Zante Pantheon Hotel

This small hotel sits on a hillside, overlooking the town of Tsilivi and the sea. It is a bit removed from town, but beautiful views, quality family-run service, and a quiet location make it a worthwhile escape for many couples. The grounds are lovely and peaceful. Pathways are lined with big, flowering bushes and many trees, plus vases and flower beds add pops of color throughout. Inside, the reception area is small, with gleaming white tile floors and cheerful orange accents. Off the lobby, there’s a lounge area with a lending library, TV, and large, cushy chairs and sofas grouped around the room. Decor is modest, but the black leather seating and glass tables with beautiful flowers have a simple elegance. 

This hotel is just outside Tsilivi, a popular tourist town on the northeastern coast of Zakynthos. It is on hill above town and fairly isolated, but there are a few restaurants and a supermarket within a 10-minute walk. The Tsilivi Water Park is a six-minute walk down the hill, offering slides, pools, and a lazy river. It is about a 10-minute downhill walk into Tsilivi -- 20 minutes to the center of town -- but the return trip is uphill and more demanding. A 15-minute walk will bring guests to the coast and a strip of sand, but the main beach is a 20-minute walk away, or a five-minute drive. It is a 15-minute drive to the center of Zakynthos, the capital city of the island, from which guests can explore shops, restaurants, and museums. Zakynthos international Airport is a 20-minute drive from the hotel, and the port of Zakynthos is a 17-minute drive away. 

Air-conditioned rooms are simple and bright, offering a good deal of space for two or three people. Tile floors and mostly ivory walls are eclipsed by bright accents in red, orange, and yellow. Dark-wood furniture and paneled headboards offset all the vibrant colors. Small painting and vases of flowers are the only embellishments. The look is cheery and eye-catching, but not exactly relaxing. All rooms have TVs (flat-screens in the newer building), mini-fridges, and free safes. Some rooms have kettles, and guests in other rooms may request one. Hairdryers and slippers are provided. Bathrooms are clean and basic, done all in tile but with little-to-no counter space. They have either showers or bathtubs with handheld showerheads. Free toiletries include soap, shower gel, and shampoo, plus niceties like razors, cotton balls, nail files, and toothbrushes.

The pool is a lovely spot, sitting on a sunny terrace between the two buildings of the hotel. A good-size wading pool is fenced off from the deeper water. Bright-blue loungers under white umbrellas line one side of the terrace, with a lovely screen of flowering bushes providing a backdrop. Outdoor seating for the restaurant shares the patio, so the area becomes a gathering spot for guests, but a peaceful atmosphere permeates the space. Indoor dining is in a simple, homey room with a bar. The food is good, and guests enjoy the free breakfast buffet with a range of options to choose from. A la carte dishes for lunch and dinner are also available. There are a few free parking spots just off the road next to the hotel. Wi-Fi is free only in common areas, though some rooms get reception.