This is my fourth summer in a row visiting Mandraki and while it is still a nice, peaceful area and the loungers are comfy, I felt disappointed and let down considerably this year by a few things. As stated by another reviewer, if you charge €30 per sunlounger (€50 for those by the water), and market yourself as a 5 star resort, you must meet certain basic expectations First, the WC by the beach was disgusting. Yes, some sand on the floor is obviously to be expected but the dirt, grime and old tissues in and around the toilet is not. It is not unreasonable to expect toilets to be checked and maintained every 20-30 minutes in such an establishment. The sea water near the beach cafe was also not great - I'm aware this is somewhat beyond the staff's control but seeing cigarette ends etc floating near the shoreline is offputting in such a place. Secondly, my companion had taken an iced tea bottle with her which she was using to hold water for the trip over on the boat. Upon arrival she placed it in the provided ice bucket (which is now made of cheap looking plastic, not metal as was the case in previous years) along with the complimentary water (you could literally only see the top of her own bottle). She was told by a staff member to remove or "hide" her bottle because if an inspection happened both she and the staff member could be fined, as it is not a brand sold at their bar. Sorry, what? We are liable to be "inspected'? This is what 5 star service and treating your clients as valued guests looks like? In fairness the staff member told us this in a very polite manner but the principle is still ridiculous. We went on to purchase food at the bar later but even if we hadn't, you cannot dictate what people consume once they have rented a sun lounger. Factor in children, dietary needs, medical needs (diabetes, specific allergies), sensory needs (e.g. ARFID) etc for pity's sake. We just rented sun loungers, we were not in the restaurant, and we were not told of such a rule prior to booking. Furthermore, a crowd of loud/shouting U.S. tourists were also visiting that day (they considered the sun loungers too expensive so instead settled themselves for free on the nearby bar seats, calling and shouting to each other incessantly in loud, braying voices which somewhat ruined the vibe) and they were eating fruit and food/drinks from their bags etc. with no comment made whatsoever by staff. Thirdly, the buzzer system on the beach to get staff attention wasn't great. Both myself and my companion had to press multiple times and wait over 10 minutes to even receive a menu. We ordered one margherita pizza (€18) and one bowl of chips (€10). Overall, the menu was a disappointment in comparison with previous years when beach-friendly items such as sliders were offered at reasonable prices along with more interesting, unique cocktails.The pizza we received was pathetic, especially considering the price - 6 tiny triangles made with a thin pitta style base, topped with rubbery oily cheap cheese. It would barely have fed a child. The chips at the bottom of the bowl were undercooked and stuck together and the presentation was seriously lacking with a few plastic sachets of sauce thrown on top. We felt robbed to be honest. As a regular visitor to Hydra I can sadly no longer recommend a trip to Mandraki Beach Resort. Save some money and go to St Nicholas with a picnic instead would be my advice, unless they rapidly buck up their ideas, raise their standards, and start providing...
Read moreMandraki considers their beach resort as a kind of 5 star (WIFI password also suggests that), but it is no way, prices definitelyare. When we booked it was said to be adults only, when we came there were children all around. They claim their resort to be calm and relaxing. Loud music in the restaurant, classical concert and pool villas nearby. During the night a lot of boat taxi as the bay is used by up to 40 boats to stay over night. Most of the rare lorries of Hydra pass to the landfill which is located behind the resort. Rooms are pretty small for the price and barely equipped, broken equipment obviously gets not repaired for months. The water in the bay is not very clean as thw ind blows trash into and on the ground you can still find residues from the construction time of the Resort. The service is poor, no pick up when we got off the ferry in Hydra coming from Athens, the staff motivation is poor. Matter of management? We were there 2nd half of september and the Resort was supposed to close October 15th. So most of the time we heard ... we dont have any croissants, do you want to know what we dont have from the menu ?, Miraval and Minuty was not available anymore after we had two bottles each. The cocktail bar is providing cocktails at poor quality and not offering suitable glasses or mules, you have to ask for nuts. Food is mostly on a good quality but not high level. We liked Omilos and Techne Restaurants better. The privacy in your pool villa is not given as there are 14 in a row. And the beach with hundreds of deck chairs just a few meters in front of you.The pool boy comes cleaning the pool in the morning 8.00 although you place a sign "Do not Disturb" and actually you can not relax on the veranda while having the aircondition devices directly with you (noise). All in all a total...
Read moreIf I could give this hotel 10 stars, I would. From the moment we arrived until the last wave goodbye, everything was simply flawless — an experience that transcended expectations in every possible way.
The service? Impeccable. Every member of the staff greeted us not just with professionalism, but with genuine warmth, as if we were guests in their own home. Discreet, efficient, always one step ahead, they made us feel cherished — not just welcomed.
The culinary experience was extraordinary. Every meal was a celebration of flavors, crafted with care and served with grace. From the lavish breakfast to the fine-dining dinners, everything was fresh, seasonal, and perfectly balanced. Dining here was not just eating — it was an experience. A special mention must go to the chef — a true artist of taste and refinement. Every dish carried his signature: thoughtful, bold, elegant. His creations didn’t just satisfy; they stirred the soul.
And the beach… oh, the beach. Crystal-clear waters, soft golden sand, and that tranquil hush that only true paradise offers. Sunbeds perfectly spaced, drinks arriving just when you thought of them, and a sense of peaceful exclusivity that made every moment magical.
What made it all unforgettable, however, were the people. The soul of this hotel. Kind, thoughtful, joyful — they create an atmosphere of rare hospitality that lingers in your heart long after you’ve left. Their attention to detail and sincere smiles made us feel part of something special.
This isn’t just a hotel — it’s a sanctuary of beauty, authenticity, and heartfelt care. A place where you rediscover the meaning of relaxation, pleasure,...
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