Elounda Orama Boutique Hotel in Elounda

We stayed at the hotel in early June for a week and were really disappointed, the majority of staff were friendly and great at acknowledging issues in a friendly way (which suggested it was standard practice given many shared the same view as us). If paying 3 star prices then I could have lived with this but we didn't so expectations are naturally higher. Overall there is a discernible lack of attention to detail within the upkeep (communal areas not tidied or well presented, glass screens on the waterfall were caked in Limescale that would have taken about 15 mins to wash off but no one did so even during fallow periods around the pool) and running of the hotel, examples of which included, pool bar area is a disaster and is also failing to maximize its earning potential for the hotel, no drinks or food menus so you needed to play 20 questions to guess what was available (this meant that we ate out each lunchtime along with the majority of people who stayed there) bar man at best apathetic and not on it, rules regarding sunbeds blatantly ignored with 3hr reserving and disappearance common place and in one instance Essex guests inviting their non-resident mates over who took beds and hogged the area (loudly). Sunbed covers stained unpleasantly, towels never had any at the pool so had to traipse 4 stories to get them from reception, room had an expresso machine but no pods (we scoured Elonuda for any and its clear they don't sell the type, so why not just remove the machines?), one cup in the room, towels when replaced only 1 not 2, food average at best, cocktail bar not open along with downstairs cafe bar, whirlpool broken, booked garden room yet didn't get one (one we got had a glass balcony which was wobbling and loose) , communal shower area had to request it be cleaned before using on the last day then it was full of mosquitos and got bitten when showering to leave, the list goes on. Basically this needs regrading to a 3 star and probably needs an experienced manager to come in with a snagging list for the structure and a keen eye for detail with the staff to repurpose and motivate them, its not unsalvageable but will require effort, leadership and direction to turn round properly. Id advise anyone booking to look at the tripadvisor reviews from this year and make a decision on booking with their eyes open, its a shame as Elounda is a beautiful place and we had an enjoyable time in the town and at the lovely restaurants in and around the harbour.

The Elounda Obama was possibly a four star hotel when it was first opened but has been badly let go over recent years and is now tired and unloved. We had the impression that the hotel had not been prepared for the season. No painting, no planting, and minimum maintenance carried out over the winter. It looks like it was locked up at the end of October last year and then just unlocked again when the season began in May. Many of the advertised amenities were simply not available. The whirlpool in the pool area doesn’t work. The Sunbed mattresses are all stained. The spa is closed, the rooftop cocktail bar is locked up and never opened. The pool bar is a disaster, no wine, no frappe, no cocktails and no effort put into running it. Whilst the room was regularly cleaned it was way below 4star standards. A coffee machine with no coffee pods (and the supermarkets didn’t sell anything compatible) There was a kettle and Nescafé sachets but no milk. No glass for your toothbrush, no soap dish, no complementary bottle of water etc. All little things but they mount up to demonstrate that the care and attention has all but disappeared. Breakfast was basic and repetitive. Nothing looked fresh or appealing. The toaster doesn’t toast! The eggs are hard. The gypsy toast is soggy. All very cheap and nasty. The staff were pleasant but it doesn’t count for much when the facilities are minimal. All in all our 10 night stay (which was towards the end of May when everything should have been available) was so frustrating. So much more could be made of the place by at least offering the facilities that customers have already paid for. We just felt ripped off.