Ilyssion Beach Resort

“Worth its price”

We are currently here 2 adults and 2 kids (1 and 5 y.o). It’s our first time in Greece, so we have nothing to compare with here. I was a bit concerned about coming here after all the reviews (somehow we first booked the stay and then read the feedbacks). So was preparing to something worse. In fac… more

We are currently here 2 adults and 2 kids (1 and 5 y.o). It’s our first time in Greece, so we have nothing to compare with here. I was a bit concerned about coming here after all the reviews (somehow we first booked the stay and then read the feedbacks). So was preparing to something worse. In fact, it is a strong 3/4 stars hotel with the service actually meeting this rate. What we like: - the staff is really friendly and helpful, and we feel really welcome here - the view at the sea and the mountains is very picturesque - the sea is warm and clean and is not overcrowded. In fact, there are not many people and you can always swim and have fun without hitting into someone - the sand beach next to the hotel (in front of the neighbour hotel, in fact) is quite comfortable for both adults and small kids - sun beds, umbrellas are free. You can also take towels for a deposit that they will return when you return the towels. - the room is quite large and the beds are comfy. The bedding and towels are fresh and crispy. - room service is also nice. About the food: - the menu is fine, for 3/4 place. You can find something to eat. For breakfast, it can be eggs, sausage, ham, flakes, yoghurt, some pastry. For lunch, it will be more fried dishes, including potatos, some meat, pasta. For dinenner, there will be a bit larger choice of side and main dishes. There will be some cooked vegetables, going with meat, some fermented veggies like cucumbers, beetroot, cabbage. There will be fresh cucumbers and tomatos, and greens like lettuce. It is true that there is not much fresh fruit. We could see it like either apples, or melons, or oranges - typically something one, which is a bit disappointing . Actually the food tastes mostly fine or good. If you are travelling with small children/toddlers, keeping to low salt/sugar/fat diet, I would still highly recommend taking some canned food or other baby food with you, because the choice for mini ones is quite poor (at some meals I literally can’t find anything I would offer to my 1.2 y.o except tomatos and cucumbers). The local water really tastes strange. There is still an option to buy bottled one in the hotel shop or nearby. Also, there is a pack of restaurants in 10-15 minutes walking from the hotel. I also miss tags for the dishes, because it’s not always clear what we are looking at. The only tags are markings for fish/pork/beef. If you want to understand a soup or something looking unfamiliar, you need to taste it. Also, no allergens markings. What we dont like: - The room although big, is not ventilated well and feels moist. There is no ventilation in the bathroom/toilet. We have a mini window that can be opened at night. The larger option is to open the door to a small patio , but it has a way out to the garden so it’s not comfortable to leave it open for the night, for example. - There is not much space or dedicated place for drying your staff. You will use the chairs in the patio for that - Some items in the room look a bit worn out and old - The floor is very slippery when gets wet or someone steps on it with wet legs. My toddler hit his head twice on the floor because he slipped. I also once almost fell down. - The rocky beach near the hotel cannot be used by small children. Still, there is a sandy (sand + small stones) one 2 minutes walking from the hotel - but you will need to pay 12 euros for sunbeds there (or stay at the hotels sunbeds and just go to the sandy beach to swim) - the playground is quite old and includes a couple of swings and see-saws. It is also on a sunny spot without shade. It means you can use it either early in the morning or later in the evening. - there is nothing to do for small children during the hottest hours. So they need to stay in the room - get prepared and either take extra toys or expand the allowed screen time. To summarize: I would recommend the place for grownups who have reasonable budget. I would not recommend the place for families with small children, unless you are ready to arrange food and entertainment yourself.

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“Beautiful hotel but worst All Inclusive I've been to!”

Ok I'll start with the good points. Beautiful hotel, clean, tidy - really helpful and friendly staff. Rooms are comfy and cleaned daily. Views from the hotel are fabulous, its a rocky beach so beach shoes are a must really if you wanna go in the sea. There are 2 pool areas, one pretty small but i… more

Ok I'll start with the good points. Beautiful hotel, clean, tidy - really helpful and friendly staff. Rooms are comfy and cleaned daily. Views from the hotel are fabulous, its a rocky beach so beach shoes are a must really if you wanna go in the sea. There are 2 pool areas, one pretty small but i preferred this one, it was a bit quieter than the larger pool. The onsite shop is really quite reasonable price wise, quite well stocked too. Evening entertainment was good on the nights we stayed in there, Greek dancing was fab. Location to Pefkos was great, it was €10 in a taxi or €2 on the bus (which runs once an hour) and takes 5 mins. Pefkos is a fab little village, lots of bars and restaurants. Ok, now for the not so good points :( Its not really an easily accessible hotel to get around if you have a disability, there are steps everywhere, there's no lift so you have to carry your suitcase up the stairs (in our case 2 flights) the main restaurant is down a flight of stairs, the pool areas are down a flight of stairs and up more stairs, as i say could be a problem if you have mobility issues. The bars, so there's 2 bars - a poolside bar and an evening bar, the pool bar only serves wine or beer (obviously as well as soft drinks) from 12 - 6, so if you want an ouzo (which I did! - I bought a bottle and took it to the pool with me and just got the lemonade) or any other spirits / cocktails, you have to wait till the main bar opens at 6pm. The food is nothing to write home about, its pretty basic - chicken or pork mainly each night, a distinct shortage of potatoes, its mainly spaghetti or pasta. for breakfast its boiled eggs or scrambled eggs and pastries, The shortage of fresh fruit was astounding really too ! The 'coin' process they have for drinks is ridiculous (IMO) so you get a coin/token when you check in then you use the coin to get a drink, you take your glass back to the bar with you each time you want another then at the end of the night (or day if you are going out) you pass your glass back in and get a coin /token back. If you lose the token you have to pay €2 for another (which you will get back if you find yours). so, if you're having lunch / dinner and want a glass of wine and a glass of water, you cant because you only have one token or one glass! i mean, water with your meal should be a basic! so i thought it was one of the worst hotels for all inclusive I've ever been to. extremely basic and not great value for money at all.

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“Disappointed in all inclusive”

So disappointed- lovely location. Rooms are clean and staff are friendly. However the food/ all inclusive is very very poor. Everything stops at 2245!!! Tea and coffee stops at 10am in breakfast restaurant and I haven't been able to get any during the day. Lunch is poor absolutely no dessert - I … more

So disappointed- lovely location. Rooms are clean and staff are friendly. However the food/ all inclusive is very very poor. Everything stops at 2245!!! Tea and coffee stops at 10am in breakfast restaurant and I haven't been able to get any during the day. Lunch is poor absolutely no dessert - I asked about the ice cream in the freezer in the restaurant and was told it was once a week!!!! Everything is in a token system- so you can't get more than one drink and in the evening there's only one person behind the bar. I don't want to get drunk every night but really hate being so restricted like you're asking for something. Yet we have already paid for it! Definitely won't be returning which is a shame as location is lovely x

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