Princess Andriana Resort and Spa

A truly disappointing stay at Princess Andriana Resort & Spa. Aesthetically, the resort is beautiful. The grounds are impressive, with plenty of space to sit, sunbathe and enjoy the swimming pools. The foyer is also lovely, welcoming and gives a great first impression.

Unfortunately, once you look beyond the appearance of the resort, the overall experience falls significantly short of what you would expect from a 5 star, all-inclusive hotel.

The all-inclusive food and drink offering was a major let-down. The food was generally bland, repetitive and, most disappointingly, rarely served hot. Even dishes that had just been replenished were often only lukewarm. There was very little depth of flavour, with many curries and pasta dishes tasting as though a tin of tomatoes had simply been added without any meaningful seasoning. For a resort of this supposed calibre, the quality and variety were nowhere near the standard we expected.

The drinks were equally disappointing. Despite the drinks machines being labelled with familiar brands such as 7UP, Coke Zero and Fanta, the drinks tasted nothing like the actual products. They were flavourless and unpleasant, resembling sparkling water rather than the soft drinks advertised. Even the English breakfast tea was incredibly weak. I had to use eight teabags in a small teapot to get anything resembling a decent cup of tea, while eight to ten sugar sachets were needed to achieve even a mildly sweet taste. These may sound like small details, but when you are paying for an all-inclusive holiday, you expect the basics to be done properly.

The cleanliness of the main buffet restaurant was absolutely unacceptable. We ate breakfast, lunch and dinner there, and throughout our stay the dining area was consistently grimy. Food was left on the floors, chairs and tables, and the overall environment felt dirty and poorly maintained. It was not an isolated incident or an occasional lapse; it was a recurring problem that made the thought of entering the dining room unpleasant. Cleanliness in a restaurant should be a fundamental standard, particularly in a 5 star establishment. Sadly, this was one of the most off-putting aspects of our entire stay.

The room itself was reasonable, but housekeeping was another area that fell below expectations. The cleaners appeared to rush through their work rather than properly clean and prepare the room each day. There was hair and dirt left around the floor, which was not brushed properly, and we would return to a room that still felt messy. The beds were poorly made, as though the job had been hurriedly completed. The bathroom was also inadequately cleaned, with mess and water left behind and towels carelessly placed on the racks rather than neatly arranged. Even the bathroom finish was disappointing, with silicone coming away in places and an overall appearance that lacked the attention to detail expected of a 5 star resort.

Our experience with the spa was particularly frustrating because it started so positively. We were looking forward to enjoying the spa facilities and treatments, and we were shown around the facilities before making our bookings. The treatment rooms we were shown looked lovely, so we felt confident in proceeding with our first massage.

However, when we arrived for our treatment the following day, we were escorted to what could only be described as a makeshift treatment room beside a swimming pool. It lacked the atmosphere, privacy and tranquillity we had been led to expect. I raised my concerns and asked to use one of the proper treatment rooms. Although we were eventually accommodated elsewhere, my sister and I were separated, which was not what we had booked.

To be fair, the massages themselves were excellent — genuinely 5 star in quality. We enjoyed them so much that we booked a second treatment a few days later. Before that appointment, I specifically spoke to reception about the previous experience and made it clear that I did not want to be taken to the makeshift room again. We were assured that my sister and I would be accommodated together in one of the other treatment rooms.

Imagine my frustration when, on the day of our second massage, we were once again being taken towards the same makeshift room. Having already raised the issue and received explicit reassurance, this was simply unacceptable. Once again, we were separated and taken to different treatment rooms. The contrast between the excellent massages and the poor organisation surrounding them was stark. The experience left me feeling that staff were attentive and accommodating when selling treatments, but that the same level of care disappeared when it came to delivering on their promises. This was a particularly disappointing failure of communication and customer service.

The sauna and steam room facilities were another disappointment. We reported to reception that they did not appear to be working properly and asked staff to check the temperatures. No one came to investigate while we were there, leaving us sitting in the facilities for some time before eventually giving up and leaving. There was little point in having these amenities advertised as part of the spa experience if they were not functioning properly and concerns were not addressed.

The resort also lacked daytime entertainment and atmosphere. Music was intermittent throughout the day, and there was very little to create the lively holiday environment we had hoped for. No one came around to ask whether we wanted drinks or offer table service by the pool. While I appreciate that not every resort operates a full waiter-service system, the overall lack of attentiveness contributed to an experience that felt far less premium than advertised.

We also booked 4 à la carte dining experiences, including the Indian restaurant, expecting these to offer a noticeable improvement on the buffet. Unfortunately, we were disappointed here too. The food lacked flavour in the Indian restaurant, the choices were limited, and the quality did not meet our expectations. We ended up not eating at the other 3 à la carte restaurants, as it was clear the food would be limited and tasteless. The main positive was being able to dine in a clean restaurant environment, away from the consistently dirty buffet hall. That alone should not be considered a selling point of an all-inclusive resort at this price level.

Overall, the resort's beautiful grounds and impressive first appearance raised our expectations, but the day-to-day experience failed to deliver. From lukewarm, bland food and disappointing drinks to poor housekeeping, an inadequately maintained buffet restaurant, a frustratingly mismanaged spa experience and a lack of attentive service, there were too many recurring issues to dismiss as isolated incidents.

A 5 star rating should represent more than attractive buildings, landscaped grounds and swimming pools. It should mean consistent standards, good-quality food, cleanliness, attention to detail and service that makes guests feel valued. Unfortunately, those fundamentals were missing far too often during our stay.

In all my years of going on holiday, this is the first time I have come away feeling that I genuinely wasted my money on an expensive holiday. I had high expectations for Princess Andriana Resort & Spa, and the reality was nowhere near what we had anticipated. Based on our overall experience, the service and standards felt closer to a 2 or 3 star establishment than a 5 star resort.

It is such a shame because the property itself has so much potential. With significant improvements to food quality, restaurant cleanliness, housekeeping, spa organisation and guest service, this could be an excellent resort. As things stand, however, I would not return or recommend it to anyone seeking a genuinely 5 star all-inclusive experience.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 - Wonderful Hotel, Amazing Experience!

Princess Andriana Resort & Spa is a beautiful, spacious and impressive hotel that offers a wonderful holiday experience!

The resort is large, elegant, beautifully maintained and thoughtfully designed, with plenty of space to relax and enjoy every moment. Everything feels comfortable, luxurious and welcoming.

One of the highlights is the incredible variety and abundance of food available throughout the day. There is always something delicious to enjoy, with plenty of choices to suit every taste.

The hotel offers fantastic facilities, beautiful swimming pools, lovely surroundings and plenty of places to unwind. The atmosphere is relaxing and enjoyable, making it a perfect destination for a memorable vacation.

A wonderful resort with so much to offer. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a beautiful, comfortable and relaxing holiday in Rhodes!

We would definitely love to come back!