Green Nature Diamond Hotel

We had stayed at this hotel five years ago as well. Since we couldn't find the same level of excellence at other hotels we visited in the interim, we decided to stay here again this year. We were very pleased with our stay due to the hotel's location right by the sea, the wide variety and high quality of the food, the comfort and cleanliness of the rooms, the friendly staff who strive to perform their jobs to the highest standard, the high-quality and professional performances by the animation team, and the reasonable pricing compared to similar hotels.

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

We stayed here from 29 June to 5 July as a couple, and this was our second visit after enjoying our stay so much last year. This holiday was originally booked for 27th June, however flights was cancelled at Heathrow so lost out a couple of days.

Originally, we had booked two double rooms as another person was due to travel with us. Unfortunately, they had to cancel at the last minute, meaning we no longer needed the second room. We spoke to reception before arrival to see whether anything could be offered in exchange for releasing the room back to the hotel, and we were able to move into an upgraded room overlooking the pool with views of the sea. We felt this was a fair arrangement and really appreciated having the extra space and the fantastic view from the balcony.

Room

The room itself was spacious and comfortable for two people. The air conditioning worked well throughout our stay, the shower was good, and we spent a lot of time enjoying the view from the balcony.

Housekeeping was acceptable but not quite to the standard we experienced during our previous visit. The main issue occurred one afternoon when we returned from the pool and found our room door wide open. At first, we assumed housekeeping was still cleaning the room, but there were no cleaners nearby and nobody in the room.

Naturally, we were concerned and contacted reception as we had no idea whether anyone had entered the room while we were out. After investigating, reception advised that the cleaner had accidentally left the door open and confirmed nobody had entered the room during that time. Fortunately, nothing was missing, but we were disappointed that no apology was offered. Leaving a guest room unsecured is a serious matter and should never happen. You wouldn't leave your front door open at home, so guest rooms should be treated with the same level of care and attention.

We also noticed on several occasions that other room doors were slightly open while walking through the hotel. This may not always be housekeeping related, as guests need to ensure they pull the doors closed behind them, but it did make us more aware of room security. We also observed some housekeeping staff spending quite a bit of time on their phones while working. We understand they have a difficult job and a large number of rooms to clean, but greater focus and attention to detail would help improve standards.

Pool Areas

One of the things we really like about this hotel is having two different pool areas. The main pool is lively and busy, while the adults-only pool offers a quieter and more relaxing atmosphere.

We spent most of our time at the adults-only pool and found it much more peaceful. There were a couple of occasions where parents brought children into this area despite the signs clearly stating it was adults only. I don't think anyone was against families enjoying their holiday, but rules like this exist for a reason. If they are not enforced, it soon becomes acceptable for others to do the same and the purpose of the area is lost.

On one occasion, another guest raised the issue with the lifeguard, who handled the situation professionally and spoke with the family involved. I believe the lifeguard did the right thing. We also noticed management later come down to inspect the area, which was reassuring to see.

Food & Dining

The snack area was convenient but could definitely benefit from more variety. The selection was very similar each day and became a little repetitive during a longer stay. I think there are lessons that could be learned from the Blue Bay Platinum Hotel, where the snack offering has always been excellent whenever we have visited.

We also found that items such as chips, burgers and pizza were often overcooked when we visited the snack area. This may depend on the time of day and when food is replenished, but it was something we noticed on several occasions.

At dinner, there was generally a good choice of food with themed evenings, particularly the Turkish nights, which we enjoyed. Overall, the food was still good, but we felt it wasn't quite as enjoyable as it was last year. In particular, the Chinese dishes seemed to have changed. Last year they were outstanding, whereas this year they were a little disappointing.

Dinner service was probably the area that needs the most improvement. The restaurant becomes very busy, and finding a table can be stressful. There doesn't always seem to be enough staff clearing tables quickly once guests have finished eating. Having more focus on table management would allow guests to be seated more efficiently and improve the overall dining experience.

We were fortunate to see one of the waiters who looked after us during our previous visit, and he was excellent. He helped us find tables and provided great service throughout our stay. That said, every guest should receive the same level of service, whether they are returning visitors or first-time guests.

Dessert Bar

The dessert selection was good, although we were disappointed not to find the carrot cake that we enjoyed so much last year. It used to go perfectly with the lemon ice cream and became a bit of a holiday tradition for us. Hopefully it hasn't disappeared from the menu permanently!

Resort & Surrounding Area

The outside entertainment area remained lively and enjoyable, although it didn't seem quite as vibrant as last year. There is still plenty to do, and the marina and bazaar are both well worth visiting. There are lots of shops, restaurants and places to explore within easy walking distance.

We also noticed that a McDonald's has opened directly opposite the hotel since our last visit. We tried it a few times because it was convenient, although personally we didn't think it was as good as the one that used to be near Blue Port, which unfortunately appears to have closed.

Overall

Overall, we had a very enjoyable holiday and were pleased that we chose to return for a second time. The upgraded room, beautiful views, pool facilities and location all contributed to another memorable stay.

There are, however, a few areas that need attention. Housekeeping standards and room security should be improved, and the restaurant would benefit from better table management and more consistent service during busy periods. The snack area could also use more variety.

Despite those criticisms, we still had a great holiday and would consider returning again. My only hope is that standards do not slip further and that management continues to focus on maintaining the quality that encouraged us to come back in the first place. Overall, I'd rate our stay 4 out of 5 stars.