We have just come back from a 2 week vacation to Corfu, staying at the Zafiris apartments in Sidari. We choose this hotel due to seeing a lot of positive reviews about the hotel here on the internet and the write up of it via the First Choice brochure.

We flew from Birmingham on a Friday which was great as most of the other main airports had terrible flight times and with a 3 year old i didn't want to go there!!!! Flight from Birmingham was great!!!!

We arrived at Corfu airport and was met by the rep who told us which bus terminal to go to and the number of the bus we were to get on, great so far - until on the journey the bus conked out twice. The second time we had to wait for a mechanic and had thought that we may have to wait for another bus to collect us due to the brakes on this bus having problems - Corfu is very mountainous and the roads are nothing like some of the other Greek islands we have been too these are quite narrow in comparison, so the bus really needs its brakes!!! - Not too good really as the transfer time was around 2 hrs to Sidari anyway, bearing in mind all of the drop offs on the way - it turned out to be almost 3 hrs!!! My son was absolutly exhausted on arrival and sleeping. Anyway, we were met at the hotel by some of the staff who took our suitcases up to our rooms and boy were we glad to be based in the main section - up by the pool! A few apartments 101-106 are based down the hill by the Saxaphone bar where i'm sure you'd find it more noiser than up the top as the Sax bar is open to the public on the main road!!! Some people have said its not bad, but if you have young children who don't sleep too well with noise, this may prove to be a problem especially in the high season - these aparments are not on the main road, only the sax bar is, but they are very near to it!!!!

The first night at this hotel was absolutly awful!! It was freezing in the room as there was no heating and No extra blankets were to be found. All we had was a very thin sheet and a very thin top blanket to cover us, which was no good!!!! My poor son had to go to bed with his jumper on due to the cold. Our rooms did not face the sun as they were North facing, so no heat could be gained naturally in the day. Our room number was 403 so anyone ending up in that row going in May or at the end of the season ask for extra blankets on arrival! Trust me you don't want to go through what we had that first night. The next day we complained - we were not the only one's - and extra blankets were provided. although the maids kept taking them off everytime they made the bed!! That was really annoying!!!! And the maids come everyday, except Sunday, again annoying if you were planning on a lie in or your in the shower!!!!

The next day we checked out the hotel more and found that the wooden areas around the pool and the bridge and the upper layers of the pool area up to the view of the canal de amour were in need of repair. My son had fallen over in numerous places where boards were sticking up or there were broken areas in the boards etc, so be aware of that, especially if your wearing sandles!!! It is quite dangerous at the upper level of the pool area to let young kids go alone, as there are areas where the fencing is broken and children can easily pass through, especially the areas looking down to the Canal de Amour and the pathway down the the canal de amour cove/beach!!!

Another major problem was the children's indoor soft play area, situated in the Saxaphone bar - it was absolutly dirty and dusty - I had to break through cobwebs to get in there and under some of the balls we found very sharp cable ties. Our son had cut himself quite badly on them. These ties cover all the padded areas - used to keep the padding on and most are very sharp. I did notice a few people had mentioned sharp areas in some of the write ups, but never thought it to be on this scale - they are absolutly everywhere!! Older children may be more careful, but younger children need to be watched, in fact we didn't allow our son to use it!!! What was most annoying about this was that we had complained to both the rep and the receptionist (This is Dawn's first time on reception -she is English - she used to work in the children's nursery area until this season whereby the original receptionist is on maturnity leave - so we were told) Anyway, they both promised us that the area would at the very least be cleaned, this has not happened, even though we kept on. We even checked the area before we mounted the bus on our departure and its still disgusting!!! It would be quite interesting to know if it ever gets cleaned???

Another major boo boo was the 2 pool tables, none of them worked properly as the balls kept rolling to the side whether they were hit or not!! Complete waste of time and money. We did hear someone complain and all they did was put some cardboard underneath, which did nothing at all!!! So i wouldn't recommend this pass time unless you've money to waste!!! Also be aware of the nicely sized snooker table - full size - it will set you back 7 euros per hour and the score board doesn't work so take some pen and paper with you if you want to play properly. All of these amenities are mentioned in the first choice brochure and none of them work properly. Crazy really as they were the reasons we choose this hotel in the first place - it claimed to of had something for both children and adults!! Can I laugh now!!!

You will find all the staff very obliging until you ask for prices on something or if there is a problem. Do not use in room phones unless you want a shock. The receptionist is not very forthcoming in giving approx prices to use the phone, probably because she knows its expensive but doesn't want to tell you because they want your cash!!! We had bought a 5 euro phone card which gave us a free number to call etc, we used the in-room phone thinking okay it'll cost us a euro or two to use it......hah........try 8 euros!!!! More if your on longer!!! Be aware!!!! We had previously used the in-room phone to call direct and that cost us 6 euros for about 3 mins, hence us purchasing the phone card........what a complete waste of time.... Also note that not many of the outside phoneboxes will take these cards either as they are shop owned. If you want to use a card try to look out for the metal phone boothes, they only take cards - greek telecom card phones!! There arn't many around, we found a few in Sidari town - but it was the cheapest way to go, or it would of been if the receptionist had been more accommodating!!!

As for the staff........mmmm, Receptionist was nice until a problem or you ask for something i.e cleaning of soft play area or how much approx to use in-room phone, then she'd be evasive.

Another thing that I noticed on arriving were the certificates adorning the back wall behind the reception desk. These certificates of excellence only go as far as 2004, so obviously this hotel has been going downhill ever since and its only just started showing. They had 6 months of the winter season to get ready for this summer season and yet nothing seems to of been done. It's quite funny really as when we spoke to the staff, in the winter they all had trades in fields such as painting/decorating, plumbing, tiling etc. So this hotel certainly had the skills and the man-power to do it!!!!

The only positive thing about this hotel was of its position (except for those apartments 101-106). It was away from the road which meant for more privacy and quietness, except if you have noisy neighbours. (The walls and floor and thin so we heard our neighbours from either side of us and either side above too....some of them obviously disrespecting those with young children etc) It also had direct access to the Canal de Amour cove/beach, even if it's not easy to get down to it. Other hotels we had noticed on the way down to ours had their swimming pools facing the roadside, so you could see everyone either lounging or swimming...mmmmm....certainly not my cup of tea!!!!

All in all we were extremely disappointed with the quality of the hotel in comparison to the brochure details and what we had read here on the internet - what a complete oposite to virtually everything!!!! We would certainly not recommend this hotel to people with young families, its alright for older children and for those who don't wish to do anything else but laze by the pool!!! (Remember the pool is not heated, so at the start of the season its really cold)

Would we come back......mmmmmmmm........NO!!!!

We have just got back from a fantastic holiday at the Zafiris Hotel. We only booked 2 days before our departure, are were hoping for something half decent, but this turned out to be the best family holiday we've had.

Apartments were basic but very clean, with daily maid service (except Sun). We were lucky enough to be located in block 5, with a sea and pool view.

The grounds and pool were excellent, very clean and tidy, with a great kids play area.

The location was stunning with breathtaking views.

The thing that made the holiday the most was the staff, they were brilliant! You are treated like royalty, I would liken the service around the pool to being in a 5 star resort, nothing is too much trouble. The waiters are very genuinely friendly (and very handsome!), and knew us by first names, and made a real fuss of the kids.

The food both poolside and in the restaurant in the evening was excellent, we never ate anywhere else as it was so good, and again the waiters Spiros & George where great (they never stop working!)

The saxophone bar, at the end of the complex was also great for a late night drink after our evening meal, it has a great kids soft play area, which kept ours amused. Also the daytime pool staff all work down here, so again great service.

All in all an excellent holiday, we would love to come again this year, if not we'll definitely return next year. Throughly recommended!!

Fantastic holiday would recommend any one to go to these apartments.

Staff very friendly and they couldn't be more accommodating.

Best holiday ever already booked for next year.

We stayed in Zafiris Apartments, Canal D'Amor, Sidari. Our accommodation for 4 people on self catering basis. We had an upstairs bedroom with twin beds and two single beds in the lounge downstairs. We had a lovely pool and sea view.

Hotel location was excellent. Not too near the town centre but within easy walking distance. All amenities near by -shopping was excellent. Supermarket right next door. Lovely choice of restuarants and tavernas. Safe to walk back to the apartments late at night.

We did have food in the restuarant and it was excellent. The staff went an extra mile to make sure your stay was pleasant and stress free. Nothing was too much trouble. Greek night was very entertaining -too much food on plates!!

Enjoyed the fire dance and table lifting by the staff. Definately a location worth visiting again. I was told Corfu is a lovely place and I am glad we did go there.

Accommodation & Staff - Went with 2 sisters and a niece to sunny Sidari in Corfu in May 2006. We stayed in an apartment for 4 people in Zafiris Hotel, Canal D'Amor, Sidari. It was one of the best holiday places. Clean well maintained apartments. Lovely sea & pool view. Restaurant & pool staff friendly and very helpful. Zafiris, George, Niko, Spiro 1 & Spiro 2 made us all very welcome. None of them minded going an extra mile to make our stay pleasant. Meal times & pool times were a delight. The chef & his team were very accommodating with our red chilli pepper hot vegetarian meal requests. Definitely a place to go back to just for the accommodation, food & service with a smile.

Trips

Was best holiday ever! Going back again next year.

First impressions are very warm, welcoming, nothing is too much trouble.

The accommodation was great, we ate at the Waterfall restaurant it was brilliant. BBQ night was one not to be missed.

Just returned after a two week visit. This was our first visit abroad and we totally enjoyed.

The apartments were spotless and cleaned everyday with towels and beds every other day.

Staff are what make the holiday. We arrived at 4.30 in the morning and were taken straight to our room by Nick (lovely guy).

Location is excellent, just down a path at the top of restaurant and you are at a little cove, which we were never away from.

All of the staff were brilliant, especially Spiros who works in saxophone bar on a night. Nothing was too much trouble for him.

It was nearly end of season when we went so not much entertainment, the odd karaoke or quiz night. This didn't matter though as we all had a brilliant time so much so that we are going to book up for next year as well.

We have just got back from 2 weeks at the Zafiris, we had an absolutely fab time, this was the first time our children have been abroad and it couldn't have been better the apartments were spotless and cleaned and beds made everyday.

We had clean towels every other day. The maids were really friendly especially to the children. The staff were all really friendly and made you feel really welcome and part of the family, we didn't have to move while by the pool the poolside waiters Spyros and Spyros and the others who we didn't know the names would do absolutely anything for you always checking if you were ok or needed anything.

The apartments were in a lovely location near the cliff with fantastic views of Albania, it was also quite quiet and away from the main bars, but not to far to walk if you wanted it a bit more lively.

If you are going to these apartments you will have a great time.

Apartment was spacious, airy and clean.

Restaurant/bar food is good quality. Especially nice atmosphere eating at the top restaurant in the evening.

Position and views from hotel complex are great.

Staff are what make this particular complex enjoyable and worth making return visits. Spiro's (s), Yiannis, Nikos and George all work really hard and are a really nice bunch of guys who do their best to look after everyone.

Angela in reception is very efficient and helpful in learning some useful Greek words!

The complex is particularly child friendly and is what makes the holiday experience so easy and relaxed.

Greek night is a must for the staff participation as much as the actual dancers. The saxophone bar is lively but not too loud, its comfortable and there is a play area for children. Spiro's works harder than anyone else I know serving everyone and you do wonder when the poor guy ever sleeps!

The Zafiris is highly recommendable.