Larissa Mare Beach Hotel

Unfortunately, this was by far the worst hotel we've ever stayed at. Food: Monotonous, bland, often inedible – with the snack bar being the only exception. Breakfast was mainly eggs in different forms, potatoes, fries, a small selection of cheese, butter only by the toasters, and olive oil for salads was hit or miss. For 11 days, there were no spices or seasonings at the omelet station – they appeared only in the last two days. Lunch? A complete disaster. The same dry chicken wings every day – more bones than meat. Whole onions were served as “vegetables” for days in a row before being lightly fried and reused. The “spaghetti” consisted of pasta thrown into a pan full of grease with a symbolic amount of sauce. Dinner was similarly poor: raw potatoes, tough meat, long queues, and many dishes were not replenished once gone. Seafood was served only once – and disappeared within minutes, never to be seen again. Snack bar: A lifesaver. Burgers, pizza, doners, and salads – thanks to this team, we didn’t go hungry. A la carte dinners prepared by them were genuinely good. Lobby bar: The "bartender" was constantly on his phone, regularly dropped shakers, spilled drinks, broke glasses, and simply said “finished” when something ran out, without offering alternatives. The bar closed earlier than scheduled – by 6:30 PM it was already empty, though it was supposed to stay open until 7 PM. Wine? Only available if you asked – otherwise, you’d never know. Juices? Only cherry, orange, and one less common flavor. Apple juice only available at the beach bar – and only until 6 PM. The late-night buffet? Just two soups and bread – and the soup was recycled for the next day’s lunch. Rooms: Tiny, dark, with very limited lighting. The balcony door didn't lock, and the balcony was shared with the next room – anyone of average fitness could easily step over. The bed was broken – we reported it multiple times (even using a translator), but no one came. Same with the non-working light and missing toilet paper. Only by chance did a housekeeping staff member deliver some paper. Reception: Allegedly English-speaking, but communication was practically impossible. Only the night shift receptionist was helpful – the others were unprofessional and unfriendly. One older man on the afternoon shift didn’t even try to communicate. When my hoodie got ruined due to cleaning chemicals in the bathroom, he acknowledged it was chlorine but did nothing. Only after the manager got involved did he bother using a translator. He promised someone would contact us the next day – no one came. Two days later, he offered some meaningless compensation, with no apology. On arrival, that same receptionist even called us to complain about a missing passport number – despite having a copy of my ID, which clearly had the number. When I explained it was a national ID, he simply hung up the phone. Staff highlights: Victoria (the only truly competent English speaker), the night shift receptionist and bartender, and bartenders Dr. Eren and Dr. Rustu – they were the saving grace of this hotel. Always smiling, engaged, and professional. Even when ingredients ran out, they improvised and created delicious cocktails. This team deserves 5/5 stars. Hotel grounds and surroundings: Beautiful greenery, well-maintained beach with a pier, soft sandy seabed – much to our surprise. Peaceful spots to relax. The chill-out and beach bars were decent, largely thanks to Eren and Rustu. Conclusion: Beautiful gardens, the beach, and a few amazing staff members aren’t enough to compensate for the awful food, unresponsive reception, and the complete lack of “ultra all-inclusive” standards. The hotel changed its name, but the previous ratings reflect reality far more accurately. Worst of all – the price has gone up for next year, which is outrageous given the current quality. If anything, prices should be lowered until the hotel improves its service and facilities. Not worth the stress.