Philippa Baines
Google
Disappointed – Didn’t Feel Safe Staying Here
My experience at this resort was deeply disappointing and left me feeling unsafe and uncared for. The core issue was the mishandling of my essential medication, which disappeared from my room — and the way management responded left me deeply disappointed.
I have a chronic illness. On July 19th, I discovered that a brown Amazon package containing my prescription medication had gone missing from my bedside. I contacted reception, believing the turn-down service may have mistaken it for trash. I was told the rubbish had already been removed and was irretrievable. That alone was frustrating — but what followed was a snowball of customer mismanagement.
I requested a modest gesture of goodwill: €100 to cover a virtual doctor consultation and emergency medication so I could continue my travels safely. This amounted to just 3% of our ~€3,000 bill for three days. I wasn’t expecting the hotel to admit liability — but I did expect empathy, especially given the health implications.
Instead, the general manager, Viktor, refused. He offered a virtual doctor appointment — but only if I paid €50. That price exceeds the standard market rate (€35 from services like DoctorSA or MediDoctor) and felt like a markup on my health crisis. He also offered to collect the prescription, which showed a lack of understanding: pharmacies require in-person passport verification, and I was departing the next day anyway.
After expressing my disappointment, Viktor did offer access to spa pools (worth €80 total) as a goodwill gesture, and I said I’d accept that if he also covered the €35 doctor fee. He refused, doubling down that I had “no proof” the medication had been thrown away. At times, his tone made me feel like he was questioning my honesty — a deeply unpleasant experience for someone dealing with a problem relating to health.
This lack of empathy changed the entire atmosphere of the resort for me. From that point forward, it no longer felt like a place to relax, but a business focused on extracting money at every turn. Even basic decency came at a cost. Viktor didn’t need to accept liability — just to extend some human understanding. A €35 gesture would have gone a long way toward restoring trust. Instead, he chose to distance himself entirely, leaving me feeling dismissed and devalued.
Having worked in tourism myself, I know the cost of guest dissatisfaction. A small act of kindness could have transformed the situation — and led to positive word-of-mouth. But Viktor’s response was rigid, cynical, and tone-deaf.
It’s sad, because the resort is stunning. Our room was beautiful, the bed was incredibly comfortable, and the design is top-tier. Many of the staff were kind and sympathetic — but they were powerless to act, as everything went through Viktor.
To the owners of this family-run hotel: if this had happened to a loved one of yours, would you be comfortable with how it was handled? I strongly urge you to reflect on whether this is the leadership and guest care you want representing your brand.
For future travelers: You are likely to find equally beautiful surroundings and better service at resorts like Ca Na Xica, where the staff’s focus is on guests — not profit. You won’t miss anything by skipping this place.
Ultimately, luxury is not just about aesthetics — it’s about how you are treated when things go wrong. I left not with memories of the views or decor, but with a lasting feeling that I was just a number. That should never be the legacy of a €3,000 stay.