Name: Ionian Emerald Resort
Address: Karavomylos, Sami, Kefalonia, 28080, GR

10/10

Exceptional

03 Aug 2023

Theoni

Ththe dinner was lovely .. the view from our balcony , breakfast areas a d dinner area was spectacular. The pool was outstanding, heaps of very comfortable lounge chairs.. close walki g to sami town .. and all the staff were super helpful and lovely.. highly recommended this place 10 out of 10..
Will be back

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

31 Jul 2023

Christos

Maintenance is a problem. Bathtub was leaking and AC went out once. Badly overpriced for what it is and the 5 star status it boasts.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

03 Oct 2022

Philip

Very friendly staff with excellent facilities

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

31 Aug 2022

Andrew

Breakfast availability limited. Beach by the property mediocre. Service for a 5 star hotel not as good

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

04 Sep 2021

Thomas

The shower was TERRIBLE, the head wouldn't stay on the holder and place was pretty dirty.V comfortable bed and beautiful pool facility and location.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

19 Aug 2021

stephen

We loved everything about our stay the facilities, the food the service were all great. Cant wait to go back

10/10

Exceptional

29 Aug 2019

Aggelos

Excellent choice. Phenomenal staff, excellent spa, great pool and pool bar with ample food choices.

Friends_and_family Family_with_children

2/10

Poor

19 Apr 2018

Verified traveler

Appalled

We had booked 4 nights in September in a superior room with seaview but were shown to a basement room with no seaview. (Moreover it wasn’t properly cleaned: coffee stains, crumbs, information folder covered in mould.) We promptly queried this to be told no seaview room was available at the time. No one had explained this at check in. No attempt was made to remedy or compensate for this situation. No one apologised. Very poor attitude and service for what is allegedly a 5* hotel. We spent very little time at the hotel due to the unacceptable situation; might as well have stayed somewhere much cheaper without seaview.
Attempts to contact Expedia during and after our stay resulted in an emailed acknowledgement and eventually an email saying they had been unable to get through to the hotel. Therefore we emailed the hotel directly but received no reply. Advised by the European Customer Centre (ECC) we sent a registered letter directly to the hotel. This was tracked as received by the hotel on 30 November but there was no response from them. In January the case was passed to the Greek ECC but still no reply from the hotel. We delayed submitting a review to give the hotel chance to address our complaint but after 6 months with nothing at all from them we now giving our feedback online.
I also agree with other reviews querying the validity of the 5star rating of the hotel eg the breakfast buffet was pretty underwhelming and we often had to wait for tables to be cleared and relaid.

10/10

Exceptional

29 Sep 2017

Verified traveler

Quality hotel overlooking a bay and surrounded by.

Ideally situated overlooking the sea th e facilities are of a high standard and the service was excellent. The standard of dinner was disappointing but the prices were reasonable

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

25 Sep 2017

ggg

Good hotel

The hotel was in a quiet location along from the centre of Sami, about a 10-15 minute walk along the beach to restuarants. It was very close to Melissani Cave and you could easily walk there.

Room was comfortable, but we were on a below ground level room despite booking a sea view room so be careful when booking and ask for a room high up.

Staff were friendly. We were half board and so ate dinner at the hotel which was 4 courses and - in true Greek style - huge portions. Food was all delicious and served on the terrace overlooking the bay. Breakfast was good.

The pool was very nice with lots of sun loungers and pool towels available. The gym was very small with only a few machines.

10/10

Exceptional

10 Sep 2017

Verified traveler

Our favourite place in Kefalonia

Beautiful view of mountains and ocean. Great location, walking distance to Melissina Caves, 20min walk to the Sami & 5km drive from drogarti caves. Not far from myrtos beach. Fantastic food & lovely pool staff

Family

4/10

Poor

06 Sep 2017

Dawn

Not really a 5* hotel

Felt the receptionist wasn't that interested when we arrived.
People around the pool moved my sun lounger to the side to the edge even though we were still using it
Finally we were given a power shower which flooded the whole bathroom and into the bedroom. We had to call 3 times for the maintenance/cleaner to come...when they did the maintenance guy wasnt that bothered and just said ' tomorrow'. Very useful when 3 people need a shower! There were also holes in the ceiling of the room. This is so not a 5* hotel! Again the receptionist when we left could hardly manage a smile! I wouldnt bother with this hotel!!

Family

10/10

Exceptional

23 Aug 2017

Chantal

Lovely relaxing hotel (though left a bit wanting!)

Wonderful hotel, well-appointed, great facilities, friendly staff, beautiful view. If you just want to stay and relax at a beautiful hotel, this is definitely the place for you (we should have realized that was not quite our style as we like to go out and see things). The hotel has a great pool area and is literally right off the beach (which is great for a quick swim or lounging, not so much for snorkeling). The hotel is a close walk to the town of Sami for more restaurants and night life, as the town it's in (Karavomylos doesn't have much there - though a great bakery!!). The hotel food was okay, certainly nothing to rave about, but good enough for small snacks during the day (do go to smaller towns if you are looking for authentic Greek food!). The spa was lovely as well, though quite disorganized (e.g. they forgot one of my services, and scheduled me for the wrong time, but I let it slide because we're on holiday so why make a fuss about it); the speakers in my treatment room also kept cutting out and buzzing, which didn't make for the most relaxing experience! For the cost, it would have been nicer to get a real double bed over two twins pushed together! Also, beware of other guests who smoke! Our room and balcony was close to the main restaurant/bar so the smell from nearby smokers often wafted into our room.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

04 Sep 2016

john

Nice hotel with great pool

I had a great check in experience the receptionist was extremely helpful.She printed off the ferry schedule for me no problem.The pool staff were very helpfull as well and provided towels right away.The pool water was clean and the perfect temperature.All in all it was a very enjoyable experience and will definitely stay there again!

10/10

Exceptional

14 Sep 2015

Verified traveler

All you could ask for in a relaxing holiday.

Hotel was excellent. Staff could not do enough for us. Cleanliness was above and beyond. Clean towels and bed linen every day.we had bed and breakfast and the breakfast was ample.
Pool staff extremely helpful and polite. Sami had plenty of eateries.and there was a lovely taverna in the centre of the village as was an excellent bakery .

8/10

Excellent

14 Sep 2015

Verified traveler

Very nice hotel, lovely pool area and a short walk from the main town centre. Pool shower facilities need improving as no light in shower and shower head didn't fit on attachment. Would stay here again as clean and tidy and staff very helpful and pleasant.

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

17 Aug 2015

Wifey and Mum

A not so great end to our time in Greece

During our trip around the South of Greece, I called and broughy our reservation forward. I was told this was not a problem.
On arrival I was told there was no record of my 2 calls but was still give a room - with 2 single beds pushed together.
After explaining that my husband and I did not want separate beds, and I had booked a Queen bed, they agreed to move us on the following day - without any compensation despite a mildly heated discussion.
During our stay the guy at the front desk was just unpleasant, rude, stiff and not welcoming in general

10/10

Exceptional

07 Oct 2014

Verified traveler

Fantastic

Brilliant hotel, friendly staff, great facilities, loved every minute

10/10

Exceptional

17 Sep 2014

Peter & Di

Beautiful hotel in ideal location

The hotel is a 20 minute stroll along the beach from Sami. It has views to the front of Ithica island and mountains to the rear. Lots of Tavernas in Sami to eat/drink at, all within feet of the sea. Very relaxing. Antimsamos beach is a couple of miles away and well worth a visit. We did a walk up Mt Ainos (5000ft up - great views on a clear day) but you need a car.

10/10

Exceptional

30 Aug 2014

Maddie

Fantastic location

Very close to beach.
In walking distance to local town of Sami.
Staff and all facilities fantastic.
Very friendly and helpful staff.