Village Inn Studios & Family Apartments

Countryside meadows are pretty here, where location at the northern tip of Lagana's main road is quieter than party zones dominating the south. Simple signage outside introduces unfussy themes, but this family-run property is mostly well-maintained. Yellow and white paints are upbeat amid terra-cotta roof tiling, and six buildings housing rooms, the restaurant, bar, and lobby areas are centered around a sunny pool lined with loungers and umbrellas. Interiors tote Mediterranean simplicity and earthy tones. While fabric sofas in the lobby are lackluster, but the bar's exposed stone has more character, and hanging lamps in glossy greens are atmospheric over pay-for-use pool tables. 

Poolside lanterns and potted flowers are charming in the sun, and though there's no entertainment, background music here is generally well-received. Travelers tend to go all-inclusive, and Wednesday barbecue nights are a favorite, but package-covered bar drinks end at 11 p.m., when night security take over. Their "no noise" enforcement can feel a bit strict, but it keeps the place quiet. Though Lagana's pulse is far, a mini-market is opposite, and busses and taxi ranks are nearby. Note the hotel is only open mid-March through September.

Quiet settings here are more family-friendly than Lagana's bar, club, and restaurant-filled main drag. It's 30 minutes on foot, or a quick six-minute drive, for the main hub and beaches, and nearby busses and cheap taxis are plentiful. A mini-market is across the street. Joining Kalamaki beach in the island's largest sandy stretch, Lagana Beach is the nesting ground for Caretta-Caretta turtles, and they can be spotted elsewhere, including Keri, where spectacular sunsets are a 17-minute drive. Quad bike and car hire are available nearby. Zakynthos (Zante) is a half-hour drive or bus ride, and Kalamaki is closer. Zakynthos International Airport is seven minutes away by car.

All with furnished outdoor spaces overlooking gardens or the pool, bright rooms are dated, albeit pleasant. Pink or caramel walls echo fabrics in beds with carved or quilted headboards, and glossed or medium-tone wood desks, wardrobes, and beds contrast light floor tiling. Cute sconces, local artwork, and check or floral-print drapes add character. Studios with twin or double beds sleep two, and some have sofa beds to accommodate a third person. One-Bedroom Apartments or split-level Maisonettes sleep four or five, and wrought-iron staircases in the latter are charming, as are alcoved mezzanine bedrooms with wood-paneling.

Phones, cable flat-screen TVs, hairdryers, ironing facilities, and crib fittings come standard. Kitchenettes come with fridges, electric hobs, kettles, sinks, and cookware. White-tiled bathrooms have tiny showers with handheld showerheads, but plastic curtains don't always protect surrounding floors. Bars of soap are provided. On the downside, in-room safes, AC, and Wi-Fi (per device) all require a fee.

All-inclusive features here mostly get the thumbs-up, and well-organized meals, drinks, and snacks are covered until 11 p.m. Breakfasts consist of cooked and continental buffets, whereas lunch and dinner include plentiful Greek and international fare, though food can get repetitive. However, Wednesday evening barbecues are a guest favorite. Poolside terrace seating offers al fresco dining. Paved or exposed stone in the bar have a touch of character amid pool tables and light-weight tables and chairs, and evenings have dim, atmospheric lighting. The rectangular outdoor pool is surrounded by tidy terraces with mesh loungers and parasols in blues and whites, but there's no kids' pool. Still, a playground with swing set, climbing frame, and slide offers kiddy fun, and a garden gym in neon yellows is set in the grass, but equipment is resistance-only. Washer/dryers are on-site for a fee. Pets are not permitted. On-site parking and Wi-Fi in common areas are free.