Calypso Beach Hotel

“Very nice hotel”

Very nice hotel very clean. Food was very nice and had a good selection. The animation team was really good and friendly and the live singers was nice. The beach is nice and clean and good snorkelling between the rocks. See plenty of fish. There is not much near the hotel but it’s only a 10 min c... more

Very nice hotel very clean. Food was very nice and had a good selection. The animation team was really good and friendly and the live singers was nice. The beach is nice and clean and good snorkelling between the rocks. See plenty of fish. There is not much near the hotel but it’s only a 10 min cab into Faliraki with lots of bars and restaurant’s.

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“Lovely family vacation”

Great family vacation, especially with small Kids. Beautiful, well-kept and above all clean hotel complex. Great importance is attached to cleanliness here and that is rare these days. We would come back at any time. The price-performance ratio is great!

“Considerations for those with a food allergy/intolerance. Read before booking.”

Firstly, would like to say that generally my hotel stay was a good experience. Staff were friendly and well meaning and always made them selves available to assist. Pools were good and lots of activities for kids, rooms were kept clean for the most part. Now for the main point of writing this ... more

Firstly, would like to say that generally my hotel stay was a good experience. Staff were friendly and well meaning and always made them selves available to assist. Pools were good and lots of activities for kids, rooms were kept clean for the most part. Now for the main point of writing this review, please note, the following was mentioned to the chefs and staff in person but is worthwhile noting for those that live with food intolerances or allergies, and there doesn't seem to be many reviews that mention about this. I did not go on this trip expecting much but my points are easily rectifiable by the hotel. For allergy sufferers: Firstly, I have a wheat allergy (anaphylaxis) but can tolerate a small amount of cross contamination. I generally eat gluten free as many people do not understand the difference. If your allergy is more severe, and cross contamination is a large issue, I would strongly consider contacting the hotel first before booking to see what they can put in place for your stay. It is worth noting that food served is always on a buffet basis, there is no restaurant and menu style meal, and there is a large risk of cross contamination due to the average public (understandably) not having the consideration of others when mixing utensils etc. Our first meal was a bit of a shambles, as I didn't know the process of having an allergy there or what to expect. As such, my family and friends group that I was travelling with found a table and went to inspect the food. PLEASE NOTE - there is NO ALLERGY INFORMATION on the food labels offered and sometimes just no labels at all. As such, I tried to corner 3 waiters / waitresses and found none were able to understand my needs due to the language barrier - the hotel was mostly catered for Italian / Russian and German visitors of which there were many and only knew a little English. No issue with this but hard to find the information of how to get help. Lets not panic yet, a week to go left on our trip! Eventually we were able to identify the superiors/management who had a higher level of English and advised me that for EVERY MEAL I would have to make myself known to them so they could let the Chef know and have a personal tour of each item and discussion as to whether each item would be safe for me. Once we knew the process, it was easier for the rest of the meals we had during our stay. However, I was never able to eat a meal with my family and friends (who are without allergies) as I would generally have to hunt down the management who would then request the chef to come out and then give me "the tour" of the food items. The whole process each night could take between 10 to 15 minutes before I could start the process of collecting the food, not eat, and this was sometimes longer during busy periods where the staff were understandably pulled left, right and centre. As such, my friends and family had already sat down and eaten their plates or 90% of them by the time I was back. To save fellow GF/wheat allergy sufferers time, they can usually make you PIZZA or GF Pasta/gnocchi separately, but was told they would need 20/25 mins for this to be prepared for you. Great, but not ideal if your family is already sat down and eating and only ads further time to the process. So if you wish for foods like this it might make more sense to travel to the food court ahead of time and request that it is made. I just avoided them. Dinner items generally vary from day to day. It is worth noting that I had conflicting information on items during my stay, which doesn't fill anyone with an allergy full of confidence. I remember as examples that the chips/fries and coleslaw were items in which I was told on differing nights was safe and others that it wasn't. It appeared to be the same items each time it was served, so expect a little inconstancy in the info you might receive and use your own better judgement of risk. The chefs that worked with me seemed to have varying opinions on the items. The tour is also more than a little overwhelming, with lots of items to go through and by the time you start and stop you will probably forget half of the info on what is safe and not, so make sure to make a mental or actual note of what you can or can't have as you don't want to make an error when it comes to this kind of stuff. For Breakfast, I just had the tour once, as generally the food items were the same each morning so I knew already what I could and couldn't have. However, please note that GF items such as bread and pastries are not available out in the buffet, and no signs, that I saw, on how to obtain them. Luckily, I found the management each morning who retrieved GF bread for me from the Kitchen. So I can advise they definitely exist and to request them from management. Lunch also varies from day to day, I stuck mostly to eating a Greek salad with meats which I felt were likely safe, though I am sure the staff could advise further, I initially asked on the first day and the chef I spoke too didn't understand Gluten Free or "Wheat" but got a little further using google translate, but decided to just use my own better judgement. Once again, expect no information or guidance from labels. PLEASE NOTE - my friends and family without allergies were happy with the food and variety on offer, I am aware that my issues only affect a smaller percentage of the population, but is arguably more important due to the seriousness of the issues we face. Also, this is the process for the hotel, it is not the fault of the staff, who are working within their training and framework, everyone was eager to help and pleasant and did their best. I especially appreciated the mixed grill you made full of ribs and goodies! In Summary: 1. Expect delays against the rest of your party for obtaining food - you are likely to start eating when the rest of your party is finishing. 2. Expect that food labels contain no useful information for allergy sufferers. 3. For GF items you need to source management in the food hall. 4. Expect "the tour" of the food items for your meals. You need to report to management in the food hall for this, same for Tutti Frutti and the other food outlets. For the Hotel: As discussed with the Chefs and management a lot of issues can be rectified with one very small change: You are producing food labels for Items and identifying whether they are suitable for vegans, just put labelling on them as to whether or not they are essentially GF or not and advise that all items may contain traces or other allergens and to speak to a member of staff if further assistance is required. This is done all over the world by other hotels and would save a lot of time for Gluten Free travellers. You could also put a key of containing wider allergens, your Chefs know the information already as they advise on the tour, and generally do not offer alternatives to buffet items, except in a few cases, so why not do this and leave the better judgement to the sufferer who generally knows their limitations. Using basic key signs for allergens allows sufferers from all over the world to understand. I know you sell "the tour" as a personal chat with the chef, and some people need that, but think of it from this perspective. 1. It takes up valuable time of your staff, I witnessed them doing multiple tours each night sharing much of the same information. 2. Living with an allergy/intolerance is already a rather alienating thing for the sufferer, having to request a special / time consuming tour each night just ads to that experience. Labelling items removes much of the need to make a fuss and provides us with the information we need to make decisions. We know you are available for further help :) Regardless, I had a great time with my family and knowing what to expect will help any further trips I have to the same hotel in the future, hopefully next time with some improvements!

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“Ok but food organisation needs to be better!”

Not long arrived back after 10 days at the hotel. Overall experience was "good" The hotel is beautiful!!clean,all staff from your cleaners,bar staff and cooks etc work hard 24hrs.brilliant.. The room we stayed in (side seaview) was clean...perhaps a little update needed but overall was clean and ... more

Not long arrived back after 10 days at the hotel. Overall experience was "good" The hotel is beautiful!!clean,all staff from your cleaners,bar staff and cooks etc work hard 24hrs.brilliant.. The room we stayed in (side seaview) was clean...perhaps a little update needed but overall was clean and presentable..beds was made daily,and clean towels daily. Cocktails are lush and they don't skimp on the measurements 🤭. Food was varied every day,which I loved although I do have a couple of fussy eaters who just lived on pizza and chips.. I only have a few bug bares,the hotel seems to cater more for oversea friends! ...my husband asked for the d-day remembrance on the tv in main bar,this was refused at first,but they agreed but we had to watch it inside (where no one was),Also there was football match playing,which they also refused point blank to put on.. Meal times are organised chaos!! The snack bar shuts at 6pm which is too early!! Apart from the hustle and bustle from the main canteen,that's the only place where we could get food...they have snacks in blue bar which is bad,they only offer pre made sandwiches...(which is all one flavour) a variety would have been nice.. waffles and chocolate,and fruit!!which I wouldn't want to eat If I was a bit hungry later on in night... Snack bar I think should stay open later. On a couple of occasions we chose to eat early at the snack bar (before it closed) so we didn't have to go in main canteen... I think it would be better,if snack bar was open later,and or maybe the other food hall was open.. Our group numerous times didn't fancy the hustle and bustle of going down for breakfast,they literally just wanted toast,staff refused,to let us take food to our room ..I can understand meals or plates of food..but this was just for 2 pieces of toast....so I'f any one your party is not feeling too good,you are not allowed to take food out We also went on a day trip we asked staff day before if we could take sandwiches with us,they said yes...but we had to take them from snack bar only (didn't open till midday) but we had to be out for our daytime trip at 7.30 in the morning!! Get up early for sunbeds too,we got up early,and by the time we quickly went for breakfast,our beds had been moved,or a towel moved off a bed...so others could have it!... I'd happily go there again..but only if the food situation was rectified,and I'd go in a less busy month...end of may...... Last thing,the sea is shingles,gets very hot on your feet! And sea is lovely once you get passed all the seaweed covered Rocks and ditch!...many people went in but it was dangerous just to get in...so I chosen the pool instead.i get that's not the hotels fault though,but if u did fancy a dip in the sea,be careful.. Water activities out side hotel are good too,which some of my group went on...overall nice hotel,but definitely food times,organisation needs to rectified!

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