Just got back from another wonderful holiday at the Metaxa (4th time). Sadly Coco the parrot wasn't there, but don't worry Stellios is looking for another parrot. With reference to an earlier comment about the price of air con - we stayed at the Amarylis Aparthotel last year and paid 10 euros a day for it, and if you think that the food and drink was a rip off you should have nipped over to the Amarylis to pay 3euros for a lager, whereas the Metaxa charged 1.8 euros. If you want branded drinks expect to pay more a bacardi and coke is 3.6 euros, budweiser 3 euros, whereas the local drinks are cheaper ie ouzo and sprite 1.8 euros, wine 1.3 euros and amstel or mythos lager 1.8 euros, soft drinks are 90cents (most restaurants charge 1.5 euros). Yes the key fob does control the electricity but I have stayed in hotels both in England and Greece where this happens, we had a room above the reception area that was in effect two room with one air con unit, and yes it was warm when we first went in but within 5 minutes it cooled down (some nights we had to turn it up because it was too cold). The breakfasts are basic a roll with ham, cheese or egg, a bowl of cereal, a glass of orange and either tea or coffee (you can have as many hot drinks as you want there is no limit, our favourite was the egg day. We will be back here next year.

The price of the draft beer at the Amaryllis is 3 euros for 0.4 of a litre the most expensive we found on the resort, the restaurant is good and very reasonable (last year they gave a 10% discount when you stayed - don't know if they still have this offer). There are plenty of restaurants on the Kalamaki/Laganas Road, one of our favourites is Paolos order a load of starters and all dig in mmmmmmmmm yummy, and it's one of the closest. Try wandering across the road to the Hotel Metaxa the pool area is quiet and the food and drinks are cheaper.

The service was a little slower, probabably due to the stairs, but the food was good and very reasonably priced, and as an earlier comment said you are on your holidays so chill and enjoy the views.

we have been going to this restaurant for 4 years (already booked for the 5th). just returned from kalamaki, and as always not enough time. you will always received a warm welcome, great food, cold drinks and excellent service. well done dennis keep it up. we will be back!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (not a threat a promise xxxxx)

We first ate here 4 years ago, and we can't help going back year after year, it's excellent. We like all the starters and main courses but try ordering just starters and ask for their recommendations (you will end up will a table full of food and it's delicious even with the dishes you haven't thought of, the bread with tomato and garlic is particularly good and not on the menu). Just be warned they speak very good English and will happily customise straws so that the kids can steal their parents drinks!!!!!!!!!!!

Did you really mean to rate it as average as you've affected the rating by posting so many times as average, and in our opinion this place is excellent.

Teo I might never forgive you for that straw!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just posted a picture of a plane coming into land over the Hotel. As for the hotel I can't really comment having never visited. So I have marked it as excellent so as not to drag the ratings down.

Coming back to Kalamaki for the 5th time in July. Have stayed at the Amaryllis 2 years ago and the other 3 times at the Hotel Metaxa across the road( beer is cheaper at the Metaxa).

We had a great time at the Amaryllis and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to any one, although in my opinion it is more geared up for families than for couples.

We are usually quite tired on our first day, so we tend to not go very far to eat. So it has to be Paolos, just across the main road

This is no hardship as it is 1 of our 2 favorite restaurants in Kalamaki, (the other being Mikaelos). At Paolos one night last year we couldn't decide what main courses to have so we asked for lots of starters. The waiters looked really pleased and even suggested dishes that are not on the menu. The table was absolutely covered in small dishes.

If like us you like to try many dishes, give Paolos a try, I am sure you won't be dissapointed. And its right on your doorstep.

The waiters have always been very friendly and even gave our daughter a fleece one night when it was a bit chilly.

Hi Robert and anyone else thats going soon.

I have just tried to add a picture that I took 2 years ago of the 'work in progress',but I haven't received my password yet.

So here is the adrress of a copy of it,
http://www.hotelmetaxa.com/amar.jpg

We were back in Kalamaki last year and they had finished the roof.

I can't imagine that the work required to complete it would take too long or disrupt your Holiday at the Amaryllis.

You can't see it from the picture but there is a road between the Amaryllis and this building block.

We stayed in the Metaxa hotel across the road from the Amaryllis while the Massive Hotel Bitzaro Grande was being built 3 years ago, during the day there was some noise but not enough to make us move from the pool. At the end of the day there was some dust settling on the sun umbrellas but in no way did it spoil our holiday.

If the building work is just the completion of the block in the picture then I wouldn't be bothered by it at all.

Hope this helps, if you havwe any more questions I will try and answer them.

Enjoy your holiday , Kalamaki is a beautiful place.

Just booked again for the 4th time at the Hotel Metaxa and the 5th time to Kalamaki. Can't wait, Stelios, the owner and all the Staff are extremely friendly and manage every year to make our holiday special.

See you in July Stelios

Gillian, this hotel is with Direct Holidays this year. We have stayed at this hotel 4 out of the last five years. We now book with him direct and then just get flights.
The Hotel has its own website and if you book direct the air conditioning is included free. www.hotelmetaxa.com
We are going back again in July and can't wait.

Gillian, we are also from Manchester. This year we are flying with First Choice, last year we flew with My Travel(what was Airtours). We usually go to their websites and look for the best timed flights against cost. Also JMC do just fights along with Thomson. Thomson are more expensive but fly on different days from the rest, so the trauma of Zante Airport should be reduced. We are going on a Sunday which is one of the busiest days, but I'm sure we will survive. We fly at 07:00 so getting a taxi at the airport midday will be no problem. The taxi fare I think last year was about 11 euros. Its great to just get your bags and be at the hotel within 5 minutes.
We have kids so its definately cheaper to book direct during the peak season, if you can go outside kids holidays I'm not sure if its cheaper to book direct or not. If you want any more info just ask.
Can't wait till the end of July to get back!!

Has anyone tried the Paolo Hot pot, I have and its fantastic.

Greece win euro 2004 Fantastic, See you in 3 weeks Stelios.
Cheers

greece win euro 32004 fantastic, back to Zante in 3 weeks , see you all soon.
Cheers

greece win euro 2004 fantastic, back to Zante in 3 weeks , see you all soon.

And Mikaleos will be the one of the first places we visit

Cheers

Hotel Metaxa is now in the Sunset Holidays Brochure for Summer 2005

Merlis rental have a very good reputation. Julie Rutherford is the contact in the office that I have spoken to many times. This year I was there and she says that all car hire prices across Zante have been fixed by the authorities this year.

Merlis deliver the car to your hotel first thing and pick it up at the end of the rental.

Hope this helps, and I hope you have a wonderful holiday
Cheers
Simon