Hotel Atenas

We went with a group, and the stay was a huge disappointment. The service was poor, and staff were rude and never willing to help. My room was tiny, as was the bathroom. There was no air conditioning, just a fan that barely moved any air. The curtain was so thin it was practically paper, so I had to cover the bedroom window with a blanket. We also had to share a table with other guests. I don't recommend it if you're after comfort or relaxation, and I won't be back. I should have looked up the accommodation before we went, but I trusted the company. That was my mistake, though it doesn't cancel out the other problems.

We had generous, delicious portions and dessert was included. The food met expectations and was quite filling, though if you're expecting to eat three plates of stew, obviously you won't be stuffed. Staff were helpful and available 24/7 for whatever we needed, like hot water or toilet paper. We spent three nights there with a Meridiano travel package. The location is excellent, a block from the old town center, so you can explore it thoroughly and safely, then carry on along the waterfront to the newer part of town. The barbecue area has a sink, and if you let them know in advance, they'll provide the dishes, cutting boards, utensils, and condiments.

The dinners were good, with generous servings of an appetizer, a main, and a little dessert. Breakfast was another story: dry, hard croissants that tasted days old, plus toast from leftover bread, coffee, and milk. There was a singer performing every night for tips. If you enjoyed the show, fine, but if not, having someone belt songs while you ate was a real pain. The location is handy, central, well lit, and easy to reach. The furniture and rooms are dated, though that fits the price. Cleanliness wasn't anything special, and the shared areas were pretty basic.

The food was passable, but the portions were stingy, and dinner came with karaoke singers belting songs so loudly we couldn't eat in peace. The owners showed no empathy and looked down on people; they seemed to care only about money. My 2-year-old son hadn't paid for a ticket, and they told us, “if you don't pay, you don't eat.” They said we should be grateful if they gave him anything, as though they were doing it out of the goodness of their hearts. We also found cockroaches crawling all over us, some as big as a size 42 sandal. I paid Meridiano for a 5-day, 3-night trip with half-board, but they charged me for breakfast as soon as we arrived. Lunch there meant paying for drinks at ridiculous prices. It's impossible to eat or relax peacefully here. I don't recommend it.