Caravel Suites - Adults Only

Worst hotel I’ve ever stayed at. I had booked a luxury swim up room with sea view, all inclusive through TUI. on arrival (mid afternoon) our room was not ready which was disappointing considering check out times are 11am. We were asked to go and wander. On arrival you get a mouthful of cherry juice, no real welcome drink. When we eventually got to our room (518) and it was filthy. The walls themselves were dirty and had cracks, there were insects and cobwebs in the corner of the ceilings. There were drink marks on the back of the bathroom door and the paint on the bathroom door was peeled and split and looked very poor. The bedding was stained from a spilled drink. The swim up pool steps were thick with algae, and the size and setting of the pool was actually quite unpleasant, and the sun lounger was heavily stained (not wet). We didn’t use the swim up pool at all. The aircon didn’t work, and the pipe was messily exposed on the wall. Plugs hanging out of the wall exposing bare wires, and the telephone also had exposed wires. What is most concerning as that the room was deemed acceptable even with these issues. There was no wifi in the room despite this being advertised, and our room had no minibar. All other rooms had minibars (as stated on the hotel leaflet and we saw the trolleys with supplies outside rooms). Considering you can’t drink the tap water in zante, there were no bottles of water either. We asked at reception for bottled water and none was provided (we paid all inclusive). There were branded spirits at the main bar but none at the other bars. A surprising amount of spirits weren’t included in the all inclusive package. The shower also went through a cool and scolding hot cycle. The hotel manager never made an appearance or attempt to resolve our issues and the hotel staff were very unhelpful and frankly unpleasant. TUI reps were also useless in trying to sort a different room or equivalent accommodation. Having paid £3k for this holiday I was mortified, considering it’s meant to be five star. It is at best a £1k holiday for two, three stars at a push. My partner and I left within 24 hours on the next available flight to the UK as it was filthy, and a health and safety hazard. We wouldn’t have enjoyed any aspect of it had we stayed. We have now lodged complaints with TUI and ABTA over the health and safety/false advertising. Don’t book a holiday at this hotel and stay elsewhere to avoid the disappointment we had.

Carvel is just one of those hotels that makes you smile day after day. The staff, the facilities, the animation, the entertainment, the grounds, the food (exceptional) bar service( Branded drinks, all freshly made cocktails, over 20 to choose from) and added bonus of no kids. Like everyone before you come you look at reviews, but genuinely now have been there for 14 days, I can’t understand some people reviews, I suppose they just like to moan. Anyway here is a breakdown of the hotel. Bar Let’s start with bar service, managed by Angelo. See the cocktail list 25 all freshly made cocktails that all taste amazing. I understand that I went in October so not as many in hotel, but I never waited anymore than 5 minutes from a drink. If you get a chance go to the cocktail making day, such great fun. Big shout to the waiters who helped with the bar, Villie, una but high respects to Eva and my Albanian king Irvine. Entertainment; Numerous different singers and an Elton John tribute act, however best for me was the silent disco. Animation This year this was completed by Phillips, Mia and Wilma, all very professional and had some great laughter with. Ps they are all from Sweden, one day they were all surprised that I wore my Sweden top. Food There is of course the main restaurant that does, breakfast, launch and Dinner. The food was exceptional, always fresh seafood, salads and show cooking of a roast every night. I am normally fussy with things like that, but woah never disappointed. Ps always room for the amazing cakes and ice cream. During the day they also have a snack bar, this was so good that I never in 15 days ate in restaurant for lunch. Gyros, burgers, pizza, loaded fries, everything amazing. Pools There is 2 an activities and leisure pool, both extremely cold, but ok when you are in. The leisure pool has got leather beds around them that you can relax on, Around the pool all the beds are bean bags and extremely comfortable. If you want a drink the bar service provides service to your bed, just shout them over, and drinks 5 mins later. Beach There is a beach that you can use, but it’s very small. Get into the sea however it’s beautiful, best way to enter is down beside the exit at coffee bar, not as much stones. Room I was allocated to the suites at room 925, my balcony looked on the pub across road from hotel(great for watching any sport, man will put any game on for you) Anyway the room for my was perfect, plain walls with wooden roof, loads of room, a few others had mentioned issue with their rooms but not in mine, shampoo and conditioner provided, hairdryer and a safe. Tv in room but not many channels worked or not in English. Saying that spent most days with mtv while getting ready. To summarise this hotel is heaven, you will not be disappointed, we spend so much time looking for places like this. Get it booked. If I can help with anyone drop me a message. Thanks Carvell.

The most amazing holiday. The staff were all incredible and hard working, they couldn’t do enough for you. Even in 38 degree weather they were extremely hard working, so thank you all so much. Our room was room 623, it was an inland view room and it was brilliant. The balcony was huge, the room was always lovely and clean. The beds are huge and very comfortable. The aircon was amazing especially coming in after such hot days. The only thing slightly annoying was in the shower there would be a sudden burst of boiling water which would occur sporadically while showering but we put this down to the plumbing and showering at busier times? Having read a few questionable reviews before arriving in Zante we were concerned we were going to have a repeat of our holiday last year to Crete. We had previously stayed last year in a ‘5*’ hotel in Crete which was fairly poor, hotel lovely but drinks and food just terrible and room was questionable. I can honestly say this year we were blown away and everything beat our expectations. I can’t believe there is any bad reviews for this hotel. Special mention to Ervin, Asimina & the man who works at the pool bar / entertainment sea front on the later shifts (we didn’t catch his name, we also hope we’ve spelt the other two names correctly) they were all stand outs for us. Super friendly, hard working and always had a smile on their face while doing so. Matt the TUI rep on site in the hotel was a great help, really friendly and helpful guy. The 3 entertainment girls were brilliant, always enthusiastic and bubbly, they really made you feel welcomed. Beds are easy to get, the better ones were being reserved early but you could always find a bed no matter what time and you were always in the sun so this didn’t matter to us. The cocktails were amazing! All real alcohol and juice, no pre mixed drinks or cheap alcohol. Food was great, plenty of variety (coming from someone who is fussy) Night time entertainment was brilliant. Something different most nights, from an Elton John tribute act, to Greek dancers and a live singer. The location of the hotel is perfect if you want to stay in the hotel your whole trip or if you want to venture out. There’s lots to do near by, cars to rent, boat trips to go on and supermarkets to go to. One downside to the hotel is there are no wrist bands for guests which you see at other hotels (everyone is all inclusive so I understand why this is the case.) With this we were certain we had seen some people staying in the hotel bringing in their friends to the hotel every day, drinking for free round the pool and taking up some of the best beds who were actually staying else where and hadn’t paid to be there at all. After drinking by the pool all day we would then see them leave back to their own hotels for lunch/dinner times to return for drinks later on. This was really annoying to see as someone who’s paid full price to be there, it seemed unfair on the hotel and the actual

Myself and my partner have returned from a wonderful relaxing stay at this hotel. Like many others have said, it is the staff that make this place and our experience such a good one. Nothing was ever too much for any staff member we spoke to and they all worked so hard to ensure that we had a memorable experience. I must given special mention to the bar staff and waiting staff, especially Ervin who works on an evening time. Ervin is a credit the the hotel, always works with a smile and always willing to talk to the guests. Also, Saul who helps with the entertainment was excellent. His sense of humour and ability to entertain is fantastic. He even managed to persuade me to do aqua aerobics, something I would not normally do! Entertainment by and large was good, our favourite parts were the silent disco and karaoke. The hotel is in a lovely beach front location, a short walk to Tsillivi which had a good nightlife even though we was late in the season. The food was good in the hotel, plenty of choice at each meal. We enjoyed eating in the snack bar for most of our lunches, lovely fresh food made to order and served with a smile. We stayed in room 303, sea view with a balcony. Yes the room was a little basic but we don't go on holiday to stay in our room! Fridge was replenished daily, air conditioning worked brilliantly and the room was cleaned daily. We would both recommend this hotel and would return again in the future, which to me is always a sign of a holiday well spent.

We we're a little worried about staying due to some poor reviews as many have said, but so glad we did come here, our room was an Inland view room & was facing the back road 925 & had a huge balcony with a side sea view, the room was good in size & clean, but the air con even though reported a couple of times aint really powerfull enough, so was a little warm at times, the room was not out dated at all as some have complained about, well not in this block, i did hear someone say in the main hotel the rooms are small & outdated??? The fridge is re-stocked with Water & cans of pop daily, the only problem in this block is there's a pub on the back road, that occasionally played music till 01.30 in the morning...1 night past 12am on another night... & 5 nights till 11.30pm which usually was the time when we got back, so anybody wanting an early night would definitely have an issue. Yes the sunloungers have had their day & most are creaking & wobbly & if you like Cats then fill your boots because I've never seen as many, even at night in the main restaurant there are cats wondering around under the tables & guests feeding them & it being classed as normal, as no staff seem to be bothered about them being in the restaurant & folk feeding them, the cats also sit on seating areas inside the hotel & just left to sleep, which for me they need to sort this out, as its an hotel not a cat hotel, that's all the negatively out of the way, now the positives!!! Wow the food is amazing, but the desserts are as good as we've had anywhere, absolutely 1st class, as well as the service from all of the staff, the afternoon outside eating area, where you pick from a menu is 5 star all freshly prepared & led by Anna & the team, who work their socks off & deserves a mention, also the outside beach bar is the place to get your best drinks, as the young lady making them has got them spot on, all her drinks are a wow. Saul in charge of the entertainment team is hilarious & well supported with his team of Girls making the various afternoon games etc a blast, the nightly entertainment was overall very good & again the staff work their socks off running to the bar to keep you all in drinks. Summing up yes some could pick fault, as I've mentioned there are flaws but overhaul it's a fantastic hotel & we would definitely return even though I'm not a Cat lover haha

Don’t read the bad reviews! I was a little apprehensive about coming here after reading some of the bad reviews and it being our honeymoon and it’s honestly been a dream holiday. The staff are very friendly, breakfast lunch and dinner are delicious and there is a such a wide range you won’t go hungry. And you must visit the al la carte restaurant the food was Michelin star! Gorgeous views of the sunrise and sunsets and you don’t have to fit for sun beds. Only downside are the infinitely pool is freezing, the sea is warmer! We’ve really enjoyed our stay, thank you very much