"I would not recommend Carvi Beach Hotel based on our experience. We paid approximately €850 for four nights in a standard room including breakfast, and unfortunately I did not feel the overall experience justified the price.
The reception staff were polite, although we didn’t find the welcome particularly warm. We arrived before check-in and were asked to leave our luggage and return later, which was completely reasonable and not an issue.
Our room itself was very basic, with a balcony facing a wall. For a hotel at this price point, the in-room facilities were surprisingly limited. There was no kettle, complimentary tea or coffee, iron, or bathrobes. When we asked reception, they did provide a kettle and an iron, but we were asked to return the iron immediately after use because they were in short supply. Bathrobes are simply not provided.
The room was adequate in size for two people, but we found the mattress uncomfortable. A bottle of wine and one bottle of water were provided on arrival, which was a nice touch. However, additional bottled water was not provided and we were advised to use tap water, so we bought bottled water ourselves.
Breakfast was probably the most disappointing part of our stay. It is served on the top floor, which has a very nice view, but the breakfast itself was quite average: bread, croissants/pastries, some fruit and yoghurt, scrambled and boiled eggs, sausages, bacon, baked beans and cereal. There was no made-to-order/live cooking station.
Unfortunately, we also didn’t find the service at breakfast particularly welcoming. During our stay, the two staff members generally asked for our room number without a greeting or much interaction, which left us feeling uncomfortable and unwelcome.
Our experience on the final morning was particularly disappointing. We had an early train and arrived for breakfast at around 7:28am, but the restaurant did not open until approximately 7:38am. As we were running late, we picked up two croissants, a banana and an apple intending to take them with us.
A member of staff stopped us and explained that food was not permitted to be taken out of the restaurant and that this was stated on notices. I accept that we had overlooked this policy and therefore we were in the wrong. However, I found the way the situation was handled unnecessarily rigid and embarrassing. I was asked, in front of everyone, to put the banana and apple back and was told that we should have informed them the previous day if we needed an early breakfast. Interestingly, we were allowed to take the pastries because, as I understood it, they could not be put back.
I appreciate that the staff member was enforcing hotel policy, but some discretion and understanding would have gone a long way, particularly as we had paid for breakfast and were simply trying to catch an early train. I have stayed in many hotels and have rarely experienced something handled in such an inflexible manner.
The location is good. Dona Ana Beach is only a few hundred metres away, and other beaches and Lagos Old Town are within walking distance. However, I think describing the hotel as “beachfront” can give the wrong impression. It is close to the beach rather than directly on the beach, and there is no direct private beach access.
There were two clear positives: the location and cleanliness. Our room was attended to every day and fresh towels were provided. The rooftop restaurant also has a very nice view.
Overall, however, considering the €850 we paid for four nights, the basic room, limited amenities, average breakfast and our experience with the service meant the stay did not represent good value for us."