Alykanas Beach Village - (Accommodation in Alykanas)

Andy S          8/10

Stayed at the village from 1/6 - 15/6. 

The good points are that the complex is very well maintained, well-managed, nice pools, shop on site and also has a snack bar.  You are literally yards from the sandy beach and not far at all from the bars and restaurants.  The apartments are nice and spacious and there is a good children's playground on site. 
 
The not-so-good points is that these apartments can be noisy at night (although Thomson and hotel managers take a very dim view of excessive noise which is reassuring).  The entertainment on site can get quite tiresome after a while (imagine someone bellowing into a microphone near the pool all day and you get the picture), the entertainment laid on in the evening is pretty poor but this may improve given time.  Also, a trip to these apartments will change your perception forever that the Germans are the best in europe at "reserving" sunbeds.  Believe me the Brits do it in spades and if you haven't got your towel on by 8.30am then wave goodbye to sitting near the pool that day (despite notices everywhere telling people not to and the pool not officially opening until 10am).  Also thought the hotel could have been a little less money-grabbing on extras such as providing a key for your (tiny) safety deposit box (25 euros per week...) and air con (8 euros a day...).  Also, accept the fact that prices on site (bar, shop, snack bar etc) are way over what you will pay in shops etc a few hundred yards away.
 
One more bit of advice, the free coach transfer from the airport takes over 1h 30 mins whereas I just booked a taxi on the return leg which took 20 mins.  Worth thinking about if you have young children under 2 like me who have already been made to sit still on your lap for hours on a plane !  and don't be fooled into paying Thomson to "book" a taxi for you (roughly treble the price you will pay privately)
 
Overall, well worth staying in but just be prepared for the not-so-good points and you will get a realistic view of what to expect !!
 
 

DNA Bar - (Bars in Alykanas)

Andy S          10/10

Went here most nights for a drink after dinner and the staff are really good fun and very welcoming.  The bar is very well situated on the main road junction.

 
After 2 weeks of coming in here I felt like more of a "regular" than I have going in my local pub in England for 10 years.
 
The barman are also really good with children  - even offering to pull down blinds etc without being asked in case my son was cold !
 
Go there, you will not be disappointed. 

Apollo - (Restaurants in Alykanas)

Andy S (18 June 2007)

This place certainly gets the award for "staff most likely to constantly pester you to go in there".

When this finally ground me down after 2 weeks I booked a "takeaway" lunch to take to the airport which they promptly forgot about the next morning as I was waiting to leave....

Dionisos - (Restaurants in Alykanas)

Andy S          9/10

The best thing about this place is that you will not get pestered to go in there.  With the other restaurants it was such a pain.

They let you look at the menu at your leisure and then decide whether or not to go in (just like the Greek islands used to be like)
 
Food was very good, very welcoming to children so would recommend it.

Greedy Greek - (Restaurants in Alykanas)

Andy S  (18 June 2007)        4/10

30 minute wait for food despite the restaurant being perhaps a fifth full ?

Food was very average.  Basically if you like English food in what is just the same as an English restaurant then go in there. 
 
If you fancy something a little more Greek then forget it !! 

Levante - (Restaurants in Alykanas)

Andy S          10/10

Best restaurant in Alikanas bar none.  Forget the fact that the Posieden opposite always seems to be busier, this place beats it hands down on food and service.

 

Thomson now TUI - (Tour Operators in Zante)

Andy S          5/10

Thomson will be fine as long as they start to address the fine balancing act between making sure everyone has a great holiday and trying to extract every last Euro out of you in incredibly subtle ways. 

Red Lion - (Bars in Argassi)

Andy S  (29 June 2007)        1/10

Picture the scene.

June 2007.  Greek summer in full swing.  Blazing sun and wonderful cool breeze.
 
Hoardes of people in this dingy dark pub.  Eating English food.  Drinking English beer.  Talking to the English staff.  Watching Sky Sports news on the big screen. 
 
Ask yourselves, why on earth are you actually on holiday abroad ?
 
PS - I didn't go in but was walking past.