Ilyssion Beach Resort

Although I have been staying at the Ilyssion Hotel for many years, I realised that I rarely review it. In fact, I think this must only be my third review and I have been returning here for over 25 years. What I love about the place, apart from the location and the weather, which are both fabulous, is the way there is always something a bit different for me to find on my return, for example new rooms or an extension of the outdoor spaces. This year the pool bar was refitted to enable lunch to be served buffet style mainly for the all inclusive guests, but also for those of us who do not choose that option to have lunch in a truly stunning setting. I will say again that I have always found the Hotel staff to be very friendly, helpful and willing to deal quickly with any issues that need resolving, not that there are any on my part. Yet again this year the rooms were cleaned daily and bed linen and towels replaced as per the website. The food range on offer for breakfast and lunch is plentiful and more than adequate for the different tastes of the all the guests who come from various places across Europe and the UK. I do not stay all inclusive as I love getting out into Pefkos, Lardos or Lindos to eat in traditional greek restaurants. That too is all part of what makes my holiday so good. Many thanks once again to Chris and the team for a making my stay a fantastic, restorative holiday, Loved every minute

Well, we have never had such a hotel. The hotel can have a maximum of 2 stars due to the natural beauty and unspoiled premises. Laughter is included. Do you have tokens to get 1 plastic glass for a drink, where you choose water or alcohol. Are you outside at the food queue and table every time because there is only 1 restaurant open and with too few staff to serve even though there is room. No dessert. Do you buy water and shower gel in the hotel when you have everything included? Would it be enough for you to sleep during the day if there were only cookies? How long will you always eat the same thing for breakfast. Although let's face it, it's a pretty tasty meal and the staff is helpful.

I am just back from a 7 night stay with my family, absolutely can’t fault this hotel and staff, always friendly and nothing too much trouble. The location is quite simply breathtaking and I felt so lucky to be there. We were given a lovely room with the most incredible sea view (the majority of the rooms have the same awesome view) I felt so lucky waking up every morning to the sound of the waves. We were literally steps away from the beach and all three pools (which are all lovely and cleaned every day). The food was, in my opinion, very good, plenty of choice at every meal and different dishes every day. I tried things I’ve never tried before and really enjoyed them. Just to clarify other people have complained about breakfast not being hot - I don’t understand this - sausage, beans, potatos, egg and often bacon was available every day in addition to yoghurt, fruit, ham, cheese, tomatoes, toast and pastries, with coffee machines and juice to drink. At times it got busy in the dining room but nothing terrible. The pool bar is nothing short of amazing with an incredible panoramic sea view, lunch is served here, steps away from the pool and sea with lots of choice and a fresh meat option each day, with superb gyros being made freshly for you. Again at times there was a a queue but seeing as it’s served for two hours this is easily avoided. One day we went into Lindos (which was also lovely but very hot!) we walked up to the Acropolis and enjoyed the views, got the bus from the hotel door 2 euros each, we were tired and hot when we got back and had just missed lunch, but a lovely lady member of staff ushered myself and my children in and opened all the food area back up for us, it felt like coming home to family and was greatly appreciated. So many spots to enter the sea and swim/snorkel (amazing) and drift on a lilo. Plenty of drink choices too and bar staff all lovely, air con in room was very efficient and included in the price, small deposit to pay for remotes but returned at the end of holiday. I think the idea of returning your glass to get another drink is genius, it saves litter being left around the hotel and is an easy system. All in all it was a heavenly trip, if I had to suggest one thing to change it would be to offer ice cream as part of the all inclusive. Thankyou Ilyssion family for an incredible holiday we would love to return in the future.

We would just like to say we have stayed at this hotel for a number of yeas now, we have found the family to be vey friendly and always aims to try and help when they can. we have found owners Maria and Chris to work very hard and long hours too give a very good service, the hotel is always clean and tidy. The food is always at a good standard there is a good selection of bar drinks, the rooms are always cleaned and replaced with sheets and towels every two days, the swimming pools are always kept too a very high standard, with plenty of sun beds. this year we found having the food served at the pool bar area at lunch time a very good ideal, and there was always a good choice of food. there was good entertainment during our stay of 14 nights, and thanks again for a fantastic holiday.

Everything works, location surprising (rocky beach with steps to sea, 200m to sandy beach to right and 100m to tiny sandy left. Sunbeds under olive trees as well as 3 pools. Evening entertainment every other night. Bus stop in front, walk 1km to Pefkos and to Lardos. No shopping near only one restaurant = save money. Food varies daily, very often fish one or two different. Drinks from 12-23. You get one glass and have it as long as you change or return = save environment and rubbish. Lots of sunbeds. Would go again, great find. And I have done about 70 tourist trips around the beaches.

The hotel is in the most perfect location for swimming in the sea which we did every day. Crystal clear water. Best part of our holiday. Didn't use the pools but that's not our thing anyway. Rooms were fine, cleaned daily etc. The huge negative for us was that we paid all inclusive and ended up eating out every night in Pefkos as the food was so awful. We weren't the only people doing this. Also you couldn't even get soft drinks or water until 11am in 30° heat and then you would have to queue for ages for drinks at one bar. I don't know why they couldn't supply water for guests to help themselves to. I've been to plenty of all inclusive where guests/children can help themselves to soft drinks. Regardless, we did enjoy our vacation. The owners are very helpful. A very family feel (family run) and a holiday is what you make it. I think if the food and drink service could be improved we would most definitely be back. Beautiful location.