Contessina Suites & Spa, Zakynthos

Close to the sands of Tsilivi Beach, Contessina Suites & Spa is an adults only retreat where private pools, beautiful gardens and an accomplished spa create a more intimate and indulgent side to one of Zakynthos’ best known coastal villages.

There is a softness to Contessina that comes from the way water and planting have been worked through the hotel. Pale stone paths disappear between palms and dense Mediterranean greenery, suites open towards pools and private terraces, and the main swimming pool sits at the centre without overwhelming the spaces around it. The result feels considered and wonderfully escapist.

Its position is equally appealing. Tsilivi and the Ionian are both within an easy walk, yet once inside the gardens the hotel develops its own atmosphere. Days can be as sociable or as private as you choose, moving between the main pool and restaurants or retreating to a suite where the water is quite literally outside the door.

Rooms & Suites

Accommodation is entirely suite based, and the different categories are shaped largely by how you want to spend your time outdoors. Upper Floor Suites and Junior Suites provide private terraces above the gardens, while the Upper Floor Suite with Hot Tub adds its own outdoor space for long afternoons and warm Zakynthian evenings.

Closer to the water, Shared Pool Superior Suites open directly towards a swimming pool shared between a limited number of suites. It is a lovely compromise for guests who enjoy having water immediately outside while retaining the atmosphere of the wider hotel.

The Private Pool Junior Suite and Private Pool Suite are the standout choices for privacy, giving you a pool of your own and making the suite somewhere you genuinely want to spend part of the day. Contemporary interiors use warm natural shades, tactile materials and uncluttered lines, allowing the gardens and outdoor spaces to provide much of the colour.

Dining

Lentika is the culinary heart of Contessina, drawing on the produce and traditions of Zakynthos and the wider Mediterranean. Breakfast begins the day here, while later menus bring local ingredients into dishes that feel entirely at home in the warm island setting.

Nobile takes dinner above the gardens, creating a more intimate rooftop experience and a natural choice for a special evening. The change in setting gives the two restaurants distinct personalities, with Nobile adding a more refined final chapter to a day spent around the water.

During the afternoon, the pool bar keeps drinks and lighter dishes close at hand, while cocktails and evenings around Lentika allow the atmosphere to continue after the sun has gone down. Tsilivi also puts a broad choice of tavernas and bars within walking distance when you feel like heading out.

Experience

The main pool is surrounded by gardens and generous terraces, creating an inviting place to settle in without feeling disconnected from the rest of the hotel. Loungers sit close to the water, drinks arrive from the nearby bar and the whole space has an easy rhythm that makes moving very far seem unnecessary.

Planos Beach is only a short walk away, so a morning beside the pool can easily become an afternoon in the Ionian. Cycling, diving, snorkelling and horse riding can all be arranged for days further afield, while Zakynthos itself offers everything from small villages and olive covered countryside to some of the most recognisable coastline in the Ionian islands.

Wellness

Wellness is a significant part of the experience. The spa combines a sauna and relaxation areas with an extensive menu of massages, body rituals, facials and beauty treatments, while yoga and fitness sessions add a more active dimension. It is a beautifully natural fit for the hotel and somewhere we would make time for rather than save for a rainy afternoon.

Where

Contessina Suites & Spa is located in Tsilivi, a short walk from Planos Beach and the restaurants, shops and bars of the village, approximately 6 kilometres from Zakynthos Town and 9 kilometres from Zakynthos International Airport.

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