Palmariva Beach Hotel

Firstly, the location is incredible, with a beautiful beach and marina. The beach is far better than others in Eretria. This was where I used to go with my summer camp group in 2004, and at 12 years old, it felt like paradise. I was telling my wife that I wanted to return for a weekend. When we did, I realized everything was exactly the same, but sadly, that wasn’t a good thing. The mattresses, beds, and furniture were unchanged, and although they made some cheap renovations, like replacing doors and the lobby bathroom, it wasn’t enough. The hotel was crowded due to a group of French visitors, and only one of two elevators (serving over 160 rooms) was working. Our stay was all-inclusive, but the food was reminiscent of a prison buffet. Worse yet, we sat at the same table for dinner and breakfast, only to find it still dirty from the night before. The children’s playground was in poor condition, with broken equipment and restaurant chairs being used to help kids climb onto the structures. There was mold throughout the building, and the walls hadn’t been painted in at least 30 years. The air conditioning, likely as old as I am, didn’t work. While it's pet-friendly, which is a plus, the resort is in dire need of a complete renovation and new management. With over 300 rooms, including the bungalows, it’s clear they only have two cleaners, as I’ve never seen worse housekeeping in a so-called 4-star hotel. I have such fond memories of this place, but now it’s a nightmare. There’s a rumor that Brown Hotels might buy the property, which would be a dream come true. This incredible location is begging for renovation and fresh management.