Bacolux Afrodita Resort & Spa, Herculane

We booked here for a week's break in this traditional spa town set in forested hills. The town of Baile Herculane has two parts, with Afrodita and several rather similar high-rise hotels are clusted in the southern resort portion - the sites and older town are further north. There are both positive and less good aspects to the hotel, and it probably merits a score somewhere between average and very good. The positives included some good expert staff in the spa for massages, sauna etc, a pleasant bar and terrace by the access road, and bedrooms with balconies which were quite small but well-appointed. Less attractive was the breakfast experience, with formulaic buffet food and too many people - though having chosen a spa hotel rather than a small pension, that "goes with the territory"! Staff were generally efficient and helpful. Resort hotels like this often have 'events' and we attended a wine-tasting which was distinctly underwhelming, with just three wines from the same producer on offer. However, given what we were seeking (a comfortable hotel with easy access to the historical sites and forest walks), Afrodita fitted the bill - it simply wasn't that special!

If I have to describe the experience, I would say "frustrating" is the best to describe it. Even Though is princely it has nothing to do with the services offered that are really bad joke offered to the tourists paying for illusions. Keeping objective and leaving apart the recent bad impressions I would say that: - food quality is decent enough but also not at a 4 star level expectations - elevators are old (refurbished cabine only), slow and randomly responding, a really nightmare if you have to deal with them (steam bath inside, long waiting times, shared by tourists and personnel). - rude housekeeping personnel, not trained and nasty, doing nothing for room maintenance (towel changing, bed sheets, etc). You can get the cleaning services just if you ask for them at the reception. Personal stated they are instructed to do nothing for short stays except than taking the trash from the bins and I am convinced about this truth - no fresh air / ventilation within public areas and SPA - random operation for SPA facilities to gain savings (they are switching off facilities during the working hours without prior notice that shows a lack of respect and profit oriented attitude only) - incapacity / carelessness to deal with peak time period - everything chaotic, crowded and not organized in the restaurants area , overwhelmed personnel (probably bad payed ) that doesn't care about anything except the billing - possible TV cable not working in the room (my case) - safe's are a joke, they did not even adapt the instructions to use to the actual device - so impossible to make use of them Overall, the facility has all the premises to make you happy but the administrators (Bacolux - avoid them !) are interested only in their profit share and do nothing for the tourists and showing disrespect and creating frustrating experience. If you have a better option, don't pay to get frustrated.

The place has amazing spas,jacuzzi's,pools and the best food! The only missing thing is a coffee machine for those coffee lovers early in the morning before 8 am when the breakfast opens and some water filters in the pool area! The staff are very helpful and friendly!