Garden Of Eden Zante

We felt at home from the minute we arrived at Garden of Eden Villas in Zakynthos. The hosts were warm and made sure everything was just right. The garden is beautiful, and we loved unwinding by the lovely pool. The BBQ night was a highlight too, with delicious food and a really cozy atmosphere. It was a peaceful place for a holiday, and we can't wait to come back.

The walk back from the entertainment strip takes about 10 minutes, but take a torch because the roads have plenty of potholes. The accommodation is roughly 200 metres from the main road, and getting there means going up a fairly steep track. Our Jet2 coach left us on the road because it was too large to drive up, so we had to carry two 22-kilogram suitcases and backpacks ourselves. We stayed in Villa number 7 in August. The room itself was very good, and cleaning was satisfactory, but the stairs upstairs felt dangerous. Sloping wooden slats fixed behind the steps get in the way when you go up or down. The pools were among the dirtiest I’ve seen, and the small jacuzzi was cloudy and didn’t look suitable for bathing. I never saw anyone use it. The villa is right by the pool and bar, so it’s not a good choice if you want a completely restful stay. Kids at the pool can be noisy, people chat by the bar, and music sometimes goes on into the early hours. A BBQ is held outside No 7 on certain evenings. The fuel smell and flames were so close that we went out instead of trying to relax in the room. Jet2 lists this as three-star, but it’s described as a Greek four-star. On top of the initial price, there’s a €10 per night tax and €12 per night for air conditioning if you need it. There were lots of Dutch and German families, who were generally respectful around the pool. The place was satisfactory overall, but we wouldn’t stay again.

The room flooded when rain came in under the door, and the hob didn’t work. There’s no parking apart from the road outside. The only Wi-Fi I could get was by sitting at the bar, where a 330 ml Mythos cost €5, the same price many places charge for 500 ml. It was very shaded, with no sunshine, and there was no TV or radio. Cats were everywhere, and you couldn’t open a window without them getting in. They call it a four-star place and take the tourist tax in cash only. I’d give it two stars. It has potential, but falls short.

We had loads of room for two adults and our very energetic child, and the pool was just right for a relaxing dip in the morning or evening. The staff were amazing and really accommodating. Panos cooked such good homemade food, and Thanos made my wife, our child and me feel like family. He looked after us every night. I picked this hotel at random and am so glad I did. A hidden gem, 10/10, I’d absolutely recommend it.