Viva Mare Hotel

The main reason we picked this hotel was its advertised electric car charging station. Our suite was in the new building, but on day one the water was cut off, and even when it came back the tap pressure was extremely weak. There were two bathroom sinks and just one small bar of soap. The phone for calling reception didn’t work either, so we had to go downstairs in person every time we needed something. Then on the second day our room lost power. Staff kept asking what we’d done to trip the fuse instead of sorting it out. We explained more than once that it happened during a shower and that the jacuzzi was the problem, but nothing was resolved. We requested another room and were told none were available. Eventually a staff member turned off the jacuzzi fuse and said we’d have to “manage like this until tomorrow,” when an electrician was supposed to come. No one showed up. Breakfast was disappointing too. It was advertised as running until 10:30, but by 10:00 the doors were closed and the food had been taken away. Items like glasses weren’t replaced when they ran out. This place isn’t worth the price at all. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone.

The hotel seems to have been neglected for a long time. The pool was poorly maintained, the sunbeds were wrecked and extremely worn, staff smoked in the non-smoking area, and the food was below average. I was very disappointed. Our room was a mess too: the lamps, AC, shower head, and toilet fan were broken. The bed upstairs was positioned right in front of the bed, making it unusable. The fitness center was a complete joke and nothing like the advertisement. It wasn’t usable at all.

The staff were the best part for me: always smiling, friendly, and ready to help. After I had a scooter accident, everyone was genuinely concerned and did what they could for me. That support made a real difference. The views from this beautiful setting are stunning, and the grounds were clean and well kept. Our stay at Viva Mare on Lesvos was very pleasant. The rooms are a little old, but clean and perfectly adequate if you’re not looking for luxury. Daily housekeeping was a plus. The beach could use more care. The food tasted good despite the limited selection. A little more fruit variety would have been nice, but we were always satisfied. Drinks and alcohol were nothing special, though we never went thirsty. I’d rate the stay 8/10.

Those sea views while eating are the one thing here that feel like four stars. If you’re expecting a relaxing stay at a four-star hotel, I’d say this is two to three stars at most. I give it 2/10, with the two points for the view and the staff, who were normal. The beach was dirty and covered with sea urchins, and nobody cleaned it. The pools need repair: tiles are already coming off the bottom and could cut your leg. There is a newer-looking pool too, but it’s permanently closed. Food choice was poor and cold. I’ve never before had to pour my own drinks from bottles, and breakfast came with one drink of your choice, which was water made from diluted powder. If you’re happy eating rice three times a day and four kinds of onion dishes, this may suit you. Wine and beer are included, but you pay for any other alcohol. The rooms are small. The bathroom ceiling is unfinished, and I suggest not looking under the bed. There were cracks and blood marks on the walls. A door joined the two separate rooms, so we ended up living as though we shared one room with strangers, with no privacy. At first, nobody even locked that door until we asked. I wouldn’t recommend this hotel for an all-inclusive trip. If you see positive reviews, perhaps those people haven’t experienced anything better for the money. I’ve got other places to compare it with, and this one really isn’t worth it.