We have just returned from two glorious weeks spent at Rizolia Villas. I have never booked a villa before, but couldn't resist trying Rizolia after reading the reviews. I am so pleased that we decided to go there. If you are considering going, stop considering and just go, you will not regret it. I totally agree with all other reviewers about the villas, pool, the couple who look after them and Louise (the holiday Rep). I can't praise anything highly enough. Everything is kept so clean and well maintained. On our arrival, we got changed and went straight in to the pool. During our swim, the power went off. I called Louise and she sorted it immediately. Louise is definitely living up to her reputation for being very friendly and helpful. She takes the utmost care to ensure that you have all the information you need and will provide as much assistance as you want.

We had Villa 6 which is one of 3 that overlook the olive grove at the bottom of the hill. The conifers that have been planted between villas now range between approx. 8 to 10 feet tall (maybe higher) and have bushed out considerably to make the pool surrounds reasonably private.

Look out for the swallows during the day and bats during the evening. The swallows fly around the pool area and frequently dive down to take a drink or a bath in the pool - so lovely to watch, as well as the little lizards that laze around the villas.

The Villa package was complete with a car and we were given a free upgrade to an larger model which was more than adequate for the two of us. Watch out for the local drivers though, they drive mainly towards the middle of the narrow roads and I did have one occasion when a car overtook me, whilst another car was overtaking that car at the same time! Luckily on the main road into Zakynthos which is quite wide. It was refreshing to have fuel in the car on collection, just about 3/4 tank and we just had to return it with the same amount. There are loads of fuel stations all over the island and particularly on the way to and from the airport.

We have recently returned after a week at the Rizolia Villas, and all i can say is I wish we had stayed for a fortnight. The Villas are as you see in the brochure or on the internet. The villas and pools were both spotless (we had villas 5 & 6) and the couple that look after them live on site, so if you have any problems they are at hand (and they are lovely). The Thomson rep Louise is fantastic and so helpful.
All the bedrooms have air con, which we didn't really need at this time of year, but surely would have been grateful of it during the summer months. There is a safety deposit box in the bottom of the twin bedroom wardrobe. We had our 7 year old daughter who we couldn't get out of the pool.
The setting of these Villas is great if you are looking for a quiet retreat, at one point we were worried that our daughter was making too much noise at it's so peaceful. You are set off the beaten track so I would advise you hire a car and use it to explore this beautiful island. You can walk to Dennis Taverna and to the nearest little village, but due to the "road safety" we decided to drive most evenings to eat and found some lovely friendly taverna's, we did spend a lot of our time in Argassi.
Be warned if traveling at this time of year as a lot of the shops, attractions, hotels and tavernas were shutting down for the end of season and Lagana was beginning to resemble a ghost town and looked rather run down (due to so many places closing).
I suppose we are slightly biased as we do love Zante, but you really can't go wrong with these villas as long as you are prepared to drive.
The nearest little supermarket was very dirty and if you do go there watch the "sell by dates", there is a lovely little supermarket a little further out on the main road. Saying that try & stick to local produce as the "brand names" can be stupidly expensive.
Eating out was averaging around £80-£100 for five of us. We asked Louise for places to eat and she recommended La Bruschetta (follow the road to Keri you can't miss it) which has the most amazing view and food (you must try the homemade ice cream). A must is the Greek night on a Sunday in Stanis in Kalamaki, it was fantastic and so much fun - more personal that other Greek nights we've been on (be advised that during busy months you need to pre-book a table), we were up dancing most of the night!
All in all we had a lovely holiday and are seriously considering booking these villas again.

Just returned from 2 weeks at Rizolia villas. The setting of the villas is perfect for a quiet peaceful holiday with none of the stresses of a hotel environment. The pool is ample and having the sunbeds available whenever you decide to wake up is bliss!! The cicadas sound very loud when you arrive but you become used to it as the days go on- yu can't hear them inside the villa. Even sound relaxing when yous sitting outside in the evening!!
We stayed in villa number 2 but there is really no particular difference from villa to villa. The conifer trees have now grown between each villa and despite hearing families next door, privacy is maintained. The villas are spotlessly clean and towels and bedding changed every 2 days. The staff are non intrusive and carried out their work when we were either out or sitting in the garden. A barbeque was provided but we ate out most nights. A portable DVD came in useful as local TV is not good so take one if you can.The location was fine but you need to be prepared to drive to restaraunts and bars because the walk to the nearest bars is along unlit roads and were really busy. Walking with young children would be hazardous along these country roads, with some drivers travelling quite fast. Zante town is a 10 minute drive and parking in the port is probably the best option because the town is quite congested. Not brilliant for shopping and there are no markets on the island. Only 2 young modern clothes shops that are reasonably priced others are quiet expensive. Plenty of jewellery shops but prices are quite steep compared to home- some beautiful hand made jewellery around but you need to shop around as prices vary.
A trip to the shipwreck is worth the effort , take towels and your bathers though because the trip includes time to swim and sunbathe on secluded beaches along the way. The boat trip is quite choppy so if you get seasick I would give it a miss!!
Dennis' bar a ten minute walk provides a nice meal but can get monotonous. The Bouganvilla hotel is 5 minute drive towards Agios Sostis that provided an evening of Greek singing and dancing. We arrived around 7pm and realised we were luckt to get seats as the bar filled up very quickly. The food was OK but took 4 attempts to pay the bill as the staff are in no rush for you to leave !! Food is generally good and will cost around 60-80 Euros for a family of 4. Lidl is situated on the way to the airport for stocking up however, it seems that this is where most people shop and there was not always water or milk available. This may have been due to the petrol strike that prevented people from getting around. Local shops are quite pricey charging 5 euros for a bottle of squash!
There was a petrol strike from our 3rd day on the island and locals stocked up immediately leaving no petrol available for almost a week! We were very grateful to our rep Louise who religiously scouted available petrol stations for any petrol and phoned to let us know. The lesson to be learned here is to fill up when you arrive because you do need the car when staying at the villas if not only to restock on your basic food. The car rental company will only provide 1/4 tank when you pick up your rental car and were no help when we were stuck for fuel.
All in all we had a really good holiday that recharged our batteries and provided quality time with our teenage children.

We stayed at villa 5 which was one of the 4 in the very front. It looked as though it was one of the largest plots, overlooking an Olive grove. Very comfortable villa with everything you need. Views of the sea from upstairs balcony, very peaceful, private from each villas next door. We walked into Agios Sostis which took about 20 mins, there is a quieter road directly right out of the villas. Each time we walked this a max of 3 cars passed us so much safer than the main road. Only downside was it was too dark to walk home and main road is all uphill, did book taxi home for last evening which cost 8 euros, but worth every penny (cent). Food prices here and in Laganas were around 10 - 15 euros for mains, however if you drive into Kalamaki (10mins) it's a lot cheaper (15 euros one way in taxi).
We agree with most other reviews, villas really easy to find, lovely quiet location. Louise is lovely, was gobsmacked to find out she'd given birth to twin girls in March and was back at work as normal!!
We were here for 2 weeks and first week was quite cold/ windy so was a little hard work keeping an almost 3 yr old occupied, however on way back to airport noticed an indoor play area!! Had I asked Louise she would have told me but didn't occur to me there'd be one here.
We visited Keri which is a lovely harbour with a few restaurants, really enjoyed it here.
Argassi again is a lovely resort, quite large and aimed at families, lots of nice bars/ restaurants.
It was heaven not having to share a pool and being able to leave all the inflatables around. Pools start at 0.75mtr and go up to 1.5mtr. Lovely and cool in the hot weather and not freezing in cold weather.
We hired a car seat from Eurocar which cost £84 for the 2 weeks!! but you can't put a price on your child's safety.