Caravel Suites - Adults Only

Worst hotel I’ve ever stayed at. I had booked a luxury swim up room with sea view, all inclusive through TUI. on arrival (mid afternoon) our room was not ready which was disappointing considering check out times are 11am. We were asked to go and wander. On arrival you get a mouthful of cherry juice, no real welcome drink. When we eventually got to our room (518) and it was filthy. The walls themselves were dirty and had cracks, there were insects and cobwebs in the corner of the ceilings. There were drink marks on the back of the bathroom door and the paint on the bathroom door was peeled and split and looked very poor. The bedding was stained from a spilled drink. The swim up pool steps were thick with algae, and the size and setting of the pool was actually quite unpleasant, and the sun lounger was heavily stained (not wet). We didn’t use the swim up pool at all. The aircon didn’t work, and the pipe was messily exposed on the wall. Plugs hanging out of the wall exposing bare wires, and the telephone also had exposed wires. What is most concerning as that the room was deemed acceptable even with these issues. There was no wifi in the room despite this being advertised, and our room had no minibar. All other rooms had minibars (as stated on the hotel leaflet and we saw the trolleys with supplies outside rooms). Considering you can’t drink the tap water in zante, there were no bottles of water either. We asked at reception for bottled water and none was provided (we paid all inclusive). There were branded spirits at the main bar but none at the other bars. A surprising amount of spirits weren’t included in the all inclusive package. The shower also went through a cool and scolding hot cycle. The hotel manager never made an appearance or attempt to resolve our issues and the hotel staff were very unhelpful and frankly unpleasant. TUI reps were also useless in trying to sort a different room or equivalent accommodation. Having paid £3k for this holiday I was mortified, considering it’s meant to be five star. It is at best a £1k holiday for two, three stars at a push. My partner and I left within 24 hours on the next available flight to the UK as it was filthy, and a health and safety hazard. We wouldn’t have enjoyed any aspect of it had we stayed. We have now lodged complaints with TUI and ABTA over the health and safety/false advertising. Don’t book a holiday at this hotel and stay elsewhere to avoid the disappointment we had.

Carvel is just one of those hotels that makes you smile day after day. The staff, the facilities, the animation, the entertainment, the grounds, the food (exceptional) bar service( Branded drinks, all freshly made cocktails, over 20 to choose from) and added bonus of no kids. Like everyone before you come you look at reviews, but genuinely now have been there for 14 days, I can’t understand some people reviews, I suppose they just like to moan. Anyway here is a breakdown of the hotel. Bar Let’s start with bar service, managed by Angelo. See the cocktail list 25 all freshly made cocktails that all taste amazing. I understand that I went in October so not as many in hotel, but I never waited anymore than 5 minutes from a drink. If you get a chance go to the cocktail making day, such great fun. Big shout to the waiters who helped with the bar, Villie, una but high respects to Eva and my Albanian king Irvine. Entertainment; Numerous different singers and an Elton John tribute act, however best for me was the silent disco. Animation This year this was completed by Phillips, Mia and Wilma, all very professional and had some great laughter with. Ps they are all from Sweden, one day they were all surprised that I wore my Sweden top. Food There is of course the main restaurant that does, breakfast, launch and Dinner. The food was exceptional, always fresh seafood, salads and show cooking of a roast every night. I am normally fussy with things like that, but woah never disappointed. Ps always room for the amazing cakes and ice cream. During the day they also have a snack bar, this was so good that I never in 15 days ate in restaurant for lunch. Gyros, burgers, pizza, loaded fries, everything amazing. Pools There is 2 an activities and leisure pool, both extremely cold, but ok when you are in. The leisure pool has got leather beds around them that you can relax on, Around the pool all the beds are bean bags and extremely comfortable. If you want a drink the bar service provides service to your bed, just shout them over, and drinks 5 mins later. Beach There is a beach that you can use, but it’s very small. Get into the sea however it’s beautiful, best way to enter is down beside the exit at coffee bar, not as much stones. Room I was allocated to the suites at room 925, my balcony looked on the pub across road from hotel(great for watching any sport, man will put any game on for you) Anyway the room for my was perfect, plain walls with wooden roof, loads of room, a few others had mentioned issue with their rooms but not in mine, shampoo and conditioner provided, hairdryer and a safe. Tv in room but not many channels worked or not in English. Saying that spent most days with mtv while getting ready. To summarise this hotel is heaven, you will not be disappointed, we spend so much time looking for places like this. Get it booked. If I can help with anyone drop me a message. Thanks Carvell.

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the hotel Everyone who works there is very helpful and friendly. The food is plentiful and fresh, with lots of choices and everyone is catered for. Our room was lovely and spacious, with a large walk-in shower and his & her sinks! And would like to say efharistoh, we will come back.

Superb Cretan massage by Danielle. She asked and followed my requests for the massage strength. It was relaxing but I could feel the knots coming out of my back and neck in particular. Lovely and peaceful spa experience. Lovely smelling oils used and explanations given. Definitely recommend the experience.

- Accessible toilet to the left of the stairs as you come up from reception desk - raised toilet seat and has hand rai on right hand side of toilet. - Room 908 we stayed in which was nice and large enough to manoeuvre my manual wheelchair around the room - the room had a rainfall walk in shower - no seat or hand rails and also had no shower door/ curtain - I was able to get my wheelchair in the shower door area close to transfer to my shower stool I brought with me - The hotel has been accessible so far the areas we have been - we went out today via the Lounge Bar door (opens 20th May) and we took a stroll down by the beach via wooden walk ways - one which even goes to the waters edge . - the step over to the balcony is about 10cm high and the door itself is about 75cm wide. I was able to fit my manual wheelchair through to sit on the balcony comfortably . - The balcony itself is around 300cm wide and has 2 chairs and a table - so has plenty of turning space should this be needed. The staff at the hotel have been incredible and cannot fault anyone at all. The food created by Spyros the head chef and his team such as Stavros the pastry chef is just incredible. There are also a few of the girls at the front of house team ad the main restaurant as well as reception have just been fantastic! Literally everyone from the hotel manager right to the housekeeping and maintenance teams are all super friendly and always keen to help!

Great trip, spent a lovely week enjoying a swim up pool. Food was absolutely amazing. The spa was a brilliant end to my holiday - Giota did a wonderful job working on my tight shoulders. I also loved adopting the friendly cats and dogs that hung around. Home from home.