"I stayed at Stella blue in October after managing to get a really good deal on the hotel and flights.
Upon arrival the hotel itself self is beautiful, its aesthetically very pleasant however after spending a week at Stella blue it seems is style over substance.
We arrived early hours of the morning, check in was smooth but it would be nice if there was the offer of a tea or coffee or even just a glass of water.
Our room location was good. Our terrace had sun loungers and bean bags which was nice to have.
I jumped in the shower as soon as we arrived and immediately noticed a layer of conditioner build up around the edge of the floor tiles. There were also big blobs of hardened conditioner on the shower walls. The walls are textured so wiping with a cloth isn’t sufficient but I honestly don’t think the shower had been cleaned at all.
The conditioner build up on the floor and walls were still there at the end of our week.
The tap in the bedrooms are matte black and there was toothpaste splatters all over it from previous guests. They remained there for two days until I wiped it off myself.
The floor was also very dusty. My husband actually noticed this and it wasn’t until our last day when I picked up a handbag off the floor and put it on the bed that I noticed it left dust clumps on the bed.
The bed sheets, towels and robes were all very clean.
Like others have mentioned there is no full length mirror in the standard rooms. I’ve seen the hotel respond to comments that you get a full length mirror in the upgraded rooms- I’m sorry but a full length mirror isn’t an upgradable feature. It should be standard in every room, particularly in a 4* hotel.
The public areas of the hotel were spotless- the pool area, bars, buffet and toilets were all very clean.
The food was a real let down at this hotel. Breakfast was fine although the eggs ere often undercooked. Lunch at ble bar was nice with some good options.
The evening food however is poor. The variety of food available at the buffet is inadequate. 80% of the buffet is salads and cold food. We are not fussy eaters but you cannot make a comprehensive meal out of the food available. There was the option of venison one night which itself was nice, however there was very little to accompany this meal other than plain rice and chips. We ended up getting a takeaway one night (volkano deliver if anyone is in a similar predicament) and then resorted to eating out for our remaining nights. Thankfully there are lots of nice tavernas within walking distance to enjoy.
The à la carte was okay. Service was a little slow but it was nice to order from a menu.
The drinks are very nice and even the wine and sparkling wine that’s on the AI were good. The white and pink sangrias are a must, they were delicious.
We got locked out of our hotel room one afternoon. It was my birthday and we had spent the morning in the spa so didn’t have any of our belongings with us. We were left sat on our terrace for two hours while we waited for maintenance to come and fix our door. This interfered with our plans for the rest of the day as we had planned on getting a taxi to another town for a walk around and dinner but by the time we gained access to our room we only had time for dinner locally. Whilst I appreciate it’s not the hotels fault the door jammed, there was no apology from the hotel for our inconvenience at all. Even after we went back to the reception a second time to ask how much longer it would be. We aren’t a couple to complain but it would have been appreciated if the hotel even so much as offered us a drink that wasn’t on the AI menu.
The service round the quiet pool was alright. It wasn’t the best but there was only one person taking orders and bringing drinks so it is bound to be a little slow. The staff at that bar though don’t stop, they worked really hard. There was one man (I apologise I cannot remember his name) at that bar that remembered our drinks and he overheard we couldn’t get in our room and the next day he asked if we were waiting much longer after we left the bar which was nice that he had remembered. I do have to say that all the staff we encounter were very pleasant.
There were plenty of sunbeds- you did get odd weirdos getting up early to reserve beds but there really wasn’t any need as there were plenty for the amount of guests at the hotel. We often got beds late morning so if you go in October don’t stress about the beds.
There are kittens in the hotel and although I’m not a cat person they were a highlight. They were very very cute and friendly.
The area the hotel is in isn’t the best. There isn’t really much to do or see which was disappointing but just something to be aware of. If you like walking round nice towns/ villages then I would re think this area.
The hotel is very close to the airport and the planes did wake me up a few times in the night so if you’re a light sleeper take earplugs. The fridge in our room was also quite loud.
The entertainment like others have said is extremely low key. I know the hotel say it’s not a ‘party hotel’ however I have stayed in many ‘chilled’ hotels and the entertainment has been better.
Of an evening it would be good idea if when your drink is brought over, you are given a coaster ir napkin for your glass to go on. As the ice melts it ends up dripping all over you as you’re drinking. This is something small to pick up on but it would make a difference if an evening.
They could also benefit from some kind of entertainment in the day- something like raki tasting, local wine tasting or short Greek dance lessons. These could easily be arranged pool side and would give guests something to do during the day to break up sitting by the pool.
The spa is great, we got a good deal of n the app the day of. Stunningly decorated and the treatments were great.
The little shop is also reasonably priced too which is nice.
Over all, for the price we paid, Stella blue was fine but it misses the mark for us for it to be a 4* so I wouldn’t return, but this isn’t solely down to the hotel; the area does have a large impact for us."
