Astir Beach

The best thing about this hotel is its position, right on the beach and about a 10-minute walk from the strip. Beyond that, we were very dissatisfied, especially given how expensive it was, and wouldn't recommend it. Our room wasn't cleaned; we only got extra towels. There was just one small bathroom bin for toilet paper and nowhere for empty water bottles, and some of our belongings were taken from the room and never returned. The Wi-Fi was awful, and charges applied to nearly everything, including air conditioning and sunbeds. Reception staff were rude and unhelpful. Breakfast was the worst I've had at a hotel, and there was no water available when we went, despite the heat and the fact that tap water isn't drinkable. They were also very strict about evening noise, even though the hotel next door played loud music late into the night. We were told off at around 9-10 pm, while most hotels allow noise until 11 pm.

A few cigarette packs went missing from our rooms, which was the last straw. During our first day the power went out, and the Wi-Fi and phone signal were very unreliable. The food was good for the first two days, but several people in our group got sick after a few days, and we're sure it was because of the food. With the all-inclusive package, free water was only available at the bar, so once it closed there was no drinking water provided.

I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone. The rooms are small, and the equipment is old. You have to pay extra for things like a sea view, Wi-Fi, phone use, extra towels and sunbeds. Staff spoke poor English, and paying by credit card was difficult. The pool closes at 7 pm, and breakfast was the same every day, with little choice and really bad juice. At least the sea is nearby and the rooms are cleaned daily.

We came in July and didn't choose all-inclusive because we like eating at tavernas. The nearby beach was a plus, and the sunbeds cost about 6 euros. The rooms were clean, though the furniture was dated, and breakfast was okay, if not very varied. But we barely slept well on six of our seven nights. Groups of young UK guests played music on portable speakers and drank on their balconies late at night, or came back around 4-5 am making noise. The pool or bar was open for them, but they stayed outside their rooms. The receptionist did nothing and said he couldn't hear them, even when people were running and laughing in the hallway by reception at 5 in the morning. The breakfast juice tasted more like colored water than juice. The walls were thin, so you could hear everything from the neighbors. Our first room was close to reception, and we heard every person coming into the hotel that night, along with noise from the water-heating installation.