In recent years it has become a habit of ours – Daniel and I love to start the summer season by going away on a luxurious holiday in one of the Greek islands. The short flight from Israel, the perfect weather, the warm atmosphere and the good, simple food, all create a strong sense of getting away just before the official start of the season, and going to this amazing destination, which many times is taken for granted by us Israelis.

I’ve already mentioned on this blog a few times that, like many other Israelis, I too perceived Greece as a perfect sunbathing-only destination, and only last year did I come to realize that Greece has so much more to offer than just laying by the pool or beach.

So when we received an invitation to stay at the Lesante Blu Exclusive Beach Resort in Zakynthos, an island which until now I thought was for young adults only, we decided to leave our prejudices behind and accepted the invitation. Not only did I discover that the island has so much more to offer than clubs and parties replete with alcohol, but, that this hotel, aimed at adult clients only, looks like the perfect place for a relaxing, luxury vacation – a perfect way to start the season.

Since our stay at the hotel was before the beginning of the island’s official touring season, there were no direct charter flights from Israel and so we had no choice but to land in Athens first. {What turned out to be a plus – you can read my guide to Athens here}. Since there is no direct option by sea from Athens to Zakynthos {rather you must first drive to a town called Kyllini and then take the car on a ferry}, we decided to spend one day in Athens before our trip to Zakynthos and one day after, and chose to take an internal flight to the island.

Our early flight from Athens got us to Zakynthos before 9AM. We picked up our rental car from Enterprise, and made our way to the hotel, a 25 minute ride from the airport. The hotel is set in one of the most beautiful spots on the island in the charming village of Tragaki, against a backdrop of picturesque olive groves along the island’s east coast. The road to the hotel was pretty and pastoral, and together with the greek music playing on the radio we felt we were ready for the Greek getaway we know and love.

At the hotel, we were greeted by the friendly and professional staff who showed us around the hotel facilities and offered us to enjoy our breakfast even before we checked in. Of course we did not refuse 🙂 The buffet style breakfast is served in the hotel’s main restaurant, with a large balcony facing the stunning sea view in front of the hotel. The breakfast has a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables, pastries and breads, hot dishes, excellent eggs, and even a station set up to prepare your own bloody mary. The team of waiters made sure our cups were not without freshly squeezed orange juice, and offered us hot drinks. The two things I felt were missing from the breakfast were the famous Greek salad and Tzatziki, no meal, in my opinion, in Greece, is complete without them. Of course I made up for it by ordering a Greek salad and tzatziki at every other meal during our Greek holiday 🙂

Besides the main restaurant, where breakfast and dinner are served as buffet, the hotel has another restaurant that, every evening, offers gourmet Greek foods alongside international dishes, A la Carte, and throughout the day, snacks and cocktails are served at the bar by the pool.

The hotel is a part of the Leading Hotels of the World group, and is designed with clean lines and colors, integrating natural materials such as wood, marble and shiny glass, leaving space for the most important element in the hotel – the private beach and hypnotizing blue view, that sets the relaxing tone throughout the entire hotel. Aside from the private beach, the hotel has a magnificent infinity pool {the best I’ve ever seen} adorned with tanning beds right on the water {a dream!} and especially comfortable lounge chairs placed on the deck by the pool. And if that’s not enough, many of the hotel rooms are equipped with a private pool.

In short – it is not for nothing that is hotel is named Lesante Blu, the color blue is definitely the most dominant.

We stayed in the Honeymoon Sea View Pool Suite. A large, well lit space, with an insanely comfortable king size bed and a view that is so much fun to begin your day with, a private pool and huge jacuzzi fit for two {and tall, like us!} . Similar to the other parts of the hotel, the room design is clean and classic, with a double vanity, pampering BVLGARI bath and beauty products, and the softest robes and towels I have ever come in contact with. The service was one of the best I have recently encountered, the team was polite and happy to help out with any situation at any time.

Of course we couldn’t hold ourselves back from getting a couple’s treatment in the hotel spa, which included a free entrance to the indoor pool, jacuzzi and saunas {Without booking a treatment, the entrance to the spa area is at an additional cost}. The spa has a varied menu of massage and beauty treatments. We chose a special treatment combining aromatherapy candle wax, which was characterised by a low intensity, soothing massage.

As you have probably figured out, it is a heaven of rest and relaxation…

We spent four full days in Zakynthos and carefully planned all of the attractions we wanted to do and see during our stay on the island. The old, colorful city, the observation point on Shipwreck Beach, the blue caves and more… But since the hotel was more amazing than expected, we didn’t end up reaching all of the destinations we pinned on our virtual map. As they say, life is what happens while you're busy making other plans. I don’t usually like to skip going to the places that I dream of seeing, but this time, despite all of our plans, we were so happy and didn’t want to leave the insane infinity pool at the hotel, and preferred after all, to spend our last day on the island sunbathing 🙂

If you are planning a trip to Zakynthos, I highly recommend staying at this hotel, especially if you’re looking for some peace and quiet. And, if you are planning to stay at this amazing hotel, do yourself a favor and don’t cram your schedule with attractions. True, the island is amazing and there is so much to see and do, but you really don’t have to check the entire island off your list at once, especially with this kind of hotel. During our vacation on the island we manages to enjoy resting at the hotel, soak up the beautiful nature around us, and tour the special, ancient city.

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