Contessina Hotel

The Contessina Hotel, by British standards, is a solid 4-star, some might even argue it edges into 4-star-plus territory. Unfortunately, it sits in a town that mostly feels like the bargain basement of Greece, surrounded by British-style bars and a sea of painfully average restaurants at surprisingly steep prices. If your idea of a holiday is amazing food and a peaceful atmosphere, I promise this isn’t your place. But if you’re all about lively bars, late nights (minus the club scene), and a bustling vibe, keep reading. Let’s start with the good stuff: the hotel itself is beautiful and stands out dramatically against its surroundings. Modern decor, sparkling pools, and some of the comfiest sun loungers we’ve encountered - no issues finding a spot to relax. That said, we’re not really “hang by the pool all day” people, so we mostly admired the scenery in passing. We stayed in Room 508, which was… fine. Super dark in the morning, a sun trap in the afternoon, and the private plunge pool was freezing cold, but still a cool feature. The sun bed was great, although you’re essentially on top of everyone around you. Actually, that sums up the whole hotel vibe: beautifully done up, but there’s just no breathing room. The hotel has no real views to speak of - think guests, walls, bushes, and pools, but nothing else. It feels like they took a 3 to 4-star property and forced it into 5-star clothes that don’t quite fit. The room itself was stylish and comfortable, but the pillows were absolutely awful. So awful, in fact, that we had the best night’s sleep of our entire trip only after we got back home! Another thing to note: noise. Behind our room was the Luna Fun Park, which played music you could hear from our bed until around 12:30 or 1am. If you’re sensitive to noise, this might be a deal-breaker. Now, let’s talk about the bit that really got to us, breakfast. Picture a mid-range business hotel at peak hour, but without the smooth service. You’re seated, your table card is flipped, and… that’s it. No explanation, no coffee or tea in sight. You just sit there in some sort of breakfast purgatory. We’ve read a lot of reviews echoing this same frustration—how it hasn’t been sorted by now is beyond us. Here’s a tip for the hotel: ditch the fancy Nespresso and go back to basics. Brew some high-quality beans in a cafetière, pour it at the table, and watch everyone’s mood lift. The food itself was decent enough. Breakfast is a buffet with a good selection once you risk leaving the table in fear of missing out on the elusive coffee or tea. It’s just the initial experience that really needed work. The Greek night was okay but dragged on far too long (nearly three hours for a tasting menu - at some point we just gave up and left before dessert). For us, overall, it was a 3.5-star experience (but we can’t select half a star!). If this kind of scene is your thing, I’m sure the Contessina is the best hotel in the area. It just wasn’t the right fit for us, and we’ve never been so happy to get back to our own bed and our own pillows. Still, credit where it’s due: the hotel is beautifully designed, the staff were friendly, and it does stand head and shoulders above what’s around it. And a big shout-out to Stephanos (if that’s how it’s spelt!)—he ran the North Island tour from the hotel and was absolutely brilliant. Such a character and made the whole experience so much fun.

Just returned from a stay at this excellent hotel. Would have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone. The hotel is calm, relaxed, comfortable and stylish. We were upgraded on arrival to a swim up suite (our 8 year old will expect this on every holiday now 🤣). Room was fantastic with the design well thought out. Great air con, ceiling fan, huge wardrobes, personal WiFi for each room, nespresso machine, dressing gowns etc. The restaurant areas were beautiful, with a fantastic range for breakfast. It definitely got busier after 9am and as we were leaving the hotel appeared to be completing work on a second breakfast area close to the main reception. We never had an issue getting a sunbed, and staff came around bringing fruit and offering massages each day. We LOVED our stay and none of us wanted to come home. It was our most relaxed holiday in years. It’s just a few minutes walk from the beach and there are plenty of restaurants nearby to choose from. If I could offer one small piece of constructive feedback - this is not negative in the slightest - but it would be good if the hotel could slightly adapt the kids club provision. We couldn’t find the kids club initially as it wasn’t well signposted. The staff there were lovely and showed us where to find the outdoor park and even took us to see the hotel chickens, but the service seemed to be more of a childcare offer where you need to book a session of up to 3 hours the day before and leave your child there. They did mention a stay and play slot was available in the afternoons but we usually pop in to kids clubs after breakfast while my husband goes to the gym. As I say, this is minor feedback based on a personal preference and not a criticism at all (also, my husband said the gym was excellent)

Contessina Hotel exceeded all our expectations. From the moment we arrived, we were impressed by the warm and professional service. The staff are truly outstanding – always friendly, attentive, and ready with helpful tips for exploring Zakynthos. The hotel has a relaxed yet upscale atmosphere, with beautifully designed spaces that invite you to slow down and enjoy your holiday. Whether lounging by the pool or sipping a drink at the bar in the evening, everything felt calm and effortless. The food was another highlight – breakfast was fresh and generous every morning, with plenty of local flavors and healthy choices. We also had dinner at the hotel restaurant a few times, and every dish was delicious and well presented. While the beach is just a few minutes away, we often found ourselves staying at the hotel simply because it was so comfortable. The design, the mood, and the exceptional service made it feel like a little sanctuary. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a stylish, relaxing and well-run hotel on Zakynthos. We’ll definitely be back!

Our stay at Contessina Hotel was absolutely fantastic from start to finish. The location is ideal – just a short walk from the beach, with plenty of restaurants and shops nearby, yet still peaceful and relaxing. The hotel itself is beautifully designed with a modern, elegant touch. Our room was spotless, stylish, and incredibly comfortable, with a lovely own swimmingpool to enjoy the Zakynthos sunshine. What really sets this hotel apart, though, is the staff. Everyone was so kind, welcoming, and helpful – nothing was ever too much trouble. You can feel the care and attention to detail in every part of the experience. Breakfast was delicious and varied, and we also loved spending time by the pool with a cocktail in hand – pure holiday bliss. If you’re looking for a place that combines luxury, warmth, and relaxation, Contessina is the perfect choice. We can’t wait to come back! See You!!!