"During my recent stay in the hotel Nissia Kamares in Kos we were subject to unnecessary and unfair direct discrimination that has left me disgusted.
This experience ruined what was meant to be a much-needed family holiday and as a mother travelling alone with three young children, including my severely autistic and non-verbal son, I expected basic courtesy, understanding, and a safe environment.
The discriminatory and unwelcoming behaviour that was displayed by multiple members of the hotel staff (including the manager) was disgusting. My son is severely autistic and non-verbal. As part of his condition, he engages in stimming behaviours such as making repetitive noises and jumping/flapping- something that is not disruptive or harmful, but a natural and necessary expression of his neurological condition and his attempt to self-regulate. Naturally this is likely to be heightened in unfamiliar environments.
Instead of demonstrating understanding and patience or at the very least basic human decency, the staff repeatedly made us feel uncomfortable, unwelcome and at times unsafe. I was made to feel as though our son’s presence was a nuisance. No parent should be made to feel as though their child is a burden- disabled or not.
Shockingly, the mistreatment began on our very first night, setting a distressing tone for the rest of the holiday. I was in our room alone with my three children when hotel staff knocked on the door and confronted me, demanding that I “find a solution to keep him quiet and shut him up” referring to my autistic son’s stimming behaviours, such as vocalising and jumping. These are entirely normal and necessary responses for him in a new and overwhelming environment, so this was an utterly inappropriate and insensitive demand. The staff could see first- hand the struggle I was having but continued to knock on the door on a number of occasions and proceeded to bring the police with them, each knock getting more aggressive. They then insinuated that if we could not resolve the “issue” we should find alternative accommodation.
The tone and manner in which this was done were not only inappropriate but deeply intimidating, especially to a lone mother in a foreign country. I was left feeling vulnerable and completely unsupported.
My son’s behaviours are part of how he navigates the world, especially in unfamiliar settings. To be told in our own room- our only private space during this holiday, that he must be silenced is appalling.
I felt cornered and no longer safe. The implication that we were disturbing others-simply by existing - was not only offensive, but discriminatory against my son’s disability. Rather than offering support or understanding, the staff made it clear we were a problem from the start.
The complete lack of disability awareness and sensitivity shown by the team was deeply upsetting and hurtful and as a parent watching my son be treated as though he were a problem rather than a guest was infuriating and heartbreaking.
What should have been a lovely and relaxing experience for our family was turned into a stressful and upsetting ordeal- caused by staff at this hotel.
My expectation was that we would be met with excellent hospitality and would have a lovely break away, which I don’t think is too much to expect, but instead we were unpleasantly surprised. We were treated with judgement, suspicion and exclusion and were exposed to inhospitable, uneducated staff. We were treated like an inconvenience rather than warmly welcomed like all the other paying guests.
To make matters worse, staff continued to act with hostility and a lack of compassion throughout our stay. They did not offer a solution or assistance to my struggle, instead they complained about everything including the sound made when I had to pull our pram up the stairs- something unavoidable when caring for small children. Again, instead of kindness or assistance, we were met with nasty comments and judgmental looks. The consistent lack of empathy and understanding from the team was unacceptable.
This treatment completely ruined what should have been a special and relaxing holiday for my children and me and our entire stay was overshadowed by this incident and the general unwelcoming atmosphere. This should have felt like our temporary home. Instead, I spent the entire time feeling anxious, unwelcome, and afraid of further confrontation. No family, especially one with a disabled child should be subjected to such treatment.
Our experience was not only intimidating but it was discriminatory. This behaviour does not belong in any environment, but least of all at a hotel that claims to welcome families. No support or understanding was given at any time during my stay, instead the staff’s actions and attitude expressed that my autistic child was not welcome. This hotel is simply unable to accommodate the additional needs of a disabled child and the staff are not willing to understand or show any sign of empathy.
The message was clear from the first night. My son and his disability were not welcome at this hotel.
It is outrageous that in 2025 a hospitality establishment is so unprepared and unwilling to accommodate neurodiverse guests and their families with compassion and basic respect. The total lack of empathy and inclusion was disgusting and appalling. This hotel is lacking disability awareness and autism training.
I must emphasise that this behaviour reflects poorly, not only on the staff involved but on the hotel as a whole. It is essential for any hospitality establishment- particularly those welcoming families and international guests- to ensure that all staff are adequately trained in inclusivity and disability awareness. I strongly recommend that action is taken to prevent any family from being treated the way that we were.
Additionally, I strongly urge the hotel to reconsider staff training practices, ensuring that mandatory training is provided for all staff regarding disability awareness, autism acceptance and inclusion, inclusive hospitality practices and how to appropriately engage with families who have children with additional needs.
The handling of this situation demonstrates a serious failure in duty of care and basic human decency.
Autism is not a choice, but how the staff chooses to respond to it is."
