Samos is a Greek treasure, an island bursting with spectacular scenery, idyllic beaches and coves, mountains, waterfalls, and picture-perfect Greek charm.

Surrounded by beautiful flora and with magnificent views over the ocean, the Zefiros Beach Hotel is just metres from the clean, pebble beach and sparkling Aegean Sea, perfect for swimming and watersports. Many of our guests have been coming on their Christian holidays to Samos year after year, and we understand why! 

Don't just take our word for it!

The Richmond staff were lovely and the location was superb. I met wonderful fellow holiday makers. We formed strong bonds and supported each other. It was lovely to know that you could go for a meal, sit on the beach, go on an outing or whatever and have someone to do things with.

Janet, September 19, Samos

I loved being on the waterfront and having Christian fellowship. Such a different atmosphere to staying in ordinary hotels

Carol, October 19, Samos

The Christian environment together with a stunning location makes a perfect combination. As a single person, travelling on my own, it was so easy to fit in with such a friendly group and at no time did I feel lonely. Thank you SO much!

Jill, July 18, Samos

Ministry

Our caring Ministry Leaders provide teaching, reflective prayer times and will be available in the days to chat and pray with you.

Themed Weeks

Take part in our popular programme of Themed Weeks across the summer, including dancing, walking, retreat, age oriented and creative weeks!

Children & Teens

During school holidays, our dedicated Children’s and Teens’ workers are on hand offering exciting activities where your children can have fun together in a safe environment.

Zefiros Beach Hotel

The family-run Zefiros Beach Hotel is perfectly positioned just metres from the beach. The hotel’s large terrace boasts an amazing panoramic view across the hotel’s pool and on to beautiful Mykali Bay.

The Greek hotel has a Mediterranean feel with cool blue and white decor. The whole area is beautifully designed and potted with vibrant bougainvillea and palm trees. There is sunbathing space around the pool and plenty of quieter corners for those who are looking for a bit of seclusion.

  • Public areas include a spacious reception, an indoor lounge and bar, a large outdoor terrace and the hotel’s outdoor/indoor restaurant.
  • Facilities at the hotel include a large swimming pool with sun loungers, a separate shallow toddlers’ pool, a tennis court, a poolside taverna and a beachside snack bar. There are also sunbeds available to hire along the beach for a small fee.
  • The Richmond RYA watersports centre, exclusively for our guests, is also situated on the beach in front of the hotel – you won’t be able to miss it!

Samos Island, one of the most idyllic Greek islands found in the Aegean Sea, is a hidden treasure; it’s picture-perfect views and natural beauty makes it a stunning holiday location.

The Rooms

The rooms are arranged across all four floors of the hotel. Each of the hotel’s spacious, bright and airy bedrooms are ensuite, air conditioned, and have their own private balcony, mini fridge and hairdryer.

The Food

Just to say… we will do our best to cater for any dietary requirements, please let us know at the point of booking your holiday. 

Our holidays are half-board, so they include a buffet breakfast each day as well as dinner in the hotel dining area. 

A leisurely breakfast is a great way to start the day, and at the Zefiros Beach Hotel, breakfast can be enjoyed between 07:30 – 10:00 each morning. There is a varied continental breakfast including fresh fruit, yoghurt, cereals, pastries and bread. Each day there is a different egg option with accompanying meats such as chorizo, ham or bacon, and with extras such as cheese and tomatoes. Tea, coffee and fruit juice is available free of charge throughout breakfast.

Although lunch is not included in your holiday package, the hotel’s poolside taverna is a great place to enjoy a delicious meal. The taverna offers traditional Greek food such as souvlaki, grilled fish and the classic Greek salad. The taverna also serves pasta dishes, omelettes and toasted sandwiches. Alternatively, there are some fantastic nearby tavernas along Mykali Bay that you can find by turning left out the hotel and wandering along the beach towards Psili Ammos.

The evening meal is available between 19:30 – 21:00 in the hotel’s dining room. There are three courses and a large salad bar, with a mix of traditional Greek dishes and more classic dishes to choose from. There is a hot starter option followed by the main course including meat and/or fish and vegetarian options. The main course is served with a choice of sides. Enjoy different traditional Greek desserts each night from baklava to honey doughnuts and fruit!

There is bottled water on the table and alcoholic and soft drinks are available to order from waiters during dinner and can be added to your hotel tab. We would recommend trying some of the wonderful Samos wines from local vineyards. A glass of Samos’ famous Vin Doux, a honeyed sweet wine served ice–cold, is a particularly good way to end a meal! Alternatively finish your meal with a complimentary coffee or tea.

Your Ministry Leaders

Dalton King

24 Aug - 07 Sep 2023

Born in Montego Bay, Jamaica, Dalton came to England at the age of 9 and was saved at the age of 16 at a Boys Brigade Camp. Dalton is part of Little Hill Church in Wigston, Leicester, where he preaches occasionally on Sundays and at mid-week Bible studies. He regularly speaks at several churches in the surrounding area and has spoken on over 20 Christian holidays in various locations around the world.
Read more

Mark Simmons

15-29 Jun 2023

Mark Simmons is the pastor at Selly Park Baptist Church in Birmingham. Mark loves sport, music, travel, and food. He is an experienced worship leader and ministry leader for Richmond Holidays and MasterSun.
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Ruth Perrin

29 Jun - 13 Jul 2023

Ruth has been a ministry leader with Richmond several times and enjoys getting to know all sorts of people. Based in Durham she is associate staff at King’s Church there but speaks widely nationally and internationally. She enjoys gardening, movies, travel and throwing epic dinner parties.
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Michelle and Iain Every

25 May - 15 Jun 2023

Michelle and Iain have been married for 30 years, have 5 children, and have recently become grandparents. Iain is a writer and part-time carer for their youngest daughter. Michelle is a self-employed doula and on the leadership team of a doula training company.
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Lorraine Kingsley

10-24 Aug 2023

Lorraine and Vern have been running the international charity Toilet Twinning for the past decade and have travelled extensively to spend time with church partners in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Lorraine has stepped away from the day-to-day leadership of Toilet Twinning as she has just been ordained a deacon within the Church of England, and is now serving her curacy in Bournemouth. Vern continues to lead the Toilet Twinning team and is also a freelance graphic designer.
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Trevor Gribben

Trevor Gribben

27 Jul - 10 Aug 2023

Trevor is a Minister of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, currently serving as Clerk of the General Assembly and General Secretary– the senior all-Ireland leadership role in his denomination. Trevor has been involved in leading ministry with Richmond since the beginning of the Company and retains an ongoing passion for that ministry both to guests and to staff.
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Nick and Pam Jackson

Nick & Pam Jackson

21 Sep - 05 Oct 2023

Married to Pam and father to two grown-up sons. Formerly a Mathematics teacher and then IT Manager in commerce, Nick is currently the Team Pastor at LOVECHURCH in Bournemouth. Nick and Pam love the outdoors, sunshine and the sea and enjoy a glass of wine or a good cup of coffee.
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We believe a time away of fun and relaxation is the perfect opportunity to grow deeper in relationship with our awesome, loving God in the setting of His beautiful creation. Christian holidays in Samos are an amazing way to meet others, spend time with our Heavenly Father and encourage each other.

Each day in resort, o
ur caring Ministry Leaders provide daily teaching and reflective prayer times. They are also available throughout the holiday to chat and pray with you. 

Activities In The Resort

You have access to a wide range of activities in and around the hotel that are included in the price of your holiday

If you enjoy getting involved with everything that a place has to offer, then you will love our resort in Samos! Jump on a bike to explore the island, enjoy tennis and table tennis, or join in with our fun exercise sessions that are offered throughout your Richmond holiday. 

Watersports

Our established Royal Yachting Association (RYA) recognised watersports centre in Samos is exclusive to Richmond guests. We offer a wide range of watersports including sailing, windsurfing, stand up paddleboarding and kayaking. Use of all our equipment is included in the cost of your Richmond holiday so come and join us, whatever your age or experience.

Generally, the wind starts light in the mornings, which is great for kayaking, stand up paddle boarding or learning to sail or windsurf. The wind then builds in the afternoons allowing great planing conditions for those wanting to perfect the legendary carve gybe.

The waterfront is enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities, from those who want a casual morning sail, right up to performance spinnaker sailors. The qualified Richmond team operates the waterfront every day (except Thursdays) from 9:30 to 17:30, subject to weather conditions.

Watersports Equipment

Our Samos fleet includes a range of RS and Laser sailing dinghies and catamarans:

RS Cat 16 Catamaran • RS Venture • RS Quest • Laser Pico • Laser One • Laser Funboat • RS Zest • RS Aero

Boards: brands such as Starboard and Fox plus RED windSUPs. The boards range from 210 litre beginner boards to sub-100 litre intermediate/advanced boards.

Rigs: A wide range of beginner, intermediate and performance rigs starting at 2.5m up to 7.5m. For the beginner windsurfer, we have tough Dacron and X-ply sails that are easy to get started with but tough enough to survive the falls. For the performance windsurfer, we have selected Severne and Tushingham rigs in sizes from 4.0 to 7.5m all mounted on 45 – 100% carbon masts.

We have a range of single and double hander sit-on-top kayaks and SUPs. These are perfect for making the most of the less windy days and a great way to explore the bay. We also find that kayaking and stand up paddle boarding is a great work out, so you can multi-task and enjoy the beauty of the Samos coastline whilst exercising your core!

We have a range of buoyancy aids, harnesses and helmets available for all guests to use.

RYA Courses and Lessons

Sailing and Windsurfing Lessons

Whether you are a complete beginner or a seasoned sailor, we love to see everybody enjoying the incredible watersports available in Samos! It’s not a problem if you’ve never sailed before, let us take you for a ride in one of our larger dinghies where you can experience the thrill of sailing and have a go knowing you’re in safe hands!

Want to progress a bit more? Our qualified instructors run classes through the week for windsurfing and sailing at no extra cost. If you want a little more, sign up for one of our RYA certificated courses.

RYA Courses

As a recognised RYA training centre, we are able to offer RYA certified courses meaning you can attain an internationally recognised qualification. We work through much of the RYA structure in the included lessons above and toward the end of the week run a conversion class to ensure you have attained at least the minimum standard in all the required skill areas.

If you are interested in a particular RYA course, you are welcome to express this to the Richmond office in advance of your holiday. We will always do our best to facilitate these courses, but please be aware that the courses are subject to availability and weather conditions. The courses are charged at £50 which is payable by card at the Richmond Reception Desk in the hotel.

For Adults:
  • RYA Sailing, Levels 1 – 3
  • RYA Start Windsurfing Course
For Children (8 to 14 yrs)
  • RYA Youth Sailing, Stages 1-4
  • RYA Youth Windsurfing, Stages 1 & 2

All courses are run by qualified RYA Instructors and RYA Certificates are issued to all who pass the course(s). All courses are subject to availability and weather conditions.

Richmond Clinics

In addition to the lessons and courses described above, we can also provide specific tuition for particular techniques both for sailing and windsurfing. These are charged at £25 per hour for 1-2 people.

Excursions From Resort

In addition to all the fantastic activities available at the hotel, Richmond offer a range of excursions with opportunities to explore more of the island of Samos, as well as travelling further afield to Ephesus in nearby Turkey and Patmos, another of the Aegean islands. Our excursions are offered at a variety of price points, so there’s something for everyone! Some excursions are full day trips and others are evening excursions after dinner. Read more about some of the exciting excursions that may be on offer during your stay.

A day out to the mountain village of Vourliotes includes a traditional Greek cooking demonstration, tour of the local farm and a delicious lunch of all the food you saw being prepared!  

The Captain’s BBQ trip is a firm favourite! Sailing in a traditional wooden boat, Captain Andreas will take you along the southern coast of Samos, between small islands, past coves and caves. A beautiful, idyllic beach awaits you that cannot be reached by road. Enjoy a swim in the crystal waters whilst the crew prepare a delicious BBQ lunch. 

Take the Samos ferry to the Turkish port of Kusadasi and join a coach trip to the amazing Biblical city of ancient Ephesus. Explore the truly inspirational Greek-Roman findings. There will also be free time in Kusadasi for some sightseeing, and to visit the lively shopping areas or eat some traditional Turkish food.

Take a tour of the beautiful island of Samos, stopping at historical and cultural points of interest such as the Hera Temple, Efpalinos tunnel, the monastery of Megali Panagia and Kumaradei. The tour will stop for lunch in one of the island’s most beautiful villages, Platanos, and visit a ceramics workshop and the winery at Karlovassi. Last stop is the village of Kokkari where there will be time to explore and have a coffee before heading back to the hotel. 

Visit this stunning island where St John received the revelation. There is an optional guided tour of the 11th Century Monastery of St John as well as the Cave of the Apocalypse. 

Shorter day trips are available thanks to the complimentary daily shuttle bus that runs between the hotel and Pythagoria or Samos Town, both approximately 15 minutes’ drive from the hotel. Pythagoria in particular is a favourite haunt of many Richmond guests with its harbourside tavernas, cobbled quayside and delicious ice-cream shops! 

Each week, Richmond runs an evening excursion to one of the local harbourside villages; here you can enjoy a gelato ice-cream or glass of local wine whilst watching the boats bobbing on the water and the reflections of the many twinkling lights dancing on the surface. 

Aoutdoor cinema in the village of Mitilini offers a memorable evening out. Heading off after dinner, you can enjoy one of the latest films under the stars of a beautiful Samos night. Mid-way through the film there is an interval where the friendly owners bring around plates of delicious traditional honey doughnuts – the best cinema snack in our opinion!  

Getting There

FLIGHTS

There is a direct flight from London Gatwick to Samos operated by TUI each week on a Thursday which matches our holidays perfectly. We at Richmond Holidays are able to book this TUI flight for you, providing you with an ATOL-protected package holiday. Please contact us to enquire about booking a package holiday inclusive of these direct flights!

Alternatively, there are a number of flights with connections in Athens and other European hubs which you can book independently. These provide great options for if you do not wish to fly from London Gatwick. For example, Aegean Airlines operates flights from Manchester, Edinburgh, Dublin and London Heathrow to Samos via Athens. Other flight operators including EasyjetBritish Airways and Jet2 also operate flights to Athens from UK airports such as Birmingham, London Heathrow and Manchester. From Athens, there are three return flights a day to Samos with Aegean Airlines and one with Sky Express.

TRANSFERS

Direct transfers from Samos airport to the Zefiros Beach Hotel take just 20 minutes and are available for £12pp each way. To book, please confirm these and your flights details at least 2 weeks prior to departure.

AIRPORT HOTELS

Many people like to stay overnight nearby their departure airport to reduce the hassle of early morning travelling. For those travelling from Gatwick, there are a number of guest houses and B&Bs near the airport which allow you to park and stay very close to Gatwick airport. In particular, Premier Inn has two hotels very close to the airport, which have proven very popular with our guests.

For those travelling on flights via Athens, there is the option of an overnight stop. If you would like to stay in Athens before travelling on, we recommend the Holiday Inn in Athens which has a free airport shuttle or the Sofitel which is located just 50m from the airport. Athens is a beautiful city to explore and there is an easy to use metro service running from the airport right into the centre of Athens. Some of our guests choose to extend their holiday and get a flavour of Ancient Greece, visiting the Parthenon, the Acropolis Museum or the Temple of Hephaestus.

Samos Themed Weeks

Let our friendly and encouraging leaders coach and inspire you! Richmond’s Themed Weeks are built around bringing like-minded people together to enjoy shared activities and meet people with similar passions.

Walking

25 May & 28 Sep 2023

Sailing

01 Jun 2023

Multi Sports

08 Jun 2023

ReCreate

15 Jun 2023

Greek Culture

22 Jun & 14 Sep 2023

ReIgnite (20s & 30s)

13 Jul 2023

ReFresh (18-25s)

20 Jul 2023

ReTreat

21 Sep 2023