Elounda Orama Boutique Hotel

Booked 2 weeks here and were unfortunate to stay during Cretes really bad weather. I’m sure when it was first built it was a lovely hotel, but now it’s outdated, poorly maintained and in need of some renovation. In order to be objective I will list what are good and bad points in my opinion. Good points are:- Lovely friendly staff on reception and pool area, can’t do enough for you. Pool area is lovely, nice padded beds and lovely pool. Food is decent with a good choice, but not always that hot, and toaster is useless. Bad points:- No hot water in rooms (or in rooms of people we spoke to) told to turn on air con and leave all day, which only helped to produce Luke warm water….just bizarre!!! Room we had was very small, in need of an update, with no privacy in toilet (like pooing in a phone box). Breakfast area is not waterproof and the day the storms hit, it was underwater. The staff did nothing to alleviate this. The area is quite dirty, the staff are lazy, quite scruffy and do little cleaning of tables or restaurant area. The whole of our building was flooded, internal staircases were like waterfalls It’s very disjointed as a hotel with different buildings on different levels. Lots of stairs and lifts to areas, would avoid if you have any mobility issues, and you need a map to find the pool. The gym was not open at all while we were there. So the acid test is would I stay again….No….which is a real shame as with a little work and a manager who kept on top of the staff (reception staff apart) and the maintenance issues, this would be a gem of a hotel

Firstly I will start by saying how friendly and helpful the staff were. Unfortunately, other than that I would not rate this as a 4 star hotel. Water was cold for showers every day of a 10day stay. Many guests have complained of the same. We were all advised to put air-conditioning on to improve the water temperature?? I do not know the science of this, but it didn't work! We were unfortunate enough to stay in Crete during a cyclone. Weather events are an act of nature but having a dining room completely open to the elements meant it was flooded. Only 2 tables that were completely undercover and everyone else had to wade through water and sit in wet chairs, at wet tables. There was no communal area for guests to be together during this time. Bedroom was on the small side but clean and comfortable. However an open plan room, including bathroom and toilet are not what I would see as 4 star. It is fortunate that my friend and I aren't overly shy with each other, or this could have been very uncomfortable. My friend had been hoping to use the gym to continue her ongoing physio. This was out of action for the whole time. Would I stay here again? Maybe if it was just for a night or 2.