We're staying at the Elpida in Aug 2005 and I'm a little concerned about some of the comments about the accomodation. We have two kids, 15 and 12 - what are the sleeping facilities like and is air con available?

  It was a pleasure to stay at the family run Elpida.  It was a real treat to have 4 beds and not 2 + pull out settee - definately the best greek accomodation experienced to date, but as is the norm in Greece, still basic.  The views from the back apartments were stunning.  What a relief not to have to fight for a sun bed, as management reserved the right to remove towels - not that it ever happened.  The Elpida is about 5 minutes stroll from the centre of Alikanas and 10 to the beach.  Would recommend the Apollo to eat out, great cooking at good prices.  Got ripped off at the Greedy Greek.  The Greek night, booked via the Jam Bar was great value.  Highpoint of the holiday was the Speedboat trip, booked via Levante Speedboat in Tsivili - Spiros was great and you actually got into the Blue Caves, don't go on the big boat tours.  Hubby and kids went diving at St Nicholas beach which excelled in safety - a bit pricy but worth it - got the underwater DVD to prove it! This island is beautiful - enjoyed it so much we have booked up the Elpida for 2006 - can't wait!

  Don't miss this trip and certainly don't even think about taking any other boat.  This trip was memorable and the best way to see the island whilst having a lot of fun.  Safety was high on the list, with life jackets available if wanted, and a must for younger passengers.  Spiros was great fun, allowing us all to pilot the boat - what a thrill considering he had two speeds, flat out and stop.  Will recommend him to anyone visiting the island; he also very graciously picked us up from Alikanas, saving us muchos euros - bless! See you next year.

In answer to some of the comments earlier.  On arrival the towels provided in the rooms were small, but became bath towels as we know it on the third day.  Air con is available at 55 euros for two weeks, 35 for one.  We enjoyed Katerina's, but would recommend going further into town as the Apollo is great cooking at cheaper prices.  If you like Indian/Chinese, turn right before the Greedy Greek and 4 minutes down you'll see the restaurant where you can mix and match.  Be warned, you will run the gauntlet of people trying to entice you into their taverna's, but can pick up some discount cards on the way.  This resort was lovely, but beware, it can get a bit manic of an evening with the traffic with little pedestrian paving.  Re the hotel, it was lovely although we were in the new block Rm 326 and we did have to buy loo roll! The room was cleaned regularly with towels and sheets changed also - would recommend this hotel if you like a small family atmosphere (ramps available and lifts to upper floors).

  Re my last comment I want to alter the thumbs up, it was all great - forgot to alter the bullet.

We've just been contacted by our travel agents today re our booking for the Elpida, made last August advising that the Elpida is no longer available.  I phoned Nicki at the Elpida to establish the problem and was told that Kosmar cancelled their contract mid-season due to lack of bookings; this is very hard to believe! Anyway, Nicki advised that they are now with My Travel. Luckily, we have been offered the Alikanas Beach Hotel which we visited last year and are taking that option. We're really disappointed that we can't go to the Elpida as this was a lovely family run hotel, but will definately go up and say hello.  For anyone we met up with last year, we hope to see you again. Beth, if you let Michael know where you are staying we'll come and visit you or meet up somewhere along the way. 

We were given this holiday as a replacement to our original choice of hotel just up the road from Katrina's Kitchen. Although this hotel is all that everyone has commented on, it was not what we wanted. O.K if you want Kareoke, Quiz nights, and crooners pretending to be the rat pack - undone dicky bows and all!. Saying that, the location was great being that it was right on the beach.  The waiting staff were great Christos, Dennis, Demitris, Demitra and Andreas - service with a smile. Can't knock the food.  Be warned...the air con costs 76 euro's per unit! , plus if you want a kettle/toaster that's extra too - we managed with the little pot.We got well hacked off with running the gauntlet of the leaflets everynight. Even though we have made some criticisms this is a great family hotel.

The hotel is a 15 minute leisurely walk from the beach.  Just wanted to say that it was great going back up to the Elpida to see everyone again - the added bonus was seeing friends we met last year. Many great evenings with the master of heap strong cocktails Spiros. We were so disappointed at not being able to stay at the Elpida having been relocated by Kosmar to the Alikanas Beach Hotel - see my comments re that hotel. Returning to the Elpida was like coming home such is the ethos of this hotel and generous family. Am currently organising our return visit for next year. Gina & Walt, hope you still have my email address as am having problems sending the photos as promised to everyone we exchanged emails with on your last night - could have had something to do with having a few drinkies! 

more pics  - Spiros making just one more TVR for Russ and just one more Greek Kiss for me - gurt lush my lover!

This restaurant has one of the best chefs on the island - the food was fantastic and reasonably priced. So... the staff...we had a great time here and made some good friends. Everyone of the staff are hard working and provide excellent service, always with a smile. Be warned that this Taverna is very popular in that around 8ish is manic in there - try and eat as the Greeks do - a little later. A big hello to Miri, Aris, Anna, Rosa, the chef, and last but not least Andreas who sat with us and shared many smiles and laughter. Andreas, thank you for Michael's tatoo - he loved it, you are a generous man. Unfortunately his skin has reacted very badly. We hope to return next year and perhaps see some familiar faces.

Forgot to add the pictures. Would recommend the Lobster, Mussel Saganaki, and Lamb Stifado accompanied with lashings of great company!

Only ate hear once. The lamb in red sauce was wonderful, but the other three meals ordered weren't very good. Nice service but didn't go back again.

For those of you who know us, we'll be at the Elpida from Aug 5 2007 for two weeks - might bump into some of you again. Yamas!

Where abouts in Alykanas is this Taverna, as I don't recall seeing it. Can anyone help. Thanks.

If you like it hot then this is the time to go, although we did experience one of the most spectacular thunder and lightening storms in our second week. Would recommend the boat trip out of Tsivili from the Levante Speedboat - details available on this website. I've posted comments re this trip. The water park is well worth a trip but do make your own arrangements as it is easily accesible and very much cheaper. Be warned that at Kalamaki you will get great views of the planes coming into land, but it is quite exciting. This year was our second trip to Zante after last year - we all fell in love with the island and will be returning next year - already booked. Have a good holiday!

Would recommend you use the cash point as we were getting 1.44 exchange rate. 

Can anyone advise whether they have been able to book for 2007 yet, and if so through which tour operator? 

Re Corrine Godfrey's question. By coach the transfer takes about half an hour so I would reckon on about 20-30kms. Hope this helps.

Adele, scroll down and you will see that Corrine has info to your enquiry. Hope this helps.

Hi Gina & Walt

Hi Lesley,

We're about to return to Zante for the third time - the airport though trying has never put us off. Last year was the fastest exit we made - an amazing 80 minutes from arrival to take off and so well organised. This year however, we have organised our own flights and accomodation. Can anyone please advise whether the check-in on our return flight will mean queing with those who organised package holidays ?- can't see why but thought I'd just check. 

Another great holiday at the Elpida - great family - great company and some very late nights with lots of laughs and good memories.

Had some great meals here - great to see our friend Andreas again. It got really busy as this place is visited by lots of locals. Eight of us ate there - 3 course meal - for 80 Euros! Didn't get to say goodbye to Andreas this time - sorry but we'll see you in a couple of years. 

We've so missed not going to the Elpida this year. We will however be there on 2nd - 16th Aug 2009 - can't wait to be in sunny climes and great company again. 

Hi Janice, you will love this small, quiet, family run complex. No formal entertainment provided but we have not needed it - plenty of laughs with friends made over the years. Pool table plus ps2 available for kids.No worries about sun beds as there are always plenty. Although close to the main road you soon forget it. We have only ever stayed in the new complex but this was very good in comparison to other Greek accomodation. You have to buy your own toilet roll, and the cooking facilities are basic. Fridge, sink, hotplates, crockery and table/chairs.However, the owners are lovely and will do their upper most to help. Air con is extra.Spiros is the son of Dennis and Denise; Spiros speaks perfect English and is just brilliant, but beware his lethal cocktails which incidentally work out cheaper than buying just a G & T. Bathrooms get very wet and slippery, but hot water is available 24/7. Attached to the hotel is a supermarket also belonging to the family. However, you can't eat or drink purchases by the pool. This will be our 4th time back to this hotel - love the location just outside of town which walks off some calories!

Due to XLs collapse, we had to re-organise our travel arrangements. We will now be arriving Thursday 30th July 09 for two weeks. Anyone else we know staying at that time?

 Hi Debbie,

lots of info on my post April 2009.  Alykanas is the quieter of the two resorts, Alykes is the one which is far more lively but a lot more commercialised.  There is a fantastic childrens pool attached to the deeper one.  On first arrival you may think it a little small but believe me it's just right.  Your teenage girls, depending on their ages will have a great time as most of the bars stay open until late.  This is our fifth visit to the Elpida and our kids have more or less grown up there and have never complained, making loads of new friends which they disappeared with of an evening. We will be flying out on 4th August with our 18year old son and he is really looking forward to going back.  A word of advice, don't hire any quads as my daughter very nearly didn't come back with us due to a bad accident. Plenty of tours to go on (arrange independently as they are so much cheaper).  The beach is about a 10-15 minute walk as the Elpida is slightly out of town depending on which part of the beach you want to go.  Air con is additional. The family are fantastic and will bend over backwards to accomodate their guests.  See you there!