Zakynthos - Gloria Maris Hotel Suites and Villa

Zakynthos - Gloria Maris Hotel Suites and Villa

This was the third time I'd visited Zakynthos, but the first time staying in the southern and most densely populated part of the island. Having visited the island a few times, this trip was less focused on sight seeing and more on shooting at our hotel, Gloria Maris Hotel Suites and Villa, however we found the location a perfect spot for exploring the island as a whole, with easy access to the whole south coast as well as a short drive to iconic spots like Shipwreck Beach.

Situated between the notorious Laganas and the sleepy Keri, the Gloria Maris is a boutique-style hotel sat right on the water featuring a large pool area for all the guests as well as a separate infinity pool for use of the guests staying in the suites. Down on the water front there is a beach bar and sun loungers, as well as the hotel's own boat rental kiosk and dock. 

Overlooking Marathonisi, or Turtle Island, the south facing Gloria Maris sees both a beautiful sunrise and sunset and gets the full effect of the Greek sun throughout the day. I stayed for a total of 5 nights, including one night in an exclusive suite with use of the magnificent infinity pool. On our last evening we went on a boat trip from the hotel round to a beach only reachable by boat, and witnessed an incredible sunset before being dropped off back right at our front door.

Sunrise from the lower deck

The main pool

The view of Turtle Island from the restaurant

Sunrise, with Cameo island in the background.

Our first room

The rooms are decorated in a classic style, using bright white walls and floors to give each space a really open feeling, but with rustic wicker and wood furnishings to keep that boutique feel. Our first room overlooked the main pool area and had its own balcony, which caught the sun for the majority of the day, as well as that all important ocean view.

We also spent one night in a suite, with access to the infinity pool, with our room also featuring a jacuzzi bath for that added level of luxury.

One of the best things  about the Gloria Maris is the big range of rooms availble, from affordable rooms lacking an ocean view but still able to enjoy the pool area and included breakfast to the absolute luxury of the suites and their private infinity pool.

Looking into the jacuzzi suite

Our first room

Our suite

A view from the water

Sunrise, lower deck

Looking out from the jacuzzi

Having mulitple areas to hang out in means each day can feel like a different hotel. For more lifestyle shots like this check out my Instagram.

The pool and breakfast area from our balcony

The restaurant's decking

As vegans we often don't know what to expect when visiting hotels, but the staff at the Gloria Maris were extremely accomodating with our diet. At breakfast we ate a wide variety of fruit as well as mushrooms, tomatoes, bread, jams, cereals and coconut milk. When we ate at the restaurant on site (not included, but with a 10% discount running for guests when we visited) our waitress spoke to the chef and communicated our dietry requirements, and we were served two separate and delicious vegan pasta dishes.

Breakfast is a buffet and taken around the pool, whilst the restaurant operates from a bar and wooden decking tucked in to the corner of the hotel with a panoramic view of the bay.

Throughout the day, between breakfast and dinner, there are a variety of bar snacks available as well as those all important pints of mythos.

A birds eye view.

The suites

The infinity pool

Main pool

Some clips from our boat trip.

The convenience of having a boat rental and dock at the hotel is not something to be overstated, as the southern coast of Zakynthos is an extremely popular place for boat trips. The island of Marathonisi is a short drive away and features a beautiful sandy beach where turtles nest. Just round the corner of the island are the famed Keri caves, with multiple arches and caves to explore by boat and some of the bluest water in the world. 

We set off on our boat trip quite late in the day, with the anticipation of spending a sunset on a private beach up the west coast of the main island. Once we rounded the corner into the sun the water was a deep and vibrant blue and the sunset set the sky alight with beautifully contrasting warmth. 

You don't need a boat license to drive the least powerful boats, but to make the trip up and around Keri Caves it is advised to pick a calm day and to have had some experience before.

Marathonisi is a popular spot for boats

A small strip of the beach close to the water is open to the public, the rest is a conservation area. 

Each of these wooden structures signifies a turtle's nest

Marathonisi is nicknamed 'Turtle Island' due to it being the shape of a turtle

The water is clear and warm

Greece is famous for its incredibly vibrant water, and Zakynthos is no exception

A private beach and prosecco for sunset

Just us on the beach

Zakynthos is a beautiful island, with lots to see and explore. We found the Gloria Maris to be a beautiful oasis between our trips around the island, and the boat trip with them was truly the highlight of our trip. 

Remember to check out my Instagram to see more images from this trip and if you have any questions don't hesitate to reach out.

Thanks to Charlotte, my girlfriend, for organising this trip, the Gloria Maris for hosting us and treating us so well and the Greek people for being as welcoming as ever.

Charlie