Golden Beach Hotel

The dinner service staff were great, and the background staff keep the place running and looking nice. The rooms are simple, though they’re missing a few things, including tea and coffee facilities and complimentary small bottles of water, which I think are a must in such a hot country. There are charges that felt like the usual rip-offs: no water with dinner unless you pay, 7 euros for sunbeds even though the beach is part of the resort, and a 50 euro hotel tax that seems to be there just because. Even so, it’s still a nice place.

You get what you pay for here, and it’s cheap and cheerful. The hotel was clean throughout, the staff were pleasant and friendly, and the location right on the beach is nice. The bathroom had been refurbished and the shower pressure was good, though the room itself was old and worn. My back is in agony from the bed. There’s a selection of food, but my husband got food poisoning from dinner on our second night. Without that, I’d give the hotel four stars. It’s good value for money.

Even arriving at 3:30 a.m., we were met with a warm smile and shown to a clean, comfortable, warm room. The air conditioning soon cooled it down, and we quickly fell asleep in the large, comfy bed. Breakfast is self-serve, with plenty of choice and tasty fresh fruit. Dinner at the Golden Beach is also self-serve, with lots to choose from and local foods to try. Some dishes are cooked in front of you behind screens, and everything is kept clean. You can sit indoors or out, with staff around to help. The gardens around the hotel and pool are full of exotic plants and flowers and are well maintained. The large pool and the whole place are spotless and tidy. The beach is very close to the pool and outdoor seating area, and it’s clean and well kept. A pair of sunbeds costs 7 euros for the day, with a free bottle of water for each person. Sitting at a table by the pool costs nothing. Hotel reps can book trips around this beautiful historic island. There’s also a travel agent across the road who was very helpful, and you might save a few euros there. A couple of drawbacks: there are no tea or coffee making facilities in the room. Swimming in the sea can be a bit tricky because the beach shelves, though it may be easier further down the coast.

Our room was simple but fine, and the service was very good. Both the pool and beach were clean. We also really enjoyed the food, which was very good and varied every day. There was something on the program almost every evening, like Greek dance, disco and belly dancers.