"I'd like to preface this by saying I don't believe this review is 'negative', just realistic and fair.
We have just returned from 7 days at this hotel, me, my husband and our 6 year old daughter.
Overall I would say it was fine, that is the best word I can use to describe the hotel. We've personally had a great holiday and my daughter has had a wonderful time but not because of the hotel.
This is an all inclusive hotel and that shows. I think all inclusive hotels all tend to be the same - fine. If that's what you like then that's great but I think I've realised that just isn't for me.
Food - this was fine. Like most AI there is a wide range of options, I just found most of them bland and the 'themed nights' non existent. We ended up eating out on 3 nights which is a little irritating but we were fed up of mediocre. We visited Naaar on the beach which was lovely, a restaurant in Benitses and one in Corfu old town. The only thing that saves the food is the pizza and pasta station on the beach, but reviews are right...be prepared to stand in a long queue in the sun. The panini bar (on the french side) is also fine but nothing spectacular. The ice cream bar was great for my daughter as she lives on ice cream but I didn't think it was great quality. The crepes are again okay but they don't cook them for long enough so I always had to ask to keep them on.
Drinks - if you're planning to feel any effects from the alcohol, think again. The drinks are clearly watered down and the cocktails are so sweet that they border on undrinkable all day long. The coffee is awful!! I am a coffee snob though...and I could only drink it iced from the bar. Ask them for brandy in it and it's the closest to Bailey's you'll get and one of the better drinks. Every morning before the pool was open, we walked along the beach to Golden Beach (last one before you get to the supermarket) and ordered a Freddo Cappuccino, on of our highlights. Their 3 sips coffee was lovely. We also had lunch here on our last day and it was lovely!
Entertainment - controversially this wasn't great! Even the night that I thought would be the best was the fire show and when the fire had stopped, again it was mediocre. If you want good entertainment, I would suggest walking along the beach to the Elvis Bar. The dancing was great and we visited on two nights. It is proper cheesy entertainment but a lot better than the hotel.
Sunbeds - I know there is scaremongering in the Facebook group and the comments don't help with the actions of people but it is worth mentioning as I don't think it will end any time soon. Be prepared to get up early. First day we some how managed to get towels out on the way to breakfast at 8am but then we soon realised that wouldn't cut it all week and it got earlier and earlier until my husband had to set an alarm for 6am, put towels down and then come back to bed as the pool doesn't open till 10am which I think is too late. Towels were left all day but noone removed them, not even the keyboard warriors on the group.
Pools - not open till 10am which is rather annoying when you have a child who wants to go straight in! We only stayed by the Chloe bar pool with our 6 year old and she made loads of friends so it was the best one to be at. She would go now and again to the slides but I wouldn't recommend staying there. It always seemed so hectic and I think the other two pools seemed more adult friendly. Don't expect to play any pool games or jump in though, the lifeguard will get you. I'd go to the sea for that.
Rooms - these are fine. (You can see the theme) I don't really care much about the rooms as they're all the same in AI cheaper reports - slightly dated and run down. But we only sleep there so it was clean enough.
Location - again, fine. We walked to the top of the drive and got the green bus into old town as that's the cheapest way you'll get around. The bars on the beach are lovely. The Elvis bar saved our evenings. If you walk right out of the hotel there are some shops and restaurants but nothing amazing. We didn't end up walking left out of the hotel so can't comment.
Overall for the price (I think we paid less than 2k) it was fine. You get what you pay for at the end of the day. I think I've realised that personally I would prefer a self catering holiday in a nicer hotel, make my own sandwiches for lunch and go out for some nice meals. If you want that too, don't stay here. But it you want cheep and cheerful and a great holiday for your kids, then here is fine."
