Evaluation: Lesante Blu, Zakynthos (Greece) -

Wednesday newsletters all the time characteristic a resort or flight assessment.

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.

At this time: Evaluation of Lesante Blu, Zakynthos (Greece)

True to its title, Lesante Blu – a member of The Main Motels of the World – is surrounded by spectacular views of the Ionian Sea providing privateness and peace of thoughts to the discerning traveler. At Lesante Blu, the defining premise is, “it’s all about you.” This attentive and caring method is manifested by the adults-only idea, as a lot as it’s by non-public swimming pools and the state-of-the-art suites. Positive eating eating places with Mediterranean flavors ready by the Government Chef Ispiroudis Nikos improve the culinary choices. Among the many different memorable experiences and premium facilities to be savored: full tranquility and rejuvenating moments within the Essence Spa with Germaine de Cappucini remedies and personal yacht cruises to the Blue Caves and the world well-known seashores of Zakynthos.

Lesante Blu options in my high 10 checklist of the finest lodges & resorts in Zakynthos.

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

On this assessment (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 without doubt one of the finest 5-star lodges on the attractive island of Zakynthos, also referred to as Zante. Sunshine all day lengthy, picturesque seashores, vibrant turquoise waters and Zakynthos’ spirited coronary heart provide vacationers a conventional Greek summer time vacation. Insanely lovely 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 sights. 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 the very best of two worlds, you’ll be able to search to grow to be part of Tsivili’s party-vibe or retreat into the resort’s tranquil serenity.

Lesante Blu contains a trendy 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 resort’s light-flooded foyer and positioned proper above the pool space and the non-public seashore. The resort 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 luxurious of crusing boats with dynamic traces, white partitions, delicate wooden touches and enormous aluminum glazed home windows. The crusing theme continues on the within, with brilliant, white interiors that distinction with the azure blue of the ocean and the luxurious inexperienced of the grass lawns in entrance of the resort, whereas the wealthy use of wooden on flooring and partitions presents discreet luxurious.

Lesante Blu options 92 suites, which all boast sea views throughout Kefalonia from spacious balconies and terraces, a few of which characteristic non-public swimming pools or Jacuzzis. The suites are available 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 chic bed room and sitting space in open plan fashion, a lavish marble-lined lavatory with standalone spa bathtub and bathe cabin, in addition to a personal terrace with swimming pool dealing with the resort’s garden and the Ionian Sea. The suite’s minimalist esthetic was offset by a impartial colour palette, trendy furnishings and a few regionally impressed design touches.

If you happen to dream of stress-free 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 well-liked amongst resort’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 presents three glorious 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 presents a singular tasting expertise:
- Situated 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, desserts and tarts) and scorching dishes which will 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 could have their dinners right here, though they’ll 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 the very best high-quality restaurant on Zakynthos. The poolside venue, instantly fronting the Ionian Sea, presents 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 recent fish from the catch of the day, a wide range of cuts and Greek conventional dishes. For lunch, the venues presents snacks, gentle meals and scrumptious suhi.

Lesante Blu contains a small, intimate spa, which is positioned one flooring beneath the grand foyer. Known as the “Essence Wellness & Spa”, the ability presents a variety of remedies by Germaine de Capuccini which have been chosen to chill out and recharge the physique and thoughts. Spa services embody an indoor heated pool (which additionally has an out of doors part), three therapeutic massage therapy 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 concept of wellness, the resort additionally presents private coaching, a completely geared up health club (which is positioned proper subsequent to the spa) and a tennis court docket.

Identical to its sister resort Lesante Cape Resort & Villas, Lesante Blu is counted among the many portfolio of the Main Motels 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 moderately presents a reservation service for impartial lodges and helps gross sales and advertising, promoting and public relations, monetary companies, high quality management, and resort inspections for its member properties. LHW has many iconic properties in its portfolio, akin to such because the 12 Apostles Lodge in Cape City, The Datai Langkawi in Malaysia, Lodge 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 gather factors at LHW properties and spend them totally free nights at LHW lodges & resorts.

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW

The suites at Lesante Blu characteristic an open-plan structure as there isn’t any actual partition between the lavatory and bed room (and as well as, bogs are solely separated by a skinny glass door). In fact, 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 in case you’re touring with a buddy or member of the family and never your beloved, simply remember that the lavatory don’t provide numerous privateness.

The seashore at Lesante Blu is a slender strip of sand (combined 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 likely to be the consequence of a pure course of after all. However whereas the seashore may not be the very best in Zakynthos, it’s utterly non-public, options crystal clear waters and feels very tranquil, therefore why I most well-liked it way 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 moderately uncommon rectangular structure round a small grassy discipline), solely few of them provide unobstructed sea views (e.g. the solar beds within the first row in addition to the floating solar loungers within the pool). When the resort is busy, some company are taking these solar beds early morning, solely to point out up once more after a couple of hours which is a bit annoying (though it’s arduous accountable the resort for that). That mentioned, subsequent to the pool space is a fantastic garden which isn’t utilized in any manner (apart from the uncommon touchdown of a helicopter); maybe the resort administration may take into account placing some additional loungers on the sea-front fringe of this garden to supply extra company the chance to chill out with an open view of the ocean.

Lesante Blu is positioned in a small village and apart from a couple of bars, there’s nothing of actual curiosity inside strolling distance from the resort. If you wish to go to Tsivili or Zakynthos City, you’ll want a taxi. If you happen to’re occurring a tour on the island, you’d be higher off reserving a switch or renting a automotive (each of which will be organized by the resort’s glorious concierge crew). Nevertheless, for mosts company, the secluded location of the resort gained’t be an issue in any respect since they hardly depart the resort’s inviting resort grounds and its glorious services 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
General expertise: excellent – 8,4/10

TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS & SAVE MONEY

Lower your expenses: learn right here my suggestions for getting the very best deal at a luxurious resort like Lesante Blu (and/or obtain many free perks).

Learn my suggestions for making ready your journey in time.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

June and September are the very best months to go to Zakynthos: the climate is heat and sunny and touristy websites are much less crowded. July and August are excessive season and you’ll pay premium costs at lodges and likewise meet many different vacationers; the climate is scorching (too scorching for some) however you’ll be able to all the time cool off with a ship journey. April, Could and October are off-season months: the climate is usually sunny, however in April-Could the ocean continues to be fairly cool for swimming and occasional wet days could happen. Many lodges, eating places and bars are closed from November to April.

HOW TO GET THERE

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

PHOTOS

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