Lydia Maris Resort and Spa

Our experience was overall very positive. The staff were exceptional - friendly and polite - in particular Gustavo and his animation team who bring such energy to the job. (And a special shout-out to Maria, our cleaner, who was lovely). The complex is relatively small and easy to get around. It didn’t feel overwhelmingly busy and we never had problems getting pool loungers or tables at breakfast, lunch or dinner. The food was great - always fresh and tasty - if slightly repetitive. The staff make Lydia Maris what it is and the location is another real strength - it’s a good base for exploring the island and there are great beaches and many pubs and restaurants (and a supermarket and pharmacy) within walking distance. We went on a few TUI excursions including a catamaran trip which we’d strongly recommend and trips to Rhodes Old Town and Lindos, and some other forays under our own steam including a taxi trip to Seven Springs, a cooler, forested area not far from the hotel which has an excellent taverna boasting a menagerie of animals freely roaming around, including peacocks! (best to go late afternoon / evening). It’s definitely worth getting out and about and easy to hire a car if you want to (though we didn’t like the look of it; the streets are very busy and no one seems to know or care about the rules of the road, so be careful as a pedestrian!) There’s a hire car desk in the hotel lobby. We also took a taxi to Tsambika Beach (about a 10-minute drive) which is beautiful and very well worth a visit. Also the local sandy St Nicolas beach in Kolimbia is great - drinks are delivered to your sun lounger by the excellent El Verano restaurant (food is top notch as are the staff, and portions are huge!) Taxis are easy to book - we did it via hotel reception - and not too expensive - it seemed to be about 20 euros for any trip we took. They can take a while to turn up. We also hired a boat at Aegean Boats which is based at the harbour near El Verano restaurant - a wonderful experience. Another recommendation if you want a slightly pricier treat - there’s a seafood restaurant overlooking a beach, serving freshly caught fish filleted at the table, about a 10-minute walk from the hotel - Limanaki Restaurant. Overall, Lydia Maris is a great place to stay - a brilliant base for wider exploration, or a good option for a ‘fly and flop’ break with minimal effort. We did both - a bit of relaxation by the pool and on the beach, mixed with seeing the sights and getting around the island. Watch out for the wi-fi at the hotel which is intermittent - head for the lobby bar or pool bar for the strongest signal if you want to download a movie, for example. It did work in the rooms - but was not reliable. Depending on your mobile contract, in terms of data roaming, it may be worth getting an eSIM before you travel, which we did (try Saily), providing fairly cheap data, if you’re intending to use the internet while you’re away. That removes any anxiety about getting connected to the wi fi. We wouldn’t hesitate in recommending Lydia Maris.

Definitely not a five star hotel! Soft drinks awful taste like syrup cheap versions and warm from the dispenser and flat at times ended up buying from the hotel shop which you should not have to do on a five star holiday So snacks or food available at certain times after been on an excursion . So ended up paying a fortune to eat out didn’t expect this due to hotel been all inclusive! Extra costs for certain cocktails 8 euros each crazy as it’s classed as an all inclusive! There was no mention of this in the love holiday website . Room clean however floor gets very slippery due to the ceramic tiles . My husband slipped and injured his hip badly . Bathroom shower had no fully closable door so water went all over the bathroom causing more of a slip Hazard so had to use the clean towels to mop it up ! Heavy lime scale in the shower . Tiles are so dangerous not great as I have mobility issues . Animation team were all lovely and did the best they could with limited resources to try and entertain guests . Staff friendly on the whole . I would say it’s more of a three star hotel would not go back Water was not stocked up each day so more expensive from shops . No shuttle bus to beach .

Just returned from 10 days at Lydia Maris and we are absolutely gutted to have left.

Resort is fantastic and well kept. Staff work hard on the grounds.

Food is great, a lot of variety every day with themed nights.

Staff in restaurant work so hard and are always polite.

Gyros bar and pizza hut are both unreal and so fresh. Lady that makes Gyros works her absolute socks off and always has a smile on her face.

Pool was excellent, no issues getting sun loungers every day.

Animation team were excellent. Gustavo, Nino, Kiki and Chloe work very hard to keep everything entertained.

Only issue I had was the evening entertainment is very repetitive. Music quiz every couple of days and pretty much same song, same magic comedy show twice while we were there and we sat with another couple and they said it was same magic comedy show when they were there last year. They bring in a lot of money through bingo and selling t-shirts that they should be able to provide other entertainment.

They have a darts comp in morning that both kids and adults can take part in with bottle of champagne for winner. My son won it but there was no prize available for him which he was pretty gutted about.

My daughter's favourite was the kids club with Kiki who was fantastic, they had different days where they made cookies and pizzas.

Fantastic resort and would go back in a heartbeat.