Mayor Pelekas Monastery

This is our 2nd visit to the Mayor Pelekas (May 18) and have also stayed at the Mayor Grotta too (Oct 17). We came back as we loved it last time and wanted somewhere quiet and peaceful to relax for our anniversary and we loved it last time and rarely ever go back anywhere twice, but took a punt. Whilst we had a great stay as we needed the break I have to say the Hotel has lost a lot of its positives as to why we came back here to celebrate our 29th Wedding Anniversary. Whilst I appreciate it is end of season, there should be no reason for a drop in performance and quality and it certainly did so! Check-in was great and simple and we are allocated a rear side room in Block 7 which was Ok but very noisy corridors at 6 -7am with cleaners and guests, bathroom very dated too and no plug for the bath (rung 3 times and they couldn't find 1 in a 300 room complex, but got one the next day). I would have upgraded on being told what room we got and even suggested this, but was told I would have to come back in the morning and discuss. All too late and we unpacked and just got on with it as you are only there to sleep. I may add that I did email the hotel 3 times (booking and days before arrived) asking for a specific block with no replies and could have negotiated this then. The food has deteriorated significantly, the main restaurants (canteen) continues to be a melee tantamount to an Army cookhouse, with rude and greedy guests with zero care for anyone but themselves, the food was ok, but only if you wanted chips with every meal and lacked a wider preference of meats and any type of potatoes other than chips. However the salads and bread were first class (thank you) On trying to book the A La Carte restaurants (2 of them previously) which we used several times last May for Lunch and dinner, all were closed less 1 infrequently open for dinner, as it also was closed on the Sunday and Tuesday the day I wanted it for our Anniversary and managed to get in on the last night albeit a day late. It just seemed that it was end of season and everything was wrapping up and stuff the guests. The entertainment has deteriorated badly too, the team were 3 people with the same repertoire daily. I felt for them but the standard was pretty appalling and we called it a night early most days. The entertainment last May was 10,000 times better with nightly acts etc and one of the reasons why we came back and its location being secluded and nowhere else to go you would think it would have catered better for their guests. Or like many of the others play cards all night in the bar! Quality of the drinks have also gone south, quality, taste of the gas pumped white wine and decantated red wine was barely palatable. The spirits were just dire as were the dispenser pumped mixers. Now the positives. The location remains the most stunning views at sunset daily, as is the peacefulness and tranquilly there at the resort which we spent most of the time on the beach as the pool was always baltic. We loved the walks along the each daily and the sea was crystal clear and calm as all week. The staff remain a superb asset, George at the pool bar and the rest of the bar staff were friendly and did a first rate job and should be applauded. Equally the 1 x A La Carte meal in the poolside restaurant was very good, superb quality attentive staff and champagne and flowers for the long haired general too was a nice touch. Will we be back? NO…. for what is meant to be a 4 - 5* hotel it falls very short on what we experienced last May at this hotel and Oct 17 in the Grotta and despite it being end of season (closes Tue 29 Oct), there is no reason to lower your standards to save on operational costs when you have paying guests. Such a shame and I hate to have to give such an honest review as my last one in May 18 was glowing.

Wow! What an amazing break my family and I have had at this beautiful hotel. Just perfect. Great nights sleep, great food beautifully cooked and presented, fantastic service from lovely friendly staff - and the beach! Absolutely idyllic. The sea is gorgeous to swim in and the views of the sunset from our huge sea view balcony will stay with me for ever. The entertainment staff were outstanding and really entertained my boys throughout the day - not easy when they are 11, 13 and 14! I would highly recommend this excellent hotel for everybody - everyone can find something to really love here, personally I can't wait to go back.

Now I know why this "5-Star" hotel was so much less money than the others! Better to pay the extra than waste it on this hotel. It was SO disappointing! If it had a lower rating and didn't boast so much it would be ok. The rooms were very outdated and only just ok clean. The bathroom was not a place I really wanted to clean myself. The food was sub-par. Really lacked in every regard and the coffee was undrinkable. Staff was ok but nothing super. They looked a bit overworked except for the housekeeping staff that smoked right out by the stairs where everyone could see them. The beach was lovely! But one could visit the beach without staying at this sad excuse of a "luxury hotel". I will take my business elsewhere.