I spent a week at Lesante Blu in Tragaki, Zakynthos, curious to see whether this adults only, Leading Hotels of the World property actually lives up to its serene, hyper polished image. On paper it promises infinity pools in every direction, a private beach, a yacht pier and fine dining in a quiet corner of the island.
In reality, my stay was a mix of jaw dropping views, some genuinely warm service, and a few surprisingly rough edges that you would not expect at this price point. If you are considering booking, it is worth understanding both the magic and the compromises before you commit.
Getting There, First Impressions and Check In
Lesante Blu sits on the coast near Tragaki, about a 20 to 25 minute drive from Zakynthos International Airport. There is no direct public transport to the hotel. I pre booked a private transfer from the airport, which felt like the most sensible option given the location and my luggage. The road in is a mix of village streets and small country lanes; it is not difficult, but it does feel a bit removed from the livelier resort areas. That remoteness is part of the appeal if you want quiet, but it also means you are not walking anywhere interesting in the evening.
Arriving at the entrance, the setting made an immediate impact. The lobby opens straight out to the sea, with the main infinity pool blending almost seamlessly into the Ionian. It is one of those views that looks like the marketing photos, which is not always the case in Greece. Check in was seated and relatively personal, with a welcome drink and a short explanation of the resort layout. I arrived in the afternoon and my room was ready, but I did notice a small cluster of guests waiting for rooms later in the day, so early arrivals might be left lingering.
The first impressions were not flawless. The arrival area felt slightly under staffed for peak time, so there was a short wait before anyone took my bags. Nothing dramatic, just not the seamless five star choreography I expected from a Leading Hotels property. Also, the briefing at check in leaned heavily into selling experiences, spa packages and private cruises right away, which made the welcome feel a little transactional instead of purely hospitable.
My Suite: Layout, Private Pool and Practical Annoyances
Lesante Blu is all suites, and almost all face the sea. I booked a Deluxe Suite Sea View with Private Pool, partly because the brand pushes these private pools as a key feature. The layout was generous for two people, with a combined living and sleeping area, a dressing space, and a bathroom with separate shower and tub. The decor was contemporary and clean, lots of white and light wood, with small blue accents to echo the sea outside.
The view from the bed was fantastic; waking up to a full wall of glass overlooking the water was something I never got tired of. The terrace was large enough for two loungers and a small table, and the private pool looked stunning on arrival, mirroring the sky and sea. However, the reality of the pool did not quite match the fantasy. My particular suite was on a row where, for most of the day, the pool was in the shade. It looked beautiful, but the water was too cold for anything more than a quick dip, even in good weather. I ended up using the main infinity pool far more often than the private one, which made the upgrade feel like poor value.
The room itself was spotlessly clean and the housekeeping team did an excellent job throughout my stay. Turn down service was consistent, and amenities were topped up without needing to chase. On the downside, soundproofing was only average. I could clearly hear chairs scraping and muffled conversations from the suite next door in the evenings. It never escalated into a full blown noise problem for me, but it did break the illusion of total seclusion that the marketing promises. Given other guests have complained about noise issues, I was very aware of how thin the walls felt.
Dining: Highs, Lows and the Reality of Half Board
The resort’s main culinary hub is Gaia, which serves breakfast and a set dinner for guests on half board. Breakfast here was one of the stronger points of my stay. The buffet spread was broad and mostly high quality, with good Greek specialties alongside international dishes, lots of fruit, and an impressive selection of pastries. There was also an à la carte section for eggs and hot dishes cooked to order. I did, however, find service slightly inconsistent. Some mornings coffee and plates arrived quickly, on others I waited long enough to have to flag someone down repeatedly.
In the evening, Gaia switches to a rotating multi course dinner for half board guests. Some nights the food was genuinely very good, especially the Greek focused dishes and simpler grilled meats or fish. On other nights, the menu felt a bit repetitive and more like an upmarket banquet than a truly fine dining experience. If you are the kind of traveler who stays a full week, you may get bored of the routine unless you plan to eat off property as well.
Melia, the resort’s fine dining restaurant, is pitched as a culinary highlight. I booked one dinner here and appreciated the effort to create something more creative and polished. The sea views at sunset were gorgeous, and a couple of dishes were memorable, particularly a seafood course that showcased local produce very well. That said, the overall experience felt slightly over priced for what it was, especially when compared with outstanding meals available in Zakynthos town for less. The atmosphere was also more formal and hushed than I personally enjoy on a Greek island; it felt almost like a city hotel restaurant transplanted to the sea.
For daytime, Ostria by the pool serves lunch and snacks. The setting is laid back and pleasant, and I liked being able to order salads, grilled fish or a light pasta without leaving the pool area. Portions were reasonable, but again pricing was firmly in luxury resort territory. Drinks and cocktails around the pool and at the bars were competently made, though not particularly inventive. In general, I felt that the hotel food is solid and sometimes excellent, but the price to satisfaction ratio is not always favorable, especially if you are coming from broader Greek island experience where taverna food can be wonderful and much cheaper.
Pools, Beach and Relaxation Spaces
The main infinity pool is the physical and emotional center of Lesante Blu. It is large, visually dramatic, and perfectly positioned to make you feel as if you are floating above the sea. Sunsets from here are exactly as dreamy as the photos suggest. The pool deck is lined with well padded loungers and daybeds, and there is a separate quieter area slightly set back where it is easier to read or nap without constant movement around you.
What the photos do not show is that, at busy times, the main pool can feel crowded, partly because many guests seem to abandon their shaded private pools and migrate here to find proper sunshine and a more swim friendly temperature. On a couple of late mornings I saw guests waiting for loungers to free up. Staff were doing their best, but there is only so much space, and it did not have the permanently serene feel I was expecting from an adults only property at this level.
The resort’s private beach is reached by a series of stairs from the pool level. It is relatively small and part natural, part built up with decks and platforms. The water is clear and inviting, and the beach bar is a pleasant spot for a drink with the waves almost under your feet. I liked spending early mornings down here when it was quiet. In the middle of the day the space can feel a little tight, especially when the sea is choppy and the usable area shrinks. If you are used to long, wide sandy beaches, this will feel more like an intimate cove than a classic beach resort.
One point worth noting is that the hotel’s focus on aesthetics sometimes comes at the expense of practical comfort. The abundance of pale stone and reflective surfaces means the pool area gets extremely bright and hot in full sun, and shade can be at a premium unless you specifically seek out the spots with umbrellas or canopies. It is very photogenic, but if you are sensitive to glare or heat, you will spend time hunting for more forgiving corners.
Spa, Wellness and Activities
The spa, located below the main lobby, is compact but nicely designed, with an indoor pool that flows to a small outdoor section, a sauna, steam room and several treatment rooms. I booked one massage and found the therapist skilled and professional, with high quality products and a generally calming atmosphere. The relaxation area, however, felt slightly underwhelming for a resort that leans heavily on its wellness credentials. It is comfortable but not particularly memorable, and during my visit the pools in the spa area were on the cool side for real lingering.
The gym is better than average for a beach resort, with modern machines and enough space to do a proper workout without feeling cramped. There is also a tennis court, and the hotel can arrange private training sessions or yoga by the sea. Outside of that, organized activities are relatively low key. The emphasis here is on quiet relaxation rather than a packed schedule of classes and entertainment, which suited me, but might feel too subdued for someone looking for a more dynamic resort atmosphere.
Where the hotel shines is in organizing private boat trips and island excursions. There is a jetty directly in front of the property, and I took one of their suggested half day cruises along the coast. The convenience of boarding almost at your doorstep and having everything arranged through the concierge is undeniable. The trip itself was enjoyable, though once again the premium pricing is clear compared with arranging something independently from a local marina. You are paying partly for ease, partly for the hotel badge.
Service Culture, Crowds and Overall Atmosphere
Service at Lesante Blu is generally warm and polite, and many staff members genuinely try to remember preferences and make conversation. I never encountered outright rudeness, but I did sense an unevenness in training and confidence. Some interactions were of true five star caliber, others felt more like a good four star property finding its way. Simple requests were usually handled quickly, but anything slightly outside the norm sometimes required more back and forth than I expected.
The adults only policy is one of the main reasons I booked, and on that front the experience was successful. The crowd during my stay was a mix of couples in their thirties to sixties, with a few solo travelers and small groups of friends. The overall mood was quiet and relaxed, with no blaring music or forced entertainment by the pool. That said, the soundproofing between suites meant that when neighbors were loud, it pierced the sense of calm more than it should have in a supposedly tranquil, high end resort.
In the evenings, the atmosphere is sophisticated but not particularly lively. There are bars for a drink with a view, and sometimes live music, but if you are hoping for a buzzing social scene within the hotel, you might find it a bit sleepy. To reach more energetic nightlife you are looking at taxis into Tsilivi or Zakynthos town. Returning at night was easy enough with local taxis, but it does add cost and logistics, so bear that in mind if you want a mix of quiet days and active nights.
Value for Money and Who This Resort Really Suits
Lesante Blu is not a budget destination. Room rates, plus the cost of food, drinks and extras, place it firmly in the aspirational luxury bracket for Zakynthos. The question is whether the experience justifies that spend. For me, the answer was mixed. The natural setting and architecture are exceptional, and there were moments, especially at sunrise and sunset, when I felt the hotel delivered pure escapism of the kind you remember for years. The adults only environment, the views from the suites, and the convenience of the private beach and jetty make it easy to unwind.
At the same time, the inconsistent service, the underused private pool due to shade and temperature, the occasional lack of loungers at the main pool, and the slightly formulaic feel of half board dining kept pulling me back to a more grounded assessment. Compared to similarly priced properties elsewhere in Greece, I felt that the hardware at Lesante Blu is mostly on par with its peers, but the software still has gaps. The property is marketed as one of the island’s very top luxury options, and in that company the details matter more.
If I went back to Zakynthos, I am not certain I would repeat the stay in exactly the same way. I would probably choose a standard sea view suite without private pool, save the money, and allocate that budget to more dinners off property and perhaps an upgraded private boat trip. I might also target shoulder season dates, when the resort is less busy and the pressure on sun loungers and common areas is reduced, and when rates are a touch more forgiving.
The Takeaway
My week at Lesante Blu was unquestionably beautiful, occasionally frustrating, and overall memorable. I left with a camera full of photos that look almost unreal, and with a nuanced impression that sits somewhere between admiration and slight disappointment. The hotel gets many big things right: the location, the architecture, the views and the adults only calm. There were also pleasant surprises, like the quality of some local dishes at Gaia and the ease of stepping onto a boat from the resort’s own pier to explore the coastline.
Yet certain expectations, built up by the branding and the price tag, did not entirely match reality. I expected flawlessly smooth five star service and consistently outstanding dining at every turn. What I experienced was more uneven, with high points and noticeable dips, and a sense that some operational aspects have not fully caught up with the property’s luxury ambitions. If you are very detail oriented and used to the best city or island resorts in Europe, you might find yourself mentally comparing and occasionally wishing for a bit more polish.
I would recommend Lesante Blu to couples or solo travelers who care deeply about sea views, quiet, and a grown up environment, and who are comfortable paying a premium primarily for setting and atmosphere rather than perfection in every service detail. It is also a strong choice if you plan to mix time at the hotel with exploring Zakynthos by car or boat, using the resort as a stylish, peaceful base rather than your entire holiday world. If you go with realistic expectations, choose your room type carefully, and budget for taxis or a rental car plus some meals off site, Lesante Blu can deliver a very special, if not entirely flawless, Greek island escape.
FAQ
Q1. Is Lesante Blu really adults only and how strictly is that enforced?
During my stay it was genuinely adults only, with no children on the property and a calm overall vibe. Staff were clear that the policy applies to all areas of the hotel, which is a big part of the appeal if you are looking for a quiet escape.
Q2. How far is Lesante Blu from Zakynthos Airport and town, and what is the best way to get there?
The resort is about 20 to 25 minutes by car from Zakynthos International Airport and roughly the same from Zakynthos town, depending on traffic. There is no convenient public transport, so a pre booked transfer, taxi or rental car is the most practical option.
Q3. Are the private pools in the suites worth the extra cost?
In my experience, the private pools look fantastic but can be too shaded and cold to use comfortably for long. I ended up preferring the main infinity pool, so I would personally book a standard sea view suite next time and use the savings elsewhere.
Q4. What is the beach like at Lesante Blu?
The beach is small and feels more like an intimate cove than a long stretch of sand. There are loungers, a beach bar and a jetty, and the water is clear, but space is limited in peak hours. It is a beautiful spot for a swim or a drink, just do not expect a wide, expansive beach.
Q5. How is the food and should I book half board?
Breakfast is very good and the half board dinners at Gaia are generally decent, with some excellent nights and some more average ones. If you enjoy exploring local tavernas, you might prefer bed and breakfast only, so you can eat off property more often without feeling locked into the hotel restaurant each night.
Q6. Is the resort suitable for solo travelers or only for couples?
The hotel is clearly geared towards couples and honeymoons, but as a solo traveler I never felt out of place. The atmosphere is relaxed and not overly showy. Just know that most of the programming and room types are designed with couples in mind.
Q7. How busy does the main pool area get?
On quieter days it feels spacious and tranquil, but during peak season and late mornings loungers can be in high demand, partly because many guests do not use their private pools. I would head down early if a specific spot or more shade is important to you.
Q8. Are there any dress codes or formalities I should be aware of?
During the day the dress code is resort casual around the pools and beach. In the evening, Gaia and especially Melia lean towards smart casual. I saw men in long trousers and collared shirts at dinner, and women in dresses or elegant separates, though it never felt excessively formal.
Q9. Can I easily explore the island from Lesante Blu without a car?
You can book boat trips and some excursions through the hotel, and taxis can take you to Tsilivi or Zakynthos town. However, to explore beaches and villages more freely, a rental car makes a big difference. Without one, you are somewhat dependent on hotel offerings and taxi availability.
Q10. Would I stay at Lesante Blu again, and what would I do differently?
I would consider staying again for the views and adults only calm, but I would choose a non pool suite, travel in shoulder season, and plan more meals and evenings off property. Going in with those adjustments and realistic expectations would likely make for a more satisfying repeat visit.