Ella Elissa Resort

Our Junior Suite (7308) was one of the best rooms we've ever stayed in. It felt private and peaceful, in a perfect spot near the Rodini Pool Bar and one of the larger pools. We've just got home from Ella Elissa and are already thinking about coming back next year. The housekeeping across the hotel was exceptional. Every day brought fresh towels, changed bedding, minibar restocks and an evening turndown. Nothing was too much trouble, and the staff were always happy to help. The team at Rodini Pool Bar deserve a mention too: friendly, professional and attentive. Ordering food and drinks straight to our sunbeds was a lovely touch. Everything we tried was great, and they tailored things to our tastes when asked. The buffet restaurant was honestly one of the best we've experienced, even compared with the many five-star hotels we've stayed at around the world. Breakfast was outstanding, with a huge spread: fresh omelettes, honeycomb, fruit, pastries, vegetarian options and coffee brought to the table. Dinner was just as impressive, with consistently excellent soups and fantastic variety and quality. We actually preferred the buffet to the à la carte restaurants. FourNoi wasn't for us. This isn't about the staff, who were genuinely lovely, but the experience didn't meet our expectations. Some menu items weren't available, there was no steak despite it being billed as a steak restaurant, the bread tasted stale, and the main courses we could get were underwhelming. We gave Guest Relations some friendly feedback, especially because the rest of the hotel was so exceptional. Katarina and the Guest Relations team were wonderful, warm and approachable, and truly receptive to feedback. They also arranged a fantastic trip to Lindos for us. Every staff member made us feel welcome, and the hospitality has left us with fantastic memories. Thanks to everyone at Ella Elissa for such a wonderful holiday. We can't wait to return.

The room had some good points: very effective blackout curtains, a pillow menu, a comfortable bed and plenty of storage, with the space divided into zones. The hotel looks gorgeous, but the problems far outweighed those positives. I wouldn't come back, and wouldn't recommend staying if you don't want your vacation spoiled. My last straw was the chicken sandwich I ordered to my room. The photos and description showed a sandwich, but there was barely any meat. The hotel itself has a large restaurant and room service, and some classes are included, like outdoor movies, cocktail, pottery, wine and olive oil classes. Other classes cost extra. But booking the à la carte restaurants was almost impossible: they offer unlimited booking options, yet everything was already full, even though the restaurants looked half empty when we walked past. At breakfast I was the only person in Fournoi, and the restaurants were also half empty at dinner. The main restaurant had a decent selection, but many dishes were practically at room temperature. Room service was poor. Once I waited an hour and a half, called twice to remind them, and still had to wait. My daughter once waited almost two hours. The food was unpleasant: a strange-tasting burger, fries served with a piece of fish when I'd ordered only fries, fish that tasted like fish fingers, and bad pizza. The drinks weren't good either, and room service brought drinks in glass cups. Some rooms have private pools, and guests may drink alcohol, so you can't know whether broken glass might end up nearby or even in the pool. In the morning there were uncleared tables with dirty glasses and food scraps, which was disgusting to see. They were cleaned later, around 10:00-10:30. Twice we got stained towels. The towel washing quality was unsatisfactory. We had a bath mat on the first night, but it disappeared the next day and the maids gave us small towels instead. Room cleaning was terrible: dust under the bed and beside the nightstands, and once the only part of the floor cleaned was near the entrance. The area around the swim-up pool had dirty towels and empty bottles. Complimentary cookies appeared randomly, not daily, and sometimes we got only a postcard. The room had a steamer, which was nice, but the hair dryer was partly equipped. The maid's trolley was sometimes left outside our room, covering the fire extinguisher and at times leaving too little room to pass. I had arranged help with two suitcases on a hotel buggy for 10:00, since our transfer was at 10:20. I waited until 10:20 and no one came, though I'd called reception at least three times. Only after my daughter went to reception and explained did they call someone to our room. There was no buggy, just a hotel worker to take two suitcases. The drinks and service issues, dirty areas and late luggage help were a big letdown in a beautiful hotel. I just can't call this a five-star hotel.

We got a room upgrade, which was lovely, and the room, facilities and multiple pools were all excellent. The food, drinks and service were great too. I'd rate the hotel higher than its current rating. I had two small issues. Before arrival, I messaged Ella Elissa through Expedia twice and emailed once, but never got a reply. That's poor for a 5* hotel. Also, guest relations on site needs improvement. For something as simple as restaurant bookings, I shouldn't have to queue for ages. This should be possible through the app or reception, or there should be more people at guest relations.

Lovely hotel, with attentive staff, amazing service and food. Room service is included in the all-inclusive package. If you have a particular à la carte restaurant in mind, email before you arrive, as they're all fully booked by then.