"June stay, sorry for the late review.
We holidayed at the 'LIndian seaside resort' for two weeks in June.
having holidayed many times here when it was the 'Mitsis Lindos memories', we returned with some reservations, as it was such a perfect holiday escape when a Mitsis hotel...It had alot to live up to.
We were delayed so arrived very late in the early hours, but on arrival it was so lovely to be back, the building as always still stunning, an air of calm and peaceful the tranquility was still there....
We had requested a particular room, we had stayed in before, Room 503 sea view, and thankyou, we were allocated it.
A bottle of Prosecco and fruit platter waiting for us, again a lovely touch.
waking up to the beautiful view of the pool and beach was like coming home.
Breakfast we found, is now served on the veranda, and the sun shades pulled down so obliterated the view sadly , we realise this was because of the full sun, we were saddened that breakfast was no longer served around the corner on the side terrace, which is shaded and has lovely morning views over the terrain of Navarone bay
Breakfast is very basic limited , especially for a 5* hotel, no live cook to order egg/omelette station etc, no fizz or extra touches ie, fresh honeycomb etc., everything is pre prepared....paper napkins very basic, very disappointing . staff unsure of themselves, unsmiling and lacking professionalism ...
But !
We had the best surprise, for anyone who is a past guest from the Mitsis days , we turned around and our dear friend Xhristos hurried over to greet us, (impeccably turned out as always, far smarter than any other staff member in the hotel) he had returned just 2 days previously as food & beverage manger, he truly made our holiday, thank you our friend....
I have to say in the 14 days we were there he truly worked his magic & professionalism and trained, encouraged and guided his staff to a whole new level...
back were fabric napkins, the correct glasses served with the appropriate wines, the evening meal turned into a more pleasurable dining experience, some evenings there was a singer or violinist serenading from down by the pool as we dined, lovely.
with a few further improvements- offerings, I'm sure more people would choose 1/2 board once again....
Anna who is so lovely, under xristos's direction,gained confidence in herself and took on a new level of professionalism, she started to smile, to engage with guests, her whole face lights up when she smiles and was a joy to get to know...thank you Anna for everything.
The first week the hotel seemed understaffed and under trained , the 2nd week we were there it was only at 50% capacity, which enabled them all to cope better, service improved.
The pool and beach area is just as beautiful as ever, and no-one dashed down to claim sunbeds, which was wonderful,
Sadly they are using old Mitsis beach towels some.of them with the logo cut off and stitched!
But the service was perfect and Aakis is also an asset to the hotel, so friendly and attentive, a knowledgable young man, again thank you.
The once lovely pagoda seating area overlooking the beach is no longer in use, which was so lovely to sit and have an evening drink there gazing out at sea...the wicker sofas are separated and plonked elsewhere with no cushions on just left bare...
The second week they started doing massages there, but could do with perhaps sheer curtains for privacy...
The taverna, is now open as an al a carte in the evening and no longer closes at 6pm,
which is lovely,
During the day the staff behind the bar here were also so lovely and friendly.
but food wise, most choices at lunchtime were full on meals and lacking 'greek 'food choices,
no small plates, to form a meze, ie hummus, pitta breads calamari etc, l no light bites...
Sadly the mini bars in the rooms are empty!?, again even if payable, we have never encountered this in a 4* hotel, let alone 5* hotel.
bottled water is provided fresh every day, and little chocolates left in the evening and again some evenings we had wine left too, again thankyou.
Housekeeping were thorough and friendly, thank you.
The shop is severely understocked, empty shelves mainly selling water and ice creams, but again the lady serving is lovely.
Thehotel building is just as lovely as ever, but sadly the beautiful water fountain which was always full of water and flowers previously, a stunning feature as you walk through is left empty,
Jonny in the bar on an evening was so lovely, friendly although service was slow despite it being quiet.
Drinks are also overpriced , basic house wine 35 euros, gin & tonic were charged for separately , depending what gin between 12-15 euro and tonic charged on top! more guests I feel sure would drink here if this was addressed?
Kindly the manager gave us another room with her compliments, on our last day as we had a late evening flight, thank you so much.
Ive tried to give a balanced review and realise that the hotel is under different management now, and has a lot to live up to, especially if like us you are a returning Mitsis guests.
I have to say the service and quality of our stay improved over the two weeks, Xristos, we feel should be promoted to assistant manager and given free reign to move the hotel forward... with a bit more attention to detail the Indian dreams will be a true 5*. hotel
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to friends and would say to former guests, go you won't be disappointed, the magic of the place is still there, thank you for our stay and we will be back."