Hotel Stella Beach

“Ignore the bad reviews ! Embrace the stay and you will enjoy it !”

So, we booked Stella Beach Hotel as a family getaway and, being typically cautious Brits, I spent far too much time reading all the negative reviews beforehand and worked myself up thinking we’d accidentally booked a week in holiday hell. Spoiler: it wasn’t! In fact, we actually had a fab time. Fi… more

So, we booked Stella Beach Hotel as a family getaway and, being typically cautious Brits, I spent far too much time reading all the negative reviews beforehand and worked myself up thinking we’d accidentally booked a week in holiday hell. Spoiler: it wasn’t! In fact, we actually had a fab time. First things first – yes, it’s a bit out of the way. If you’re planning on strolling into the city for a pint or a cheeky Nando’s, forget it. It’s taxis, buses, or nothing. But honestly, once you’re at the hotel, you don’t really need the city. There’s enough going on. The beach, I’ll admit, is not one for Instagram influencers. Forget golden sands; think more “rock collection” than Baywatch. If you want to paddle, I’d recommend water shoes unless you fancy leaving with fewer toes than you arrived with. Entertainment though? Brilliant. The team put on shows, games, and activities that had us laughing most nights. It’s cheesy, it’s lively, and it’s exactly what you want when you’ve got a cocktail in hand and nowhere else to be. The food? Classic all-inclusive. Don’t expect Michelin stars – unless Michelin have started reviewing chips, pasta, and mystery meat – but there was always something edible, and we never went hungry (or sober, thanks to the bar). Now, here’s the kicker: we got a free room upgrade. Totally unexpected, but it did make us feel like royalty. “Yes, good sir, I’ll take my Diet Coke in the upgraded room with a side of smugness, thank you very much.” All in all, Stella Beach isn’t perfect. But for the price we paid, it was more than worth it. We came expecting the worst and left pleasantly surprised. So to anyone reading those dreadful reviews online and panicking like I did – relax. It’s really not that bad. In fact, it’s good fun if you just embrace it. Signed, One hard-to-please English family (and yes, even we had a good time).

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“Honest review - good and bad”

Good things about the hotel: The food is actually really good, both at the snack bar and the main restaurant. There’s a nice variety each night, so you don’t get bored eating the same thing. The rooms are standard but clean and comfortable, definitely good value for what you pay. If you get a fron… more

Good things about the hotel: The food is actually really good, both at the snack bar and the main restaurant. There’s a nice variety each night, so you don’t get bored eating the same thing. The rooms are standard but clean and comfortable, definitely good value for what you pay. If you get a front-facing room, it can be quite loud, but you get used to it after a while, so it’s not too bad. The beach setup is great, sunbeds are free and there’s a bar right next to the beach and pool so you can enjoy drinks without any costs. There are loads of shops and restaurants nearby. I’d definitely recommend Palm Restaurant, the food is incredible and the staff are fantastic! When you come out of the hotel, turn right and keep walking and you’ll find plenty of restaurants and shops further down the road. Bad things about the hotel: If you booked through On the Beach, be cautious when you arrive. You’ll likely get a text from a rep/tour guide. At first, it seems like he’s there to help but don’t trust everything he says. He’ll tell you there’s nothing around the hotel and offer you a free taxi to some “recommended” shops but this is misleading. There’s plenty to see just by walking out of the hotel. Turn left for lots of shopping and turn right for even better shops and restaurants! Another downside is that the hotel seemed to be full of rude Russian guests when we stayed. We were the only English guests, and queuing for drinks was frustrating, people would constantly push in front and the bar staff would serve them first even though they saw us waiting. Overall it was standard and nice but we definitely wouldn’t come back here.

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“Felt unwelcome and segregated”

First night arrived at 3:30am to quite a rude receptionist no help what so ever with just basic information kept rolling his eyes and looking at his phone got told was in an economy room and we could upgrade to standard for 10 lira a night but said no its ok as room we seen and that was advertised … more

First night arrived at 3:30am to quite a rude receptionist no help what so ever with just basic information kept rolling his eyes and looking at his phone got told was in an economy room and we could upgrade to standard for 10 lira a night but said no its ok as room we seen and that was advertised when we booked was adequate got to the room and ive never seen such a small box room in my life the bed reached from wall to wall couldnt even walk past 2 suitcases as was so small the patio doors may aswell have not been there as the motorway was so loud and this was at 4am checked our booking which stated standard room so went back to reception to which we were told no so thought we need sleep deal with it in the morning or should i say later after some sleep as was exhausted at this point went back to reception and queried this again still same reply no its a economy room with what you have booked so asked for the upgrade that was offered no more than 4 hours ago no no its 15 lira a night now that was yesterdays price to which my husbands reply was no its still the same day finally after argueing they agreed with alot of eye rolling and huffing and no doubt calling names in there own language they also put us on the highest part of the hotel asif that was going to annoy us it didnt !! The new updated room was just what we expected only downfall paper thin walls cleaning was good also seen maids everyday !! Food was exactly whats expected of all inclusive was always something to eat !! Bar staff WOW they were friendly enough but i dont think we had one cocktail that was the same the next time we ordered it and they seemed to only give out properely made cocktails to certain guests !!! Entertainment staff werent as approachable as i would like they very much kind of avoided talking to you if u spoke i noticed certain male staff only being friendly with the young girls and even for party night they only invited young couples or girls it felt very segregating depending on wether u were a family a couple your age and even your country in which u came from !! All in all our holiday was ok and i am not a very hard person to please but i will admit i was dissappointed ive never felt the need to write a review before but i felt bery unwelcome and segregated alot of the time in this hotel and i wouldnt come again yes there is good aspects but there is also some really bad aspects.

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“Definitely not a 5*”

Location: off what only can be described as the local motorway. Few shops within walking distance Atmosphere: staff are pleasant, no rude staff Rooms: I have been in bed ill for 4 days and the beds are so uncomfortable, very firm. Our room is facing the motorway, can be noisy at night and the pati… more

Location: off what only can be described as the local motorway. Few shops within walking distance Atmosphere: staff are pleasant, no rude staff Rooms: I have been in bed ill for 4 days and the beds are so uncomfortable, very firm. Our room is facing the motorway, can be noisy at night and the patio doors dont really block out much of the noise. Air-conditioning was not working at first but soon sorted following a trip to reception Pool area:appears clean, not that im drinking the pool water but it does taste salty, minimal chlorine in id guess. Food: ok, nothing exciting to write home about, seen room hornets on food,but that happens everywhere. I have been ill since my second day with a cold/cough and now sickness bug! Daughter also had the sickness bug, cant say its from the food, more likely the pool. Lovely hotel, but definitely not a 5* id say 3* at most! And the rep omg I blocked him on whatsapp for constantly messaging wanting to meet, I dont do welcome meetings on holiday inn do my own thing and book my own trips.

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