Ellery Beach House

Sitting in the heated pools while it snowed in the middle of winter was so beautiful. I went to the spa on a peak winter day and loved it. Taking a dip in the lake and then running back to the outdoor sauna felt surreal too. The restaurant was soooo cozy. I could come back any day.

We stayed one night last weekend, just the two of us, and both wished we'd booked a whole week. We might do that next time. The pool and beach area alone could keep you there for days. The service was top-notch, something I say as a Swede who has travelled all over and rarely finds it here. The two young men in the restaurant who spoke Greek were especially lovely, and the check-in staff deserve kudos too, though I can't remember their names. Whoever hires and trains the team, keep it up. Breakfast had a great selection, with healthy choices as well as treats. Dinner was outstanding; the shrimp dumplings and trout stood out. The rooms are soundproof, which we appreciated while catching up and laughing late into the night after years apart. Ellery feels warm, stylish and cozy, unlike Yasuragi. I have no complaints, really. If I had to pick one thing, the coffee could be better. We're likely going back soon.

The hotel is beautifully and sophisticatedly designed, but the service falls well below an acceptable standard. Breakfast was good, though the restaurant staff seemed inexperienced and short on knowledge, as if many were new. I found the spa especially disappointing. The changing rooms were chaotic and stressful, with people constantly making you feel rushed. Nobody told guests that more showers and lockers were further inside. Two lockers near the entrance didn't work, and my boots got stuck until spa staff helped me. One sauna was closed, so the remaining areas, including the one by the brygga, became overcrowded. When it reopened, there was no water in the showers or sinks, the floor was dirty and the sauna soon filled up again. I went for a calm, relaxing visit but came away overwhelmed by the poor organization and facilities that didn't work properly, or at all. I wouldn't recommend returning.

We went for a day spa and didn't stay overnight. It felt more like a Love Island Ibiza vibe than a White Lotus vibe, if you know what I mean. The men's changing room was cramped and nothing worked. If you want cocktails in an outdoor pool, this could suit you. For a relaxing visit, go somewhere else.