Phil Suh

Review of Blue Palace, a Luxury Collecti...

My rating takes into consideration the high price,...

My rating takes into consideration the high price, 5-star rating, and the high expectations that I had coming from another similar hotel near Xania.

While the property is stunning (kudos to the development team), the quality of service/cleaning left us scratching our heads at times. It's not that they were rude or anything, but maybe just poorly trained... mind you all this happened over a 1-night stay.

- In retrospect, it all started out oddly. At the entrance gate, no stop signs, gate was open so I am driving in when the security guard suddenly jumps forward and yells STOP! at the last minute... I halted to a sudden stop and she just needed me to tell her I'm checking in. She clearly felt bad for startling us.
- It took longer than what the front desk told me originally at check-in to confirm regarding a late checkout, then they left a message on my TV while I was away which was not obvious at all. This place gets busy so no upgrade or late check-out with my gold status.
- I tried to make a reservation at one of the restaurants - first told nothing available, then told they will check and get right back to me, then I called back after not hearing anything, and finally got a 9:30 reservation. I went to the restaurant at 930 and there were many available seats and others arrived after us too. One server kept being corrected by others, even brought someone else's food to our table, and another broke some cups right next to us eating while cleaning tables.
- A guy came to our room and wanted to fix the door while we were there when we never reported an issue.
- Turndown service did not replace water bottles as we were told during check-in.
- On our last morning, a guy came into the room to check the mini bar while we were in the room (was not checkout time yet).
- Changing rooms at the spa were small and dirty too with dark, gross showers with slow drain in mine. Lacking in basic amenities which were only available upon request.
- While I was in the tiny changing room at the spa almost naked, a woman came in with a guest, without any warning, to nonchalantly show him around. Had I not quickly covered up when they came in, my privates would've been out
- Room had a couple ants and spider web in the bathroom
- Pool had green algae along the walls (watch out ladies with white swimsuits).
- Sunbeds were slow to get cleaned once guests left them leading to fewer availability.
- Our bags were supposed to be picked up and stored securely until we would be leaving in the afternoon.. when we went to the lobby few hours later to settle the bills, our bags were just left by the front door to the lobby, not kept in storage with others.

Also, it is VERY windy here. The area is known for its windmills. It's fortunate there's no sand on their beach or it'd go everywhere. Not as relaxing due to the wind at times. For some reason, noone thought to put cupholders or baskets at the sunbeds/tables yet so people were losing drinks, food, towels, sunglasses, etc. to gusts of wind all around us.

Again, I had high expectations which contributed to the 2 stars. Good food and plenty of amenities to enjoy in addition to the stunning property, just not the 5-star staff I've come to expect from such hotels.