Giannoulis Grand Bay Beach Resort

Extremely service minded staff and perfect location of the hotel right by the beach. The area is quiet and the hotel has a calm vibe. This visit was my third and I will definitely be back!

Booked again! But longer this time.....

We had a fantastic stay overall and would definitely recommend this hotel if you’re looking for a relaxing getaway.

When we first arrived, we weren’t given the room we’d originally booked. Instead, we were put into Room 404, which was newly built and finished to a really high standard. It was a lovely room, but we’d specifically booked a seafront junior suite with direct pool access, so naturally we wanted the room we’d chosen. We were told it wouldn’t be ready until 12:30 pm the following day, which isn’t ideal after a four-hour flight. That said, the customer service was excellent from the start. The staff kept us informed and even booked us onto the Olive Oil Night, which was a lovely touch.

The next morning, we actually got a call at around 10:30 am to say our booked room (Room 108) was ready, two hours earlier than expected. From that point onwards, everything was spot on.

The direct pool access junior suite was worth it. Having our own reserved sunbeds meant there was no getting up early to put towels out, which made the whole holiday feel much more relaxing. The pool itself was great.

One tip for anyone booking a Junior Suite with Direct Pool Access and the included sunbeds: if possible, request Rooms 108–112. We stayed in Room 108 and thought the layout was excellent. From what we observed during our stay, Room 107 felt a little more cramped, Room 106 had its sunbeds positioned one behind the other directly behind the pool bar with less privacy and access, and Room 105 didn’t appear to have dedicated sunbeds. Of course, room layouts may change over time, but if having the best outdoor space is important to you, it’s worth requesting one of the higher-numbered rooms.

The food was another highlight. There was plenty of variety every day, the breakfast was excellent, and the salad bar was always fresh. One thing some people might mention is that the hot food wasn’t piping hot, but honestly it didn’t bother us because it was always really tasty.

The drinks and cocktails were excellent too—well made and definitely not lacking in alcohol!

The staff really made the holiday. Andreas at the pool bar quickly learned our names and our favourite drinks and was outstanding throughout our stay. Zoe, who I believe is the hotel manager, always seemed to be checking in with guests and was genuinely warm and friendly. Everyone worked incredibly hard and always wanted to make sure guests were happy.

My partner also had a facial in the wellness spa with George, who did a fantastic job. She came back completely relaxed and said he was brilliant and really attentive throughout the treatment.

If you’re staying here, I’d definitely recommend booking the rooftop restaurant. We went twice and the food and service were both exceptional, but you do need to book a day in advance. There’s also an à la carte beachfront restaurant that you can reserve at lunchtime, which looked lovely, although we didn’t get chance to try it.

Outside the hotel, Kolymvari is a small, peaceful village. If you’re looking for lively nightlife and lots of bars, this probably isn’t the resort for you. But if your idea of a holiday is switching off and relaxing, it’s perfect. The local tavernas are well worth the short walk, and I’d also recommend visiting the monastery. Go on a cooler day as it’s uphill, entry is only €4, and ladies need to cover their knees and shoulders. Make sure you walk through to the viewpoint on the far side of the monastery—the views across the bay are stunning.

Overall, this was a fantastic break. Despite the slight hiccup with the room on arrival, the way the staff dealt with it, together with the outstanding service throughout the rest of our stay, more than made up for it. We’d happily return.