Elounda Peninsula Luxury Resort in Elounda

I am always reluctant to critique a resort or a business as I believe negative criticisms ought be addressed directly to the resort itself. Yet, when it comes to the Elounda peninsula resort, the problems are so intrinsic to their business model, so ingrained in their philosophy that I am left little choice. Additionally, we previously posted on Travelocity about our stay and the hotel responded that we obviously must have stayed at a different hotel. But we did stay at the Elounda Peninsula hotel and not another hotel in Elounda.

Yes, the hotel is situated on a beautiful piece of property and yes access to the sea is well thought out. But
1. Upon entering the lobby which lacks functional air conditioning and was almost 90°, one is greeted with the request for passports and a credit card. Immediately the hotel charges one's credit card for the entire stay. No greeting as to how was your trip, no warmth, nothing but a transactional relationship. Never have I been greeted with the demand for payment in full, not at a single hotel, not at a single location anywhere in the world

2. There is no air conditioning in the breakfast restaurant. Nothing like eating breakfast while perspiring in 90° temperature. There isn't even a fan. All one wants to do is eat as fast as possible and exit for a more appealing location.

3. While each guest is left a beach towel in their room, if one wants a second towel they are told that there is not a sufficient supply.

4. Those guest seeking quiet migrated to the periphery of the property. The Wi-Fi system does not work there. Hard to believe a "five star hotel"cannot get this right.

6. The umbrellas are 5 feet high and fenestrated. We were told by several of the employees that virtually every guess hits their head against these low lying umbrellas, and that several guest have sustained injuries.. Nonetheless, when we visited other hotels far superior umbrellas which do not oppose a threat to one's health exist

7. Even the senior management states that they are aware that systemic problems exist.

As for the minor less systemic issues:
1. The bathroom in our two floor suite was not clean. There was toothpaste at here to the sink and hair in the sink.
2. The supposedly private swimming pool was not private. I refer management to the ERIKOUSSA room room 3153. The barrier between the staircase leading to the beach and the pool was absent, allowing all visitors to look in word.
3. The edge of the private pool was sharp and my son lacerated r his finger. The next day maintenance fortunately repaired the obviously irregular pool edge.
4. The luggage was brought to the living room on the first floor of the suite and left there. It took several phone calls to have the porter bring the suitcase up to the bedroom on the second floor. Additionally one should know that the steps are narrow, and one could easily trip and injure themselves.
5. The restaurant il. BURRO had a 30 minute wait after being seated before anyone came by to take an order. Three requests were made for bread.
6. Yes, we changed rooms to a better suite and thank you but even there the bathroom shower when carefully inspected had black hairs at the periphery.

We were locked in financially as the hotel would not refund any nights. This is their policy and it is stated as such. Perhaps it is their policy because so many guest are unhappy. Perhaps it is their policy is so many people wish to leave early as the hotel does not meet the standards of a five star resort. Perhaps is their policy as they fully understand their shortcomings, but are unwilling or unable to correct their systemic faults. Perhaps is their policy as they more concerned with profit and not as concerned as they ought be with the guest experience. Perhaps if they had functional air conditioning, towels, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, drinks, which could be purchased from a mini bar instead of an empty mini bar, people would not want to leave there is little that they can respond to. Caveat emptor.--buyer beware