Zante Maris Hotel & Spa - Adults Only

We really enjoyed the mini golf, and being in Tsilivi meant we could head into town for restaurants and entertainment whenever we wanted a change of scene. On cloudy days we also used the small gym. The poolside and beach loungers were good, the sea was crystal clear, and the beach bar served a great gyros at lunch before becoming the a la carte restaurant in the evening. The main dining area was well organised, with a solid buffet of Greek dishes and simpler options. Drinks selection was good too, and service was consistently good. We stayed for two weeks and had a great time. The staff were friendly, and service stayed good despite the reduced crew in the off season. I also had a lovely massage from Manos at the on-site spa. The sauna, indoor pool and relaxation areas can be used or booked for free, though we didn't end up trying them.

We’ve just got back from a week and already want to return. The town is right outside the hotel, so it’s in a handy spot if you want to explore. Our room was clean and well kept, and the minibar was restocked with soft drinks each morning. The food was excellent for both flavour and quality, and the bar staff were happy to make whatever drink we wanted, with some great suggestions. Every member of staff was friendly and welcoming. They went out of their way to take care of the details and made this one of the most relaxing holidays we’ve had.

We liked the hotel's position a lot. It opens straight onto a lovely, crystal clear beach, and sits right in the centre of Tsilivi with bars, restaurants and things like crazy golf nearby. Even when the hotel seemed full, the main restaurant didn't feel crowded, and we could still find sunbeds after lunchtime. The service from some bar staff was disappointing across our whole six-night stay. Drinks brought to the pool or beach were often slow, and sometimes we felt ignored. We started going to the bar ourselves, which was allowed, but a few barmen argued with us about how I like my cocktails and insisted we use the app instead of the paper menu. One asked whether I was staying at the hotel, apparently to check if he should serve the drinks I'd ordered, then said something in Greek about me as I walked away. I was smiling and polite, but some staff still came across as cold and unfriendly. It made us uncomfortable, especially since we chose all-inclusive because we enjoy having drinks. We did meet a few staff members who were very friendly and helpful, but they were only a small part of the team. Seeing how happy the five-star reviewers were with the service left me wondering if our treatment had anything to do with my ethnicity.

We were there in October, and the pools were really cold, so we barely used them. The pool areas are quite small and enclosed, and the sea was warmer. Wasps were everywhere, hundreds of them, and they kept bothering people, so relaxing was difficult. Room 251 met our expectations. We paid €75 to get the double room with sea view and jacuzzi that we wanted. The cleaner was fantastic, keeping the room spotless and making sure we had toilet rolls, bottled water and a topped-up fridge. We didn't catch her name, but she deserves a mention. Most of the staff were pleasant and helpful, and a friendly staff member greeted us with a drink on arrival. The tourist tax was €15 a night. Drinks were all right, often quite strong. Food was good: breakfast was the same each day but had enough options, while lunch and dinner were hot and flavoursome. This place may suit people who want to relax, but we found it a bit too quiet and boring for our taste. That's on us for not researching better. There was table tennis, though the bats and ball were worn out, plus a small but adequate gym and spa. As it was close to the end of the season, we didn't get drinks service on the beach. We were fine getting them ourselves, but it's worth knowing. We also had a late flight and asked more than once for a late room. They said the hotel was full, though we watched staff pack away half the beach sunbeds, and the hotel was closing on Friday 31st. Other guests we spoke to had been told the same. For a five-star hotel, the public toilet and shower room felt like a poor arrangement. The hotel was clean throughout and well placed for the small town of Tsilivi, with its bars, restaurants and a few shops.