Matilda Hotel

The breakfast was the one real highlight: it was varied and delicious. The location and decent pool were also positives. But the prices are far too high for what Hotel Matilda provides, and to me the experience was worth no more than two stars. I can’t recommend it unless the standards are brought up to match the claimed four-star rating. I booked a sea-view room, but got a ground-floor room with no view, despite checking in at 14:15 and being among the last guests to arrive. The hotel looked nothing like the photos online, which didn’t reflect reality. The room wasn’t clean enough, and the bathrooms looked untouched since the 1990s. Housekeeping came, but didn’t replace the towels, so after three days I had to ask reception for fresh ones. On the first day, I ordered a chicken sandwich at the bar. The chicken was dry and almost impossible to eat. On our last day, the breakfast box was just a dry sandwich with a slice of ham and a piece of cake, very disappointing. It would have been better not to offer it. I’m not trying to be harsh, just giving an honest review.

The staff were so friendly and helped with everything we needed, and the food was very good. Our room had a balcony looking out to sea, and the hotel’s outdoor pool was very clean. It’s in a quiet area, a good place to stay if you’re visiting Zakynthos. The rooms are cleaned every day, and we’ll definitely return.

George, the manager, made a big difference to our stay. He was the most helpful person we met on the island, always answering when we called with questions or needed help arranging a taxi or transfer, and he was caring and honest. We stayed at Matilda Hotel for eight days and found it peaceful, set away from the busy tourist areas. The views were stunning, especially early in the morning and in the evening, and there’s a lovely nearby beach for snorkeling in clear water. Because it’s remote, I’d recommend bringing a rental car or scooter. Taxi transfers can be very expensive, as we found ourselves. It’s a beautiful, quiet place to stay if you want to relax and enjoy a calmer side of Zakynthos.

The food was a real highlight for us. Breakfast and dinner were tasty, with something to choose from each time: meat or seafood, vegetables, feta, and always a sweet option. The wasps around dinner were annoying, though that seems common on the island and in Greece. We also loved the view over the mountains and part of the sea. The rooms are modest, but clean, and the air conditioning was just right for sleeping or resting on hot days without making the room freezing. The receptionist was so kind and helpful with questions about the hotel, area, beaches, and recommendations, and the rest of the staff were polite too. There’s a small wild, rocky beach nearby that’s nice for swimming and especially snorkeling. We’d happily recommend the place to couples and families.