Assessment: Lesante Blu, Zakynthos (Greece)

Wednesday newsletters at all times function a lodge or flight evaluation.

Final month (July 2023), I loved an exquisite vacation the place I stayed at two five-star resorts managed by the Lesante Assortment: family-friendly Lesante Cape Resort & Villas and adults-only Lesante Blue.

As we speak: Assessment of Lesante Blu, Zakynthos (Greece)

Have you ever ever stayed at Lesante Blu? In that case, what was your expertise? Depart a remark.

On this evaluation (extra information and images beneath my YouTube video):

PROS & THINGS I LIKE

• Along with its sister resort, family-friendly Lesante Cape Resort & Villas, adults-only Lesante Blu is among the greatest 5-star lodges on the gorgeous island of Zakynthos, also called Zante. Sunshine all day lengthy, picturesque seashores, vibrant turquoise waters and Zakynthos’ spirited coronary heart supply vacationers a conventional Greek summer time vacation. Insanely stunning Navagio Seashore (Shipwrech Seashore) on the northwest coast and the endangered Loggerhead sea turtles that inhabit the waters on the southeast coast are the island’s most well-known points of interest. And Lesante Blu locations you in the midst of the motion, because the resort is located on the sting of the buzzing space of Tsivili. Providing one of the best of two worlds, you possibly can search to grow to be part of Tsivili’s party-vibe or retreat into the resort’s tranquil serenity.

• Lesante Blu includes a fashionable design, created by the structure and design workplace “Dedalo Progetti” and Yiannis Kiratsos. The property is comprised of 5 hillside buildings, that are topped by the lodge’s light-flooded foyer and positioned proper above the pool space and the non-public seashore. The lodge pavilions are laid out on parallel traces and blurred corners to guard privateness and supply unobstructed views of the ocean. The structure is impressed by the posh of crusing boats with dynamic traces, white partitions, delicate wooden touches and huge aluminum glazed home windows. The crusing theme continues on the within, with vivid, white interiors that distinction with the azure blue of the ocean and the plush inexperienced of the grass lawns in entrance of the lodge, whereas the wealthy use of wooden on flooring and partitions gives discreet luxurious.

• Lesante Blu options 92 suites, which all boast sea views throughout Kefalonia from spacious balconies and terraces, a few of which function non-public swimming pools or Jacuzzis. The suites are available in six classes, starting from double suites with sea view to the Royal Grand suite with sea view and personal pool (Lesante Blu’s most proud creation). Throughout my vacation, I stayed in deluxe suite sea view with non-public pool on the resort’s floor flooring. The spacious suite featured a sublime bed room and sitting space in open plan fashion, a lavish marble-lined rest room with standalone spa bathtub and bathe cabin, in addition to a personal terrace with swimming pool going through the resort’s garden and the Ionian Sea. The suite’s minimalist esthetic was offset by a impartial coloration palette, fashionable furnishings and a few domestically impressed design touches.

• When you dream of enjoyable below countless blue skies all day lengthy whereas tasting scrumptious summery cocktails, you’ll love Lesante Blue’s infinity pool and personal seashore. Overlooking the blue waters of the Ionian Sea with the silhouette of Kefalonia island on the horizon, the magnificent infinity pool is formed within the type of a letter L, with one leg of the L being shallow whereas the opposite leg is sort of deep. The pool is ideal for each taking a refreshing dip or swimming laps, and is surrounded by dozens of solar loungers, together with a number of entrance row floating solar loungers that are widespread amongst lodge’s goodlooking company. A staircase descends from the pool space to the a small, non-public seashore, the place you’ll discover a number of solar loungers, a wood sundeck on stilts (with cabanas) and a jetty stretching far out to sea.

• Lesante Blu gives three wonderful idea eating places: by the pool, the à la carte and the principle restaurant. That includes elegant environment, overlooking the beautiful gardens, the Ionian sea and the majestic pool, every idea restaurant gives a novel tasting expertise:
  • Positioned subsequent to the foyer, Gaia Restaurant serves breakfast every morning (till 11 am). Breakfast is comprised of an amazing buffet (together with dozens of pastries, truffles and tarts) and sizzling dishes which could be ordered from a menu (eggs, waffles, pancakes). At evening, Gaia Restaurant can be open for dinner with a rotating 5-course menu (company on the halfboard plan may have their dinners right here, though they will additionally dine on the different eating places for a complement).
  • Awarded with one FNL star and named as ‘Greatest Positive Eating Luxurious Distinctive Expertise in Southern Europe 2020′, Melia Positive Eating is the resort’s signature restaurant and one of the best superb restaurant on Zakynthos. The poolside venue, instantly fronting the Ionian Sea, gives a gastronimc journey created by Government Chef Nikos Ispiroudis with a menu impressed by the multicultural character of Zakynthos’ historical past and the native cooking custom.
  • Additionally positioned subsequent to the pool is Ostria All Day Restaurant. The à la carte restaurant serves contemporary fish from the catch of the day, quite a lot of cuts and Greek conventional dishes. For lunch, the venues gives snacks, mild meals and scrumptious suhi.

• Lesante Blu includes a small, intimate spa, which is positioned one flooring beneath the grand foyer. Referred to as the “Essence Wellness & Spa”, the ability gives a variety of therapies by Germaine de Capuccini which have been chosen to chill out and recharge the physique and thoughts. Spa amenities embody an indoor heated pool (which additionally has an out of doors part), three therapeutic massage remedy rooms, a sauna, hamam, chilly water splash and indoor heated Jacuzzi. Subsequent to the spa can be a hair & nail salon. If remaining lively by doing sports activities is your thought of wellness, the resort additionally gives private coaching, a totally outfitted fitness center (which is positioned proper subsequent to the spa) and a tennis courtroom.

• Similar to its sister resort Lesante Cape Resort & Villas, Lesante Blu is counted among the many portfolio of the Main Inns of the World (LHW). The latter is an unique assortment of greater than 400 luxurious lodges and resorts in over 80 nations. LHW doesn’t personal lodges; it relatively gives a reservation service for unbiased lodges and helps gross sales and advertising, promoting and public relations, monetary companies, high quality management, and lodge inspections for its member properties. LHW has many iconic properties in its portfolio, reminiscent of such because the 12 Apostles Resort in Cape City, The Datai Langkawi in Malaysia, Resort Adlon Kempinski in Berlin, Le Sirenuse in Positano (Italy), Il Sereno Lake Como (Italy), and the Gstaad Palace in Switzerland. LHW additionally has its personal loyalty program, which lets you accumulate factors at LHW properties and spend them at no cost nights at LHW lodges & resorts.

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW

• The suites at Lesante Blu function an open-plan structure as there isn’t a actual partition between the toilet and bed room (and as well as, bathrooms are solely separated by a skinny glass door). After all, Lesante Blu is an adults-only resort and primarily appeals to {couples} (for whom an open-plan structure could add an additional romantic contact). However if you happen to’re touring with a buddy or member of the family and never the one you love, simply understand that the toilet don’t supply numerous privateness.

• The seashore at Lesante Blu is a slender strip of sand (blended with pebbles) and just about full of sunbeds and umbrellas. Additionally, in comparison with some pictures of the resort from a few years in the past, it appears to be like like if the seashore has eroded a bit in some elements (particularly on the northern fringe of the resort), which is perhaps the consequence of a pure course of in fact. However whereas the seashore may not be one of the best in Zakynthos, it’s utterly non-public, options crystal clear waters and feels very tranquil, therefore why I most well-liked it far more to chill out right here as in comparison with the overcrowded public seashores on different elements of the island.

• Though the pool space options loads of solar loungers (organized in a relatively uncommon rectangular structure round a small grassy subject), solely few of them supply unobstructed sea views (e.g. the solar beds within the first row in addition to the floating solar loungers within the pool). When the lodge is busy, some company are taking these solar beds early morning, solely to point out up once more after just a few hours which is a bit annoying (though it’s laborious accountable the lodge for that). That stated, subsequent to the pool space is an exquisite garden which isn’t utilized in any means (aside from the uncommon touchdown of a helicopter); maybe the lodge administration may think about placing some additional loungers on the sea-front fringe of this garden to supply extra company the likelihood to chill out with an open view of the ocean.

• Lesante Blu is positioned in a small village and aside from just a few bars, there’s nothing of actual curiosity inside strolling distance from the lodge. If you wish to go to Tsivili or Zakynthos City, you’ll want a taxi. When you’re happening a tour on the island, you’d be higher off reserving a switch or renting a automotive (each of which could be organized by means of the resort’s wonderful concierge staff). Nevertheless, for mosts company, the secluded location of the lodge received’t be an issue in any respect since they hardly depart the lodge’s inviting resort grounds and its wonderful amenities throughout their vacation (besides maybe for a ship journey to Navagio Seashore)

MY VERDICT

• Location: 7/10
• Design: 8/10
• Pool: 9/10
• Rooms: 8/10
• Meals: 9/10
• Breakfast: 9/10
• Spa: 8/10
• Service: 9/10
• Wow issue: 8/10
• Worth for cash: 9/10
• Total expertise: superb – 8,4/10

TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS & SAVE MONEY

• Lower your expenses: learn right here my ideas for getting one of the best deal at a luxurious lodge like Lesante Blu (and/or obtain many free perks).

• Learn my ideas for getting ready your journey in time.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

HOW TO GET THERE

Lesante Blu is a 20 min drive from Zakynthos Island’s worldwide airport. Click on right here for a repeatedly up to date checklist of airways that supply direct flights to Zakynthos.

PHOTOS

Beneath is a choice of my images of Lesante Blu in Zakynthos, Greece. To view extra lodge images (together with dinners & breakfast), click on right here.

*** Comply with me on Instagram, YouTube, Twitter or Fb for a every day second of journey inspiration ***