Sandy Maria Hotel - (Accommodation in Tsilivi)

Annie I          1/10

Just got back from Tsilivi, Zakynthos and had a fantastic time. The resort and Island were lovely and I recommend the area rather than Laganas or Argassi. The only negative to the holiday was the Sandy Maria Apartments (aka Sante Maria and Santy Maria) . I give it a one star only because the pool was nice. The rooms were clean enough but the linen didn't fit the bed and was full of holes as were the towels. One bedside light didn't work and although we reported it to Sandy-it was never fixed-we also found her to be abrupt and miserable. Sprios only speaks to you if you are willing to spend all your money at the bar-but as the food wasn't that great, was over priced and only available till 7 pm we found the resort way way better and cheaper.Sprios also tried to rip us off one night and over charge for 2 drinks and a pizza and didn't like it when my boyfriend argued with him. As a couple we had to sleep in seperate single beds which wasn't ideal and the kitchenette wasn't really suitable for cooking;all you get is 2 dirty, greasy pans, an old 2 pan gas stove(like for camping) and some old plates. Although the pool is nice enough you can't use it after 7pm which we found strange especially as it was so hot. You can't sit by the pool with food and drink unless you buy it at the bar and the walk to the beach was more than 800 meters. We saw the Libra reps only once during our stay and they seemed not to like being there as that was only time they came to the apartment except to pick us up to the airport. The customer service by both reps and staff at the Sandy Maria was pretty rubbish and I would NOT go back there. I love the resort of Tsilivi and will go back there and to a better hotel. Nice resort crappy apartments. 

Tsilivi Beach - (Beaches in Zante)

Annie I          8/10

Without doubt this is the best beach on the Island. The water is shallow for quite a way, which makes it safe for children. Some of the beach is a but pebbly so if you have sensitive feet then beach/snorkling shoes are a good investment. The water is fairly warm and is safe from jelly fish and other nasty creatures. There are plenty of places to buy a drink or get a snack from and there are people walking up and down the beach selling cds, snacks and massages but they don't bother you which is good. The beach offers a good selection of watersports, which are a bit pricey. For 30 euros yiu only get 10 mins on a jetski for example. A canoe is 10 euros for an hour. There are some nice hotels a little further along the beach and you can hire sunbeds for 4 euros a day-this includes a table with an umbrella and 2 sunloungers-my boyfriend and I bought out own umbrella for 6 euros and lilos which we took home with us. 

Pieros - (Restaurants in Tsilivi)

Annie I          8/10

A good restaurant. The staff are friendly and the food selection and price and good. Pieros is a clean restaurant and has a tradionally Greek feel which is good and serves greek food at a good price. The mixed souvlaki was great. The waiters do tend to try and grab you off the street and beg you to visit their restaurant-just ignore them is it gets annoying.

Apollon - (Restaurants in Tsilivi)

Annie I          9/10

Great food, nice clean restaurant with friendly waiters. We were given a free glass of wine, a slammer and fresh melon when we ate their. Really good food and reasonably prices. 15 euros for 2 drinks and 2 mains. Would go back their!!

Olive Tree - (Restaurants in Tsilivi)

Annie I          9/10

We came here on our second night. I had mousaka and my boyfriend had  beef stefados. The food was lovely and so to were the waiters and ambience. I would go back.

Trenta Nove - (Restaurants in Tsilivi)

Annie I          10/10

This is a really nice restaurant with views of the beach. The staff were very friendly and are happy to take photos for you. The food is really good and again the cost is very reasonable. Highly recommended.

Libra Holidays - (Tour Operators in Zante)

Annie I (13 July 2009)

We were unlucky enough to stay at the Sandy Maria (Sante Maria, Sante Maria)Aprtments last week and Libra were our reps. Our reps were June and some guy we only saw once called Graham(typical car salesman, cockney type) all loud and over bubbly. We saw him only once and he never even spoke at the rep meeting, plus they were late. We saw June briefly to pick us up from the airport and again at the rep meeting and she sounded bored and wasn't even selling any tours. Because of her bad directions to the resort of Tsilivi we got lost one evening and the sun was baking and it took 25 mins to find the resort. June was quick to tell us of the dos and don't at our apartments-which was a bit out of order-was a bit like being treated like school children and that was that. There was no feedback quesitonnaire issued to us on the last day-just as well because as a tour operator they are useless. I wouldn't use them again.

We were meant to fly out on a Viking plane-but were flown out on some unkown airline. We were given a warm bottle of water and a sandwhich at least. On the return flight we had a Viking plane and had to pay for everything-thought I had paid for a package holiday?

customer service 0 out of 10