I am always reluctant to critique a resort or business, as I believe negative criticisms ought be addressed directly to the business itself. Yet when it comes to the Elounda Peninsula Resort, the...
I am always reluctant to critique a resort or business, as I believe negative criticisms ought be addressed directly to the business itself. Yet when it comes to the Elounda Peninsula Resort, the problems are so intrinsic to their business model, so ingrained in their philosophy that I am left little choice. Additionally, the GM/ senior management of the resort never met with us.
Yes the hotel is situated on a beautiful piece of property and yes there are several employees who go out of their way to make a guest feel at home. And yes, access to the sea is easy and well designed. BUT:
1. Upon entering the lobby, which lacks air conditioning and fans and was almost 90 degrees F or 32 degrees C, one is greeted with the request for passports and a credit card. Immediately the hotel charges one's credit card for the entire stay. No greeting as to how was your trip, no warmth, nothing but a transactional relationship.Never have we been greeted with the demand for payment in full, not a single hotel, not a single location anywhere in the world.
2. There is nno air conditioning in the breakfast restaurant-- nothing like eating breakfast while perspiring in 90 degree F 32 degree C temperature. There is not even a fan. All one wants to do is eat as fast as possible and exit for a more appealing location.
3. This is a family hotel and if one has small children, it may be a great place. If one is a couple or has older teenagers and seek quiet and relaxation, this is not the place. The web site leads one to infer that adults seeking rest can do so.
4. Those guests seeking quiet migrated to the periphery of the property. The wifi system did not work there. Hard to believe that a "5 star hotel" cannot get this right. Even in an area within our hotel room, the wifi was non-functional.
5. Even the mid management staff stated that ownership and senior management were aware of these problems,
6. Not a single employee recommended dining outside the hotel. The hotel pushes their own restaurants and their profit. Once one pushes for names outside the hotel, only then are some suggestions offered.
7. The minibar is empty. Not a single soft drink, container of pretzels, nuts etc-- nothing absolutely nothing. Yes there eas a bottle of wine and after a few days bottles of water placed.
8. The beach umbrellas are fenestrated and fixed to the ground and low lying. I was told that virtually every single guest, including my family, hits their heads against the umbrellas. A few guests have reportedly injured their foreheads. The umbrellas are reportedly designed to withstand the winds, but as other hotels in the area demonstrated, better designs which do not place a guest at risk exist.
9. While each guest is left a beach towel in their room, if one wants a second towel, they are told there is not a sufficient supply.
As for more minor, less systemic issues:
1. The bathroom in our 2 floor suite was not clean. There was toothpaste adherent to the sink and hair in the sink.
2. The supposed private swimming room was not private (Erikoissa room). The barrier between the staircase leading to the beach and the pool was absent, allowing all to look in. The other rooms had barriers.
3. The edge of the pool was sharp and my son's finger was lacerated. The next day the maintance team repaired the irregular edge-- thank goodness for that!
4. The luggage was brought to the living room on the first floor of the suite and left there. It took several phone calls to have the porter bring the suitcases up to the second floor where the bedroom was located. Additionally one should know that the steps are narrow and one could easily fall and injure themselves.
5. There was a 30 minute wait at their restaurant il Burro after being seated before anyone came by to take an order. One waiter smelled of tobacco. Three requests were made for bread before it was brought to the table.
6. The sliding door to the terrace had to be forcefully pushed as it did not slide with ease.
And yes we changed rooms and thank you but even here the second bathroom shower hasd black hairs at its edge. When the hotel was notified, they stated that the room had been checked by senior housekeeping staff. Either we are liars ( which was implied and which we are not) or they are not as skilled at their jobs as they ought be.
We were located in financially to the hotel, as the hotel would not refund any nights. This is their policy and it is stated as such. Perhaps it is their policy as so many quests are unhappy, Perhaps it is their policy as so many guests wish to leave early as the hotel does not meet the standards of a 5 star resort or Leading Hotel of the World. Perhaps it is their policy as they fully understand their shortcomings but are unwilling or unable to correct their systemic faults. Perhaps it is their policy because they are more concerned with profit and not concerned with the experience of those visiting. They may state this is the policy of all hotels, but that is nonsense. Perhaps if they had air conditioning, towels, Wifi, cleanliness, drinks which could be purchased from the minibar, a smile upon entering the hotel, accurate representation of the facilities-- the pools, for example, are overrun by young children with no places for adults seeking rest, guests would not want to leave. This is how they manage and run a hotel, Caveat emptor- buyer beware.
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Aug 31 2024
Jun 28 2024
