"I have to say that I was worried after reading some of the reviews on here before I travelled to Alia Palace. In the main I would say they were harsh. This is my honest review based on what I found.
Arrived just before 1400. Lunch is served until 1430 so after handing over my passport I was invited to go and have lunch and then return to reception for my room key etc. I will get to the food offering in a moment. I had initially chosen a Junior Suite with private outdoor pool. I decided to upgrade (at a cost of €80 per night) to a Executive Suite with private outdoor heated pool. I was allocated room 816 with a lovely sea view. Very glad I upgraded if just for the view if nothing else.
A lot of the reviews I had read prior to arrival were very critical of the food. All I can say is the food offering for breakfast, lunch and dinner bore no resembelence to the food I enjoyed the week I was there.
Breakfast - PLENTY of choice of the usual cold cuts. Lots of bread and rolls, lovely greek yogurt, fruit salad, peaches, apricots etc as well as bananas apples oranges etc. As well as the cold offering there was an egg station making omlettes to order as well as fried and scrambled eggs, waffles and pancakes etc. Alongside this was hot items such as beans, tomatoes, muchrooms, sausages, bacon and savoury pastries. Lots of fresh fruit juice and several coffee machines. Breakfast is served from 0730-1030.
Lunch & Dinner - again a great choice of prepared salads, as well as lots of choice of additional salad vegatables, dressing, feta. cold meats. There is then a choice of 6 or 7 main course items such as belly pork, veal steaks, goat (try it it tastes very much like lamb) fish, potatoes, rice, french fries and a grill section which differed each day including freshly cooked pasta. Table servive for wines local spirits and soft drinks and water.
I really cant fault the food and drink offering at the 3 main meal times. There were always plenty of tables and these were cleared very quickly to make way for other guests. Also the food stations were constantly being checked and replenished.
I was all inclusive so could order drinks from either the inside bar or the outside pool bar. Again great service and nothing was too much trouble for the lovely people working the bar service.
The weather wasnt great when I was there so the main pools were not being used but as you can see from my pictures the hotel pools really are one of the lovely things about the Alia.
I wouldnt class Alia as "5 star luxury", more 4 star plus. my experience of 5 star is you receive table service at breakfast for coffee as opposed to using one of the two coffee machines and having to queue to do so. Also whilst the spirits included in the all inclusive were perfectly acceptable be prepared to pay for anything 'top shelf.
No complimentary mini bar. Bottled water was in the room on arrival however this wasnt always replinished. Towels again were not always replaced when left in such a way it was obvious they were not going to be used again. Lots of plates and glasses left outside rooms which were there for a good amount of time before being cleared.
Apart from one or two exceptions the restaurant staff need to smile and appear more warm and friendly. I found the extremeley quick removal of glasses and plates without even being asked if it was ok to take them away a bit over efficent.
I would happily stay here again if the price was right however I have stayed at better for the same or less. However hypothetically if I arrived at my chosen hotel to find it was overbooked and I had been moved to the Alia I wouldnt be dissapointed."
