Despo Hotel

4 readers found this review helpful

We have just come back from a week at the Despo and have really enjoyed it. Our room, (we chose a superior room) was basic, (as is normal in Greece), but was clean and had all the things we needed. The staff were friendly and helpful. People were complaining about the food, as there was no English breakfast and the other meals were primarily Greek, which we enjoyed. There were no bar snacks throughout the day but plenty of drinks on the all inclusive package, including raki, ouzo, brandy, vodka, rum, tequila, whisky, gin, coffee, tea, beer, wine and soft drinks, (what more would you want).
The only thing on a bad note is that the hotel is a long way from the centre and about a 15 minute walk to the beach, but buses to the next resorts are every half an hour and really cheap. We booked lots of trips through reception which were great and inexpensive.
The only thing that spoiled our holiday was a group of English people who intended to make the most of the all inclusive drinks, to say the least.
Please don't expect the Ritz because it isn't and if you want English food it's not the place for you, but we had a great time!

3 readers found this review helpful

There was an issue when we arrived which was extremely annoying. We arrived at the hotel at 02.00am with two small children only to be told that we would have to be transferred to another hotel for the night. This meant that we had to wait a further 20 minutes before another taxi took us to the other hotel. This hotel was very, very basic and the accommodation was poor. It was absolutely boiling hot at least 29 degrees but the room had no air conditioning. The breakfast in the morning was very basic and to be honest we could not wait to leave.
When we arrived back at the Despo hotel our room was fantastic for a Greek hotel. The room was spacious and had a roomy bathroom with shower, double bed and bunk beds for the children. The room had loads of storage. The view was okay; although it did back onto a chicken field with barking dog! The all inclusive was actually NOT all inclusive, you have to pay for all the extra's such as air conditioning, satellite tv (not that we wanted that), safe etc. This was definitely not made clear in our brochure. Back to the room. The hotel had a lovely setting and was very quiet, however, it was far away from any where.
The resort of Gouves was quite a walk away and the roads were very busy. Once you got there it was very limited and had several tavernas and silly tourist shops but very little else. The beach was quite nice though! However, once you got used to this it was a fantastic opportunity to do things the travellers way; even with two small children, one of whom kept moaning that he could not possibly walk in the heat, the travelling was fun and adventurous. It was described as an up and coming resort which I think was a little too far in pushing the travellers spiel (and they say that estate agents descriptions are dodgy), anyway once you got past all that it was very authentic and as the bus stop was only a heat gruelling 1/2 mile up the road it was okay.
Back to the hotel. Lots of people moaned about the food. We thought it was fantastic. The selection of salads, meat which melted in your mouth, olives to die for and feta cheese you will never taste the like of again was in our opinion the saving grace of everything, that and the amazing staff. The staff were fantastic, they made the children's holiday. Nothing was too much trouble. The night manager was fantastic, helpful and courteous. The restaurant staff should be bottled; they were that brilliant.
The pool was quiet, clean and cool for the 42 degree heat was sometimes a little too hot to bear. The pools were fantastic. We stayed at the hotel pool for 2 days of our holiday and had fantastic days on both occasions. The entertainment was a little poor but I think that was to do with the personality rather than the hotel. Hopefully they will get someone a little less annoying next year, cause we will definitely be going back!
What was great was that the hotel had a really family atmosphere and most people were friendly. You get the usual ones that spoil things but meet some fab ones too especially from Milton Keynes! Hiya Kate and all the boys we miss u xx. Anyway to sum up the hotel is fantastic travelling on a budget. If you have a family go here, you can hire cars really cheap or brave the transport, its a real adventure.
The hotel is fantastic but not for those who expect british junk food and children who only eat chicken nuggets and chips!!!!! But for those who value our children's insides the food is gorgeous! Would totally recommend and even though it was a bit of a nightmare at the start the rest of our stay made you totally forget the bad bits. We cant wait to go back. You get what you pay for but what a fab experience. Loved it!!!!!

1 reader found this review helpful

Hotel Despo (more commonly referred to as desperate). We were, first of all, put into two rooms in the basement, no air con or daylight .The rooms were tiny, my two boys had to share a double bed, not appropriate at 14 and 16. After THREE days and a lot of arguing we were moved.
The food was terrible with no explanation of what it was; it was slopped onto your plate by a sour looking woman, in miniscule quantities. The free drinks are the cheapest of the cheap, only fizzy drinks for the children and weak tasteless alcoholic drinks for the adults.
The hotel advertises itself as a family hotel, It is not, it is on a very busy dual carriage road that is extremely dangerous to cross especially for families (but you need to leave the hotel or you will starve). We witnessed a very bad accident of an Irish lady .The gates are open leaving access to this road to children. Glasses are served around the pool and several children cut their feet after a glass had been smashed. We requested plastic glasses and although told it was a good idea, they never materalised.
The entertainment comprises of bingo and water polo. Prizes for which are alcoholic cocktails. There is no Kids Club .The shuttle bus runs twice a day 9.30am return at 1.30pm to be booked the night before. The walk to the beach is down a busy road and in the July heat very wearing.
The staff were rude and arrogant, they did not care about the guests and made no attempt to resolve any of the above issues. I would never stay at this hotel and would advise anyone else to avoid it if you have already booked, contact your agent and ask them to change your accommodation.