Elis Beach Hotel

The rooms were OK, though they could be much better. There was no pool bar staff, and the food was rubbish. If you wanted a drink, you had to knock on the reception door and get someone to come up and serve you. Sadly, everything you’ve heard about this place is true.

I stayed for 11 nights on an all-inclusive booking from 5 September, and this so-called hotel was a disaster. The place shouldn’t be open for business. The food was full of flies and inedible, and the pool bar shut during meal times. The rooms need updating, and the owner and manager, rozza, pinches pennies and doesn’t cater to European guests. She even filled water bottles with tap water, which gave us all upset stomachs. Avoid this hell hole, it needs closing.

This is a lovely little hotel about three minutes from the sea. The quiet atmosphere makes it a good fit for families with children who like peace. There’s no entertainment, the bar shuts at 10 PM, and it’s quiet afterward. The food isn’t very varied, but you won’t go hungry, and it’s excellent for a three-star hotel. The grounds are attractive and well cared for, with an orchard. Rooms are clean, and towels and bedding are changed every two days. Staff are very friendly and always keen to help sort out any issues.

The owner is around from morning to night at this family-run hotel, and is very sociable. My standard room looked onto the garden where lunch and dinner are served, and it was comfortable and quiet. The air conditioning worked perfectly without blowing straight onto the bed. It’s very close to the sea, but you’ll need to bring a mat. There’s also a beach with umbrellas and loungers about 10 minutes away. No big deal, though a vigilant staff member wouldn’t let anyone else onto the beach. The food was tasty, and the chef did a lot with a small selection of ingredients. Ramadan is the best. Fruit was limited to watermelon, a few peaches, and apples. Cleaning was daily but not very thorough, and towels were changed every day. Only shampoo and bar soap were provided, no shower gel, so bring some if that matters to you. The ancient side, bars, and discos are just a stone’s throw away. Shopping choices aren’t great, just A101 and a small Migros. Waikiki is about 10 minutes away, and that’s it. If you’re in a good mood, everything will be wonderful.