Lydia Maris Resort & Spa

We had booked a deluxe swim up room directly with the hotel, i have uploaded part of booking confirmation. On arrival, when we went into our room, we saw we had no swim up, the room was very basic, and there was a private shared pool. The photos are nothing like the photos on the website, (see pictures I have uploaded). I went and questioned this with the receptionist who advised this is still a swim up in Greece (not the case and quite clearly room with private shared pool). The receptionist offered to move us but wouldn't be until 3 days' time as there wasn't a swim up room available. Why wasn't there a swim up when that was what we had booked?? She said they had allocated the room they did as I requested sunloungers in the sun, this would have been ok if they emailed back ahead of arrival and advised us of this to give us a choice. There was no understanding from the hotel that what we booked and what we received were different. Nobody wants to move rooms on a short holiday a few days in. We decided to remain where we were as there was no sunshine on the swimups all day and didn't want to go through hassle of moving mid holiday (only booked for 7 days). POSITIVES They saw on booking it was one of our birthdays so were very kind bringing a cake to the room as a surprise. The hotel offers free airport transfer (only to the hotel not to the airport to return home), which was seamless. Pizza oven place on the complex very good, so a quick slice of pizza when hungry. Dark haired lady in the resort shop very lovely. Facial was nice (a salon not a spa though). Bar staff in middle of pool are great! Although it would be less busy if they would refil the wine on the other side so people can help themselves.... NEGATIVES The room. This is not as seen in pictures or on booking confirmation, see photos uploaded. Missing steps completely in swimming pool - manager said he was aware. Other steps broke where wobbly the whole holiday and we saw them break completely when another family were coming out the pool. Limited labels on food so hard to see for allergies or being vegetarian, etc. No ice cream or ice lollies the kids could help themselves to throughout the day. Only ice cream in restaurant. We had some takeaway chips one lunch and it had some kind of old meat in there. Evening entertainment area didn't have anywhere near enough seats to sit at. The main pool people were squeezed in like sardines. The private shared pool did not have obvious signs, only one at the back so kept getting overcrowded. Email confirmation stated brand NEW rooms. The rooms have been modernised, they are not brand new. No sofa beds, just single beds. Water is not restoked but only 0.50 in shop up road so no big deal. The drinks machine is constantly running out, you end up having really awful tasting soda instead of lemonade, etc. Awful smell of horrible drains when you have a shower. I spoke to the manager and asked for a refund of the amount we paid com

I generally wait until after theme holiday but I felt compelled to review this whilst here to be clear about the hotel to help others who may be considering it. We arrived late and the welcome at reception was swift and pleasant and we were even helped to our room with the luggage which was much-welcomed. There was food on offer if we wanted it but we were tired so came straight to bed. The garden room was small and up two spiral staircases. We were only given one key which is unheard of. As the air con only works when the key is in, this means the room becomes very hot extremely quickly. The air con is not fantastic and takes a good while to cool the room back down, The shower was weak and temperature varied. The towels were hard and small. The hairdryer was out of reach- I’m 170cm so not short! The main issue with this room was ants. They were everywhere. We had not unpacked as hoped to change rooms and found them in our suitcases, sponge bags, bedside tables and even the bed. We played this down as our 7 year old felt upset but we were quite angry about this. We did mention this when changing rooms and were just told to move our fruit. We had no food in the room, unless you count stepsils and calpol in the event of illness! We had hoped to upgrade to a swim up room but we had emailed prior and the hotel said this would not be available until the next day which was fine. True to their word, it was and we paid an extra 250 euros. The reception team were helpful and responsive via email too. This room suited us as was partially in the shade and we liked the smaller pool. I could see in the cooler weather this may not be worth it but had temperatures of 40 degrees so suited our needs. The cleaners were friendly as were the reception staff. The entertainment team were friendly too. We didn’t feel any other staff were friendly - for example, you weren’t greeted in the restaurant. Not 5 star service. The restaurant was our biggest issue. We are here in what we assume is peak season. The food choices were abysmal. We don’t have allergies thankfully but if we did, we don’t know how this could be navigated as most foods not clearly labelled. Respectfully, you couldn’t tell what most were. Gyro lady was excellent and pizza guy. However, no plates, just paper or a piece of card to eat your pizza off! The spaces between serving space was limited and some guests simply barged past piling their plates ridiculously high. Small glasses of smoothies (no idea what is in them) but limited. Some fresh fruit and some tinned. The drink choices were awful. Drink stations too sweet and undrinkable. Water not available unless you asked- usually warm and melted butter. Some staff rushing around whilst two ladies (daily) standing having a chat. No table cloths, paper place settings and tea spoons for dessert- not 5 star. Water, or lack of, was a huge issue for us. We aren’t big drinkers but expect to be able to have access to water. One 1.5 litre