Amara Villa

Amara Villa sits in Anafonitria, a quiet village in the western hills of Zakynthos, away from the island's busier coastal strips. At five stars, it positions itself as a retreat for travelers who come to the Ionian not for nightlife but for the slower rhythms of olive groves and Byzantine monasteries — Anafonitria's own 15th-century monastery is within walking distance. The setting is rural and deliberate, which makes the property's character distinct from the beach resorts clustered around Laganas or Tsilivi.

The accommodation includes family rooms, which signals that this is a place designed around extended stays rather than quick stopovers. Two pools on the grounds give families and couples room to spread out without competing for a sun lounger, and the wellness center with spa and gym means guests rarely need to leave the property to decompress after a day of exploring the island's interior or the famous shipwreck beach on the northwest coast.

For anyone flying into Zakynthos International Airport, the complimentary airport transfer removes the uncertainty of arriving in an unfamiliar place and navigating rural roads to a hillside address — particularly useful given that Anafonitria is not easily served by public transport. On-site parking, also free, matters for the same reason: guests who rent a car to explore the island's more remote coves and viewpoints can leave by nine in the morning after a included breakfast and return at their own pace, checking out the following day without logistical friction.