The Island Hotel

⭐☆☆☆☆ – Not the 5-star hotel we booked or expected

We booked The Island Hotel based on TUI’s description of a 5-star adults-only hotel, paying for a Casual Double Room with Garden View and Balcony or Terrace. Unfortunately, what we received was completely different and extremely disappointing.

Our room was nothing like the one advertised. There was no window, only a single frosted-glass entrance door, making the room feel dark, enclosed and claustrophobic. There was no proper balcony or terrace as described, and the room bore no resemblance to the accommodation shown in the brochure. To make matters worse, the air conditioning leaked water throughout our stay.

The restaurant was equally disappointing. Food was frequently lukewarm, repetitive and often ran out. Gluten-free options were very limited, and drinks weren’t included with dinner on half board—not even water. Long queues were the norm, guests had to wait to be escorted to tables after giving their room number, and service was often slow. Seeing cats wandering around the restaurant and ant nests nearby was not what we’d expect from a hotel claiming to be five-star.

The hotel itself felt tired and poorly maintained. Public areas lacked air conditioning, vegetation was overgrown, loungers were often covered in leaves, communal areas were dirty, and there was visible mould and grime in places. Furniture and fittings were dated and worn.

The swimming pool was another major disappointment. After swimming, my white bikini was permanently stained green and had to be thrown away. Our white inflatable lilo also turned green, and green staining was visible around the pool itself. We never saw the pool being cleaned. There were no toilet facilities nearby, and guests regularly brought supermarket food and alcohol to the pool area, leaving rubbish behind.

Arrival was poorly organised, with one concierge trying to escort around eight arriving parties individually to their rooms late at night, causing unnecessary delays. Throughout the holiday we also experienced constant aircraft noise and random loud music around the pool.

This hotel simply does not meet the standards expected of a 5-star property. Our biggest disappointment was that the accommodation we were given was not the room we booked or paid for. Had the hotel and room been accurately represented, we would never have chosen to stay here.

Sadly, this was one of the most disappointing holidays we’ve had, and we cannot recommend The Island Hotel based on our experience.

Very disappointing – certainly not the 5-star experience we were sold

We booked this hotel through TUI as a Casual Double Room with Garden View and Balcony or Terrace. Unfortunately, what we received was completely different and the holiday was a huge disappointment.

Our room had no window at all—only a single frosted-glass entrance door. There was no balcony or terrace, despite this being part of the room description. The room was dark, enclosed and extremely claustrophobic, feeling more like a windowless storage room than a hotel bedroom. To make matters worse, the air conditioning leaked water throughout our stay.

The food was another major let-down. It was often only lukewarm, with very little variety from day to day. As someone requiring gluten-free options, I found the choice extremely poor. Much of the food consisted of processed meats and cheeses, and on half board not even water was included with dinner. Drinks service was either very slow or non-existent. Every meal involved queuing, giving your room number and waiting to be shown to a table, and on several occasions food had run out before everyone had been served.

The restaurant area also had numerous cats wandering around and ant nests nearby, which did not inspire confidence in the hygiene standards.

The hotel itself is tired and poorly maintained. There was no air conditioning in the public areas, overgrown plants and fallen leaves were left around seating and sunbed areas, mould and grime were visible on tiled surfaces, and the furniture throughout the hotel looked dated and worn.

The swimming pool was another disappointment. My white bikini became permanently stained green after swimming and had to be thrown away, and our white inflatable lilo was also stained green. The pool tiles themselves showed green staining, and during our stay we never once saw the pool being cleaned or maintained. There are also no toilet facilities by the pool.

On arrival there was only one concierge taking several groups to their rooms one at a time, meaning everyone had to wait late into the evening before reaching their accommodation.

Other negatives included:

• No English TV channels. • No convenient access to drinking water. • Loud music around the pool at random times. • Constant aircraft noise from early morning until late at night due to the hotel’s proximity to the airport.

In our opinion, this hotel is nowhere near a five-star property. We have stayed in many genuine five-star hotels, and this simply doesn’t compare. At best, we would rate it as a three-star hotel.

The biggest disappointment was that the accommodation we received was not the room we booked or paid for. Had the room and hotel been accurately represented, we would have chosen somewhere else.

We have raised a formal complaint with TUI and have extensive photographic evidence to support the issues described above.

Sadly, we cannot recommend this hotel and would not return.

Location is quite alright, close to the beach, local shops and pubs. No music in pool area or in restaurants makes it very sad place. Our room was nice and clean but very dark. We were not allowed to have a late check out even tho we let them know on day one. They only offered a shower for extra 30€. Food was very mediocre and greasy. Fresh fruit and pizza were the best options. Ladies at the reception need to work on their customer service skills. We have been told no problem with late check out and told its 90€. Then we have been charged 15€ tourist tax per night which I said is ridiculous as not been informed abt it upon booking. Then she said the late check out is actually 100€ to be refused at the end anyway (young pretty lady with black hair pony tail). Do not reccomend, there are better places here.