Atlantica Eleon Grand Resort

The staff were friendly and attentive throughout, from reception and the waiters and chefs to the cleaning team. We’re grateful to everyone, especially Miss Lola, for their professional, guest-focused help. We were disappointed with the accommodation when we arrived and reported it on our first day. Miss Lola, the customer service manager, came to our room to discuss it and responded quickly and attentively. She offered us an upgrade to a quiet villa with a private pool, which made a big difference and turned the stay into an enjoyable one. It was clear she wanted us to have a memorable holiday. We also appreciated the bottle of champagne she arranged as a thoughtful gesture. Room 528, Jurgen and Francis.

The gardens were beautiful and peaceful, with olive trees all around, and our clean, comfortable room looked out over a quiet garden. We were there as a family in early October and had a wonderful stay. There were a day or two of rain, which changed our plans since we couldn’t use the pools or water slides and had to stay indoors. Food was excellent, with themed dinners each day, such as Surf and turf, Street food, Mediterranean, Asian and Ethnic. The pool bar also had plenty of snacks during the day. We tried the Italian and Greek a la carte restaurants too, and loved the food there. What stood out most was how kind and friendly everyone was, from reception and the maids to the waiting staff. They exceeded what we expected, and we warmly recommend the hotel. We hope to return next year, probably in warmer months like May or June.

The dining choices were a highlight for me. There was a great range of dishes, all fresh, flavorful and beautifully presented, and the restaurant staff were friendly and knowledgeable. Families might especially like the kids’ corner, where children can serve themselves from a special menu of kid-friendly meals. My room was spacious and comfortable, with elegant design, modern furniture, an espresso machine and a kettle. The bed was one of the most comfortable I’ve slept in, and housekeeping kept everything spotless and stocked without intruding. The pool was another lovely place to unwind, with clear water, lush surroundings and an infinity edge overlooking the beach. There were plenty of loungers, and drinks and snacks arrived promptly with the poolside service. My stay at Atlantica Eleon Grand Resort in Zakynthos was everything I hoped for and more. The comfort, luxury and service made it one of my best hotel stays. Whether you’re after a romantic break, family holiday or just time to relax, there’s something for everyone. I’d highly recommend it as a peaceful, indulgent retreat, and I’m already planning another visit.

The resort grounds and pools are nice, and the food was good, with something new each day, plenty of fruit and great desserts. But the coffee was a strange, awful instant brew. Meal service also got on my nerves: waiters kept asking every few minutes whether we were finished and could take our plates. It was hard to relax and talk without shooing them away. Service shouldn’t be irritating. The beach was my biggest letdown. The small sandy patch has a terrible entry into the water: after about 100 meters of walking over stones, you still don’t reach deeper water. There’s a sandy entry at the far end of the hotel beach, but that area is full of huge rocks and concrete stairs. At least the sunbeds are in a nice spot under olive trees with a sea view. The rooms feel worn and several things didn’t work: the bathroom sink leaked, the toilet flush was broken, some sockets were dead and some lamps wouldn’t turn on. The child’s third bed was basically a folding cot, and the TV looked like it dated from around 2010. The balcony is large, but with no awning or side partitions it gets uncomfortable in the sun and leaves you too close to the neighbors. The pools only run from 10am to 6pm, which seems absurd. I’ve never seen that elsewhere. In hotels I’ve stayed at, the pool is at least open until 9 or 10pm if it isn’t available around the clock. If you’re at the sea during the day, what’s the point of having the pool closed after you get back in the evening? The gym was disappointing too, with very few dumbbells and no barbell, bench press or Smith machine, so even a basic strength workout wasn’t possible. Putting the kids’ room next to the gym was a good idea, since you can leave your child there while you train. But a window between the rooms would let you check that everything’s okay. The kids’ room itself looked awful and was freezing, with no way to adjust the air conditioning. The service wasn’t bad in general, but the things that matter most to my comfort on holiday didn’t meet my expectations. This doesn’t feel like a five-star hotel, more like a solid four at best.