!
Its my "Home from Home" and its no wonder my family and I come back here every single year and we will keep returning until i die !! LOL..Come from may - sept when weather is good!!
AAAAMMMMMMMAAAAAAAAAAZZZZZZZZZZZIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNGGGGGG =]

5 readers found this review helpful

Very noisy place, we had no sleep at all for whole time we were there, the reviews we read before going we were excited what a let down this hotel was, it is Benidorm in Kalamaki. The music booming at the pool areas till 12.30am am every night and the dogs barking. Were we at the same hotel as everyone has been to that have reviewed it ??
We found this hotel best for the younger groups of teenagers and 20 year olds for them its a brilliant hotel.
This is not a relaxing holiday be warned
That aside the rooms are clean and the pools are too it near the strip too.

3 readers found this review helpful

We stayed for a week during the May half-term holiday. The flights (both ways) were delayed a short while, but it was worse coming back because we were taken to the airport far too early so with a delay added we were there nearly 3 hours bored stiff.
The apartments are averagely clean, but the facilities are the most basic of any we have experienced. The 3 kids were in a bedroom above us with their own balcony. The floor was very hard though, and when they had wet feet it became very slippery, including the steps up to the bedroom. The bathroom didn't have single shelf to stand anything on, all our toiletries were perched on the washbasin and the edge of the bath. There was no shower curtain so the floor became a paddling pool.
The pools at the complex are lovely, there are different pools in different locations, we liked the one near the Irish Bar as it was not overrun or too noisy. You could usually grab a sunbed without too much bother.
Its a good few minutes walk to the beach, and the beach is rather cool and windy, but very scenic. We walked on to Laganas (via both the beach and the road) and went on a short boat trip to see the Loggerhead Turtles (caretta caretta) swimming in the sea near Laganas. Beautiful! Between Kalamaki and Laganas there is a nature reserve for the turtles.
We booked excursions with Pat at Travel, just on the main road below the apartments. They were much cheaper than reps trips. The Island Tour was great, we saw and heard about the history of Zakynthos. We also booked to go to Olympia where the Olympics started, it was a ferry ride to the mainland. Well worth a visit. Lastly we went on a trip to the Water Village. Not the best of weather this day but the kids had a great time. Pat also does hire cars but we didn't bother. Don't book with Mythos travel, the Greek woman running it shouted abuse at Pat for explaining to HER customers why the coach was a bit late!
We ate out in a few places, our favourite was Parthenon (where they offer 10% discount to ANYBODY who doesn't stop there and then, to make you come back), and The Olive Tree, also the one a few doors up from Olive Tree (can't remember the name). All are on the main road. Dias was also nice, that was on the side road by the apartments, which leads up to the airport. Average prices are about 7 - 9 euros for a main meal. We did get fed up of being hassled outside every single restaurant every single time we passed. It gets a bit wearing eventually.
Drunk Corner is a great bar to go to if you want to watch TV in the evenings, we watched Britains Got Talent (finals too), they also show all the footie matches. They have good priced beer and lovely cocktails at 2.50 euros. They also do nice breakfasts.
We never go back to the same place, but it was pretty good here.

just stayed at caretta for the 2nd time in three yrs, still friendly and not too rowdy.Altough we were disapointed with our room this time, we werein B block below ground level(bit dark n dismal). our rep did try to get it changed but no luck!
we can recommend the jeep safari tour, such good fun with the young greek drivers.
The olive tree is a must when choosin wher to eat and also heavens kitchen which is further down kalamaki strip.
A lot of building work to extend the hotel hastaken place recently and i think this may spoil the quietness and personal service from staff. we also heard it may be going all inclusive from next year.

when to caretta beach apartments in kalamaki 14/05/10 hotel itself is really nice and clean, bar staff great. close to airport but you get used to plane going over. best bit of holiday ( the apartment) we had a 2 bed on block b really nice view over pool + plane`s when landing on runway
kalamaki is crap ( sorry to say that but it is )my husband and myself are only in are 40 and like to have a laugh + we went with 4 teenage ( are kids) aged 18 to 22 year. no night life everything was shut only a few bar and food places open, was`nt told went book hols everything does`nt get going till end of june,
went to laganas a few time in evening but still loads of shop and night club closed, and lots of begging kids
kalamaki beach (well if you can call it a beach) note more to say
there was one restaurant that was really nice, it was a italian just on your left as you come out of carretta beach, great food/staff and you get a jug of wine free which was really nice ( rosa)
would not go again to kalamaki, but try it might be better in june/july/ august
anyway have a great holiday ++

5 readers found this review helpful

what a Lovely staff cant do enough, rooms cleaned every day plenty sunbeds lovely food wonderful....