Planos Beach Hotel

Not to be confused with sister Porto Planos Beach Hotel across the street, the Planos Beach Hotel's family-oriented setups tick a lot of boxes. All-inclusive packages covering meals, drinks, snacks, and ice cream are a big draw, though dining here gets mixed reviews, and suspicions of watered-down alcoholic beverages have raised a few eyebrows. Fortunately, positioning near a bar and restaurant-packed drag and Tsilivi Beach is excellent, plus there's a fair amount on-site. A sunny outdoor pool is the focal point, and additional lounging on a rooftop terrace has a touch of sophistication from light-weight dining furniture under a canopy. While many find evening bingo and quiz nights dull, these generally please the older couples here. Expect a fair bit of activity, since kids and poolside music are buzzing. Rock-bottom rates mean fees for nearly everything, but all considered, it's still a good pick. Note, the property is only open May through mid-October, though that's common for Greece.

The hotel occupies a great spot, a two-minute walk to expansive stretches of golden sands at Tsilivi Beach, where a harbor at the western tip has a Venetian watchtower. Travelers need only walk five minutes for downtown Tsilivi's bars, affordable restaurants, shops, and supermarkets. Tsilivi Water Park is 10 minutes on foot, and nearby busses run to the island's capital, Zakynthos, in 15 minutes. Nightlife and museums here offer variety, and historic squares are beautiful. Free street parking is a good solution to the lack of private parking, and the hotel's road receives little traffic. Zakynthos International Airport is 17 minutes away by car.

Facing the pool, gardens, nearby buildings, or the sea (in upgraded units), straightforward rooms are outfitted in mostly contemporary decor -- some adding stylish touches. They have glossy floors, light walls, dark striped or blonde-wood furniture, and a neutral palette with purple or red accents in some. Textured walls, harbor or island photography, and/or backlighting are pleasant touches amid otherwise underwhelming furnishings. Notable downsides include the charges for in-room Wi-Fi, electronic safes, and air-conditioning. Small furnished balconies are pleasant, but dark basement rooms lack these. 

Studios have twin or queen-size beds, desks, flat-screen TVs, kettles, and mini-fridges. Apartments add sofa beds to sleep up to four, and kitchenettes with electric hot plates, dining areas, and tubs in bathrooms. Alternative cubicle showers are tiny, albeit modern, and select ones have rainfall showerheads. All bathrooms have toiletries and hairdryers. Note that beds can be two twins pushed together, but that's common for the region. Rooms can be fitted with cribs and they start at a decent 269 square feet (25 square meters).  

Alongside all-inclusive food and drinks, the hotel packs in decent features for the price, although a stay here sometimes means compromising on quality. Offering indoor and rooftop al fresco dining, Estia's buffets offer kid-friendly pastas, salads, and entrees, plus Greek specialities. Cooked dishes aren't regularly replenished though, especially at breakfast (which offers hot and cold spreads). Aside from a splash of orange on outdoor tables, bar and restaurant layouts are bland. The adjacent rooftop terrace is more attractive, and topped by blue and white loungers under umbrellas. The outdoor pool is a decent size and gets a good amount of sun, and a separate kiddy pool gives little ones their own space. Fees apply for the sauna and simple gym, where equipment is limited and outdated. A playground offers more kiddy fun, and the on-site mini-market is handy. Pets are not permitted. Wi-Fi is free in common areas.