Zakynthos (Zante) holiday villa: Kypseli

From the time we first made contact, I knew this was going to be a wonderful home from home. However, our expectations were fantastically exceeded.

Diana and her team welcomed us so warmly, with gifts of home-produced Olive Oil, fresh eggs, a cool bottle of wine and everything else you could want to start a relaxing holiday on this fantastic island.

The villas are set in wonderfully landscaped gardens, with a pool that suits adults and children alike and with ample sunbeds for all. Diana works tirelessly to ensure that all her guests enjoy their stay, with the villas being impeccably furnished and cleaned daily (including fresh sheets and towels), with added extras including dishwasher, washing machine, CD player, flat-screen TV with sky and separate airconditioning units for each room, which was a fantastic bonus for us in the August temperatures.

With close proximity to several local tavernas, where we enjoyed some delicious meals, a fantastic bakery, friendly butcher and well-stocked supermarket, as well being 300 yards from the sea, and 10 minutes drive from busier resorts with good watersports facilities, we really did feel that we were in the ideal location for a wonderfully relaxing family holiday.

Diana and Lakis also run the oldest taverna is Tsilivi, where we enjoyed the best food we tasted on the island, and they even offered home delivery service!

We feel that we have found our retirement home (if Diana ever wants to sell!!). Your only problem may be getting a booking, because we plan on coming back on a regular basis...

We have stayed in many luxury villas over the last 6 years but Olive Tree Villas surpass them all in every way.
We were lucky enough to be renting all 4 villas for our family which made it even more special
Each villa is slightly different but all are well eqipped and tastefully decorated. Each has both an upstairs and downstairs balcony with tables and chairs, ideal for relaxing and very safe for our 1 year old grandaughter to play.
We have never experienced the 5* hotel treatment in a villa which Diana, the villa owner, gave us: fresh white cotton sheets and towels everyday, and daily cleaning by a delightful, unobtrusive maid.
The villas are situated in a truly rural location, and the beach really is only 300m away, with an excellent supermarket, bakers and 3 tavernas in walking distance.This location was ideal for our teenage children, giving them a degree of independence, unusual in such a rural, quiet place. And when they did fancy a night out, the bars of Tsilivi were only a short taxi ride away! Although it is in no way necessary to hire a car, having one does mean you can visit some of the other beautiful parts of the island such as Gerakas and dine at other beach side tavernas and Diana's excellent one in Tsilivi.
And finally Diana. She is the most charming and helpful villa owner you could ever wish to meet. Nothing was ever too much trouble: from arranging emergency dental appointments to finding ferry times.
This really was the best holiday we have all ever had. Of course the weather was wonderful, but the location was special, the food was good, everything was so very accessible and the villas really were 5*.

We were introduced to this villa by friends who raved about their previous visits. It lived up to our expectations.
1. Villas were well appointed and spotless.
.2 Setting was pretty and tranquil
3. Owner in frequent attendance and incredibly helpful.
4. Restaurant - 'The Olive Tree' had fantastic food and lovely ambience.
5 Airconditioning in all main rooms was INCREDIBLY quiet but efficient - such a change to be able to sleep in comfort without having to turn off the A/C because of the noise - a real boon!
I can say nothing bad about this holiday - I was totally impressed and will go back as often as I can.