Emba Holidays from AU$1,185

The hotel has some real strengths, but unfortunately the overall experience was disappointing. The rooms are modern, spacious, and well maintained, and the pool area with the adjacent water park is excellent. It was definitely the highlight of our stay. The biggest downside is how restrictive and money-oriented the hotel feels. I’ve stayed at many all-inclusive resorts, and this is the first time I’ve received such a long list of extra charges and limitations. If you arrive before check-in or leave after check-out, you’ll have to pay €50 just to receive a wristband for basic services like drinks, meals, or even a pool towel. Even early access to a ready room costs an extra €50. The water park is also disappointing in its policies. Only all-inclusive guests can enter, and even them are not allowed to bring any drinks inside, not even water or baby water. Instead, you’re expected to buy drinks from the bar inside. The food was another weak point. Breakfast had very limited variety, while lunch, dinner, and snacks offered more options but the quality was below average. Most of the meat was dry, and there weren’t enough fresh vegetables or salads. This hotel has great potential thanks to its rooms and pool facilities, but the overly restrictive policies and constant extra charges really hurt the experience. Unless you find it at a significantly lower price than comparable hotels, I’d recommend looking elsewhere.

Excellent room, view, staff

3 nights in July for our anniversary, booked on Expedia, upgraded from a junior suite to an apartment. Rooms and staff are the real draw. Dining, especially over Shabbat, is where it stumbles. 4/5. The Good: Staff were wonderful, Sam especially. The spa was closed for renovation (we only learned on arrival), so no anniversary massage on-site. Instead of shrugging, Yiannis rang nearby resorts, found us availability at the Azia at a good price, and it was one of the best massages we've had. They turned their own gap into a win. The apartment was clean, spacious, and well stocked, with a proper kitchen (oven, microwave, utensils). No dish soap, and tap water isn't for drinking, so plan for bottled. Pool was nice and never overcrowded. Property is gated with security. Beach is a 15-18 minute walk, tough in July heat. The Bad: Shabbat dining. Come at the start of service or the food's gone, no refills. Friday night: not enough tables, staff dragging extras out by the pool, a buffet too small for the crowd, ran out of plates, then dishes. Saturday was worse. For a kosher Mehadrin hotel this is the thing to get right. And there's no vegan or vegetarian protein at all, fish only. For a wellness hotel that's a failure, not a gap. Best for kosher/Shabbat-observant families and couples. We'd return, but be careful booking a weekend until the dining is sorted, and skip July/August when Israeli summer vacation fills the hotel completely. Worth it with eyes open on the dining.

All perfect.