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Europe 4* Resort in Gagra, Abkhazia

Imagine waking up to breathtaking views every morning at our 4-star resort in Gagra, Abkhazia. We've got cozy rooms and top-notch amenities to make your stay truly unforgettable. Whether you're looking to relax or explore, our resort has everything you need for an amazing getaway.

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A Disastrous Family Vacation at the Europa Hotel - Don't Believe the Hype

Name: A Disastrous Family Vacation at the Europa Hotel - Don't Believe the Hype
Item: Europe 4* Resort in Gagra, Abkhazia
Rating: 1
Author: Jason_Fields

summarizeEditor's Summary

I'm still trying to process our disastrous family vacation at the Europa Hotel in Abkhazia. We paid top dollar for a week-long stay, expecting a relaxing getaway, but what we got was subpar service, a dirty pool, and a lack of amenities. My family and I had high hopes for this trip, but our experience was a total letdown. We've been to Abkhazia five times before and loved it, but this hotel was a major exception. We paid around 170,000 rubles for nine nights, which is a significant amount of money. We could've gone to Egypt, but we chose Abkhazia for its natural beauty and coastline. Unfortunately, the Europa Hotel didn't live up to our expectations. The hotel's location is convenient for exploring the surrounding area, but it's a bit far from the city center. The rooms are clean and comfortable, although a bit dated. The staff is friendly, if a bit overwhelmed at times. The hotel has a nice view of the coastline, which is a plus. The breakfast buffet offers a decent selection of options. The hotel's proximity to the beach is a major plus. However, the dirty pool and lack of amenities made our stay a disappointment. We were really looking forward to relaxing by the pool, but it was dirty and in need of maintenance. The kids' club was underwhelming and lacked engaging activities. The hotel's saving on food costs shows in the quality of the meals. We paid a lot of money for our stay, and we expected a lot more. If you're considering booking at the Europa Hotel, I'd advise you to think twice.

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Balkon0/10

Mutfak1/10

Odalar3/10

Kahvaltı0/10

OdaServisi0/10

Rezervasyon0/10

HizmetKalite2/10

KullanıcıDostu0/10

KurumsalDavranış0/10

We spent a week at the Europa Hotel in Building 1 with my family – my husband and two kids. It was hands down the worst vacation we've ever had, and I'm using that term specifically because of the appalling service and complete lack of customer care. We've been to Abkhazia five times now, and we genuinely love the natural beauty and coastline of this country. We have a huge amount of respect for the locals and their traditions – if we didn't, we wouldn't have gone back so many times. I think this background helps put my experience into perspective – I'm not someone who flies off to Turkey, Egypt, or other far-flung destinations all the time. I've spent holidays in Abkhazia in the past and the year before last. And to counter the reviews that say, 'For the price, the service is okay,' I want to point out that we paid around 170,000 rubles for nine nights – that's a pretty substantial sum. We could have gone to Egypt, but we're hesitant to fly with kids right now due to the current political situation. The hotel claims that everything is included, but in reality, that's just not true when you consider the usual standards of quality that you'd expect in the hospitality industry. In fact, nothing is included! Let's break it down step by step:

First off, we arrived in our own car around 7:30 PM. I want to give a shout-out to the security guard, who was one of the few people at the hotel who was friendly and helpful. He showed us where to go and what to do to pay for the car parking and so on. While we were waiting at the reception, it took the young woman handling the check-in around 20 minutes to even acknowledge us. There was no queue, and we'd asked her a few questions about the check-in process. She just muttered to herself and continued doing whatever she was doing.

But, honestly, the real fun began when we got our room key. By the time she sorted us out and handed over the magnetic passes, it was exactly 8 pm, so I asked if we'd be able to grab some dinner. Her one-word response was 'no', and when I asked if everything was included, she just said: 'It's a lobby bar, with spirits and all that.' Okay, no big deal.

Next up, our room. We booked a luxury studio, which is basically an upgraded room (or so they claim). It's pricey, but let's get to the good stuff. The double bed was a bit of a mess, the single bed was even worse, and don't even get me started on the foldable sofa – it's a nightmare. The moment you move, the legs fold up and it collapses. We were too tired and hungry to complain, but let's just say it wasn't exactly what we were expecting. The room was cleaned twice during our entire 10-day stay, and it basically meant that the cleaner just vacuumed the carpet...that's it. We also had a few unwanted visitors – cockroaches. The hotel only provided small towels, which is, I guess, part of the concept. The bed sheets weren't changed at all, which is a bit weird, considering we were there for 10 days. The shower drain was a bit of a joke – it barely worked, so we had to take turns showering, or else the water would flood the bathroom and the corridor. And, get this, they don't provide bottled water in the room. I mean, come on, that's just basic hospitality. You'd expect even a 2-star hotel to at least give you a bottle of water per person per day. You can buy water downstairs, but it's not always available, so you're left running around the convenience stores looking for it. The lift was a bit of a mystery – it worked sometimes, sometimes it didn't, and sometimes it was only big enough for two people. Every day was a different story.

Then there's the pool. When you first look at the photos or even see it in person, it seems like a pretty standard pool. But, trust me, it's not as great as it looks. The water was a bit murky, and the whole area felt a bit neglected. I mean, it's not like it's a 5-star resort or anything, but still, you'd expect a bit more effort to make it look presentable. I was really impressed at first, but then I noticed some issues. The pool floor is inflated, the water's a bit murky, and I saw some hair and other debris floating around. What's weird is that the pool's heated to almost the same temperature as the outside, which is +35 degrees Celsius. I get that having a heated pool's a nice touch, but it'd be great if they could control the temperature better, so guests can enjoy it comfortably. When it's chilly, they should heat it up, but when it's hot outside, they shouldn't.

Fortunately, the pool staff did clean and cool it down on our last day there - just once in the 9 days we stayed. That was a nice touch! By the way, there's another pool near the Europe 2 building, and when we went there to mix things up, the security guard started yelling at us and called his supervisor. Apparently, that pool's only for guests of Europe 2, just like our pool's only for guests of Europe 1. Come on, guys, you're part of the same complex! You share a cafeteria (which I'll get to later), but you can't even let guests use each other's pools without threatening them with fines? It's not like it's a big deal to let guests use all the pools and facilities in an all-inclusive resort. There's nothing to do for kids and adults in the pool area, either. And even the music's not always playing, which is weird, considering they advertise it as a feature. They do have some water polo tournaments, but I'm not sure if that's just a joke. All they do is set up some inflatable gates near the pool and call it a tournament.

Next up, food. Let's start with the fact that the cafeteria's in the Europe 2 building. To get there, you have to navigate a weird ramp, walk 200 meters, and then ride an escalator (which works most of the time). I have to say, the dining area is a real challenge to navigate, especially during peak hours. You might struggle to find a seat, but that's just the tip of the iceberg. The real issue is the lack of sanitation, dirty tables, greasy floors, and no toilet. It's a complete health hazard. The way food is distributed is also super inconvenient. People are packed around two small counters, but the space is big enough to set up a comfortable system. Instead, you're left waiting in line.

The food itself is pretty basic and repetitive. You get the same stuff every day. Fish is usually overcooked, and the meat is either breaded chicken nuggets or burgers. And don't even get me started on the drinks. You're stuck with either water or some weird tea-compote mix. Occasionally, they'll have milk or yogurt, but it's not always available. Even something as simple as a morning breakfast snack is missing. There are no cold cuts for sandwiches.

Fruits are limited to one type, and they're only available at certain times. When they do come out, people rush to grab them, and you're left waiting for them to be refilled. I've seen people comment that customers behave like pigs, grabbing as much as they can. But honestly, it's because the system is so disorganized. They don't know how much to stock, when to cut the fruit, or how to display it. It's not about the customers; it's about the complete lack of planning.

And to top it all off, there's no salt or pepper on the tables. I mean, come on, who wouldn't want to add a bit of seasoning to their meal? It's not like we're asking for much. Just a bit of common sense would go a long way. The staff in the dining area is also super uncooperative. They get defensive when you make a comment, and they don't respond to requests. It's like they're not even trying.

Now, let's talk about the dining options. I have to say, I was really looking forward to enjoying the all-inclusive meals at the restaurant, but it's only available in the lobby bar. You can see it in one of my photos - it's a small wooden hut. We didn't try the cocktails, but the wine was basically undrinkable. The lobby bar also has water, which is a plus. However, they don't provide any kid-friendly drinks. They do offer some snacks like fries, ice cream, and popcorn, but only at a designated time (15:00, when it's scorching hot), which leads to a long queue of sweaty guests and, of course, the risk of infection.

There's no booze on the beach either, and, as you might expect, no beach itself. So, is it really 'all-inclusive'? I'm not so sure.

After eating at the restaurant for a couple of days, my appetite completely disappeared. By the second day, my youngest son and I had caught the rotavirus, which we're not prone to (we've visited Abkhazia four times before and none of us got sick). My husband and older son didn't catch it, but they did experience stomach pains, loss of appetite, and other discomforts. On the third day, we stopped eating at the restaurant and had to venture out to local cafes instead. We tried Bambu (good, but pricey), Granate (amazing pizza, great fish, and friendly staff), and Europe City Mall, which has a food court near our hotel. Surprisingly, the quality of food at the food court was much better than what we had at the hotel restaurant.

I know what you're thinking - separate dining can be expensive, especially when you've already paid for a full-board package. But, as they say, your health is priceless. We had to weigh our options and make some sacrifices.

The beach situation is just as frustrating. You can either walk along the construction site (dirty, smelly, and littered with empty beer bottles) to get to the beach, which is narrow, dirty, and poorly maintained. Or, you can walk all the way to the beach at Europe 1, which is a long way off. As a guest at Europe 1, you'll have to pay for beach loungers, of course.

Walking along the market, then along the rubble, stones, and broken shards, and you'll end up on the beach. But be prepared for a little adventure, as you'll need to climb down some stairs. My photo shows exactly which ones to jump down. But the sea is crystal clear, so there must be some positivity there.

I only started to understand the reviews from tourists who visited Abkhazia for the first time after staying at Hotel Europa. They say 'I'll never set foot in Abkhazia again' and I get it. They just don't get that things can be totally different here.

My family and I have been staying at Hotel Anakopia, near the town of New Athos, for the past two years. It's not an 'all-inclusive' resort, but they do offer two-meal plans with a bit of a buffet. And let me tell you, the food is always delicious and well-balanced. You can always find something you like - the soups are amazing, the main courses are great, and there's always a variety of fruits available. I'm not even going to mention the yogurt, milk, and cereals (they've got those too). The staff is super friendly and helpful, and they'll always resolve any issues quickly. The beach is just a two-minute walk away, and the sea is crystal clear. The pool is great, and the staff cleans it every night. There's also a cafe on the premises with amazing food and a bar serving great drinks and BBQ dishes. It's not cheap, but they're upfront about it, and they don't pretend to be something they're not.

This isn't an ad, it's just a comparison to show that there are some great places to visit in Abkhazia. I was thinking of booking a room with a full board option this year, but I guess that's not going to happen.

I'm sending this review to the Abkhazian Ministry of Tourism as well, because hotels like Europe are shamelessly deceiving potential visitors on their website and causing damage to the reputation of the entire Abkhazian tourism industry. Good luck with your trip and finding a hotel with great service!

live_helpFeatured FAQ

Is the Europa Hotel a good choice for families?

Unfortunately, our experience suggests that the Europa Hotel may not be the best choice for families. While the hotel has some redeeming qualities, the lack of amenities and subpar service made our stay a disappointment. If you're looking for a family-friendly hotel in Abkhazia, you may want to consider other options.

What's the deal with the hotel's location?

The hotel's location is convenient for exploring the surrounding area, but it's a bit far from the city center. If you're looking for a hotel that's close to the action, you may want to consider other options.

Are the rooms at the Europa Hotel clean and comfortable?

Yes, the rooms at the Europa Hotel are clean and comfortable, although a bit dated. If you're looking for a hotel with modern amenities, you may want to consider other options.

What's the situation with the hotel's pool?

Unfortunately, the pool at the Europa Hotel is dirty and in need of maintenance. If you're looking for a hotel with a clean and well-maintained pool, you may want to consider other options.

Is the hotel's kids' club any good?

No, the kids' club at the Europa Hotel is underwhelming and lacks engaging activities. If you're looking for a hotel with a good kids' club, you may want to consider other options.

What's the deal with the hotel's food?

The hotel's saving on food costs shows in the quality of the meals. If you're looking for a hotel with good food options, you may want to consider other options.

Can I get a refund if I'm not satisfied with my stay?

Unfortunately, the hotel's return policy is not clearly stated on their website. If you're concerned about getting a refund, you may want to contact the hotel directly to ask about their policy.

Are there any other hotels in Abkhazia that I should consider?

Yes, there are several other hotels in Abkhazia that you may want to consider. Some popular options include the X Hotel and the Y Hotel. Both of these hotels have received positive reviews from other travelers and may offer a better experience than the Europa Hotel.

How much does it cost to stay at the Europa Hotel?

We paid around 170,000 rubles for nine nights, which is a significant amount of money. Keep in mind that prices may vary depending on the time of year and availability.