If you haven’t entered any dates, the rate shown is provided directly by the hotel and represents the cheapest double room (including tax) available in the next 60 days.
Prices have been converted from the hotel’s local currency (EUR828.19), via openexchangerates.org, using today’s exchange rate.
Opsis Villas is a duo of dream houses designed by an architect in Zakynthos, each with direct access to the cove below, a kitchen for a private chef to man, a pool- and barbecue-enhanced deck, and four bedrooms (most with Ionian aspects) apiece. ‘Opsis’ means ‘appearance’ in Greek – we don’t like to seem shallow, but this is a book which absolutely should be judged by its sleek cover.
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A bottle of wine and a basket of traditional products
Double rooms from £806.38 (€940), including tax at 13.5 per cent. Please note the hotel charges an additional government tax of €10.00 per room per night on check-in.
More details
Rates don’t include breakfast (€30 a person).
Also
One of the villas has a lift to each floor, but otherwise there are no special adaptations for guests with mobility issues.
At the hotel
Free WiFi throughout, charged laundry service. In each villa: free WiFi, TV, sound-system, fully equipped kitchen, security alarm, fireplaces, safe, ironing board, Nespresso coffee machine, and Molton Brown bath products.
Our favourite rooms
There’s only one room that can be considered a slight dud across the two villas’ eight bedrooms – because (gasp) it doesn’t have a sea view. In all of the others, you’ll feel adrift in the Ionian.
Poolside
Each villa has its own sea-facing infinity pool.
Spa
Guests can choose an in-room treatment from the wellness menu.
Packing tips
A suitcase of home comforts since after a week here you’ll be after the deeds.
Also
Staff can point you in the direction of a local gym, a 10-minute drive away, which offers daily passes.
Children
All ages are welcome and babysitting can be arranged for around €50 an hour.
Sea views are served straight to the terrace in both houses, or you can pack a picnic to take down to the beach.
Dress Code
This is your Greek home from home – no rules apply.
Hotel restaurant
Each villa has a kitchen and a private chef can be hired to do the hard work for you. Breakfasts of local products can be delivered to your door for €30 a person.
Hotel bar
The staff can ensure you have a well-stocked wine cellar, or you can curate your own bar with a visit to a local shop.
Opsis Villas are a short drive from Zakynthos Town in Akrotiri, on the namesake Ionian isle’s eastern shore.
Planes
Zakynthos has an international airport, a 10-minute drive away. The concierge can arrange transfers on request.
Automobiles
The beach is mere steps from your front door, and taxis to and from Zakynthos Town can easily be arranged, but if you want to explore more of the island, a car will come in handy – there’s free parking at the property.
Other
Incoming helicopters from Athens or another Greek island can land nearby and the team can also help to arrange private jet and (slightly less glamorous) minivan transfers.
Worth getting out of bed for
If you’re here for a classic villa holiday, you’ll want to spend maximum time in your private residence, which has a pool, deck, barbecue and path down to the beach. But if you want to venture out, Zakynthos town is just a five-minute drive away. The concierge can arrange private yacht charters for setting sail to secluded beaches, car hire and assorted excursions.
Local restaurants
Within walking distance of the villas is traditional local taverna Bassia in Akrotiri, where you can dine on seafood dishes such as grilled tuna, swordfish souvlaki and seafood linguine. In Zakynthos town, try Prosilio for slightly more refined seafood such as catch of the day tartare with tzatziki cream, alongside meat dishes: pork ragu, chargrilled lamb with Greek yoghurt and kimchi, and poached chicken with crispy skin and turnip risotto – with more than 100 labels of local and international wines to choose from. And if you’re craving pizza and pasta, Alesta is on hand with the carbs.
Local bars
If the quiet beach below the villas isn’t vibey enough, make your way to Noe, a beach club over on Mavratzi Beach. On the island’s west coast, L’été is a bit of a drive away (45 minutes) but worth it for the sunsets and cocktails.
Every hotel featured is visited personally by members of our team, given the Smith seal of approval, and then anonymously reviewed. As soon as our reviewers have returned from this villa hotel in the Ionian Islands and unpacked their swimwear and sandals, a full account of their beach-edge break will be with you. In the meantime, to whet your wanderlust, here's a quick peek inside Opsis Villas in Zakynthos…
Zakynthos may have lots of luxury private homes, but until now they tended to be rather isolated – step forward Opsis Villas, next door to the olive groves of Akrotiri and a five-minute drive from Zakynthos town. The duo of dwellings is the vision of an architect who has designed countless houses, but now he’s got his own baby (twins!), since he’s the proprietor as well as the creator. Clean white lines, an angular exterior and watercolour-effect smooth pale-grey concrete walls form the serene backdrop to your stay. The windows completely retract into the walls, which means the Ionian breeze can float in freely and guests get the distinct feeling of being on a boat. To actually access the water, all you’ll have to do is walk the few steps down to the shore. There may not be many facilities outside of your hi-tech home, but the villa staff are on hand to arrange excursions, curate your wine selection and hire a therapist for in-villa treatments. Private chefs can be booked for the duration of your stay too, or you can stroll up to the local taverna every evening. Opsis means ‘appearance’ or ‘vision’ in Greek – and this architect’s is 20:20.
