Almyra Hotel

The location was perfect and breakfast was very nice, but I expected better from a 5-star hotel. Some common areas and the rooms need renovating. Check-in and check-out were weak points: both were very slow, and the reception staff didn’t seem adequately trained. I wasn’t dissatisfied, just expected better quality.

The Notios restaurant wasn’t operating, which was disappointing since I’d chosen half board specifically to have dinner there. When I asked about dinner options, reception gave me conflicting information, and my email with questions went unanswered for several days. The spa layout was inconvenient, spread over two floors, and there was no relaxation room by the sauna. Breakfast also fell short of what I’d expect from a 5-star hotel. We’d been promised a lovely garden view from the terrace, but instead we looked at an unattractive wall and a dry bush. The place feels old, shabby, and outdated, more like a 3-star property, while charging prices comparable to a proper 5-star hotel. The high cost was the biggest disappointment because the experience didn’t match it.

The pool and kids’ club were nice and well maintained, so it seems a good fit for families with children. But the food was only okay, there wasn’t much to do nearby, and this average stay didn’t feel truly all-inclusive. You prepay a food credit voucher at a discounted rate, then pay separately for every drink, including water, soft drinks, juice, and alcohol, even if you still have food credit left. At the pool, every sunbed was taken before it opened because guests got up two or three hours early to save them. Some were left with belongings all day and never used. Pool staff said they had to wait at least an hour and a half before removing items, but nothing was done even after that. There were two floss picks left in our bathroom at check-in, which wasn’t a good first impression, and the itchy sheets made our first night uncomfortable. The rooms felt dated and lacked character, and could use renovation.

Breakfast was very good and had enough variety for everyone, and the coffee was high quality, made just as we asked when we ordered it from the dining room waiters. Our sea-view room was clean and pleasant. We arrived on Wednesday night with a rental car, and the hotel parking was convenient. The location is excellent, within walking distance of everything, and the staff were welcoming and very nice, especially the concierge. There are three pools, but there aren’t enough sunbeds, so you need to get there early. Pool food and drinks were very expensive for the portion sizes. Staff pointing out that outside food and drinks weren’t allowed was unpleasant, to say the least. Still, we had a very pleasant stay and I highly recommend the hotel.