Phoenix Beach

Zakynthos: Phoenix Beach Hotel, Tsilivi Date: 13-20th August, 2007 Just returned from this wonderful hotel - would definitely return. We went as a family - my husband and I - my sister, brother-in-law and 3 children - ages, 15, 18, 21. We had a lovely welcome and a very easy check-in and were shown to 3 clean and well equipped rooms. We did have to pay for the safe 15 euros and the fridge 35 euros for the week but the air conditioning was free as it was August. All the receptionists were pleasant and helpful but must mention Phillip who really stood out. The Thomson Rep was also very helpful. We needed a Doctor during our stay and Jason helped us get one who spoke English and gave us very good service for a very reasonable price. He also knew alot about the resort and surrounding areas which he shared and we did use. The hotel is right on the beach with an attractive pool bar serving excellent and very reasonably priced food and drinks. We needed a snack for one of our party and the catering shuts at 6pm and it was around 7pm prior to the Doctor's arrival and we asked one of the bar staff where we could get a very quick snack, explaining the circumstances. Without further ado - one of the bar staff got on his scooter and fetched a bag of chips for her and would not have a tip - but we made him - it isn't often you find service like this! He asked about how she was every day and seemed genuinely concerned - don't worry no problems with the food or water. The sand is white and clean and the sea was as warm as bath water. You can walk out for quite a while before it gets deep and this meant that we all were able to go in and enjoy games and swimming. One word of caution - there are alot of rocks in the sea which can make walking difficult although the water is clear. Directly outside the Phoenix Beach there seem to be less. A couple of us purchased the sea shoes which made a lot of difference and didn't restrict us so much. Sunbeds are 6 euros for 2 + a brolly on the beach - there are a limited amount by the lovely pool and towels were placed there very early on so we didn't bother much - just had a couple in the shade that no one wanted - lovely and cool as it was burning hot. There is a welcome breeze on the beach which lulls you into a false sense of security and you can easily burn - so watch out. The town is not far and a nice walk with many bars and restaurants to choose from. Our favourite was Georgios and we also enjoyed cocktails in The Two Brothers just opposite. Watch out for Popeye's who bring you 'shots' which you don't ask for - you think they are free then they charge you - very naughty!! Went to the Bolero Bar which is a bit off the track but is very friendly and pleasant for a night cap on the way home. Food is not expensive and there is a good selection of food from all over the world in most restaurants which is excellent if some want English, Greek, Italian, Chinese, etc. Visited the Reptile House and although it doesn't look much from the outside, the lady who runs it is very informative and you enjoy every minute - well worth a look for 6 euros each. Went to the Fantasy Golf -again a nice morning out for 6 euros each. We went to the Thomson Rep Sunday Night Live show - the reps worked really hard and we had a great night - bit pricey but it was different and worth it - watch for the free wine it is stronger than it looks! All in all we all had a great time and did not want to return home and we definitely want to go back - tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just got back from Tsilivi yesterday after a two week holiday in The Phoenix Beach Hotel. We were a bit disappointed in the hotel, the bar prices were way over the top - 1 Euro for a small bottle of water which was only 30 cents outside is just one example. It cost us198 Euro altogether for a safety deposit box, air con and a fridge, we couldn't do without the air con and fridge because we were in the middle of a heatwave - most days the temperatures were in the forties. The place wasn't as clean as we hoped it would be and the breakfast was bland and didn't vary at all over the fortnight. We found a great restaurant near the hotel called Rania's and also one called Romio's which is in the town, both have great food and are fantastic value for money. We won't go back to Zante again, the airport is tiny and an absolute nightmare on the way home - be prepared to queque.

We stayed at the Phoenix Beach Hotel for a week through Thomson's. The Hotel backs onto the sandy beach and is about 200m from the central area which contains many shops, restuarants & bars. The hotel is very clean and the rooms are a good size. Breakfast was included and this was a simple buffet. The staff were very friendly and helpful, and spoke very good english. The hotel has a pool and bar, which has a great view out to sea and across the bay. We enjoyed our stay at the hotel and the resort, and would definitely come back to both.

Thought this hotel was fantastic. Should be used as an example to other package holiday hotels. The hotel was clean, the staff were friendly and helpful and the location was spot on. You are literally right on the beach. A good pool and bar that serves tyical holiday food chips, sandwiches, salads etc. And even though we went at the height of the season and it was busy there was always enough sun loungers! Will definitely be going back again next year!!

i have to say this was one of the nicest, friendly hotels i have stayed in. I found the hotel clean, staff helpful. the location was unbeatable as it is situated right on the beach. the choice of either a beach day or a pool day did not exist as a few steps from your sunbed will take you to the beach. aah, perfect! the cocktail bar was sadly quiet at night but the location overlooking the beach and staying open until the last person leaves made this a perfect bar in which to have a nightcap... or two! as well as the friendly bar staff (ava) who remembered what you drank and always welcomed you. highly recommended!

This is a fantastic hotel with great location. The staff are friendly and welcoming and the food is lovely. I've been to Tsilivi 4 times now and this is definately the best hotel i've stayed in. The only downside i found was that there are not enough sunbeds for everyone round the pool so you have to go on the beach and pay! The greek night they have is great fun but be prepared to get up and join in! If you have booked, you will have a lovely time as this hotel is suitable for anyone.

Clean enough, reasonable sized (though spartan) rooms, mostly friendly and helpful staff but.... If you want a late night out, be ready for an early start the next day as the inclusive breakfast stops at 9.30. It may not matter, because the noisy cleaners start first thing and with no "do not disturb" signs available you'll be kicked out of your room pretty early anyway - at least it's a way to escape the plumbing situation, which is not for the faint hearted. Forget catching up on sleep on the beach or by the pool, since the bar plays loud music from 11am until midnight and the pounding beat can be heard all the way to the water's edge. Fancy a shower at the end of the day? Well, there's no hot water between 7pm and 8pm. Oh, and if you have an evening flight home, it'll cost 45-50 euros to hang on to your room beyond noon. The hotel will also happily accept your money for sun loungers (only the dozen round the pool are free) and just about anything else you might think a hotel would provide as part of the price.

The hotel is a fantastic hotel in a superb location; only got back 3 days ago and wish i was there for 2 weeks!!...its very clean, friendly and has nice decor throughout the hotel itself and more importantly the rooms (now rated as a 4* hotel)....the location is 10 yards form the beach and the road leads straight into the centre of tsilivi.....in general we loved the resort having never been to greece before - we will definitely go again!........if you want to stay in tsilivi this is the perfect place to stay....book through thomas cook...much cheaper than thomson :).......enjoy......."Yammas!"

I stayed in this hotel with my family for a week booked through Thomas Cook. This hotel is directly on the beach which is great and the resort is a few minutes walk away. The room was kept very clean, the maids cleaned the room on a daily basis providing fresh towels every day. It had the general amenities a 3 star hotel would provide. The hotel staff were lovely always willing to help and have a chat. It is a small hotel so there was a very personal feel to the place. The hotel also has a pool area with free sun beds and there was a pool bar which was really handy! The pool bar also served hot/cold food during the day so there was no need to leave the hotel during the day while you were on the beach! They have a greek night once a week where there is a greek barbeque and entertainment. This was a great night - be prepared to join in with the greek dancers! Anna and George the hotel owners worked in the pool bar during the day and they always went out of their way to make everyone feel at home. A great hotel to stay in for a relaxed holiday!

I stayed at Phoenix Beach hotel last year and it was my first time abroad alone. I was treated with respect. The staff at the hotel were fantastic, they didn't pester me in any way, but they would always talk to me when I went in for conversation. I sunbathed in the garden, around the pool, and after I had eaten out in the evening (a choice of some fantastic restaurants, who didn't pester either) I always returned to the pool bar and chatted to staff or other hotel patrons. I had the most wonderful time and have had to stop myself from booking here again this year (only because I think I should see some other places) but I'm sure in the future I will return. Also, the single person supplement was great last year, but this year it seems to have jumped up a substantial amount (so maybe they don't want me back anyway!!!)