Guest User
September 7, 2023
My girlfriend and I decided to visit Poros as it was reputed to be a real hidden gem. Sitting here as I start writing this review, I can honestly say that it is a tranquil peice of paradise on Earth and well worth a visit by anyone who wants to escape the bustle of Athens for a couple of days. It is a shame, therefore, that our holiday has been so disrupted by the hotel we chose to stay at. I write of the Xenia Poros Image Hotel. You will likely be reading this review prior to booking and will have seen those images of the lovely refurbished rooms with that lovely bedding, the clean and modern furniture and the balconies which overlook the glistening bay and its harbour. You may also have noticed that these ‘Standard Double’ rooms provide an option of selecting a double or a twin option when booking. And so, you’re probably (and quite rightly), expecting your room to look like the one advertised and to have the bed type you selected. You’d be wrong - allow me to recount our experience… We arrived into the harbour and struck by its beauty, sat and had a drink in a local bar prior to catching a taxi up to the hotel (€5 or a lovely 15 min walk). Once at the hotel, it looked quite presentable and we walked up to the desk. Despite having already provided all our check in details online, we were asked to write them all out again - no big deal and so we were provided our key and we walked up the corridor and opened the door. It suffices to say that expectation and reality did not tally. Where a double bed had been expected, two thin and tightly blanketed beds sat in the middle of it. The walls were white and bare and the furniture was sparingly spread around it as if trying to fill the gaps. In short, you’d be happy if you were provided it as an in-patient at the local hospital but it certainly wasn’t the 4 star hotel room advertised. On moving to the balcony, I looked to the right, out towards Aegean and saw beautiful waves and a series of yachts gracefully sailing past us. On looking straight ahead and to my left, the sea view was entirely obstructed by a concrete ramp leading to a badly painted vehicle service entrance and a series of large air conditioning units. I returned to reception. On pointing out that the room wasn’t as advertised on their website and wasn’t a double as ordered, the receptionist responded without hesitation with what was clearly a well-rehearsed retort - “Subject to availability”. On asking what she meant, she simply reiterated that bed type I had chosen was “Subject to availability”. On asking for the manager, I again explained the issue to her. Without hesitation, I again got the same response as she recommended that I read the small print on my booking. So, I pulled my phone out and we both enjoyed a good five minutes scrolling through them together before she finally admitted with visible frustration that no such term actually existed. But this wasn’t the end of the matter - it then became a matte