F ZEEN KEFALONIA - Adults Only

The gardens, fruit trees and scented flowers make a lovely setting, and the beach access and decks, especially the one at the top, were great for morning meditation. The activity schedule is top tier and helps explain the resort's higher prices. Anna's yoga classes were a daily highlight: we tried sunrise yoga, aerial flow, sound bath, power and Hatha. She's positive and engaged, and even got me to try my first assisted inversion. She's a real asset and deserves to be rewarded. The gym was excellent too. Staff were generally excellent, especially KOSTAS at the beach bar, plus Athina Ines at Gaia, Defi and Yili. There are also lots of good restaurants along the beachfront. The three pools aren't heated, which can be disappointing in shoulder season. Our room's view wasn't great, and being above the cinema felt odd in the evenings. Room service risotto arrived cold and wasn't edible. Check-in was awful: staff spoke Greek, which we understood, and seemed unprofessional while asking about the relationship between the four of us. It made me uncomfortable and didn't feel like five-star service. The stay was just about good enough value, though paying extra for Paddle and the golf simulator felt unnecessary. I booked for a high-end wellness stay in a peaceful setting at a fair price, and F Zeen Kefalonia delivered about 9/10. Still, it feels as if the resort may be turning into more of a showy, influencer place than a genuine wellness retreat. I hope it keeps its authenticity.

The hotel moved us to another room to try to help, but the problems seemed to affect the whole property, not just our room. There was smoke coming in from the restaurant, an ant nest on the porch and debris from a tree on the porch furniture. The hotel also seemed to have an ant infestation throughout. We had to call maintenance repeatedly. The safe and thermostat didn't work, the toilet wouldn't flush, and the maid light was broken. On top of that, we were billed for activities we hadn't agreed to, and the hotel appeared to be working with certain taxi services that overcharged guests. Offering the amenities of a five-star hotel doesn't guarantee five-star accommodation. Buyer beware.

Athena, who served breakfast every morning, was especially lovely to talk with. The whole team was genuinely friendly, made us feel welcome, and never made anything seem like a problem. We didn't catch everyone else's names, but they were just as good. My partner and I have just wrapped up a week at FZeen, probably the best holiday we've ever had. The hotel was immaculate, and the peaceful setting was perfect: quiet and away from the storefront, yet only a few minutes' walk from the beach. It's a perfect place.

The staff even helped us deal with a flat tyre on the way to the airport so we could catch our flight. The service and food were top notch, and the hotel itself is stunning. We spent loads of time at the outdoor cinema and the classes, and never had trouble finding a sunbed at the beach or by the pools. I don't think I've ever read so much or felt so relaxed. We stayed in a hillside retreat for our honeymoon, and it was beautiful, relaxing and such an enjoyable visit. We'll definitely come back.