Evia Riviera Resort by Anayia All Inclusive Resorts

The beach and pool areas felt crowded, with no space left for me, and the pool was so full of kids that we never used it. Having everyone share one space made the hotel feel overwhelming at times. Still, it was within my budget, and I managed to relax and have a good time. The food was average and repetitive, with lunch and dinner dishes returning in different recipes. Plates ran out during the rush, and there weren't enough people to clear tables or set out cutlery. We ate at dirty tables. The staff seemed to be doing all they could, but there simply weren't enough of them for a hotel this size. The lift took ages, too. There was just one cocktail bar with one bartender, though I thought those drinks were better than at other all-inclusives. The beach bar had a self-service machine for soft drinks and coffee. There were no daytime snacks apart from ice cream. In the end, I'd call the hotel average.

The beach is neglected, with cigarette butts everywhere and sunbeds that aren't cleaned or maintained. Staff collect the rubbish from the bins, but that seems to be all. The beach bar runs from 10 am to 6 pm. Water, coffee, and beer there are acceptable; the other drinks taste like water. The pool area is kept clean, though there aren't enough sunbeds. The pool closes at 6 pm, and its bar is open only from 10 pm to 11 pm. The sea is clean, but wind blows every day, and the windmills above the hotel suggest it's windy most of the time. The rooms have the basics and are cleaned daily, with fresh towels and sheets, but the bathroom is very small and smells bad. The toilet is cramped, especially if you're tall. With more than 250 rooms, the hotel has only two tiny elevators, and no more than two people can use them at once. Food is average, monotonous, and made with cheap ingredients, though everyone can find something to eat. The selection doesn't feel like what's expected of a four-star hotel, and breakfast is the same each day with no vegetables. Drinks are poor too: the cheap Dorisa brand is just fizzy and sugary, and Magnus beer is, to me, the worst quality in Greece. Water is the safest choice. I'd rate the coffee 2 out of 5. The poor drinks and coffee seem reflected in the fact that I didn't see any hotel employees drinking them. This place isn't four-star quality, three stars at most.

I really enjoyed our stay and am planning to come back next year with more of my family, including my dog. I love that the place welcomes pets. The staff made a particularly good impression on me. Everyone I dealt with, from reception and the dining rooms to housekeeping, was polite, helpful, and hardworking.

We stayed from 06/8 to 11/8, and I came away upset by how harsh some of the comments about the hotel were. We had one of our best vacations ever. The hotel is big and the staff worked all day; we could see they were doing their best. It was a special all-inclusive deal at a really good price. There was food and drink all the time, and people could eat and drink as much as they wanted, including getting three or four servings for a meal and taking food to the pool or their room. I give this hotel 10 out of 10. Trust me!