Zakantha Hotel - (Accommodation in Argassi)
Paula I 
From looking at the pictures of this hotel on the internet and from reading the reviews, we were looking forward to our stay at this hotel.
When we first arrived at the hotel we were impressed by its grand appearance, however from the moment we were handed the key to our room we were very disappointed. On entering our room on the third floor, second room in from the road, we found the room to be cramped and in need of a face lift. The noise from the road was awful, coaches, motorbikes, lorries and cars constantly flew along this road 24 hours a day. To be honest it would have been quieter to have stayed next to the M25! After a sleepless night we visited the chemist and purchased ear plugs.
The carpet looked like it have never been cleaned, the toilet leaked making the bathroom smelly and there was no hook for the shower so had to hold the hose above our heads. This is meant to be a 3+/4 Star Hotel. Because our room was opposite the stairwell, we had to place one of our suitcases in front of our door to stop it banging from the draft that was coming through.
The headboad was hanging off the wall, which meant we had to sleep further down the bed so it didnt keep banging against the wall thus upsetting the guests in the other room to us.
The couple who were staying in the room next to us had paid double the amount we had for one week and they had been given the worst room possible, as their room was the one closest to the road. They were not happy at all.
The reception staff were miserable and unfriendly. When you handed in your key for the day we didn't even get acknowledged. Whatever happened to a warm welcome and Greek hospitality. You certainly wouldn't find it at this hotel!
We were also shocked to learn of the added extra costs:
-
18 Euros per week safety deposit box, which is already in your room, you just get a key
-
20 Euros per week to use fridge in your room (this was an empty fridge, not a mini bar)
-
3 Euros per day to use the hotels sunbeds on the beach, further 3 Euros for an umbrella
-
35 Euros to keep room on for just a couple of hours extra
-
No courtesy room to have a shower in before you left for the airport
We had been told that the hotel had undergone a major refurb. From looking, it appears to be just the reception and bar area. To be honest we have have stayed in lower star accomodation before but of a much higher quality than this hotel.
PS. We have been travelling to Greece for 10 years now and have never felt that we needed to make a negative review before, until we stayed at the Zakantha.
- GBMeridien Beach Hotel - (Accommodation in Argassi)
Paula I 
This is just to say a big thank you to Panos for making us both feel very welcome and for making our evenings very enjoyable. Hope you get to have a long rest during the winter months.
This bar has wonderful views over the sea and across to the mainland. Well worth a visit if you just fancy chilling out, having a relaxing beer and a good old natter with Panos! 
Lots of love from Paula & Frazer (Brighton)
PS. A big hello to Chloe too. Hope you make it back home safely at the end of this month.