Kernos Beach Hotel

We appreciated how kind, professional and welcoming the Asian staff members were. Sadly, most of the local staff seemed arrogant and unhelpful, a stark contrast that affected the service. We hoped the poor first impression would improve, but the same problems kept coming up. The hotel has potential, but unclear processes, inconsistent service and some staff attitudes left us disappointed. At dinner, the drinks system was confusing and explained differently each day. On the first night, we gave our room number and got a yellow slip. The next night, there was also a receipt, which we thought we had to take, but staff chased us to say otherwise. On the third night, a waiter loudly followed us through the dining room to say we had to sign the receipt. It was uncomfortable and unnecessary. After that, he stopped greeting us and gave us unfriendly looks, making dinner unpleasant. The buffet food was poorly labeled. Some items had signs, but most didn’t, and we couldn’t tell if breaded food was fish, chicken or something else. Meat dishes should at least be labeled. The overall quality was low, especially the meats, which tasted cheap and were poorly prepared. The food also didn’t seem to be presented with care or passion. Our arrival was off-putting, too. We arrived late, and reception gave us a box with a ham and cheese sandwich and soggy supermarket chips without asking about dietary restrictions. Fruit would have been a more thoughtful option for guests who are vegetarian or have other restrictions. The staff member carrying our luggage made unnecessary political jokes in a passive aggressive way and acted arrogantly while showing us the room facilities. It wasn’t the warm welcome we expected.

The seafront bungalow had stunning views and plenty of space for two. The hotel’s beautiful landscaped grounds lead to a lovely beach, and there’s lots of food to choose from. You can also find plenty to do nearby, and it’s about a 10 minute walk to the old town, where you can catch the bus across the island. Every person we met, from reception and the restaurant and bar teams to housekeeping, was warm and friendly and made the stay feel magical. I’d read the reviews, decided to book and judge for myself, and I’m so glad I did. It was a truly wonderful experience, and we can’t wait to come back.

We found sun loungers by the pools and on the beach even in the late afternoon, though Germans love to reserve them from sunrise without using them. The patio was supposed to have sun loungers, but our space only had a table and two chairs. It wasn’t a big deal since we spent all day out of the room. The beds were comfortable, the bathroom looked modern and nice, and lovely cleaners serviced the room every day. We only had breakfast, which was good. There was no wait for tables, food was replenished often and coffee was brought to the table. The fresh omelette, crepes and waffles were great. We’d recommend it and would definitely return.

The spa treatments were disappointing, though. I paid €80 for what was the worst massage I’ve ever had, so don’t waste your money on one. The hotel itself is excellent, right on the beachfront with access to white sand. Breakfast and dinner were both cooked to an excellent standard, and it’s extra special eating by the water. The staff are friendly and welcoming. We’ll definitely come back.