Mendi Hotel, Kalandra

Last time we went on holidays to Greece was 22 years ago and we came back with very positive impressions, however Mendi Hotel in Halkidiki did nothing to sustain the fond memories of the past. We arrived late evening and were given a Studio on the ground floor, which is not what I book in the first place. The receptionist on duty was not helpful at all and we had to wait till morning until the reception manageress with some resentment offered us another room. No apologies, no smiles - we felt more like intruders than welcome guests. This in a sense reflected the atmosphere of the hotel. No hellos or a smile in the morning when we passed the reception on the way to the dining hall. A buffet breakfast was served between 0700 and 0930 but at 0900 there wasn't much to choose from, as the buffet was not replenished. Similar situation occurred in the evening at dinner, so if we wanted to have a full choice than we had to arrive within the first hour. As a matter of fact the menu was very average so most of the evenings we dined out and that was only possible because we hired a car for the duration of the holiday. It must be said that Mendi Hotel is located in a rural area and the nearest village Possidi is 3 miles away. The hotel is located on a beach front, which is half pebble, half "gravely" sand, so if you like long walks along the beach then you need some footwear. I regret to say this but the only nice thing about the hotel is the beautiful garden with palms and other tropical/Mediterranean plants. Initially we thought that maybe we are just the only dissatisfied, complaining and moaning couple but it soon appeared hat we were not the only ones. The general criticism was that the hotel does not make you feel welcome, which is a great shame as this is not the Greek hospitality that I came to know.