Philoxenia Hotel

Me and 4 friends (all young girls) spent six nights at Philoxenia Hotel in July. While the location was great and just minutes from the beach and nightlife the experience was let down by how we were treated. From the beginning, the staff seemed suspicious of us purely because of our age. We were repeatedly spoken to in a condescending and sometimes aggressive way, even when we were doing nothing wrong. One situation at the pool got especially out of hand when a staff member shouted at us and had to be physically held back by another member of staff over a small rule we hadn’t realised we were breaking. we weren’t given a warning or calmly told we had broken the rule, instead we were publicly embarrassed and disrespected despite profusely apologising and explaining it was an accident with no bad intentions. we were then banned from the pool which was completely unacceptable as we had payed to use the facilities. It was genuinely intimidating and felt completely disproportionate. There were also moments that raised serious concerns around how different members of our group were treated. One mixed race friend was blocked from entering breakfast despite showing her wristband, until someone else intervened. That kind of behaviour made us question whether bias was a factor. We came to Malia to have fun and be respectful guests, but ended up feeling on edge the whole time. If you’re a young group looking for a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere this probably isn’t the place.

We had a fantastic stay at Hotel Philoxenia in Malia! The highlight was definitely the bar—great atmosphere and amazing drinks. Big shoutout to the bartender, who made every night unforgettable! We’ll definitely be back soon – can’t wait for more great evenings at the bar!

I am writing this review literally just over a week after returning home. For anyone looking for a very special holiday away from everyday stress then the philoxenia hotel in pascoudia halkadiki is the holiday destination I would choose again and again. I am well traveled, and have stayed in so many hotels and the philoxenia hotel for me is a holiday I will never ever forget and I will return next year with my husband whom ide left home on this occasion as went with my friend for her special birthday. Everyone, the staff, the bar staff, the restaurant team, even the life guard George were just amazing and couldn't do enough for my friend and I. The food was just beautiful and the rooms were modern, clean and just heaven of an evening Sat on the terrace in such beautiful surroundings. The beach is a short walk through a wood and although psakoudia is only a small town, the people that live and work in the little shops and bars are what I believe to be a breath of fresh air and how I imagined Greece to be. Even the guests at the hotel were all lovely and my friend and I met some friends for life. The pascoudia hotel is only a small complex and not like your huge resorts it is a place to relax, to leave everything at home behind for a little while and just take a breath and enjoy. There is cats at the hotel and in the area as there is all over Greece and other islands. The five cats at the hotel one we names tippy were born at the hotel and animal lovers we never ever saw any member of staff misstreat any of the animals and they are part of the family there we came to know and love very much. The cats are fed by the hotel staff and cats being cats are friendly to all , but also leave you alone if you're not a cat person. They aren't skinny, flee ridden or anything of the sort they are friendly and because grown up at the hotel don't venture into the roof top restaurant as they get fed just below which we witnessed ourselves. For anyone thinking of going to stay here if you're not looking for a huge resorts and nightlife and want to experience a genuine family Greek hotel in an unspoilt, unbuilt up area of Greece then I hope like us you enjoy as much as we did. Another must when you visit is afytos by night trip . And the blue lagoon cruise and beach bbw at banana Island. Thank you so much to everyone at the philoxenia hotel we will be back very soon . Ps if you can't cope with any more stress and need to recharge and feel a huge weight lifted off you then without reasonable doubt this hotel is for you especially just coming out of season jenny Newman