AluaSoul Zakynthos

Caroline Redshaw

This was our first stay here, never again will we return. The food was okay but sometimes cold, seemed to repeat the varieties of stuff that were available. Most times the coffee and drinks machines was out of order. The rooms were clean on arrival and cleaned everyday throughout our stay. There was a shower in the bath but you weren’t allowed to use the bath because there was no plug and when asking for one they say they can’t give you one incase of drowning. We had 3 bottles of water in our room when we arrived but once you’ve used it you have to pay for it, I don’t see why beer and wine are free but water isn’t, surely water should be available at all times. The pool area had table tennis and darts which was the only source of entertainment through the day. For the whole week staying here we were only able to get a sun lounger 1 time as everyone reserves them early and there’s not enough for everyone. Also, most of the loungers were either ripped or had a dip in them making them unsafe to use. Some of the staff were lovely, especially in the snack bar, wouldn’t fault one of them at all always happy to see us and always polite and friendly to us. There were many lovely cats that wandered around the hotel that everyone loved to play with and feed. But as we were sat at reception waiting for our transfer, staff were trying to capture them with big nets and being forceful for no reason. The cats were never any bother when we were there and were definitely one of the main enjoyments of our stay. Would not recommend staying here!

Chenise

The hotel itself is located in a lovely area, and most of the staff we dealt with during our stay were genuinely lovely, helpful and welcoming people. However - the hotel is advertised as having ‘several’ pools, but 2 of the 3 pools are actually only for the use of people who’ve upgraded to ‘My Favourite Club’ rooms. All other guests only have the use of 1 pool, with all sun loungers being reserved by guests at the crack of dawn. There definitely aren't enough sun loungers for all which impacted our decision to return, as we weren’t able to sit in the sun once during our week there (the pool bar areas are shaded over). Additionally, some of the restaurant seating on the balcony is reserved for My Favourite Club guests, as well as some seating areas in reception area. On check-in, guests are given 2-3 bottles of water in their rooms, however after this you must pay for any additional bottled water. I’ve never experienced this in an all inclusive hotel before, so found this rather strange. It’s also important to note that the all inclusive stops at 11pm each night; after which point drinks must be paid for. The biggest factor to us not returning to this hotel would be the incident we witnessed on our last day. While waiting in reception for our airport transfer, we witnessed staff members grabbing the resident cats using large nets etc. They were extremely aggressive in doing this, and it was distressing to watch. It should be noted the cats were not causing any nuisance, and it seems they have wandered the grounds of the hotel for a very long time now. The highlight of our holiday was being able to pet and feed the cats, so this massively upset us as animal lovers. I understand that locals have a different view on cats and dogs as others may, but this does not excuse treating them in such a manner. I also wondered why exactly they needed to catch them in nets, if they just wanted them out of the hotel it would be very easy to ‘shoo’ them away, so what were they planning on doing with the cats after they caught them?

Louise K

Holiday was marred by the hotel staffs treatment of the resident cats. There were only a few cats there, maybe 5, that the guests enjoyed feeding and fussing over, but staff members grabbing them by their tails and chasing them with nets around guests having dinner is disgraceful. Needless to say one or two of two of the familiar cats disappeared during our stay The hotel is ok. Needs some upkeep on the pathways leading to the pool/bar area. Rooms were decorated quite nice but papering over the cracks springs to mind. The patio doors need replacing! Black bin bags left around outside rooms for the majority of the day. Entertainment was absolutely deafening in the evenings, there was no escape from it. The only good music was the live act in the daytime around the pool. Swimming was lovely from the jetty.

Jon Goodredge

We thoroughly enjoyed our 2 week stay recently. The staff are very friendly and helpful The location and views are perfect We stayed in the my favorite club which we think was well worth the extra as the rooms have much better views a better pool and always had spare sunbeds. The all inclusive drinks were a little tasteless but found the red wine, gin and of course ouzo very good. The food was excellent at times, good for most the time and occasionally a bit dull. On arrival we were kept waiting for a while, an offer of a glass of wine or juice would have been welcomed. The rooms were clean and spacious but a little rough around the edges.

Coming Home

Just gotten back from a week stay here, to say it’s disappointing is an understatement. They advertise it as being all inclusive, a variety of pools to go in and multiple bars to use but unless you are in the My favourite club you only have 1 pool to use (which never has any sun loungers to use because they’re all took), the free bar is only until 11pm and then you have to pay (how is that all inclusive?) Plus all the pictures you see are of the my favourite club which is almost £1000 more than the normal all inclusive. If you want bottled water you have to pay for it. There are cats that roam around the outside of the hotel and they are really friendly and everyone loves them, however on our last day the staff were trying to catch the cats with massive nets in front of everyone eating breakfast, they were being so aggressive with the cats for no reason, I’d say the best part of the whole stay was the cats being there. Would not recommend staying here at all.