Kalithea Horizon Royal

This is an honest review!! We traveled as a family of 9, 6 adults 3 children. I’ve read people was greeted by a grumpy old man. We arrived early hours but can honestly say he was fine, offered us food etc so no issues there. Room was great clean, spacious and looked over the field that had the cow on and the safari bar/pool. Entertainment team good fun with a shout out to panda. This is the downside the flies are horrendous! Especially around the safari bar. I know it has popcorn and ice cream there but if that was in the uk it would be shut down! Same as the outside restaurants just too many flies. People saying oh it’s Greece in the summer?? So what. If you went to a restaurant in the uk and was swatting flies away you’d complain and leave! Why should you accept it because it’s Greece. People have paid thousands of pound for these holidays. I’ve been to other parts of Greece and not had issues with flies. Another issue is not once during our 10 day break did we see anyone cleaning the swimming pools! I think this is why people were getting ill. You could see the grime in the tiles and around the pool edge. If I was to give a tip then eat in the restaurant facing the kids park and reception. Yes it’s in doors but no flies so can relax eating. For lunch go to the delfina. It’s overlooking the pool as you enter the hotel from the car park. Yes it has issues with some flies but you can order from a menu and it’s cooked fresh. The pork chop 👌🏻. Also evening entertainment we sat outside at the bar in reception. Is waiter service but you’re never waiting, they keep you topped up. It’s a shame because the hotel could be lovely but few cleaning issues would mean we wouldn’t return.

AVOID!!! At all costs! Even if you get a good deal! I went as a family of 6 with 4 young children, it started bad from the first day with the night time “ hotel manager at reception” he is awful! We had to come down again as we had no cot his reply was “ when did you arrive” we said an hour ago, “ why didn’t you tell us an hour ago” he’s just rude and arrogant! When you arrive you go for food and as the lady said we had a cot we didn’t think we would have to ask! And the main reason I would not stay again was because there were a million flies, it just isn’t right! We all had upset stomachs! And the final straw was our last evening! We were out and my 6 year old child starterd being sick, so we went back to the hotel and the awful manager at reception was working and I asked for a bowl or something that my child could be sick in but he said “ we don’t have one” what a vile vile horrible man!!! Couldn’t even help out a poorly child! His response was “ where do you want me to get it from my home” the lovely lady from the bar overheard and gave my child a plastic bowl! That the manager couldn’t ask someone for! He didn’t even try and help or was asking if she’s ok!!!! I have never met anyone as vile as this manager ever!!! Please read all the recent reviews and listen to them! Because they are right! I must say the bar staff in reception were amazing! Avoid if you want to make lovely memories with your family!!!!

The hotel is in a beautiful location and the grounds are well maintained. We stayed in a family room by the Thalassa restaurant. The room was spacious and clean. Although there was only one plug socket and one USB plug. We had two mini bars although it was only refreshed twice in our 2 week stay, not really a problem for us, we just got some water from the Athena restaurant that we went to for lunch. We ate breakfast and dinner at the Thalassa restaurant every day and had no issues with flies. There is a good selection of food with changes every day. We spent most days by the Mythos pool, again no issue with flies there either. I went for a swim most mornings at 8am and was the only person in the pool which was lovely. Even at 10am there were plenty of sunbeds left. We went to the beach a couple of times for a swim in the sea which was a lovely experience. It is a shingle beach so not somewhere we spent a lot of time. My 7 year old went to the kids club which she loved, she also liked the entertainment at the safari bar where they have the mini disco and family entertainment. This is where the smell of sewage is worst. We preferred the entertainment my the main bar at reception. Drinks were much better here as well. While we were there we went on the Tui pirate boat trip which my 7 year old loved, lots of games and sea swims. We also went on the bus to Rhodes and to Lindos. The bus stops just outside. This hotel is great for families

This was my second visit (First 3 yrs Ago), flies were bad before but another level this time. One thing to note that is not shown is that there is a treatment works next to the hotel (Can see on Google Maps). The flies especially round the safari bar and the waterpark pools were awful. There was 3 of us and my daughter was sick 3 times during one night and I got sickness and diarrhoea (worst I have ever had). It took till day 11 of our 14 day holiday for the Hotel to start covering the food in the open restaurant. Spoke to lots of other families with similar experiences. The lifeguards at some of the pools are useless, all they do all day is collect empty drink cups rather than their actual job. There are other minor issues with the hotel but these major ones mean I will not be returning to the hotel and I have put a complaint to TUI as they don't seem to recognise the issues even though I know lots of people complained.

We have just come back from a wonderful holiday here - 2 adults and 2 teenagers. I was a bit anxious having seen the recent reviews. Yes there were a few things for improvement (hence 4 stars) but the good outweighed the bad. Here are my thoughts: The best bits: The room were spacious and clean - cleaned daily and always felt cool - even without the ac on. We loved the whirlpool bath (well the kids did). Nice big balcony. Apparently we were on the older side - but no complaints from me! Pool area was fine - we didn’t have a cleaning issue (some reviews said the pools were dirty)? Found the cups were cleared away and the pools themselves were really big and spacious. Never over crowded. The Taverna Acropolis (towards the back of the Athena restaurant) and the Mythos grill (down a little path between the pool and the beach for lunch)- worth hunting them out. The Taverna is quieter and as well as getting freshly cooked Greek food you can bring food down from the Acropolis if you want to. Staff there were lovely. Worth booking a dinner at the Al a carte - really good food and service. Bit of a hassle to book but worth the effort. The cats were very sweet and well looked after! If you like cats then it’s a real treat - if you don’t then be prepared! But they don’t come inside or bother you at all. They are just about the place. Drinks in the pool bars were readily available - try the Frappes! Shout out to Genovefx who worked here and was so nice. Gym - agree opening hours and the max six can be frustrating but book if you want to go early or go late morning or early afternoon and it’s almost empty and it’s clean and spacious with good equipment. The lady who works there is helpful and very nice! The beach is great. The snorkelling was brilliant - it isn’t sand but a light gravel over a path and wooden walkways which was nice (no sand to deal with). Yes you pay for the sun-beds (3 euros) but that is Greek law about private beaches. Bit annoying that UK guests can’t use the beach bar without paying - TUI should sort that! The food was largely ok - I found the set up slightly better in the Thalassa and the fact it wasn’t open means if you are worried about flies it is better but the Acropolis is more relaxed (see below). The main bar by reception is nice - and the evening entertainment seemed quite good. Why not a 5 star Staff attitude - especially in the Thalassa Restaurant on the Mare side. You felt like you were in the way and always felt rushed. Inside was cramped and they snatch your plates away the minute you put your fork down. The staff also seemed stressed and clearly weren’t getting on half the time. Nightmare if you want to have a leisurely breakfast - they hassle you from 9.45 (it shuts at 10) and turn the lights off at 10am (I get stopping serving but let me finish my coffee)! If you arrive at 9.50 don’t expect to have much time. The Acropolis is much more relaxed and serves until 11. But a bit of a walk if you are on the other side. Food in the pool bar - sometimes looked like last nights left overs - didn’t eat there at all although the pizza was fresh. There weren’t quite enough snack options during the day. The Delphi snack bar is open but is table service - but having some nachos or lighter options around would be good. I may be being unfair - there was stuff about but didn’t appeal to me. Always fresh fruit available. We’ve had more varied and better animation at some hotels - was hard to find but we weren’t really that bothered by it. Our room wasn’t very sound proof. No particular hotel noises but a few late arrivals an and young babies disturbed me on a few nights. I’d take ear plugs. Things I didn’t agree with from other reviews: I wasn’t really bothered by the flies. The hotel does all it can - it’s Greece in August! Only avoided one dish (a dessert) in 2 weeks because of flies - but they are around - so can see why some people may not like that. We always found four sun-beds - saving sun-beds is an issue everywhere I’ve been to where you have large numbers of people. Not sure what hotels can do about it. If you don’t want to be right next to the pool you’ll be fine. There is a lovely quiet area on decking near the main pool and sun-beds on the grass near the Mare pool. Always had space. And the pool by reception (particularly the top area) was always quieter. I think it’s worst at the water park. But my kids were a bit old for that! My tip - take time to try different restaurants and pools - they all have a different feel and you’ll find your favourite. The site is hilly. They do have buggies you can get a ride on (particularly to the beach) but if you are not fit you may find it quite hard work. I quite liked my morning hill climb!!