Amaronda Resort & Spa Eretria in Eretria

We went for 4 nights during last week of October and fully expected a quiet stay in a quiet area, however, we thought - based on the website- that the hotel would offer more to counter the middle-of-nowhere location and colder weather.. it doesn’t. The hotel is very clean and modern looking.. that’s about it. There is nothing to do. The “gym” is a few bits of equipment on the beachfront, the “indoor pool” is only accessible if you’ve booked a spa treatment, there’s only one massage therapist so couples massages or going together is out of the question. The bicycle rentals are only for use on the hotel premises which I’m not sure how you’d manage that. Boat tours- seasonal, though no one can possibly give you dates or prices upfront. There was a board of entertainment for each day of the week and yet nothing happened at those times or places. By the third day we had only seen one event which was the “white party” which consisted of one staff member serving a container of cocktail with about 30 volovants on a table. No music, no engagement. There were equipment such as balls and tennis rackets you could ask for from reception and a few things like darts dotted around the hotel grounds. We played tennis once but as the court is by a main road and the top isn’t netted, gave up after the ball went over and we had to go searching in the dark. During our stay the temperature got up to 29c but the wind made it feel more like 17. I was out in trousers and a thick cardigan and still chilly. The pool was cold and with the wind it wasn’t appealing so we didn’t go in once. On our last day we had a massage (separately as only one therapist) and spent time in the pool after but being in there alone with a deafening “waterfall” wasn’t much fun so stayed maybe 20minutes. The pool itself is lukewarm, about chest deep and the bottom of the pool lining is bubbled. There is a quite obvious greenish water line around the pool. You can press a button to turn on the jacuzzi jets which was the saving grace, there are also towels available in the pool area. The massage itself was lovely - €110 for 50minutes, she was very good and it was relaxing. They give you a robe, slippers and net underwear to wear and you’re provided with a lockable cubby to leave your things. The spa area is pretty but you’re asked to shower in an unlocked room with no towel before the treatment and again afterwards if you want to use the pool. The food is cold. Spaghetti bolognaise served three meals in a row out of a possible 7 dishes per sitting. 3 of those being carbs- plain pasta, rice and potatoes; one vegetable dish and one meat (as well as 2 variations of the bolognaise sauce) One time there were chicken nuggets and chips, one time there was a man cooking pork, the other times it was the same lukewarm dishes being regurgitated. Cold salads for sides or bread that’s been sitting out since breakfast and some mediocre dessert which all tastes the same. Nothing seemed traditional,

Nice property. Smaller than we thought. Just one main dining room. Small food selection. Items frequently repeated. No service on the beach. There are menus attached to umbrellas with QR codes to scan, how we menu is outdated and cannot order from beach. Need to go to beach bar. Never saw an employee on the beach. The all inclusive drink menu limited to about 5 cocktails to choose from and don’t change daily. The beach chair menus had other drinks how not allowed to request for all inclusive and told “menu outdated”.