Typically Greek. Dennis the owner is a lovely fella making you feel at home from the moment you walk in. Watch out for his free ouzo's - WOW!

I'm amazed to hear anyone say that Spiros and Anastasia are anything other than superb hosts. They both work tirelessly to ensure that your holiday is one to remember. Lynne Bellis must obviously have taken a dislike to the hotel and its owners, nevermind the other way round. The Castelli welcomes travellers from all surrounding hotels and apartments, indeed this year we stayed in Aghios Sostis, went to the Castelli, found we'd forgot something - and Spiros took me back to our apartment in his own car, using his petrol and valuable time away from his hotel. Spiros and Anastasia work far too hard to be put down by one unhappy couple. Of all the places we've travelled, there is only one holiday destination we would call home - the Castelli.

Oh - forgot to add for Lynne Bellis. If you'd checked your brochure you would see that Thomson's charge for the fridge. Over the past year or so, Thomson's have forced charges on Spiros for sunbed mattresses, fridges - you name it. Don't shoot the hotelier - it's the greedy holiday company!! As a guide for future holiday bookings - read the brochure first!

In response to Alun Smith below, the Castelli can be found in the Thomson Greece brochure. You can always go flight only, Spiros has built some new rooms to accommodate non-Thomson people, and a taxi transfer from the airport is easy and cheap. Just phone or write to Spiros with your holiday dates.

Spent our 6th time at the Castelli in September, another perfect fortnights break. Once again Spiros and Anastasia were the perfect hosts. Weather had a couple of off days, although that was beaten hands down by a fantastic earthquake which Spiros just laughed off as nothing. Going back in May, am counting the days already.

The perfect place after a long walk to enjoy a cold beer, a great lunch and to just relax - until Dennis the owner drops his tray behind you to wake you up! A great fella helped by his sons Matthew and Terry who can't do enough for you - even going as far as collecting us from our hotel one evening. Recommended.

I'm amazed by Mark Pinsons remarks (below). My wife and I are nowhere near our 50's, indeed this year we spent a fair amount of time at the Castelli bar with a couple of University students who were having a fantastic time. It's very easy to misinterpret "guidelines" as a "riot-act". Frankly the Castelli, or any other hotel for that matter, is better off without "whingers".

Can I just add, before anyone thinks about slagging any hotelier off - when was the last time you worked virtually 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for 6 months without a day off. Never, you couldn't hack it!!

John,
The Castelli is located amongst olive groves about 400 yards from the main beach, and a similar distance again from the main street in Laganas. You have to walk along the beach to get to the main street - passing a variety of bars and restaurants on the way. I have posted one photograph on this site of the Castelli's pool area - just click on the link at the top of the page.
Have a great holiday.

Stopped off here for lunch one day in May while driving round the island.
Liked it so much made a point of stopping off again in September.
Great food on the whole - the Greek Salad didn't have feta cheese on which is a little unusual - but hey - who cares.
Nice quiet location.
Excellent.

Antony - what happens is Spiros sits all new arrivals down as soon as they're off the coach - gives them an orange juice - and in his own way, in which he does try to inflict a bit of humour - tells the guests how the hotel works, times doors are locked etc. Now being told the doors are locked at two doesn't mean you're locked out - Spiros sleeps right behind reception and willingly gets up to let you in regardless of the time. I have to say the first time we went - especially after a long flight and so on - the last thing we wanted was a meeting like this - but the more you spend time getting to know Spiros and Anastasia - hopefully the more you will realise what a lovely couple they are. He loves standing behind his bar telling jokes, and thoroughly enjoys a bit of banter with his guests.
Well over 50% of the Castelli's visitors are returns. Not a bad record.

Antony,
I can honestly say I haven't seen a golf course on Zante itself - never mind locally to the Castelli.
I will check it out further but having walked and driven extensively around the island I think you're going to be disappointed regarding the golf.
Regards.

Antony,
We've been to the Castelli for the first two weeks in May for the last 6 years - whereas you don't get the blistering heat that July to September brings, you do get plenty of lovely warm sunshine - admittedly the odd shower, even the odd thunderstorm - perhaps even an earthquake thrown in, you could check the islands weather on http://www.wunderground.com/global/stations/16719.html - even lets you see previous years weather.
Hope this helps.
Regards,

I really don't want to get drawn in to any form of slanging match with Mark (below), a small hotel in a UK resort will not have the demands put on it that a holiday hotel on a Greek Island has. I'm sure you didn't get up at 6 every morning having gone to bed at 2, occasionally having to break your 4 hours sleep for the late-comers!
This every single day from 1st May to 31st October. I feel your comparison is probably unjustified. Also did you know that from the large amount of money we pay Thomsons, Spiros gets £10 per room per night!!! And takes all that stick - doesn't seem fair does it!

Also - my "whinge" was pretty justified at Binios with a swinging door and dirty room - as opposed to the clinically clean Castelli.
With regard to "the riot act" - It is very difficult for any foreigner to make themselves clear in a language that they are not used to - even easier for us to misconstrue what they say because they might not use the words we like!

I will gladly take back the whinger tag if it was uncalled for, however knowing Spiros and Anastasia as I do, and seeing the way they are so poorly treated by us "Brits" - does make me more than a little protective towards them when on the whole the criticism is unjustified.

So Mark - if you're happy with that ok, otherwise mail me at
Gerry.Slawson@Barkers.uk.com

Just back from a fantastic two weeks - 35c every day! Unbelievable.
As always, Spiros and Anastasia were brilliant.

In response to Tamara (below) - most of the people there were young and having a great time. As I've said before Spiros and Anastasia really don't have a problem with young people.
The night life is only about a ten minute walk away aswell, so don't panic!! Have a great holiday.

Really good to see Antony and Jo on the page - reflecting what true Castelli-ites feel about their holidays.
Was good to meet you Antony - hope to see you there again.
Bill and Jo - we'll see you next May if not sooner.
To everyone visiting the Castelli, whether as returning guests or first timers - have a great holiday!!!

Called in at the Patio again this year because we'd enjoyed it so much last year.
Unfortunately didn't think it was up to last years standard.
Prices had gone up quite substantially. The house wine was dreadful.
Only went the once.

I find the last two comments incredible - one moment the owner is abusive and rude, the next he doesn't say a word the whole time they were there? How can Spiros be abusive and rude in silence?
You two need to get a life. Probably more like get a job!!

You weren't part of the group thrown out by Thomsons were you for your bad behaviour?
If you would let me have the dates you stayed at the Castelli I will confirm with Thomson and Spiros exactly what sort of guests you were.
Obviously not literate ones!

Whereas you consider Thomson would be better off without the Castelli, the converse actually applies - the Castelli is better off without you!

Julie,

If you want to phone Spiros the number is 06950 52367 or 52369.
I think the code for Zante is 003.
You could simply write if you wanted to - Spiros Lougaris,
Hotel Castelli, Zakynthos, Greece.
Good luck.

Best wishes,

Gerry.

I have to question the integrity of at least Bryan Butlers comments.
First he stayed there in May, then it was last year..... do you know what day it is never mind year?
The owners were grumpy and it was like Fawlty Towers - which correct me if I'm wrong, was about a manic livewire hotel owner - certainly not grumpy!!
I think certain individuals on this site are working as a team to discredit a very hard-working, lovely couple who deserve better.
The Castelli Hotel has won the Thomson Gold Award year after year after year - which demonstrates Spiros and Anastasia's constant striving for perfection.
At least the UK's number one holiday company recognises quality when it sees it.

Hello there Donna.

There is no time limit whatsoever at the Castelli.
Spiros locks the hotel for security reasons at 2am, but sleeps behind the reception and willingly gets up whatever time you knock to get back in.
He is a lovely fella who cares so much that his guests (all of them) have a good holiday.
I've known guests come back in all through the night without it being an issue - in fact while we were there in May, 4 girls came back from their night out during breakfast!!
So, don't worry - have a fantastic holiday and tell Spiros and Anastasia I said Hi!!

Best wishes,
Gerry.

Geraldine's comments are absolutely incredible.
To flag the cleanliness of the hotel as "below par".
You could eat your food off the floor and every single sunbed is washed every morning.
As soon as you enter your room you notice how clean it is.
The location is excellent if you want to be near everything but far enough away to avoid the noise.
I am not a share holder - I wish I was.
I am merely a holidaymaker that has travelled to a variety of places and only ever found one place that I would return to - The Castelli.
I have never witnessed such hard working people as Spiros and Anastasia. If you make the effort with them your friendliness is returned uneqiuvocally.
To call his chat a riot act - what a joke.
He is merely telling you how the hotel works.
And the only time Spiros would be "off" with anyone coming in after 2 is if they make too much noise which could possibly upset the other guests.
I actually think Geraldine was probably the holidaymaker from hell....

Anyway, at the end of the day it is up to the holidaymaker to have a good time, not the hotel owner. If people are so short sighted as some of the comments on this page make them seem then I feel very sorry for them.

Oh and Geraldine - It's Pseudonym!
Please don't question my integrity when you are obviously lacking in that department.

Having read back over most of the comments posted - it's no wonder the Europeans fear "the Brits abroad".
It must be hell for any hotel owner or restauranteer to know he has to work six months non-stop to be rewarded by selfish, drunken, loud-mouthed people with regard for nobody but themselves.

And finally..........

If anyone doubts what I say, on arriving in reception at the Castelli - check out the Thomson Gold Awards for yourself.
Then decide who is telling the truth on this page.........

Unless of course Spiros and I cunningly created the certificates ourselves?

Sam,
Walking up the main road from the beach - after about 400yds, turn left and the Akropolis is about a further 600 yds on.
Well worth the walk.
(It is signposted at the end of the road so you can't miss it.)

Karen,

I'm not entirely sure where the Elisa studios are - having read their own page I think they're just off the main road a few minutes walk from the beach.
To get to the Hotel Castelli go to the beach end of the main road, turn right and go straight on off the corner of the beach for about 800 yards.
I think the apartments Antony remembers are the Elias (virtually next door to the Castelli)- and to be honest I thought you'd made a spelling mistake until I checked up.
If you could get an exact location of the Elisa I'll be able to give you a good idea of the distance involved.

Regards,

Gerry.