On our arrival we recived a nice welcome by Marina, who also told us good tips what to visit on the island. She was very nice and helpful during the week and the same can be said about the whole staff of the hotel.

Marina also booked a table for us at Brother Costas taverna where we spent our first evening with local zakynthnian musicians! It was not a mass-organized Greek night, but pleasant evening with locals.

The breakfast was really the same everyday - but tell me, do You really have something else every day at home? I guess, not! So, I can say, it was fine and enough, the breakfast room was also pleasant.

One of the nicest beaches of Banana and Ionian is in 5 minute distance, but if You want to have buzy night life, You have to sit in a car and get to Argassi, the closest.

We paid less than we received by staying at this hotel, I warmly recommend it!

We have just returned from a weeks stay at this hotel and want to go back straight away! The staff are friendly, the rooms are clean and the pool area is nice. We stayed on a half board basis and never ate out once. There were always two choice of home-made well cooked (and very tasty)food and as much as you liked! Although there wasn't much choice, for the price we paid for a 2* hotel we were extremely impressed.
We were a 2 minute walk from the best beach in the area and there were plenty of snacks bars and restaurants within walking distance as well as shops! We also went on a boat trip with Mario's glass bottom boat to see the turtles, he was fab and we highly recommend him and he even picked us up and dropped us back off!
The hotel does not have any entertainment in the evening so not for party animals but for a very relaxing holiday then this is the place for you!!

This hotel is exactly what it says on the tin – 3*. However in terms of our experience with everything it was more 5*!

We stayed from May 31st to June 7th and when we left we actually hugged all the all the staff goodbye as though they were friends. We are a 28 yof and 35 yom who like a drink or 2!

Getting there:

Take a taxi for €25, same price as the shuttle service from airport but quicker as you will be the last drop off as Vasilikos is the farthest away.

Room:

Although only travelling as a couple it was a late deal and we had to upgrade to a family room as there were no others available.

Nice modern faux leather headboard bed with sank in mattress to a faux leather surround. New pillows. Crisp linen. Safe in the wardrobe but at €7 a day its a bit pricey and we felt being on the 2nd floor and with a set of double French windows (one was shutter and the other was the actual windows) to the balcony we felt our stuff was safe enough and it was. Bathroom was small so if you do want to swing cats about, maybe you could ask for a larger bathroom. But still, very nicely decorated with modern fittings and fixtures. Clean, new tiles and white suite. Cleaned daily to excellent standards.

Pool area:

Gorgeous! Its not massive but then its not a massive hotel and we actually had the pool to ourselves the last day. Always a bed available with huge umbrellas but maybe this was because we went in ‘low season’..? Separate Jacuzzi and kids pool. Auto cleaned at night so unfortunately no night swimming but this tells you the level of care they have for their guests.

There is a lovely shaded terrace area to eat at, play chess or cards etc etc if you want. The bar provide books, chess and backgammon boards freely at the library where you can also help yourselves to a very wide variety of books that guests have swapped over the years, all in good nic. A great touch if you get bored of the one you brought! Bar will also play good music too but not too loud if there are lots of other guests who may not enjoy it. Good high speed internet also.

Hotel Food and Drink:

We booked only bed and breakfast which I think is the best way to go with this one. The breakfast is continental and not much fruit or choice – Boiled eggs, lovely fresh bread, great local honey and jams, muesli, cornflakes, natural yogurt, tinned peaches, tea and coffee . It doesn’t change daily so it gets a bit boring. If you have special dietary requirements then go s/c. I can imagine dinner is not great either however read on for local bars and restaurants......

After dinner and drinks out we stayed up most nights in the bar drinking with the staff and anyone else who was about and up for a chat! You can carry on the night if you like but George and Bobi will move you to the foyer area in consideration of nearby rooms.

Locality & Restaurants:

Honestly this place is so quaint and unspoilt. If you are looking for lively nights out with loud music go to Argassi up the road or Laganas further down the coast. Vasilikos is a quiet place but offers everything you need to enjoy your self.... Car/scooter/quad bike/bicycle hire, good restaurants and a selection of beaches within arms reach of pretty much anywhere you go.

One place in particular really made our holiday special. THE COFFEE HOUSE. Its exactly what it says it is but does great food like stuffed vine leaves and dip €5, special pizza €5 (large with everything on it and fresh) spinach pie €2.95, home baked brownies and cheesecake €2.50. In fact its the owner Yani (Greek-British) that home cooks everything. Reasonably priced drinks too. I say you can always tell if a place is good if the locals drink/eat there. Everyone goes to the coffee house which gives it such a great atmosphere. They also offer accommodation.

Another strong recommendation is Kostas Brothers Taverna. Its just on the corner of the road on route to St. Nicolas Beach. Excellent food in an outstandingly beautiful setting. Highly suggest the Greek dishes of Country Chicken and Stuffed Pork.

For lovely scenery and another locals choice go to the tavern that is again down the road as you head out toward St.Nicolas beach but before Kostas restaurant. I have totally forgotten the name of it! You turn right up a small road, there is a large sign post to say its up that road. Its a minute walk from hotel Arion. Hope that help as its worth the visit for the setting alone. Again wonderful staff!

Activities:

St. Nicolas Beach is walking distance from Banana Beach - Vasilikos nearest beach, thats literally 2 min walk from hotel Arion. If you keep walking all the way, as far as you can go down the beach you’ll get to a hotel with a pool and sun loungers, there is a small little walkway right at the very edge and a sign saying St. Nicolas beach this way. Just trust the sign and follow it as its a better walk that the road way! Nice beach bar and water activities when you get there.

We hired a quad bike (€20) and went all round the southern part of the island in a day. A great way of seeing the island. Its not as big as you think. Through party place Argassi and Laganas and all the little villages in between then over to Keri which is a nice fishing village, with small beach. Go to the bar at the top of the hill and the end of the street. You can see its signage in the trees. Great views! Takes about 5 mins to get there on foot. But you will need cash, cash cash! no ATM’s anywhere and very few places take cards.

We also hired a small car (€40) from the same place in Vasilikos and went to the north part of the island. Took about an hour. The roads are very bendy and some don’t even look like they are leading anywhere! Went to Shipwreck Bay you can also get a boat there if you would like to swim there and in the caves but there is no road access. Its a beauty spot with an historic shipwreck but not much else. Great photo op’s. Then we went swimming in the caves nearby. Utterly breathtaking! After we went for food and sunset in a place called Kampi – A famous place for the Sunsets. Take your pick of restaurants on the cliffs. But remember the sun doesn’t set till about 21:30 so manage your time well else you’ll be bored and burnt!

Overall this hotel is excellent value and excellent quality all round.

spiros and his mother are very good and kind people. treat people how you would like to be treated yourselves.the hotel is quiet relaxing and good value.no towels on the sunbeds and just a short walk from the beach . the relax bar is friendly good value and a chill out zone the restaurant babis near the school is friendly with excellent service and has excellent greek food. the arion staff are really friendly nothing is too much for them. he food at the hotel is home made and tasty and good value. lynne, ray and harriet marchant, rom 213 will be back.