I have read through the comments and quite frankly I am surprised at some of the negative comments. We visited Alykes, and stayed at the Nikos Apartments in 2005, and had one of the best holidays ever. So much so we had booked to return in 2006, but due to some health problems we had to cancel the holiday.
I can say without doubt that the Nikos Apartments are well maintained, and in my opinion, of a very clean standard. This is ensured by Nikos and his family. The room maid was excellent. In the room everyday, cleaning the room and shower room, emptying bins, etc. Our bed sheets were changed more often than not, as was our towels. We use to leave the sheets, pillowcases and towels in a pile on the floor by the door, which indicated they needed changing, and they were.
We found the family as hosts were excellent, in particular Nikos, and his son. Nikos's wife was pregnant at the time, so undoubtedly was finding all too much on some days, but she battled on in the heat of the day, and her kitchen. Nikos's father and mother we found at first there was a barrier, but it was a language barrier. Once we managed to communicate, all was OK.
I can say without any reservation, that the Greek Night Nikos and his family put on, on the 2nd Saturday of a Manos holiday is something else, and is worth attending. The food is fabulous, and the entertainment is out of this world. Nikos's extended family also were there, and his own family and the relatives all played music, sang and danced, with all of us joining in as more and more Mythos and Ouzo was drank. The cost of the evening, not counting drinks, was E10. Well worth it. If you do not go, this is one night, you will not get any sleep. We got to bed at 4.30am, and our coach for the airport was due at 7.30am.
Some nights at the Bar, can be noisy. However, Nikos does turn down the music, and lets the punters know if they get too loud. It sounds like he has some new staff there that stand in for him now and then, thus allowing the noise to escalate, more than normal. The best thing to do on that account is to see Nikos the next morning. He does care for all is customers.
Alykes is a great town, distances as said below in other comments. Plenty of bars, restaurants and tavernas. Everywhere we ate in the evening was great, but we had our favourites as well, and they were the Apollo, with excellent staff, and excellent food. Also the Piccadilly down in the centre of Alykes, just up one of the side roads. We really did not have any complaints at all. Another great place to eat is in Alikanas, that is the Dionysis, and Nikos's cousins restaurant, which the name alludes me for now, but there is a supermarket on the corner, which the road leads down to the shore, passing Yiannis Horse Stables and Riding School (they run the horse and carriages between the two villages), and the restaurant is on you left further down.
All in all, a great resort, a great place to stay, and fantastic people.
Have a great time in Alykes, Zakynthos (Zante).
Yeiamas, Chris.
- UK