La Mer Deluxe Hotel & Spa — Hotel in Municipality of Thira

An honest review is hard to make if you find it hard not to please everyone. You enter this place and get taken aback with the visual opulence this place can bestow upon you. Marble and deep blue pools within this 1 storey high modern Greek accents architecture pleasantly welcomes you inside. I got a standard room in this 5 star resort like hotel which in all fairness should be just as good as an executive one - minus the Jacuzzi and other amenities I can do without. A bit cramped but kept clean at all times when you are out. Too bad only one power outlet was working. Access to the pool and sunbeds, bar and outside terrace is for everyone regardless. For some reason said Jacuzzi (explanation i got from the front desk) was running 24/7 for the room above and every time you were inside you could hear like water was dripping in the walls like a waterfall and a light sleeper would find it hard to go through. If that wasn't enough, the shower water temperature was impossible to adjust. Came on full 200° C or at least it's how it felt. Not a good scenario if you're sun burnt and want to cool off. The knob was seized. At least the comfort has to start somewhere right? Who in the 21st century ( and for the steep price for this place nonetheless) , has beds with separated mattresses? You always fall in between, wake up to push it into place, and try to get some sleep by not moving. God forbid you share this bed with your beloved and should you engage in any kind of activity, you're only going to regret it. The included breakfast was somewhat above average with included beverages even champagne should you indulge with drinking in the morning, watch out though, plastic champagne glasses... A plethora of assorted sweet-cakes, coffee and cereal, fresh salads, cheese and the famous Greek yogurt was a delight indeed. The staff was helpful and friendly but kept asking me everyday what room I was staying in... A somewhat inconvenience but understandable although it's not like I just came off the street and decided to have a free meal every morning. You start to feel unwelcome. Other than that as if there were not enough things to pile here, the overall experience was lacking. The beauty of the place is if you go outside and enjoy the island and absolutely fine restaurants they have. If this was a 3 star resort I would give it a 5 stars easy review. But you expect more out of 5, a bare minimum, and 5 stars hotels imply excellence and perfection. It honestly deserves less than my given rating lest I try the executive suite next time, alas this was the only and...

Certainly not 5* boutique more like 3*|Arrived by taxi and given a welcome drink and explained about breakfast times and local restaurants etc (room wasn’t ready) but only a short wait) given room B03 which was upstairs with a balcony. Plate of fruit and bottle of wine waiting as explained however this alongside a large plate with 4 wine glasses a Nespresso coffee maker and a tea tray with kettle took up all the dressing table hence nowhere to put toiletries etc. |Bathroom was dark (no window) and you needed a wooden step to step over the jacuzzi bath (which didn’t have a tap to fill it) to use either the hand held or rain shower. Water pressure was not brilliant particularly the hand held. It was also very difficult to pull out the ‘stopper’ for the rain shower to work once showered you have to negotiate the bath side onto the step then floor with nothing to hold onto and wet feet. |Spare toilet roll holder is the opposite end of the bathroom to the toilet!!!|All pools are cold beyond words including the spa inside pool and jacuzzi despite the fact the hotel has solar panels which could be used to heat the pools this doesn’t happen hence no one uses the pools the sea was warmer. There are towels placed on each Sun-bed and there is no scramble for beds early morning because most beds are in the shade except 4 from the higher of the pools and these where grabbed by the same people. |The hot breakfast items were always cold maybe due to being put out at 7.15am and breakfast not opening till 8am. Some ‘hot’ items weren’t even put under ‘hot’ lamps. The wait for coffee was ridiculous then on arrival was cold. |Ate in the restaurant on our first evening and food was poor hence we didn’t again. |We did use the bar at night on occasion but not much atmosphere, however the music could be heard when in bed after 11pm. |The Jet2 website states the rooms have a pillow menu and the hotel provide a turndown service saw no evidence of either. |Everyday at varying times the smell of sewer was overwhelming. |If you want to use the spa there is a charge and an appointment made because sauna (which is tiny) has to be turned on, pool and jacuzzi are unheated hence not a relaxing experience.|We got a taxi from the airport took 10 mins at most but cost €30 coach back but need to walk to pick up point -no mention of this on...

Location; Hotel is situated central on the island. Doesn't take much time to travel by car to visit the highlights. Rent a car, this is more efficient instead of public transport. It's really a hassle.

Pools: There are 3 pools, the smallest one isn't one to swim in. Since we are no fans of pebble beaches, we are glad with the pools. There are towels near the reception and baskets where you can bring the used towels.

Service: Outstanding service and friendly staff. The only thing is that they are really fast to clean your table after breakfast. As we speak, we're still here and we like the F&B staff because they are really making the mornings good. Nicolas (the maitre) is also a friendly man and knows exactly how to fancy guests.

Spa & Wellness: Had 2 massages and the price is horrifycly. But OK, I'm aware that it's vacation so I'm not really that bothered. What I don't get is that after 60 minutes massage, the masseuse is rushing you. You don't get enough time to wake up gently. There's no aftercare (I'm used to stay in the massageroom for 15 minutes after the treatment and get some tea or water to drink). The masseuse is trying to get you out of the room ASAP which isn't really customer friendly. It's a shame you can't use the shower in the massageroom. For that price, I'm expecting way much more service.

Overall: Great breakfast, we love the food. Small card but enough if you want to have lunch or dinner at the hotel. Can recommend 2 outstanding restaurants at the beach, Prince and ELA By SeaSide. Should you want to eat outside, these restaurants are highly recommended. Standard room is really standard. We are used with bigger standardrooms. What we missed was a drying rack at your own terrace.

We've been to 5* hotels before who had different standards. I guess Europe has to learn what hospitality contains if you compare it with Asia.

We like it here and hope to come back once...