Beach Star Beach

The best parts were the sea view from room 304 and the pool, which is practically beside the sea. Even at peak times in high season, we could always find a sunbed there. Rooms were cleaned daily, and we got fresh towels whenever we left the old ones in a pile. The rooms are basic, but had great air con for 5 euro/day, a free safe, double glazed balcony doors, a modern fridge and decent water pressure, though the shower-bath design was odd. It was quiet from 11:30 pm until morning, and the hotel was away from the strip’s noise while still an easy walk to the strip and on to Canal D'amour, where we thought the best tavernas were. The pool and bar area were cleaned carefully every day, but the sunbeds, little tables and cushions weren’t cleaned at all during our 11-night stay and were filthy. The pool is also open to guests from the sister hotel a few yards away and to the public. It was always busy and sometimes noisy, with large groups playing music, though there were still sunbeds available. Food and service were only okay, below average for the area, so we went to the hotel right next door or El Greco taverna a few yards away, both of which had much better service and quality. The hotel’s beach area was filthy too, with what looked like weeks of litter mixed into the sand. Neither the hotel nor the local authority seemed to rake or clean it during our stay. The biggest issue was the 5 euro charge per beach sunbed, even for hotel guests buying drinks and snacks from the pool bar. There were no signs, hotel information or notice board, or website details about this. Staff waited until we and our family had settled in, assuming the beds were free like the poolside ones, then called out that it was 5 euro per bed. When I challenged them, they said it was "hotel policy" and that we could pay or move to the free pool sunbeds. They couldn’t show us this policy anywhere, even when we asked. What a short sighted and disgusting way to treat paying guests. I paid, but vowed not to spend another euro at the hotel. We’d planned to go to their greek bbq night and spend plenty at the bar in the evening, but spent our money elsewhere. That wasn’t much of a sacrifice, since the food and service had only been okay and below average for the area. The charge itself wasn’t the issue. Owners, put up a basic sign or add the charge to the hotel notice board and room information. Without that, it’s hard not to see this as a deliberate scam to rip off paying guests. It sounds short sighted, since making the policy clear could bring in many more euros and better reviews.