Marko Polo Maradiso Hotel by Aminess

Room 227 faced the pool area and had a view of the town and marina. It wasn't as modern as some four-star hotel rooms, but it was spacious and spotless, with lots of storage, a large comfortable bed, a fridge and tea and coffee facilities. We were on half board. Both breakfast and dinner were buffets with plenty to choose from, and the food was very good. Local musicians played on two evenings during or after dinner. Marina, the Manager, and Vedrana greeted us warmly and took extra care to make the stay memorable. They explained the hotel and room facilities, meals and nearby amenities clearly. Everyone on the hotel staff was welcoming and pleasant.

For what we paid, the state of the room and its cleanliness were appalling. At check-in there was hair in the tub, facial hair in the sink and general grime in the bathroom. Then sewer water flooded it and the smell spread through the whole suite. The toilet barely worked all stay, running on after its first flush even after staff said they'd fixed it. It felt like we got one usable flush a day. Housekeeping hardly made the beds, just tossing the sheets back even when they were visibly dirty. After seeing that, I don't want to imagine what was in the fully carpeted floor. The only good parts were the location and the staff, who were helpful and gave us a few drinks and a small room discount when we asked. Dinner was only available as a very mediocre buffet at 35 EUR per person. It wasn't cheap, and I wouldn't stay here again.

The food was a highlight for me, with local ingredients and a mix of traditional and modern touches that made each meal feel special. The location also brings you close to the sea, history and Mediterranean scents whenever you step outside. Service felt both professional and warm, with staff treating us like friends they wanted to make happy. Staying at the Marco Polo Hotel felt like more than a holiday. It gave me a chance to slow down, breathe and be looked after, and offered a beautiful, authentic taste of Mediterranean life. You leave feeling part of a story rather than just a tourist, which is a rare kind of luxury. The hotel carries the name of the greatest traveler of all time, and to me it lives up to that, opening new horizons while still feeling safe and comfortable like home.

The views from our room and the pool area were amazing, and I loved having two pools to choose from. There's an outdoor one and an indoor one, which suited me since I'm not keen on the sun. We got a room upgrade too. It was spacious, the bed was comfy and the AC worked perfectly. The location worked well, about a 12-minute walk from the ferry port and the old city entrance. The last 150 meters are steep, but manageable. Parking is available for an extra charge. Breakfast and dinner buffets had good food and fresh products. The one slowdown was drink service at dinner, where a few more restaurant staff would have helped. Marko Polo Hotel was a great stay. Everyone on the teams made sure we were having a good time, and the hotel looks a little old school, but the rooms seem well maintained. Thanks to the Marko Polo Team for the great service. I'd happily come back and recommend it.