Hotel Alexander the Great

Hotel Alexander the Great sits in the Laganas area, which makes it a sensible choice for travellers who want to be close to the south coast's beaches and boat departures without paying resort-hotel prices. Laganas is the island's busiest resort, with a long sandy beach, a lively seafront and easy access to the turtle bay. It is also one of the most practical bases for visitors without a car, because tavernas, shops, pharmacies, bike and scooter rentals and tour desks are all within a few minutes on foot.

Plan a stay here around three kinds of day. The first is the beach day, with sunbeds and calm shallow water on the sand in front of the resort. The second is the boat day, with cruises to Marathonisi, the Keri caves and Mizithres leaving from the Laganas shore or nearby harbours.

The third is the road day, when you take a tour or hire a car to the northwest, the mountain villages or Zakynthos Town. This variety is the main attraction of the area, and a mid-priced hotel lets you spend the money saved on excursions.

Because the property's room types and facilities change, check its page for details such as air conditioning, a pool, breakfast and parking, and read recent guest comments about noise and cleanliness. The Laganas main strip is lively at night, so ask for a quieter room if you want an early sleep. Smaller properties often offer friendly, personal service, which can be a pleasant contrast to large resorts.

The best months for a stay are May, June, September and October, when the weather is warm and the town is less crowded, while July and August bring full beaches and high prices, so book early. Turtle nesting runs through summer, and visitors should respect the rules at the beach, leaving nest areas untouched and avoiding lights at night.

If you plan to visit Gerakas, Keri and the south-coast beaches, Laganas is a handy and affordable base. It works well for first-time visitors, groups of friends and families who want simple, central accommodation and lots of choice nearby.

If you are travelling in a group, ask about rooms that sleep three or four, which can be cheaper than booking two doubles, and look for a property with a lift or ground-floor rooms if anyone has limited mobility. Keep a small day bag packed for boat trips, with towel, sunscreen, hat and a refillable bottle, so that early starts are easy. Check whether the property can store bags after check-out and whether it offers a simple breakfast, because both make early flights and long boat days easier to manage.