Holiday Resort Balota

The hosts’ constant presence around the middle of the property left us feeling watched. We had no real privacy at the pool or on the terrace, and even with the windows open, we felt observed inside. When we tried to put up a curtain for privacy, we were told we couldn’t. We know the hosts live there, but this felt intrusive. The air conditioning rules seemed ridiculous to us, and using it cost an extra 2 euros per hour. There was also a 5 euro penalty if you forgot to switch off the lights. The hosts were very particular and corrected guests who didn’t do things their way. The limit was 10 hours, not 15, with 2 euros charged for every additional hour. We paid for our dog, but signs saying “No Dogs Allowed” were posted everywhere, which made it clear dogs weren’t welcome. Basic supplies like toilet paper, shampoo, rubbish bags, and soap weren’t provided. We tried all the available WiFi options, but none worked properly in our room, and it was practically unusable in the bedroom. The hosts don’t speak English, which we found unacceptable for people working in hospitality. The walls are so thin that you can hear everything from the neighbors, including snoring and using the toilet. The place did not meet the conditions described and made our stay unpleasant instead of letting us enjoy a well-earned vacation after a year of hard work. I later learned that the hosts had a history of verbal abuse and that bad reviews had been hidden by changing the property’s name. Bookingcom confirmed that the name change followed bad reviews and that they had been given a chance to start again, hoping they would do better and avoid repeating the same mistakes. This convinced us it was a serious problem, and we literally had to run away in the middle of our stay to find somewhere safer. It was a very disappointing and unsettling experience.

The pool was nice, and the hosts were nice people. We also had very good food at their restaurant. But apartment no7 wasn’t great. It’s under the roof, so you can’t stand up while showering. Unlike some of the other apartments, it has a small couch for sleeping instead of a proper bed, and it’s far too small for two people. I also didn’t like the tiny TV perched on top of a tall cabinet.

The place wasn’t very clean, and the staff were rude when I asked about or complained about anything. They told me, “You should be happy to be here!” The owner didn’t want the staff wearing masks, and COVID measures weren’t being followed. Avoid this place at all costs.

Good value for the money, in a convenient location. The property has parking, and everything was clean and tidy.