HI, just got back from this lovely hotel, and I have to say, some people need a good kick up the backside. Here are some common complaints that I have read about, and my response, [based on personal experience] to them.
1. The food was cold. - true - some of the time. The serving trays are kept hot by having boiling water beneath them. The water was certainly boiling - you could see steam coming off it all the time - so i'm at a bit of a loss as to why some food wasn't as hot as it could be. Nevertheless, its palatable, plentiful, and there is a microwave available, plus various pull down grills around the place - so people who wanted their food piping hot COULD have given it a quick blast! Plus - people were so slow, dithering about what to choose to eat, that it was no surprise to me that their food was cold by the time they got it to their table. Another thing - why didn't people choose to use the pre-heated plates?
2. The plates were too small. Well, yes, they were small, but you were allowed to go up as many times as you wished - and i have to say that some of those people who complained most about the food, were the ones who ate the most of it.
3. Not enough choice of food. - Right. This one really makes me mad. I'll list the stuff that was out for you, shall I? Vegetables: peas, , green beans, sprouts, broccoli, mixed veg [with carrots], chips, boiled potatoes in butter, mashed potatoes, Rice, spaghetti, and always another type of pasta. [thats 10 options, already, by the way] Lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, onions, plus at least 6 prepared salads [you know, the kind with mayo or dressing on] Meat? Huge platters with different types of cold meats, at least 3 different types of cheeses, meatballs, kebabs, chicken dippers, pizza, roast
veal [beef] chicken in white wine, roast pork. [those were the meats available most days] In addition to these, there were added choices occasionally. Rabbit stew, cottage pie [bulgarian style] different casserole type dishes. Added to these - various dressings, sauces, and spices that you could choose to add . Dessert? - at least 10 different types of little cakes, fresh fruit [apples, oranges, grapes, lemons, pears, nectarines, peaches] , yogurt, and as much icecream as you want. [7 different flavours]
When one bloke made comments about the poor choice of food, I asked him to justify his comments. "Well," he said " last Wednesday, there was the same choices of foods at both lunchtime and dinner" - How difficult would it have been to just CHOOSE SOMETHING ELSE!! at dinner. It seems that if the hotel had put out half the choices at lunch, then the other half at dinner, he'd have been happy, because in his mind, he'd have 'different choice'. It seems alittle unfair to me to critisise the hotel for offering all the choices at all sittings. Still, some people just love a good moan, don't they!
4. The food was undercooked. - I didn't find this myself. I generally find that meat that is so tender it falls apart cannot possibly be described as undercooked.
5. The staff on reception were rude. Well, to be honest, I'm not surpised. Our room was a few meters away from the reception, and we often saw the staff being shouted at by abusive customers. Its important to remember english is their second language, and they're not that good at it either. Speak quietly, slowly and with a smile and they were ALWAYS helpful in return. This goes from all staff. They don't have regular working hours - no proper breaks - and work from 6am til midnight. If you worked such long hours, would you smile? They certainly managed to get into the spirit of things last week, when they joined in with some traditional folk dancing - the little old lady cleaners, the runners, everyone.
6. "The beach is dangerous". Duh, no, actually, its not that bad. There are some sharp stones, but people should make themselves aware of this and wear suitable footwar. There is the occasional bit of glass. They clean the beach as well as they can, but some's bound to be missed. And lets face it - the glass got there in the first place by a guest taking it to the beach and breaking it.
7. Uneven surfaces. - Use your eyes. If it looks uneven - walk slower and more carefully. How difficult is that?
8. Food poisoning. Errr - no, actually, its heat exhaustion/sunstroke. Because there's a lovely cool breeze, people stay out in the sun too long too quickly. Sure - fire recipe for the squits! [look up the symptoms if you don't believe me,]
9. There's nothing for teenagers to do. Kids clubs go up to 14, when most kids woudn't be seen dead doing organised activities. [well, i wouldn't have, when i was that age] So what can they do? Well, lets see,,,,,,,, there's swimming, [sea or pool or waterpark], banana boat, beach games [there are pitches marked out with nets and stuff], tennis, pool [snooker], archade games, [simulators], table football, air hockey, bungie trampoline. evening entertainment for the whole family [ok, i know this isn't the best for teens, but its something] - oh and a very nice disco with flashing lights, loud music, little kids discouraged, latest music. Plus, that well known persuit of teens - the CHATTING UP THE OPPOSITE SEX. - seems plenty to keep them busy, to me - or have today's teens lost the ability to amuse themselves? Oh, yeah I forgot - in todays age, with computer games being so popular - kids have lost the ability to socialise with other kids. [and there are computer games for them to use too - plus an internet cafe]
All in all, the only thing that I would complain about, in my holiday, is the constant complaints, of whingy adults who should know better. I didn't even get cross about misbehaved kids [i'm a teacher] as there weren't any - happy kids are well behaved kids. I wish their parents could have shown a bit more enthusiasm for enjoying their stay, rather than looking for things to critisise.
Someone has asked me about the room facilities, so here goes: We booked a twin room, which officially can take 3 adults and a child. The room had twin beds, and a pull out sofabed [double] There was the unsual wardrobe, and dressing table, and bedside tables. There were also cupboards under a largish tv - and in there was a mini fridge, prestocked with 4 bottles of mineral water. There was one easy chair, and one dining chair next to a small circular table. On the balcony were 2 chairs and a table [bog standard white plastic]. The room had efficicent air conditioning, which worked only when the key fob was in a slot near the door. The aircon shuts off automatically, when you open the door to the balcony. There is no handle on the outside of the balcony door, so it is impossible to open from the outside. [but equally, impossible to shut from there too.] There is one electrical socket which can be used for chargers, razors, etc. The bathroom has an electric hairdryer attached to the wall . The shower was excellent. Hot water straight away, strong jet, and easily adjustable to the temperature you prefer. All areas were carpeted, except the bathroom. Sheets changed twice a week, towels daily. Sometimes the replacement towels were a bit threadbare, but always Very clean. The maid came in daily to clean - and to make the beds.
Price: The total cost for us two adults, main holiday week, for 7 days, was £1,193.24, having been given a £130 discount for booking online with First Choice. [2008]. I have been told that the price for next year has almost doubled, but I haven't checked.
All in all - we had a great time, and loved the place. The only thing we have to complain about is that there were too many people complaining , who seemed 'hell-bent' on getting others to moan too.
My album of photographs can be seen here - if you'd like to take a look:
Definitely a great review - curious about the price though, and what the rooms were like (did they have tea/coffee making facilities, etc ?) Sorry you had to put up with such whingers! :) X
headcase44 10.08.2008 23:47
Hello and welcome to Ciao. A good first review that would have been easier to read if it had paragraph spacing... Thanks. J.
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