We were very disappointed with our holiday at the Alykanas Village. We booked our holiday 13 months before our departure date with Airtours through our local travel agent.

I will start with the positive aspects of our holiday. The location of the hotel is fantastic and we were fortunate to have an apartment on the first floor in one of the two blocks facing the sea. The view was stunning - a huge expanse of Ionian sea with Kefalonia in the distance. After eating out we would have a drink on our balcony. It was blissful listening to the sound of the sea and looking at the star filled sky.

There are two outdoor pools in the courtyard of the main blocks - one volley ball pool and an extremely large children's pool. There is also a beach side pool, which was the pool we preferred to lounge by. The snack bar separates these two areas. The beach is accessed by a few steps down from the beach pool area and is very safe for children.

Now the negative aspects. Each apartment block has 15 apartments. We had a so-called two bedroom apartment. It had one bedroom with a double bed, wardrobe, dressing table and TV and, two single beds in what in other aparthotels is the living area. We had two patio doors so had a larger balcony, with four chairs and a very small table. A low wall separated the twin room area from the kitchen, which was very small and ill-equipped, with a very small table. There was only one pan and one frying pan, two hotplates and a microwave, which makes it very difficult to make a meal, other than breakfast and a light lunch should you wish to self-cater. Because of this we ate out every night, which over two weeks became very expensive. The apartments are very basic and the beds are the hardest I have ever slept in.

We were so pleased not to be located in one of the apartments overlooking the volley ball pool and large pool because in the evening children played football in this area, kicking the balls at the walls of the apartment blocks. It was not very private as you could see into the facing apartments and the ground floor apartments appeared to have no privacy at all.

The entertainment at the hotel was the worst we have ever experienced. Monday was Greek night, which included food so you had to pay. It was OK, but apart from that the entertainment was truly appalling - bingo, quiz night and the most dreadful mini disco I have ever witnessed. The kids club was also appalling. There were two sessions on 3-4 days per week. Only one session actually turned out to be what it was advertised to be - a treasure hunt. During two sessions the same film was shown - 'Pirates of the Carribbean' (12)- which is totally inappropriate given that the children attending the club were aged between 3-10. Our daughter found the film scary and did not want to go to the club anymore.

The hotel seems to attract large parties of people. We found it got very roudy at times and experienced anti-social behaviour by some of these people. There is no lifeguard so people can do pretty much what they want. We observed people from other hotels (all-inclusive wristbands are a dead give-away) using the pool and sunloungers, also at around 5pm Greek people from the beach would come and use the pool and sunloungers. We found this annoying since there were not enough sunloungers and parasols for the paying guests. We found that we had to set our alarm for 7am in order to get sunloungers. We had to take it in turns to sit by the pool from 7am in order to keep the sunloungers due to the signs all around that hotel staff and reps will remove any towels reserving unoccupied beds. Only one of us could attend the welcome meeting to be sure our towels were not removed. However, we only observed hotel staff removing towels on unoccupied loungers on day 13 of our holiday. Some people even put their towels out at night-time but nothing was done about this.

We reported one fault during our stay and it was not resolved to our satisfaction. After taking a bath and pulling out the plug, the whole bathfull of water came up through the drain in the bathroom floor, flooding the bathroom and kitchen. A maintenace guy came 24 hours later, but it meant that we had to clean up the water ourselves with bathtowels which were not replaced the next day with clean ones.

Air conditioning is very expensive - 50 euros per week. However, because of the heat it was very necessary. It costs 20 euros per week for the safety deposit box. The snack bar is expensive and, in our opinion, of poor quality. The drinks in the bar (we only went once, for the mini disco) were also expensive.

In essence, the location is superb but for us it was not enough to make a good holiday. The hotel completely lacks atmosphere and spirit. In our opinion it does not deserve a 4* rating.

We found this hotel very good as it was just for us to sleep in as we were around by the pool most of the day or out shopping.

the beds were hard but then you just got to think that your on holiday and your having fun so it doesn't really matter.

The night life was very good and everyone was very friendly and was happy that you were there.The one thing we all loved was the horse and cart that would take you anywhere you wanted and the would pick u up right outside the hotel which was good.

there is alot for you to do and there are alot of shops and supermarkets so you dont have to go very far to get anything.

we made friends with people who worked in a bar not very far away from the hotel so we would go there after we had a mealand spend some time with them.

we are planning to go back next july as we loved it so much.

Alykanas Beach Village is the best self catering holiday we have had to date. Three great pools and being right on the beachfront what more could the kids ask for.The staff was all very friendly and nothing seemed to much trouble.Plenty of good restaurants about our favourites were Dionossis and The Greedy Greek. The only fault we had was there was hardly any entertainment at night so the kids got fed up. Apart from that our overall opinion was good and we will definatley go back in afew years.

The hotel was very clean. The maid service was excellent. Reception staff always happy to help with any porblems.

Being right on the beach was great - not too far to walk with all the gear.

Entertainment was very poor in the hotel kids disco did not start till after 11 some nights! Kids club was good but did not seem to be on very much and some days days the childrens reps did not even bother to turn up and we were left waiting with upset children.

very clean. the hotel has very good food the best breakfast in zante is right on the beach,the staff are great and make you very welcome. angalos and peter run the bar and what a great bar. it is well stocked with good brands. the entertainment could be better but nicos and every one are entertainers in there own amazing way.

Visited last year with my wife, daughter and her best friend (both aged 15) and stayed in two one bedroom apartments side by side.

When we arrived and got off the coach our first impression of the hotel was that it was beautifully clean and right on the beach.

Our apartments, which were on the first floor and overlooked the large swimming pool and the crystal clear sea (with wonderful views of Kefalonia) were superb. Spacious, plenty of cupboard space, A/C, nice balcony and adequate kitchen area plus nice loo and shower.

The food by the pool bar was nice but we tended to visit bars and restaurants every evening for something to eat, all of which did not disappoint. The fresh fish is fantastic.

My daughter and her friend hardly brought a drink while we were there (I think she quite fancied Peter the hotel barman who was very generous). If you have young children the place is ideal. Safe, clean and with plenty to entertain. The hotel has a small play area next to the pool and along the beach you can hire canoes, pedaloes (sp), banana boats and (my favourite) Jet Ski

The Alykanas Village Hotel is situated in a quiet location right on the beach front. The hotel is a mixture of studios and two bed appartments. We had a small studio, but infact it was quite large. It consisted of a fully equiped galley kitchen, complete with microwave toaster and kettle and fridge. Beds were clean and comfortable. Maid service was 4 times a week and very good.
The hotel has 4 pools one indoor and one volley ball pool. Plenty of sunbeds available all day, but beware the hotel operates a no reserve policy: the Airtours rep will remove all towells from pre-reserved sun beds and you have to collect your towell from her in reception! There were two kids clubs, one for Panorama customers and one for Airtours custoners which were excellent.
Alykanas beach is very clean but a bit on the narrow side and consists of sand and shingle. Sun beds are available at 5 euros per day. The sea was crystal blue clean and gently shelving which was safe for our 4 year old.
The hotel has a very reasonable snack bar on site, but drinks were a bit on the expensive side.
Alykanas village is ideal for couples and families, there are plenty of bars and restaurants nearby. Our favourites were Medusa, Mantalena and Dyonisos. Catacombs, DNA and Jammin were good inexpensive bars.
Alykes is the nearest village to Alykanas and is a 10 minute walk away either via the beach or through the olive groves over a little footbridge. Alykes also has a very good selection of bars and restaurants.
Overall we had a fantastic holiday and I would strongly recomend this accomodation and resort to anyone who has kids. It's clean, safe, free from yobs
and has excellent amenities. We will be certainly be returning!
Laurence Broady