Sandy Maria Hotel

Accommodation in Tsilivi

          
Maggie D

I booked a fortnight at the Sandy Maria Hotel and only stayed eight days, it was awful! It is listed as self-catering but there's no way you could make a meal with what was provided by way of kitchen ware. There was a huge saucepan and filthy scratched frying pan, one mug (we had to buy another) two plates, two forks, two knives, one teaspoon. The owners were civil enough to begin with but when we did not attend the Greek night they became very rude. Our room was crawling with ants, all over the beds, the shower was filthy, there were squashed flies on the wall.

After a few days they stopped emptying the bin in the bathroom (where you have to put the used toilet paper) which stunk after a while. I have never felt so unwelcome anywhere! And yes, I have been to Greece many times before and not expected luxury, but to be made to feel so unwelcome is quite another thing. We moved out to the lovely Dinos Hotel over the road. and given that my room was paid for for another week, the man from the Sandy Maria came up to us on his moped and asked us for the key back. We said we would return the key when we had eaten, but he was insistent. We carried on walking and after a couple of minutes he came after us again, this time really angry demanding his key back and threatening to call the police and report us to the tour company. We decided to give back the keys and my room was let the next day - so he was paid twice for the same room. Take my advice STAY AWAY. You will only be made welcome if you spend loads of money at his bar and attend his over priced Greek evenings. I wonder if he deliberately upsets certain customers so that they leave and then he re-lets the room.


Pauline H

I have been going to Greece for over thirty years and this is the worst place I have ever stayed whole apartment was filthy bedding torn towels stained toilet would not flush there was no kettle in room so could not make drinks in morning reason for this is so that you have to use snack bar if you did not use bar in the evening or go on greek night the owner was very unfriendly

Mark P

it's 10- 15 mins to the beach stayed there in 2003 was ok, its a nice walk

and there are bars and shops on the way you wont have a problem.

Elaine H

Hello Can any one tell me how long it takes in mins to walk to Paradise Pub? and how long in mins to the beach? I've been before and stayed in Mavrekos - Is this further away from everything? Thanks in advance :-) I can get a really good deal and want to take by BF for a gift but am just worried about location. Elaine xx

Catherine H          10/10

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had a fantastic holiday at sandy's hope to be back next year,fantastic views from the balcony's,loads of fun around the pool especially bbq nights, clean and friendly , sandy and yannis are fantastic and very friendly.

Baz S          10/10

 
We Had a lovely holiday and had fun with Sandy and Johhny and Mario (neighbour)
Everybody that stayed there got to know each other and we all joined in with the fun
Not too far to venture into town if you choose or stay at bar for the evening having a drink with them and the locals.
I enjoyed entertaining you and your friends Yamas . xx
Food is good and not too expensive
Rooms are a good size and perefct for what we needed it for. And they are clean !!!!!!!
A two week holiday turned into three for one of us, and yes work commitments permitting we will be returning in Septemeber for three weeks.
 
Baz (Cliffe) and Tracey
 

Gillian C          9/10

Stayed first 2 weeks September. The apartment was good, clean, lovely size, great balcony. You do need to bring your own kettle. Pool was glorious. Sandy and Yiannis were very friendly, we had some great evenings with them. Tsilivi is like a little piece of heaven.

Cheryl S          10/10

we stayed at the sandy maria 26th may for a week,we had a fantastic holiday,the apartments were basic,but comfortable and very clean.sandy and yanis are a fantastic couple,so friendly and create a happy and relaxed atmosphere,we have 2 children and they were so good with them.hospitality 10/10.the pool was great and and can honestly say i couldn't find a fault with the place.
     we had such a good holiday we are going back next year but for 2 weeks this time,i would definately recommend it.
    cheryl scott.

Big P          8/10

Well What Can We Say;

Having read many comments, we were not sure what to expect, But other than the fact that we arrived at 06.30am, And there was no way of getting in until 8.00am we began to think Oh Oh.
How Wrong were we to be; Week 27/05/11 - 03/06/11
We had a One Bed Appartment sleeping 3, I can say that as the place had been shut all winter & was musty, this was clearly the Biggest Appartment we have ever had in Zante, & we have been coming to Zante for 12 Years; Albeit very Basic.
Sandy & Maria, wonderful people, so laid back they can be Bown over.
Yiannis, Bar; What a great Guy, fun & knew the Island Inside out.
The Pool & Bar Area were Clean & Tidy, also very safe for Kids, Drinks & Snacks reasonable.
Clearly Sandy has Listened to some comments, and has had the Place fully re-decorated this year
well done Sandy; Would we stay there again, Yes Most Definately, and this was our first time here.
They even Phoned for Taxi's for us several times at No Charge;
Sandy, Maria, & Yiannis, We hope to see you next year.
Phill Denise & James

Richard T          7/10

having read previous comments we were ready for the holes in the sheets and rather skinny towels but the room was fine , large and with a nice balcony (have stayed in much worse). the resort was lovely , best restaurant was the Olive tree reputed to be the oldest there.

we didn`t attend the appartments barbeque as we felt it a bit pricey , ten euros for either or chicken or beef .
we did however attend for a drink afterwards, the quiz did not happen and there was no sign of the karaoke.
 
I have been in the trade for many years and one thing I have leant is a smile costs nothing and goes a long way, hope Sandy can read this and start smiling and chatting to people, they would feel much more at home and you could have a lively bar !
open for breakfast too,it could be very lucrative for you.  
ps. you should never expect people to run to the bar to pick up there own food, always serve it at the table, great for tips that way !    

Cath H          10/10

all i can say is i had the best 2 week ever at sandy's nice rooms,pool and bar sandy, erikka and nicos made us all feel so welcome and top pool party thanks miss them all.

N M          4/10

The apartments were large, clean and plenty of wardrobe, drawer space.  Towels and bedding clean but holey and torn!  What was most disappointing was the snack bar was advertised to be open from 9.00 am one day we were waiting and at 10.30 decided to give up. One ocassion my friends daughter asked for a Greek Salad, only to be told they had no supplies.

 
We discovered the hotel 'Dinos' 50 yards away, the family owned hotel had a lovely restaurant and willing staff (husband, wife and daughter).
 
On the day of departure, approx 30 people were sat around the poo/snack bar area at the Santy Maria to be picked up at 8.30 am and 9.00 am respectively, can you believe the snack bar was now even open then!!!  So we went across to Dinos who had opens earlier (usually 8.00 am) but had opened at 7.00 to enable their leaving guests to have a drink and some breakfast.
 
The reps, well I agree with the comment about Graham, cockney salesman, over bubbly etc.   I had lost my euros (luckily they were found in my car on return home) and asked Graham and June to check if I had lost them on the plane or coach, both said they would check and get back to me - NOTHING not even a courtesy phone call. When I mentioned this to June on departure, she said she would again check when we reached the airport, she must have looked at me 6 times but never got back as to whether she had checked or not.
 
My advice is, if you are going to Tsilivi, go to the Dinos Hotel and not with Libra. 

Carol T          10/10

Weve just got back at teatime and missing Sandy Maria already -totally agree with Maive ,that everything was as it should be for self catering.. I say go to Spain or somewhere else if you want 4 or 5 star- havent these moaners ever been to Greece before ? All that you need is somewhere to rest your weary head after a day on the beautiful beachI take people as i find them and bonded really well with Sandy,Maria , and the sweetest little girl -will defo be back to the same appartments Weve made some brilliant friends with fellow holidaymakers. Missing Mango Beach bar cocktails already !

Graham           9/10

click to enlarge Hello Maeve, it wasn't so bad was it?

If you were picky you could find fault, but then again it doesn't pretend to be 4*. Some of the comments about the apartments being crappy are a bit unfair, it is what it is - basic but clean accommodation.
A bit basic in the kitchen, just a big pan a little pan and a 2 ring hotplate. At least the fridge was cold! No toaster, kettle or microwave, no dining table except the plastic balcony furniture. Air con is available in some rooms but you have to pay extra for the remote that operates it. Pool area well maintained and clean.
I have to say though Sandy was a bit hard work, not exactly the life and soul of the party!
It was quiet and relaxing whilst we were there - no fights for the sun loungers. Tsilivi village was lovely and the beach fantastic. We had a great time.

Maeve F          10/10

got home on sunday, beautiful holiday Sandy and Maria studios were lovely. clean fresh they are what a studio should be. relaxed atmosphere, no demands or time keeping that you find in all inclusive senarios. easy walk to town and georgeous beach. all staff there but not constantly pestering us. you would have to see the views and as for the pool we all could have stayed all week in it. exactly and more than self catering needs to be. thank you Sandy and Maria, Nicos and the hard working cleaning staff. not forgetting little Magia, who made all so welcome. we will be back as soon as money and time allows .

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. 

Andy L          10/10

We have just got back from Santy Maria apartments 21.06.09 and are missing the place already. The apartment was clean and comfortable, Ida the cleaner always had a friendly smile and Nikos who helped out at the bar became a good friend. Sandy who runs the apartments was a great host, always laughing in wonderful way that made us laugh too. she was always plying us with free shots and even agreed to do a Greek night.  I did the barbie it was just great everyone enjoyed it.

Andy and Jaki
 
ps Cant wait to go back

Lyn O          10/10

 just an update from spiros  if any one is going to tsilivi this year you will find spiros in the mango bar on tsilivi beach next to the jetski place having a coke haha as he owns the sun beds infront of it. if your not in tsilivi but in laganna he has a poolbar called the karras hotel pool bar and he hopes to see you all there i will definatley be giving him a visit so make sure you have enough mythos in spiro yamas see you 28th of june for 2 weeks

Elizabeth D          10/10

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Just returned from staying a week at the Sandy Maria apartments and missing it already. From the comments that we had read before we left we were a bit worried about the accomodation but we shouldn't have been. The apartments were clean and looked new. The maid came every day to empty the bins and clean- sheets and towels were also replaced mid week. The apartments were only about 5 minutes from the town and beach. In the bar, Spiro and Nikos were really welcoming and helpful- they were also a great laugh.

 
We would recommend staying there to anyone who visits Tsilivi.
 
The Girls (Anisa, Liz and Carey)
 
ps-if you read this Spiro, mine's a metaxa and fanta!! Yammas!!!!!

Amie N          8/10

We have just returned from Santy Maria apts after a 2 week stay. I cannot complain really. We found the staff very helpful. I must admit we were worried before going after reading all of the reports! I have to agree there is no pleasing some people.

Everyone was friendly and tried their best to make sure everything was ok for you. On our arrival we were given one room which didnt have air conditioning which we like as we took our 11 month old son so we needed this. ! We went to reception and spoke to Sandy she said we could move rooms which we did! It was fab- extremly clean and new bathroom and kitchen area!! Not all Greeks would have been so helpful and moved us!!
 
They all paid a lot of attention to our son and made us feel welcome- we have said we were return in the next few years. For the money we paid i am happy!
 
 Bar Staff were friendly opened unitl late always a bonus when you fancy a late drink!
 
BBQ night was good too- we had  laugh!!!
 
Met some lovely people.
 
anyone got Spiro's e-mail address????
 
Amie Craig and Jack

Kay           10/10

 What a brilliant time we had at santy maria. We visited 22/6/08 to 6/7/08. Thankyou to Spiros, Nicos and Denise (Michelle) for making our holiday the best. The pool was kept nice and clean and the service at the bar was excellent. We will be back as soon as we can.  Thanks for the ouzo spiros, yammas. Love to you all and liza as well. xx

Alicia G          10/10

WE HAD AN EXCELLENT TIME AT THE SANDY MARIA!!! ALL OF THE BAD COMMENTS ARE ABSOLUTLY BULLSH*T!!! SPIRO'S IS THE BEST, THE F*CKIN BEST IN THE WORLD!! HE DOESNT RIP PEOPLE OFF IF ANYTHING HE IS MORE THAN HAPPY TO HELP YOU WITH YOUR MONEY, NICKOS AND DENISE ALSO MADE US FEEL VERY WELCOME. SPIROS EVEN MADE US A "LAST SUPER" HOW GENEROUS IS THAT???

THE HOTEL, POOL AND SURROUNDING AREAS WERE VERY CLEAN, THERE IS OBVIOUSLY NO PLEASING SOME PEOPLE - THEY SHOULD GO TO TURKEY INSTEAD!!!
 
HI TO SALLY AND RICH WHO WE MET OVER THERE, HOPE YOU'RE BOTH OK
 
ALL OUR LOVE TO YOU ALL,
 
STEVE (THE F*CKIN BEST) AND ALICIA.....................YAMMAS!!!!
 
HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL SOON - LOOK AFTER YOURSELVES, MISSING YOU XXX

Lyn O          10/10

 yasoo spiro, nicos , sandy denise and lizza thanks for a fab two weeks, cant understand why people underated the place, we had one of  the best holidays weve ever had and weve been to tsilivi ninteen times and we are coming back to the sandy maria again in eight weeks the bbq was brill and we had a good laugh at spiros quiz. please make sure you have enough mythos for us when we come back spiro and for all the people that complained about the place i suggest you f**k off to turkey or somthing  see you all in eight weeks your the best love lyn, ogy, lee sarah gary alicia and not forgetting stevie xxx

Katrina M          8/10

 We stayed at the Santy Maria apt from 15th June til 29th. We were there the same time as big Tony and became great friends with them and another couple.  We had a great time and as Big Tony said if you don't want basic but clean don't go to Greece or pay more for your holiday. Sandy the owner would try to put right any problems as quickly as she could, and if you get to know her and chat she is ok. Spiros was great he even gave me a lift from the town one day. On the first night my husband asked if he had blue gin but he hadn't. The second night we went to the bar for a drink Spiros had been out especially to get blue gin for us, he also had noticed my husband smoked cigars and he had got a supply of those as well. Nothing was a bother for him. He does a lovely breakfast and his snacks are good too. We had a fab holiday never had a bad meal in any of the restaurants we ate and that was many. The company was great and we would like to say hi to all the people we met.

Julie L          5/10

 Just retuned from Sandy Maria appartments, we read the reviews before we went & were dreading it- I must say i do agree with most of the comments- Sandy (the owner) was very arrogant & unfriendly at all times, Spiros however was great, we loved him, a good laugh & very kind especially when we rescued a dog that was threw from a car at high speed! We expected the appartment to be basic coz you get what you pay for however, it was also filthy & smelly crawling with ants in every cupboard, drawer & beds! hardly any hot water & no loo roll. Tsilivi itself is a lovely place lovely beach & lots of restaurants- we never had a bad meal, be careful when walking back down long dark road- a couple were mugged from our appartment, this is a regular occurance apparently! So to sum things up if your young & dont mind slumming it & getting no sleep then Sandy Maria is ideal, otherwise do yourself a favour & book a different appartment! from JULIE & JEAN room 505- stayed 9/6/08-22/6/08

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