Kefalos Beach Tourist Village

We only booked a week for our honeymoon, but loved it enough to plan a two-week return for our first wedding anniversary next year. The location is ideal for doing whatever you feel like. Staff, food and facilities were all amazing. Absolutely brilliant hotel!

The setting right by the beach is lovely, the pool and facilities are great, and the staff were wonderful. There was good entertainment, though nights could be noisy. A few room issues were frustrating: just one key for three adults sharing a villa-style room, broken and rusty shower fittings, and missing cups and bowls. The room wasn't as clean as it should have been, and the fan was broken too. These are small things that could be fixed easily.

The gardeners were one of the few bright spots, working hard to keep the plants, grounds and shared areas looking beautiful. I also found the check-in staff friendly, though their directions were confusing enough that we had to ask the cleaners to help us find our room. We had booked a “garden view,” but from the balcony there was one olive tree, one lime tree and a clear view of all the surrounding balconies. There was no real garden or privacy. This place felt more like a wedding and party venue than a 4-star hotel. Paying guests seemed to come second. Weddings took over from the first night, with music so loud we couldn't relax in our room even with the doors and windows shut. We'd been awake since 2am travelling, so I asked reception when the music would finish. I was told, “11pm is law. Well, it is a wedding.” We were taken aback by how little consideration there was for guests. The first four nights each had a wedding ending at 11pm. Sunday, when weddings weren't allowed by law, was finally quiet. On the sixth night, a stag party screamed, chanted and banged doors until 1am. Reception only stepped in after I complained. The last night brought another wedding and loud bar music competing with it. We came to rest, not to be unwilling guests at several parties. The pool area was chaotic, with big wedding groups drinking heavily, shouting and swearing, pushing each other into the pool, and dancing with cigarettes in hand. Sunbeds were already “reserved” the night before, so you had to play that game to get one. It felt more like “Benidorm” than a 4-star resort. The quieter loungers on the grass were next to a public promenade, so I didn't feel comfortable relaxing there without keeping an eye on our belongings. By day three we were renting a car to get away during the day, and often went back out in the evenings until at least 11pm to avoid the noise. The rooms are basic and need updating. Our sofa was stained, the towels marked, the beds uncomfortable, and the kitchen equipment outdated. There were no basic flannels, so guests were left with towels stained with makeup. Ants were coming into our room from a nest downstairs nearby, and nothing was done to remove it. The patio door wouldn't lock, even though signs outside told us to lock it for safety. I took a photo of my white socks to show how dirty the floor was. They were brand new from the packet and I'd only worn them in the room. Management only responded to complaints when pushed. The offer to move rooms on the one day without weddings felt disingenuous. This isn't a peaceful holiday hotel, and guest comfort seems secondary. Jet2 doesn't even sell it, and I can see why.

The desserts were a hit, with more people queuing for them than for the main courses. Breakfast was great, but the all-inclusive evening meals were disappointing: lots of options covered in sauces we couldn't identify, and even the live-cooking food was only lukewarm at best. This was our second stay, and we weren't impressed. The rooms, particularly the kitchens, are tired and need an update. Some sunbeds were broken or damaged and need replacing too.