Aphrodite Hills Hotel by Atlantica

Our experience got off to a poor start at check-in. The reception staff were rude and lacked basic customer service skills. We arrived at approximately 2:30pm and were told that our flight was not due to arrive until later in the day, which was completely incorrect as we had arrived on the flight detailed in our package booking. To make matters worse, we were initially given our room number and key cards before they were taken back because the room was apparently not ready.

I also explained that we were part of a wedding party and that the rest of our group had already booked into the Mexican restaurant that evening. I asked if four of us could be added to the existing reservation so we could dine together, but was simply told that the system would not allow it. There was no effort to find a solution or accommodate our request.

The room itself was clean and offered beautiful views of the golf course, hills and sea. Although the décor was slightly dated and the bathroom could benefit from refurbishment, we were generally happy with the room and enjoyed a comfortable night’s sleep throughout our stay. I would recommend requesting a room in the blocks near the adults-only pool, as these appeared to be of a much higher standard. Some members of our party stayed in rooms connected to the main hotel and reported that they were dark, dirty and infested with insects.

The hotel grounds were generally well maintained. However, the sunbeds were uncomfortable and certainly not what I would expect from a 5-star resort. The armrests were consistently filthy and appeared never to be cleaned, often leaving your arms sticking to them. The pool bar staff were polite and worked hard, but there were simply not enough of them, which meant the advertised butler service was often very slow.

The main bar area was attractive and well presented. One young male member of staff was particularly friendly and helpful, but a female colleague frequently came across as rude and unhappy in her role, which did not create a welcoming atmosphere.

The food was good overall. The breakfast buffet offered plenty of choice and we appreciated the adults-only breakfast area. The Mexican restaurant was excellent and George, one of the waiters, was undoubtedly the standout member of staff during our stay. He could not do enough for guests and was an absolute credit to the hotel. The Asian restaurant was also excellent and one of the highlights of the trip.

The spa was lovely. I had a full-body massage which was excellent, and the staff were attentive and professional throughout.

Unfortunately, the Village Square was a major disappointment. It resembled a construction site and was an eyesore. None of the pubs or cafés located there were included within the all-inclusive package. During our stay, England’s World Cup matches were shown on a large screen in the Village Square rather than within the hotel itself. This felt like a deliberate attempt to encourage guests to purchase drinks, as the all-inclusive package did not apply there. Ironically, many of the bar staff working there were the same staff members we had seen serving within the hotel.

We were visiting for my sister’s wedding, which was a lovely day overall but was made unnecessarily stressful due to poor coordination from the wedding team.

Firstly, we were initially refused buggies to transport us from our rooms to the chapel, despite being expected to walk approximately 15 minutes in formal dresses and heels in extreme heat. The hotel only changed its position after we complained and explained how unreasonable this was.

Secondly, construction work was ongoing during the wedding ceremony. Guests seated towards the back commented that they struggled to hear parts of the ceremony because of the noise. There was no prior warning about the construction work, and despite the hotel’s claims that work was not taking place during the ceremony, this was simply not our experience.

Thirdly, we repeatedly asked throughout the week about decorating the Secret Garden for the evening reception. On multiple occasions, we were told that decorations could not be set up until the cocktail hour itself, between 6pm and 7pm. As a result, the mothers of the bride and one of the bridesmaids missed the entire cocktail hour because they were busy decorating tables. The explanation given was the risk of bird droppings, which felt like a poor excuse. Wedding guests should not have to miss part of such an important day because of unnecessary restrictions imposed by the hotel.

The wedding food was excellent, with a great selection of salads, barbecue dishes and desserts. The DJ was also outstanding and deserves special recognition for helping to create a fantastic atmosphere.

Overall, we had a pleasant enough stay and there were some positive aspects, particularly the views, certain restaurants, the spa and a handful of exceptional staff members. However, this is not a 5-star experience as I would expect, and there is very little that feels truly luxurious about the resort. I have stayed in much nicer hotels and resorts. Unfortunately, I would not choose to return.

As a solo traveller, my second stay at Aphrodite Hills has been just as special as the first. The resort is beautiful, peaceful and has such a lovely atmosphere that it's easy to feel at home here.

A huge thank you to the whole reception team along with Christos, Elizebetta, Polina and George who were always so welcoming, friendly and professional. Nothing was ever too much trouble, and they always took the time to make sure everything was perfect.

A special mention also goes to Savannah, the TUI rep, who truly made my holiday extra special. Her positive attitude and genuine care for guests really stood out, and she is a real credit to TUI.

The recent refurbishment has made the hotel even better, and the new Nusan area is absolutely gorgeous such a beautiful addition to the resort. I also have to mention Kamilya at the adults' pool, who was always so attentive and friendly, and Levi at the Sunset Bar, who made every evening enjoyable with his fantastic service.

It's the people that make Aphrodite Hills so special, and that's why I keep coming back. Thank you to everyone for another wonderful stay!