"This was our second stay at Zante Sun Hotel, and there is still plenty to like about it. The location is superb, perched at the top of a small hill overlooking the harbour, where sea turtles can often be spotted – something that is especially exciting for children. The hotel is also within easy walking distance of several local restaurants and supermarkets, making it a convenient base for exploring the area.
The hotel itself is clean and well maintained, and most of the staff are friendly and helpful, although a few could perhaps be a little more welcoming. Our room was lovely, with the sea view we had requested, and housekeeping appeared to do an excellent job, with towels seemingly changed almost daily despite being advised they would only be replaced every two days.
There were, however, a few design issues with the room. The sink is located in the main bedroom area rather than in the bathroom, which contains only the shower and toilet. We found that water frequently ended up on the floor after washing or shaving, creating a potential slip hazard unless it was wiped up immediately. Storage for towels is also limited, with only a single hook provided, although there is an outdoor rack for drying.
Our room was very clean. However, the bedding could do with some attention. The duvet cover did not properly fit the duvet, which meant it moved around inside during the night, and the bottom sheet was too small for the bed and regularly came loose. These are relatively minor issues but did detract slightly from an otherwise comfortable stay.
I emailed the hotel about this and they responded by changing the bedding but that still didn’t fit.
One area where the hotel could improve is safety around wet surfaces. The floors throughout the property can become very slippery when wet, and while the hotel does place numerous warning signs around the premises, some seem poorly positioned. In a few cases, such as at the top of stairways, the signs themselves appeared to create a trip hazard.
Food was generally acceptable, though we felt the standard had declined slightly since our previous visit. Breakfast was the weakest meal of the day. Those hoping for a traditional cooked breakfast may be disappointed, as the “bacon” consisted of processed pork strips rather than real bacon. Some of the hot food was only lukewarm or even cold, the croissants were often soggy.
Lunch and dinner, however, were perfectly reasonable with enough variety to find something enjoyable.
I will mention though, that a couple times desserts had not fully defrosted.
One of the most common criticisms of the hotel is the extra charges for items such as pool towels and use of the room safe. They do not even provide drinking water in the room. You will have to buy it at a neighbouring supermarket.
It seems unnecessary for an all-inclusive hotel to charge separately for these essentials, and many guests would probably prefer these costs to be incorporated into the holiday price.
There is no evening entertainment, which may suit guests looking for a quieter atmosphere. However, the hotel’s main air-conditioned bar only serves premium drinks, meaning all-inclusive guests must pay extra if they wish to sit there. The only venue serving included drinks in the evening is the pool bar, which can be uncomfortably hot and humid.
On the positive side, there were always plenty of sunbeds available, and the hotel’s policy against reserving them is excellent. The sunbeds themselves, however, could be more comfortable.
The hotel also has a stated dinner dress code, but during our stay it was not enforced. We regularly saw guests dining in sportswear and vests, which made those who had made an effort to dress appropriately feel somewhat out of place.
Overall, Zante Sun Hotel is a pleasant hotel in an excellent location, with clean accommodation, good facilities and a relaxed atmosphere. However, the additional charges and lack of a comfortable, air-conditioned all-inclusive bar area in the evenings mean that, despite enjoying our stay, we are unlikely to return. When booking an all-inclusive holiday, we expect to be able to enjoy all-inclusive drinks in a comfortable setting without paying extra."
