Grecotel Larissa Imperial

When we come from Australia to spend time in Larissa, this is where we stay. The views across the surrounding landscape are fantastic, and getting into the city is easy by car or a reasonable walk. The team is warm and looks after us throughout our visit. There’s also a lovely pool, spa and other amenities, so we’re happy to recommend the hotel.

Our arrival in Larissa got off to a rough start when we had car trouble, but the staff found us a mechanic and helped us enjoy the stay without worrying about it. They even surprised me with a birthday cake and sang to me. Everyone was professional and friendly, and the hotel itself is beautiful. I’d recommend it to anyone.

We chose Grecotel for two nights in hot summer weather because we wanted the kids to have a pool and activities. Instead, the pool only opened from noon to 8pm because there was no lifeguard on duty, and when we asked if the children could use the tennis courts in the meantime, we were told they were being renovated. Nothing seemed to be working. The rooms need renovation, the bath drain was blocked, and there were rust stains in the bathrooms. The amenities were disappointing, stray cats were everywhere, and the gardens weren’t maintained. The staff were polite, but this was a very poor experience. I can’t see how this qualifies as a five-star hotel, and it badly needs a redo.

The building, park, pool and rooms all seem to have plenty of potential, but the service quality didn’t match what we paid. A few days before my stay, the hotel offered to upgrade me from a bungalow with a view to a suite, which pushed the nightly price above 250 euros. The suite was mediocre, as was the breakfast, especially at that price.