Hotel Best Semiramis

The staff worked hard to make the place feel welcoming, and they were friendly and helpful throughout, from reception and the dining room to the man at the activities kiosk. The location is handy, with restaurants, bars, and activities within walking distance. The front desk arranged a rental car professionally so I could explore the island and go south. My room was spacious and clean, with a great ocean view, and housekeeping came daily to change towels, make the bed, and clean. Breakfast had a wide range of choices. But the facilities and meals fell short for what’s meant to be a five-star hotel. Dinner disappointed me most nights. The seafood and meat often smelled bad enough that I couldn't eat them, so I mostly had salads. Water at dinner wasn't free as it was at breakfast, and the paper slip system was annoying. The shower temperature swung between scalding hot and cold every few seconds. The air conditioning didn't work, so I had to open the balcony for air. I can only imagine how that would be in peak summer. I was on the 14th floor, directly under the dining area. Chairs and tables scraping overhead started around 6 am and continued past 10 pm. The noise was unbearable, with no peace and quiet on that floor. The gym was in terrible shape, with poorly maintained machines and no free weights. The pool was advertised as heated but wasn't, and the jacuzzi was cold too. After plenty of stays at four- and five-star hotels around the world, I wouldn’t rate this one at five stars. The dining and facilities aren't at that level, despite the staff's effort to create a positive atmosphere. I probably wouldn’t return unless the whole setup got a major upgrade.

The sound of waves hitting the cliffs and the view out to sea made this an incredible place to spend a week. We’d seen some mixed reviews before arriving, but ended up having a fantastic time. What really made the hotel for us was the staff. Everyone we met was friendly and professional, from the room cleaning team to the restaurant staff, who were lovely with our kids. I’d recommend it for a trip with friends, as a couple, or with family. Thanks for a great week.

The rooms were large and comfortable, and the cleaning team did an outstanding job. The pools and surroundings were lovely too. We got a warm welcome at the front desk, and the restaurant team, especially Desire, Angel, and Barbara, were kind and fun to be around. The place was clean, well organized, and regularly restocked. Some details didn't feel well looked after for a five-star hotel. A few pool bar tables wobbled and had rust, and the dartboard really needs replacing. The entertainment also felt repetitive compared with similar hotels, and I missed having live music shows. Even so, I really enjoyed my time there.

The staff are lovely, the building is very clean and well maintained despite looking dated, and the rooms are spacious with amazing ocean views. Breakfast has lots of choice, and the walk into town is pleasant. It is long and steep, though, so I imagine it could be hard for anyone with mobility issues. The pool wasn't heated and felt too cold in January. Beach access is limited in the north of the island, and the mountains seem to bring cloud cover most afternoons, though that's not the hotel's doing. It calls itself a five-star hotel, but it doesn't have the luxury to match. Still, I'd highly recommend it.