Labranda Alyssa Suite Hotel

We booked this trip at the last minute, which left us with limited hotel options, and we ended up choosing this place. Having stayed in several 4 and 5-star all-inclusive hotels before, I can confidently say this is far from a 4-star experience.

Upon arrival, the airport transfer dropped us off at the bottom of the hotel, and we had to haul our luggage up two sets of stairs. Despite having two receptionists on duty, no one offered to assist us. The welcome at the reception was underwhelming—no greeting whatsoever. They couldn’t locate our booking and instructed my husband to screen print our reservation and email it to them.

The reception staff lacked any semblance of customer service and appeared visibly unhappy. One receptionist, in particular, had a very unfriendly demeanor—if looks could kill, you’d know who I mean when you see her.

The rooms themselves are outdated and not very clean, in dire need of refurbishment. Our shower leaked, and the doors squeaked. Additionally, the water temperature fluctuated dramatically, making it easy to get burned.

But the most disappointing aspect of our stay was the food. The quality was awful —if you enjoy greasy chips and overcooked pizza, you might be satisfied. The salad selection was limited to wilted cucumbers and tomatoes, and the desserts were poorly defrosted cakes. The restaurant itself was unclean, with dirty doors and windows, and we were bothered by flies throughout our meals.

We had booked the all-inclusive package and initially received a glass of rosé from a bottle. However, when my husband requested another, we were told it was only available to VIP guests and that we had to settle for the cheap, vinegar-tasting wine on tap. It was disappointing that no staff offered to serve drinks during meals; they were only there to clear plates.

Overall, this experience has not met the expectations set by the hotel’s supposed rating.