"Decent all-inclusive food and facilities, but don’t underestimate the noise
Hotel Samos is a hotel with plenty of potential, and there are certainly some positives, particularly if you are looking for a reasonably priced all-inclusive stay in Mallorca. However, several issues significantly affected my experience, and I think it is important that prospective guests know what to expect before booking.
The positives
The food was one of the highlights of the stay. There was a good variety of options, the quality was generally good, and the live cooking stations were a welcome addition. The pools were clean, and the hotel offers a reasonable range of facilities, including an on-site spa, although this comes at an additional cost.
The rooms have some useful features, including a fridge that operates quietly, a large smart TV, glasses, a spacious wardrobe and plenty of hangers. There is also a room safe, although this costs extra. The lifts were small but frequent and consistently operational, and vending machines were available on site.
The reception staff were helpful, and the hotel is conveniently located for nearby shops, restaurants and other amenities. Cruzcampo is available as the local beer on the all-inclusive package, and the overall price of the package was relatively reasonable. Parking is also available for an additional charge.
The negatives
Noise is by far the biggest problem.
The walls are extremely thin, with virtually no soundproofing. You can hear noises from neighbouring rooms, which makes it difficult to relax, particularly if you are unlucky enough to have noisy neighbours.
Housekeeping creates a considerable amount of additional noise. Staff move beds around rooms, and the resulting scraping and banging can be heard throughout the floors. Cleaning activity continues for much of the morning and well into the afternoon, so getting a peaceful lie-in or relaxing in your room during the day can be difficult.
The bedroom doors are another issue. They do not have a soft-close mechanism, meaning they slam shut and create yet more noise throughout the day and night.
If your room faces BCM, be prepared for additional noise from trucks, workmen and back-of-house staff. The combination of these noises makes the hotel a poor choice for anyone who values peace and quiet.
The rooms and bathrooms need attention.
The bathroom facilities were disappointing. The shower had poor water pressure, and controlling the water temperature was difficult. The sink tap appeared to have been fitted incorrectly and could not be opened fully. The toilet constantly ran, and the sliding glass bathroom door would not move properly along its runner.
The pillows were rock hard and made sleeping uncomfortable enough that I had to use the spare duvet as a pillow. The bedding was not stain-free, and the towels were rough and of poor quality.
These are all relatively straightforward things that should be addressed through better maintenance and quality control.
Customer service was inconsistent.
Although reception staff were helpful, the wider experience with staff was disappointing. I often felt as though I was inconveniencing staff simply by being a guest. Some lifeguards and security staff also came across as unnecessarily authoritarian around the pool, making the atmosphere uncomfortable rather than welcoming.
All-inclusive drinks and entertainment were underwhelming.
The beer was fine, but most of the cocktails tasted unpleasant, to the point that I would generally avoid them. Drinks were limited to one per person at a time, and a €1 deposit was required for each cup. This was an inconvenience, particularly when paying for an all-inclusive package.
The entertainment was dull and lacked engagement, with performances that did not make much of an impression. There was also a pool table that accepted money but did not operate.
The spa was not particularly impressive.
Although having a spa on site is a positive, it comes at an additional cost, and the facilities did not live up to expectations. The spa pools were cold, the jacuzzi was not particularly warm, and the jets sometimes failed to operate despite pressing the buttons.
The luggage room raised concerns.
The luggage room did not appear to be secure or properly monitored, and items went missing. This is particularly concerning for guests who need somewhere safe to leave their belongings before check-in or after check-out.
The surrounding area
The hotel is conveniently located for shops, restaurants and amenities, but the immediate surrounding area is not particularly attractive. Personally, I would consider Palmanova if I were looking for a more appealing setting for a holiday.
Would I stay again?
Hotel Samos has some good qualities. The food, clean pools, useful in-room facilities and relatively affordable all-inclusive package are genuine positives. However, these are overshadowed by the excessive noise, disappointing room maintenance, uncomfortable bedding and inconsistent staff attitudes.
For guests who prioritise food, convenience and price, it may still be a reasonable option. For anyone who values a comfortable night’s sleep, a well-maintained room, relaxing poolside surroundings and consistently friendly service, I would think carefully before booking.
The hotel could offer a much better experience with improvements to soundproofing, housekeeping practices, room maintenance, staff customer service and the quality of its facilities. Unfortunately, during my stay, too many basic aspects fell below the standard I would expect."
