Serena Majestic Hotel

Our luggage was left in an unsecured spot behind the bar, and the bathroom felt more like one in a hospital than a hotel. We also weren't told at check-in how the food service worked, even though we were sold expensive buffet tickets. By the time we arrived, service was nearly over and there was very little food left. On our first night the hotel was very loud past midnight. Nobody had told us that the pools close every day during the hottest hours either.

The food was the real standout. The chef and team turned out a great range of good-quality dishes in huge quantities, and we always found something we liked. The staff were friendly and welcoming throughout. We had a great-value all-inclusive week at the Serena Majestic in Aug 2022, and I'd recommend it based on our stay. The hotel is right on the beach and has a large pool with a couple of diving boards for the kids, lots of activities, a new football and paddle tennis court, and good tennis courts. The room was quite small and very dated. Our family accommodation was one room with a double bed and a sofa that opened into a metal bunk bed that looked dangerous. Still, the cleaning staff kept it tidy every day, and the hotel as a whole was very clean.

The room was in a really poor state when we arrived: there was a dirty toilet, hair all over the bed, and things left behind by the previous guest, including their completed stay form. The pool also required a hair-covering hat even if you weren't going in the water, which nobody had mentioned beforehand. We'd come from England for a holiday with my mum. At check-in, we were suddenly told there was a €69 cleaning charge for after we left. It hadn't been mentioned in any email. Another couple from our flight got the same surprise. We booked through love holidays, and the hotel said it was their responsibility to tell love holidays about the extra fee. We had to sign a contract, and then didn't have to pay it. It was my first time in Italy, and this was already disappointing. We met only one other English couple, and there were lots of Italian and other guests. Not many people spoke much English, so communication could be difficult.

Our three-day break turned into a nightmare. There were kids there for football, and the noise never really stopped, with shouting and banging around. At 3 am they were knocking on room doors and running off. I couldn't relax or enjoy the holiday at all. If I'd known it would be like that, I never would've stayed.