More Traveller Reviews of Illysion Hotel
Pack plenty of pills to stop diarrhoea!
from msscorchio
My partner & I booked our 2 week holiday in the Illyssion in January & spent 7 months looking forward to it. Having read such mixed reviews we were wary. The hotel looks amazing when you get to the reception. The staff are miserable, rude & look at you as if you are a hindrance to their existence. The rooms are very basic, shower's an unpredictable variable of hot/cold dribbles, the beds are low & uncomfortable. The housekeeping is appalling & we waited 9 days for a change of towels, the balcony cleaning was done once in the 2 weeks. The "meals" were disgusting, vile combinations such as a starter of a saucer of peas, a main of cold chunks of pork fat on a skewer served with grey sprouts and hard rice with a half a pear for dessert, we cottoned on to the fact cooking for the evening meals between 6.30-9.30pm would commence at 12.00pm, consequently the food was often dry, congealed & cold, after a week of hoping things would improve and after taking 48 Immodium tablets between us we decided to eat out. Plus, drinks are not included with the evening meal, a 1 litre bottle of water costs 2 euro's whereas 10 minutes walk to the nearby supermarket you can buy 6 litres for 1 euro 40 cents. The fridge has a padlock which needs to be opened - at a charge, 28 euro's for 2 weeks. There are many power cuts. There are many water stoppages. The first week the non-adjustable sun loungers on the beach in front of the hotel were free to lie on, the second week a miserable woman who served the vile evening meals policed the beach & took 3 euros per lounger, it is best to go to the aforementioned supermarket, purchase a 4 euro lilo & go on the grass as "the grass is free" (as quoted by miserable hotel woman). Every other night/morning there are new arrivals & the noise from trundling suitcases is horriffic, as too is the continual banging & slamming of doors. The air conditioning is tempremental. The shop has out of date & vastly overpriced basics - if you can get the attention of anyone to serve you, if you manage to the look of contempt you receive is priceless. There are signs everywhere! DO NOT READ THE NEWSPAPERS BEFORE PURCHASING . . . . . . DO NOT USE THIS DOOR, USE OTHER DOOR . . . . . . DO NOT TAKE FOOD FROM BREAKFAST FROM THE DINING ROOM . . . . . . DO NOT CONSUME ANY ITEM NOT PURCHASED FROM THE HOTEL IN THE HOTEL (DUE TO TAX LAWS) . . . . . DO NOT RUN UP STAIRS . . . . . The bar prices are very expensive, 3 euro's for a tiny drop of Metaxa 3*, bear in mind you can purchase 1 litre for 8 euro's in Pefkos! The karaoke is a joke, a 4ft greek man standing in cuban heels who thinks he's American (yes really), he hogs the mike & occasionally lets people sing but ends up butting in & making it a duet!! The weather was great, the location lovely, hotel . . . . ugh, NEVER AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pleasant, avoid the meals
from doctorkay
The location is spectacular and there are places throughout the grounds to take advantage of the terrific views of the sea (It's RIGHT on the sea!) The rooms are adequate; some are better situated (if you don't want to hear the nightly music, ask for rooms 80 and beyond). Avoid the rooms under the pool. There are 2 pools, and a jacuzzi, but in 2 weeks (this year and last), we never saw the jacuzzi in action! We only had breakfasts (not other meals), which are only OK. The new coffeemaker machine makes absolutely terrible coffee, and the fruit juices seem to be watered down. (How can any place in Greece offer yucky orange juice?!) Avoid the meal package and take advantage of many, many excellent restaurants in Pefkos (walking distance) or surrounding villages. There is very pleasant swimming and snorkeling right below the hotel; don't assume that the umbrellas on the shore are owned by the hotel. You have to rent them (3.5 E a day) from someone else. The poolside cafe is charming (shaded!) and has a spectacular view--no one minds if you sit there for hours enjoying the view and a beer or 2. There are plenty of umbrellas by the pools, but be careful! We noted many people banging their heads (foreheads) and having their eyes poked by the prickly edges of the locally-made? umbrellas. Nightly there is usually a group of people in the lobby bar; the live music isn't our cup of tea. There are caged animals on the grounds: birds, a deer....They used to have rabbits, but we didn't see them this time. One wonders about the neglected miniature golf course, the tennis court, the fountains--all which beg to be revived to improve the Illysion to a bit of a higher standard.
Excellent holiday
from Heclsm78
Just got back from the Ilysion and have to say we were very happy with our holiday. Booked it through Olympic and was very impressed. Nothing like some of the negative reviews. The rooms are basic but comfortable. The air con was included in the price which was fortunate given the 44 degree temps!!!! Fridge cost extra but price reasonable. Pool and beach lovely. Lots of space to spread out and the staff were all really friendly. Food is also good - the restaurant was also air conditioned which was a real bonus. Excellent reception and bar area with sofas and there's even a small shop on site (reasonable prices too!) Its about a 20 mins walk into Pefkos along the road. Easily manageable. The bus stop to Lindos is right ouside the hotel and costs 1 euro 20 one way. For a trip to Rhodes town we travelled with Rhodos Direct Holidays in the town for 14 euros. Only 4 euros more than the bus. Overall a great holiday and we'd definitely recommend it to anyone considering a holiday in Rhodes.
3rd time lucky at this hotel
from jammycam
Well what can I say having spent 2 weeks in May at this superb hotel, this was our 3rd visit and oh boy it hasnt changed since our last stay in 2000 and 2002. Having read the reports on this hotel before going I must say I was really surprised as the times we have been there in the past we had no problems with the hotel in general. I even thought that maybe it had been taken over by another family, but on arrival, found that the same family still owns it Katalina, Kostos and their lovely daughter kiera, and not forgetting stellios your John Travolta of the Illysion. I dont understand how some people can make remarks about this hotel, do they not realise the hours that this family work in a day, cookinf, cleaning and day to day running of the hotel, come on give them a break, the hotel is clean, friendly and in a superb spot with its own private beach. My husband and will certainly be returning again and again.
Best value for money and cultured holiday on a budget!!!!
from Bee232
I have just come back, literally hours ago, from a week spent at the Hotel Ilyssion in Pefkos on Rhodes. I am a student and was worried about the reviews for this hotel because I still like things to be clean and friendly even if a little basic. Some of the hotels shocked me as we droved from the airport to the Hotel but when we pulled up to the Hotel I was so relieved, everything in the reception area was modern and we were greeted warmly even if it was 4am!! Our room was clean, basic and was all we needed as on holiday what is the point being holed up in a fancy room when you should be out exploring?? The food at the hotel was traditional and yes Corelli's up the road was nice but we only ate there once and at the hotel the rest of the time, the salad was lovely and even though pudding was limited in choice we were normally too full to eat it!! The pool was clean and the people who worked there were friendly and kind, whoever said there was no entertainment must hvae had their eyes closed!! We had games, music, singing and dancing, not every night but enough to have a good time and the hotel was situated with a bus stop outside, great for going into Rhodes and Lindos and only minutes from the beach!!! Overall this was a fab girly holiday with culture and fun all thrown in and if you want value for money it was great! And all deposits for air conditioning etc are given back!! I hope people who have booked read this and feel happier because it is a great hotel!!!!!!!
fantastic wedding experience
from andycartwright
arriving on 27th september 2006 we found the hotel to be clean comfortable and very welcoming.the staff were extremely friendly and made our wedding a most memorable time .on the day of the the wedding they were there to help with travel and turned the karioke night into a fantastic party.we were so impressed with the accomodation and staff that we have already booked to return for our 1st anniversary and are sure this will be as wonderful as last year.can't wait to go back and see everyone again.
Best Holiday Ever
from Huntley69
I can't believe some of the reports I have read about this hotel. My husband and 2 kids stayed for 1 week in May of last year and can't wait til September to go back. We were there for my friends 50th Birthday. My friend asked us to go so that I could sing for his wife's Party and the hotel provided Buffet and Entertainment for us and a P.A system for me. To say that the owner HATES the English is complete and utter nonsense. We were greeted warmly by all the Family and staff', and they treat my children like they were their own. Our room was right at the pool, very clean and spacious. We used the poolside snack bar on a daily basis and the LOVELY Flora couldn't do enough for us even making things that weren't on the menu to tempt my children, who are both picky eaters! Although we were booked half-board we did eat at the many restaurants in Pefki, only a 5euro , 2minute taxi ride away. this was our own choice and not because the food wasn't great at the hotel. My daughter Georgia says I must tell you about Bambi, the deer who lives under the Snack Bar. As we are Animal Lovers it was great to see their faces every day seeing the Rabbits ( Wallace and Gromit ) . All in all it was the best holiday we've ever had. Roll on September!!!!!
Loved the Ilyssion Hotel
from JOHN1934
Have read some of the reviews and those who gave adverse comments saddened us. My wife and I spent 2 weeks there on our honeymoon, we are both senior citizens and have travelled much. The room was simple but adequate and I found no problem paying extra for air conditioning. The location was good and the pools superb. The owner and his family we found very accomodating as was the staff in general. We went half board and did find the meals a little limiting but ok. We were advised by the management that a better time to visit ould be March or Sept when a bit cooler. 35c in June! We would recommend the hotel and intend to revisit.
Met nice people - shame about the hotel
from Nutcracker2
Having read all the other reviews, we went out there with an open mind. Big mistake! The owner himself was really friendly, but his wife and daughter had a serious attitude problem, they made you feel that they were doing you a service by allowing you to stay there and everything was too much trouble for them. We must be grateful that we didn’t have to pay for sun-beds; but the padlocked fridge situation was laughable, as the fridge was always switched on and running even when padlocked. We (and quite a few other guests we spoke to) were under the impression that the hotel was minimising on the electricity at all times and also you were not allowed to use your own electrical items. This was made quite clear in the list of “Don’ts” in reception. There was no entertainment on in the hotel at all. On the fourth day of our stay we ordered a lunchtime snack at the poolside bar, only to be told that they were running things down and didn’t have half the stuff. The next day it wasn’t even open. The Jacuzzi was never switched on whilst we were there and looked like it had been like that for some time. Breakfast was adequate – plenty of food available but more or less the same thing every day. Some fresh fruit occasionally would have been nice, instead of the relentless tinned fruit cocktail. We were so glad that we were only B & B. We boycotted the bar after the first evening there. Extortionate prices. Maybe because we were newcomers? We weren’t going to give the barman a second chance after that. The hotel had made no attempt whatsoever to clean up the beach area, as it was strewn with no end of litter and odd debris. Much too dirty to even think of spending any time at all on the beach. In the hotel’s brochure it states all rooms to be innovative and comfortable. Our room had a shower which could only be hand-held and the radio did not work. If it wasn’t for the really nice people we met (Hi Cynthia & Ken etc.) and the fantastic food at Correlli’s just a short walk away, this holiday would have been not what we expected. Star rating 1 out of 10!
Thoroughly enjoyable holiday
from bevy1
We have just returned from two weeks at the Ilssion Hotel, we were rather concerned having read some not very good reviews, we were expecting the worst. On arrival we were greeted by Katrina who is most pleasant and helpful as is her daughter Kira, we had left our suitcase keys behind so we had a problem, it was sorted immediatly. I think some rooms are on the small side, but we were given a good size room with a lovely view, which was perfectly clean,we went b&b as we know there are superb restaurants in Pefkos, at this point I must reccomend Correlies just dopwn the road, Zambika and her staff are really woderful people, as is their food (yum yum). Back to the hotel, it has two lovely pools with plenty of well placed free sunbeds, at this point I must mention Flora who runs the pool bar, who is also a very pleasant lady. Personally we had a wonderful holiday with no complaints as did my sister and her friend who were there at the same time as us.
2 readers found this review helpful
Lets start with the good thing Location, that unfortunatley is it about this place. Now the reasons why you should never go to this place, Read the other reviews and take advice. We were there in august and are currently in dispute with Olympic about compensation. Rooms... more