Akasha Beach Hotel & Spa

We were so disappointed after spending that much money. We booked a week in July for a special occasion and asked for a nice room or view if possible. Instead, we got what felt like the worst view imaginable. When we asked to move, one person said the hotel was full; another offered an upgrade for an extra €300-500. The staff's treatment of guests was especially poor. The pool setup was the worst part. People queue in the morning, then rush for the beds as soon as the pool opens. Hard to enjoy breakfast with that going on. The beach is tiny, with little space and a lot of pollution. The food was average too, and I've had better meals at hotels with fewer stars. I've stayed in plenty of hotels, including Waldorf astoria and Fairmont, so I know what good service looks like. I can't relate to the positive reviews at all. This felt very average, nothing special, and definitely not like a five-star hotel. I booked because of all the good reviews, which was a big mistake. I wouldn't return.

The staff made our all-inclusive week feel special from start to finish. At meals, they kept offering drinks when they noticed our glasses were empty, and later at the bar they'd come over to take our order. My partner and I thought the service was incredible. The food and drinks had a great range at breakfast, lunch and dinner, with the selection changing each day. We stayed October 12-19, and loved the ocean-facing room with a jacuzzi. The bed was huge and so comfortable, and I spent a lot of evenings relaxing in the jacuzzi. Someone showed us around the room when we arrived and explained how everything worked, including the temperature and jets. There are two outdoor pools and one heated indoor pool, and the water was always clean. We could also swim in the sea from the private beach, which had lots of places to sit. Out front, the main street is full of shops, takeout places and restaurants. There are plenty of places nearby to rent cars, bikes and quads, and the hotel has a rental service by reception. Booking excursions was simple too. The beach shack runs water activities like jet skiing and paragliding. I really can't think of a downside. My partner and I loved staying at Akasha and didn't want to leave. Huge thanks to all the staff. We felt like royalty and would absolutely look at coming back.

October turned out to be a good time to visit, since I missed the sunbed rush mentioned by some other guests. Getting a bed was easy, and people were considerate. I chose half board so I could explore without being tied to meal times, and that worked perfectly for me. The food was tasty and there was plenty of choice, though it was a little lukewarm. We were greeted with a welcome drink, and the staff at reception and in the restaurants were friendly.

I loved every minute of our stay at AKASHA, and I'll definitely be back. Room 4202, from 20/09 to 25/09. Maria welcomed us on our first day and stayed there for us right through to the end. Thank you, Maria. And Dimitria is pure joy. I hope everyone gets to meet her, she's such a lovely soul and I adore her. Dantoc & Zoi are my absolute favorites too, thank you both so much for everything. The staff really show what this hotel is about, with so much joy, kindness and professionalism. Thank you, AKASHA, for a wonderful stay. I love you all, but God even more. Stay blessed. See you soon.