Zinos Villas Zakynthos

Lithakia gives you a villa base rather than a conventional hotel routine: your own outdoor space, a private pool and room to settle into the day at your own pace. Zinos Villas Zakynthos suits divers travelling together, couples who prefer self-contained accommodation and families looking for somewhere more spacious than a standard room.

The setting is practical without feeling over-organised. Air conditioning, heating, in-room internet and private bathrooms cover the basics, while the garden and terrace give you somewhere to sit outside with a drink and let the day wind down. The website is available in English as well as Greek.

The property is in Lithakia, a village on Zakynthos Island near the resort of Laganas. The coast and beach are around 3 miles away, so this is not a toes-in-the-sand address; you will want a car or another way to get around if the sea is part of every afternoon.

Zakynthos town is about 7.3 miles away, and the airport is roughly 6.2 miles from the villas. The village position works well for exploring the island, with the surrounding area, Laganas and the Ionian coast within reach rather than pressed against your front door.

The accommodation is built around villas, so you get a private base rather than a corridor of identical hotel rooms. The three-bedroom villa is the obvious choice when several divers are travelling together and everyone needs somewhere to leave wet-weather layers, cameras and the general debris that follows a day by the water. A double villa with three bedrooms suits a couple wanting a larger layout without booking a conventional shared room.

Inside, the useful details are straightforward: private bathrooms, air conditioning, heating, internet access and room service. The villa description also includes a fully equipped kitchen, living space and outdoor areas, giving you the option of keeping the evening simple instead of going back out in search of dinner. The Ionian Sea view and terrace add something to the night, particularly when the sensible plan is an early finish and an even earlier start.

The private pool belongs to the villa setting rather than a large resort complex. Sunbeds, parasols, pool towels and an outdoor shower make the outdoor space usable between outings, while the fenced garden gives families and groups a defined place to spread out.

There is an outdoor bar with a refrigerator, which is the kind of detail that earns its keep when you return warm, hungry and not especially interested in a complicated evening. Breakfast can be arranged, and lunch and supper are also available by arrangement, so the villa can support more than a morning coffee before heading out.

Barbecue evenings are another option, giving a group something more sociable than assembling separate plates in the kitchen. Breakfast, lunch, supper and barbecue arrangements come at extra cost, and the accommodation is not presented as an all-inclusive or half-board stay. Think flexible villa meals, not a dining room timetable.

The private infinity pool is the main event when you are not out exploring. It measures 10 by 5 metres and has a depth of 1.50 metres, with sunbeds, parasols, pool towels and an outdoor shower around it. The pool operates throughout the day, leaving you free to choose between a proper swim and the traditional post-dive horizontal position.

For something more active, there are darts, cycling and hiking possibilities, as well as cultural excursions and boat trips. Yoga and Pilates can also be arranged, giving couples or small groups a calmer way to move after a day of travel or diving. Snorkelling and other diving or boat excursions can be arranged on request, while a doctor can be called if medical assistance is needed.

A car is useful here. Car hire is available, parking is free, and the airport is about 6.2 miles away. An airport transfer can also be arranged for an extra charge, either as part of your arrival planning or as a simpler alternative to driving yourself.

Check-in starts at 14:00 and check-out is by 11:00. Private and express check-in and check-out are available, with early arrival and late departure arranged on request. Luggage storage, a safe, laundry facilities and room service cover the practical jobs that tend to appear once a holiday has lasted more than two days. Smoking is allowed outdoors, and pets are not accepted.