Astir Palace

Being right on the beach was a big plus, though the water and shore there were dirty, with too many small boats and some oil spilled. The rooms are small and the furniture very old, but comfortable. We had a garden-view room, which was really a balcony overlooking an alley with a bit of grass. The cleaning ladies did a great job. We only had breakfast, so I can’t comment on other meals. I was disappointed that the same dishes were served all week: three kinds of eggs, ham, tomatoes and cucumbers, cooked mushrooms and peppers, oats and gems, and dried fruit. There wasn’t much choice or variety, and everything was cold.

We paid €90 tax for the room, and nobody mentioned it at the start. The rooms are shit, and the shower head only comes up to your chest, so you have to crouch to shower. It feels like a nursing home or a jail.

The side-view room has a nice look at the beach and small islands, and room service is included. You also get an all-you-can-eat buffet if you opt for full or half board. The rooms are old and not worth the price, though if you know what you’re getting, you won’t be disappointed. I’d look elsewhere if you find a cheaper place, and don’t expect a 4-star hotel.

Our own hotel was really mean and made us check out in the morning even though our transfer wasn’t leaving until night. This hotel let us pay just for a lunch buffet, then we could spend the whole day by the pool, relax and eat there. The staff were really nice and helped us out.