"We recently stayed at the Olympic Lagoon Resort in Ayia Napa as a couple, and unfortunately, it really didn't live up to the 5-star standard or price point we were expecting. Our first impressions on arrival weren't great. We got in late to a chaotic lobby full of screaming kids—even the receptionist was complaining about the noise. Because we arrived late, we were hoping for a decent bite to eat, but there was absolutely nothing available apart from a sad looking sandwich left in the fridge. We weren't thrilled with our room either; it was clean and comfortable, but very basic and starting to look a bit tired. Unfortunately, it also overlooked a car park and a noisy highway. When we asked if we could change rooms or upgrade to get away from the traffic, we were told there was no availability but that they'd call us if something opened up. They never did, despite the hotel seemingly being empty at times. On top of that, you can hear all the corridor noise and conversations through the door, so definitely bring earplugs if you want a decent night's sleep.
Another big issue for us was the late-night situation. The drinks themselves are good when they're actually being served, but the all-inclusive quickly becomes all-excluded right at 11:30 PM unless you want to pay extra. We tend to stay up late, so this didn't suit us at all, and it became quite problematic every night with everyone rushing the bar trying to order a drink before the cutoff. To make matters worse, once the buffet shuts, there is no food available for the rest of the night, which was really disappointing.
The overall atmosphere just didn't feel like a 5-star resort, mostly due to the clientele. We just generally expected more, but the whole vibe seemed very much Brits abroad. It felt like there was just a daily production line of weddings, with noisy and rowdy wedding groups taking up all the public spaces and having absolutely no regard for other guests. There were loud, drunk Brits everywhere and we saw so many people stumbling around. People were leaving their mess around and it was honestly awful seeing so many guests being downright rude to the staff. Add in the fact that there were so many screaming kids, which we really didn't expect this early in the season. We have stayed in high-end family resorts before, but this place was just overbearing, making it far from the relaxing couples getaway we had hoped for.
When we had bad weather for three days, the hotel did nothing in terms of putting on additional indoor activities. The lobby was ram packed the entire time with kids running around, making it feel like an airport waiting lounge with nowhere to sit. The only other covered place was the pool bar, but even that was taken over by a wedding crowd. We took a look at the spa hoping for something to do, but it wasn't up to much. It seemed a bit like an underground dungeon and given the money they wanted for treatments, we didn't even bother.
On a positive note, the resort itself was incredibly clean and gardens well maintained. When the weather was decent, the pools and grounds were beautiful. However, whilst the areas were pretty and well maintained, the resort didn't have much substance to it. The adult pool, for instance, is a bit out the way and doesn't have any sunbeds around it to reserve. There's also no pool waiter service, which is strange for a 5 star hotel.
The dining options were generally good and plentiful. The buffet was always on the colder side, and we were served an undercooked burger in the diner. We found the Italian restaurant to be a little uptight but food generally good, the oriental was absolutely amazing with great food and a fantastic atmosphere. The absolute real saving grace of this resort, however, is the staff. They are wonderful, highly attentive, and work so incredibly hard despite how poorly some guests treat them. Of all the 5 star resorts and cruises we've been on, this was by far the best wait staff we've ever encountered. The evening entertainment was also very good and well performed.
The checkout process ended the trip on a frustrating note. We had a late departure, and strangely for a 5-star resort, there is no courtesy room available to shower in before you head to the airport. We were told to use the indoor swimming pool showers instead which weren't great. If you want to book a late checkout for your room, it is really expensive and highly unlikely to actually be available. They told us to check back at 7:30 PM the night before our flight, and when we did, they simply said there was nothing available.
Ultimately, this resort disappointed us just as much as it surprised us. The resort seems completely conflicted and doesn't seem to have a clear idea as to what type of place it actually wants to be, making the marketing feel completely wrong. Is it a family resort? Is it supposed to be a relaxing spot for couples? Or is it just a wedding venue? Who knows. While the resort is kept clean and the staff are truly amazing, this just wasn't the 5 star experience we were hoping for, and we wouldn't return given the plenty of better resorts out there in Europe at this price point."
