Locanda Samara Beach

We stayed at the hotel for 8 days and arrived a bit nervous after reading the mixed reviews. Overall, we had a pleasant stay. The rooms are clean and air-conditioned, with a mix of newer and older units. We stayed in an older room with a balcony, which we really loved. It was perfect for escaping the sun and watching the monkeys that regularly passed through the area. The rooms are simple but functional and include a full kitchen. Breakfast is included, and service is on the slower side, which seems to reflect the relaxed pace of the town. The main downside was the on-site lunch and dinner, which we didn’t enjoy as much. Thankfully, there are plenty of great restaurants within walking distance. The kids especially loved the outdoor pool and the short walk to the beach for surfing. A helpful tip: press the button on the metal box above the shower to activate the hot water. All of the staff were friendly and welcoming. This is a beachfront hotel located next to the forest, so the occasional bug does appear, but we didn’t experience any significant issues.

The location on the beach was fantastic. The rooms are basic but serviceable and are what I expected from the photos provided. The staff was kind enough but not warm or friendly. The service in the restaurant was remarkably bad, especially at breakfast. The servers did not seem to want to be there, service was unorganized and you were lucky if you got a coffee refill if you asked. The chairs on the beach are great. However, it is unfortunate that many people claim them early in the morning and might only show up for an hour in the afternoon. There are a lot of people who would have liked to use them in the meantime.

Seemed like a lovely atmosphere- pleasant enough staff but unbelievably bad service. Waited 20 minutes drinks, maybe another hour for food- no table visits, no napkins, no water, apps came with main courses. Food was tasty, the decor is lovely- it’s really too bad they don’t elevate their service to match it.