Makarios Hotel

I recently stayed at Hotel Makarios and overall had a good experience. The rooms were clean and comfortable, though fairly basic and a bit dated. Service was decent — the staff were polite but not particularly attentive or quick to respond. The
atmosphere lacked charm and could definitely use some updating to feel more inviting. That said, the location was convenient, and the value for the price was hard to beat. If you're looking for a no-frills, budget-friendly stay, Makarios does the job well.

Where to start… my honest and comprehensive review of Hotel Makarios where I stayed for a week a few weeks ago.

The Good:

The rooms are clean, well-equipped, and tidily maintained. The housekeeping team really does an excellent job – everything felt fresh, and the beds were especially comfortable. The location is fairly quiet, though it is directly under the flight path with planes landing nearby. Iys around 10 minutes from the airport in a taxi that will set you back between €30 and €40. That said, it's only about 10–15 minutes on foot away from the lively Kamari beachfront, which is convenient.

The Not-So-Good:

Unfortunately, there were several areas that needed improvement. The pools were okay – the water appeared green and murky, and the surrounding tiles looked neglected and in need of a deep clean. The poolside toilets, although plentiful, are located underground behind a damaged door. The lighting is so poor that you can barely see anything inside, and there are no signs for gender designation or locks on the stalls, which is a concern.

Breakfast was underwhelming. It’s quite limited – occasionally, some bacon and beans, overcooked scrambled eggs, a few pastries, and some scattered continental items. The dining room itself is stiflingly hot, which may be intentional to avoid overcrowding, as none of the windows are opened. The staff do work incredibly hard under these conditions, but it doesn’t make for a pleasant experience. Breakfast is only available from 8–10 AM, which, if you're travelling from the UK, feels like 6–8 AM – not ideal when you're on holiday.

The maids start cleaning early. So if you plan on sleeping in, expect to be woken up. Our room was cleaned at around 9.30 Greek time (7.30 GMT) there is no 'do not disturb' marker for the doors - this would go along way.

The bathroom shower was decent in terms of water pressure, but with no door or curtain, it floods the floor every time, and there’s no mop provided – meaning you have to use towels to clean up, which isn’t ideal.

Other Notes:

The pool bar is run by a genuinely friendly guy who makes an effort to connect with guests, which is a highlight. However, the drink prices are quite steep (€6 for a beer, €10 for a cocktail). There is a minimart just five minutes away with much better value, and while you're allowed to bring your own drinks to the pool, it felt like this wasn’t particularly welcomed.

Reception staff were mostly friendly, but things shifted after a billing issue arose with 2 of the receptionists. Despite confirming with our booking agent that everything was paid, there was some back-and-forth with the hotel, and after that point, we felt somewhat dismissed. It’s understandable that tourism is a demanding industry, but kindness and professionalism go a long way, even when resolving disputes.

One of our rooms was missing a TV remote, making the TV unusable. Air conditioning worked well, but only with the key fob in place and the door shut – so you can't leave the AC running or charge devices unless you're physically in the room. It feels like a cost-saving measure, but it’s inconvenient nonetheless.

Would I stay again? No.
Would I recommend it? Only if you need a basic place for a night or two. Otherwise, there are definitely better options nearby.that
Star rating? It’s marketed as 3★, but in reality, I’d say it’s closer to 2.5★.
Speaking with locals, they said the hotel has really downhill hill over the years with the place ignored by the owners to make the small improvements it needs. If it improves the small bits above this 'could' be a really great hotel.