Run by a pleasant, helpful couple, the hotel is kept very clean and has a relaxed feel. Full of Brits (if you like that); decent-ish pool; decent sized rooms (though cheap twin beds with gap between them); small but reasonable and tasty snack/lunch menu; simple and repetitive, but adequate, breakfast; view mediocre from our room, but would be much worse from the ground floor. Charmless buildings (not an ounce of Greek character) but that goes for most hotels visible in the resort.

The main problem with this hotel is the location, which is a fifteen minute walk from the town proper. If Skala was a loud party town this could be an asset, but it is a quiet, simple tourist-town anyway. The return up-hill slog in 40c heat isn't fun, but daily trips into town are pretty necessary as the hotel's facilities and attractions are understandably limited. The alternative is to hire a car for the time you are there; there's plenty of free parking in town. Hiring a car is not a bad idea anyway as there is much to see on the island and everywhere is very 'do-able' in a day, (the north is prettier and more dramatic than the south)- hire rates from the UK are usually a bit better.

If you get a really good, reduced-price deal on this hotel then I would recommend it as a decent base; if you are paying full price, and particularly want to stay in Skala, I would look for a hotel closer to town or on the front - well worth trying to find where you are staying on a map before booking.

Zephyros is a really nice hotel. Bedroom spacious, bathroom modern and clean, view from rooms can vary (some stunning some not so brilliant). beds are a bit hard but par for the course in Greece. View from pool over to the Ionian Sea is breathtaking, plenty of sun loungers and quiet pool area.

Important stuff: Food is very good, prices are reasonable. Andreas and his family are good hosts (Andreas' wife (Milla) is lovely and works like an absolute trojan).

Air con E40 per week, safe deposit box E10 per week. The hill back up to the Hotel is quite steep and is not really suitable for those who aren't up to a bracing walk - we enjoyed it to walk off the food! (you can always get a taxi back up for about E5). It is also quite dark but we had no trouble and there will be often fellow holidaymakers making the same trip.

One tip - don't book the trips with Thomas Cook you'll spend all day picking up and dropping off. You can book the same trips cheaper in the resort. Or you can go on the excellent Captain Vangelis' - boat trips from the beach. We went to Ithaka for the day and it was the best 25 (per person) euros we spent all week - brilliant trip.

Eating in Skala - some decent Greek taverna's/restaurants we tried Paspalis, Aquarius, Socrates and one the slips my mind behind the church. Aquarius was the best of that bunch - all ok, decent food & reasonable prices but nothing stunning.

Il Destino - the Italian restaurant is FANTASTIC, quite pricey but well worth it - some of the best Italian food I have tasted anywhere (Yes, you don't good to Greece for Italian but this is something special)..

To sum up my random thoughts :-) A really good holiday, in a very good hotel, give it a try...go for a meal at Il Destino and a trip with Captain Vangelis to Ithaka....

Just returned from two weeks at the Zephyros, a good hotel and Andreas the owner is friendly and welcoming (particulary to single females !! but be cautious of the invite to the night club ). The location of the Hotel is the only draw back with a twenty to twenty five minute walk to the town centre. At some stage during your stay, especially on the way back up the hill in the searing heat you will ask yourself why you did not choose one of the perfecty good hotels and apartments at the bottom of the hill, (1min from the beach and 5 mins from the town). Nevertheless you could do a lot worse than the Zephyros and if you do feel energetic take the walk up to the abandoned Scala old town , lets face it you are aleady half way up the mountain in any event, it has the best taverna in Scala and a view that will take your breath away.

We have been to this hotel four times, mostly in June and have had lovely weather, this year being the hottest. The hotel is lovely with improvements each year we return. The owners are great and very friendly. Yes, it's up an incline but there are taxis and you can reach the hotel via the town main street. The old town is worth a walk with a new taverna and new road. The local tavernas are very good, Flamingo and Sirocco our favourites. We hire a car to visit Assos, Poros, Sami(antisamos beach and Mirtos a must) Ag. Euphimia and Fiskardo well worth the trip with a camera! Assos most beautiful with a walk up to the castle. There is also a lovely walk over from Sami to antisamos which takes in the Acropolis if you pick up the leaflet from tourist info. Take some beach shoes or buy them there for the beaches. Water is outstanding on all beaches.
You will want to return once you have been. The locals are very friendly too.
Watch the weight limits for the return trip including hand luggage.