5 Best Hotels in Zakynthos, Greece

A charming collection of seven colorful guesthouses that lies off the main road just north of Vasilikos village—it's set within 55 square km (21 square miles) of organic farmland and run by the same family behind an excellent nearby taverna. They are more than happy to show visitors around the workings of the farm, and there are some fine trails to walk nearby. Houses can host up to four and six people and include fully equipped kitchens, laundry facilities, Wi-Fi, and parking. Each is different, but all exude a delightful farm-cottage vibe, with terraces and gardens bursting with fruit. A rare chance to soak up the countryside in beach-obsessed Zakynthos.

This stylish boutique stay strikes an elegant pose—the larger upper-floor suites come with whirlpools, while ground-floor ones all have shared and private pools. Rooms are rather barren in color but invariably huge, even if they only look out over the garden or pool area. Down in the spa, the almost womb-like underground plunge pool is a sight to behold. And of course, it's adults only, so all you hear is the sound of your own qi humming in quiet satisfaction from your sun bed beside the pool. Restaurant Lentika is one of the finer dining spots on the eastern coast.

The Diana chain has four luxury hotels on the island, with this being their most functional—it's a city hotel with good facilities and a pool in a bustling location just off the lively square of Agios Markos. That puts it streets ahead of most offerings in the town. The island reserves its glamour stays for resort areas and few visitors stay within the city despite the convenience. The rooftop pool isn't much for swimming, but the chance to soak above the humid streets, cocktail in hand, and gaze across the rooftops is a unique one here. Rooms are businesslike but cozy enough. A Jacuzzi, sauna, gym, and pool table round off the perks.

The entrepreneurial Potamitis brothers (who also own a restaurant and boat company) have converted two old windmills on the cliff top of Skinari into a pair of stays right next to the Blue Caves viewpoint. They're surprising petite, and were once used to grind flour. Inside, they just about manage to squeeze in a lounge, kitchenette, bathroom, and shower, as well as a bedroom with double bed—there's even a pool. It's room enough for two, and sunset spent gazing out over the cliffs is magical. The stone windmill is the pick of the pair as it's slightly more removed from the taverna. There are also rooms and an apartment nearby.

Zante Maris is among a growing wave of luxury small boutique stays that has taken over Tsilivi—its slick neutral-tone swim-up suites set the bar high, leading to stylish sun-deck balconies from which shared infinity pools gaze out to the coast. Holistic treatments are rustled up from the herb garden; every cocktail the pool bar dishes up is bespoke; there's natural wood surfaces and white beams everywhere; and children are nowhere to be found. Like most of these kind of hotels, this is adults only, but (again, like most others) it also has a sister venue a few streets away that trades one star and a dash of glam for a family-friendly pool area.