Stone Hotels Dhiffushi

Staff were lovely - a little too overfriendly at times, if we are being honest (very full on, using familiar names and constantly asking if we like everything and are we having a good stay etc.). They were exceptionally attentive and remembered your room number/names/table preference etc. Hotel was lovely - clean, tidy and with lovely views!

There were only ten sunbed cushions for over 20 sunloungers. Smokers were sat at the bar or seating area directly outside the buffet restaurant, meaning their smoke was affecting our meal experience. We had to move tables during two meals. The hotel decided to change the buffet dinner provision to a set menu on one night due to lower occupancy - in addition to this not being what we expected, the meal choices were all spicy without less spicy/reducing the spice in them options. A lot of people did not like the food and the chef was not very happy about the complaints (he came out of the kitchen to tell us how "he knows how spicy to make things and he knows just the right amount of spice to use for different nationalities". Neither of us enjoyed our evening meal that night. This is more about the island in general/council responsibility- the litter that washes up on the island doesn't seem to be picked up. There was so much on the beaches all around the island and floating in the sea. We both said how it let the island down. Just a morning sweep every day would make a huge difference (especially when there is such a big issue with plastics in the sea and protection of our marine environment/animals).

A fantastic hotel located right on a beautiful private beach, fully equipped with every comfort. The food was excellent and varied, featuring a buffet with hot and cold dishes and a dessert selection, plus a chef station for made-to-order meals. The best part was the kindness, attentiveness, and smiles with which the staff welcomed us at all times. The hotel manager was very professional and hands-on.

Nothing

Immaculately clean and comfortable. Fantastic selections of food at breakfast and dinner. Every member of staff helpful / friendly / courteous / professional. Special shouts to our room attendant, the chef, (Indonesian receptionist), waiters/waitresses and hotel manager (he was exceptional).

Struggling to think of anything … family room a little small, but kindly moved a sofa out which helped. And we were barely in our rooms. Bathroom wonderful and beds so comfortable.

Location, design/aesthetics of the hotel and surroundings, the island is nice, cozy and serene, the food was good as well. The cleaning was good.

The music at the beach bar was unnecessarily loud which made me feel overwhelmed most of the times. I mentioned this to the hotel personel a few times but until I insisted on lowering the volume, they didn’t care much about my complaint. Most of the male crew at the hotel reception don’t speak english - they only know few words but can’t quite communicate. Lastly, I had a very unpleasant situation with a waitress - she was rude, bad manners. The restaurant was empty and she was texting on her phone. There were 3 dirty tables there( after previous customers) . We wanted a table on the balcony but it was dirty as well so we the waitress if she could wipe it so that we can have a seat outside. She said “can you seat somewhere else” and continued texting on her phone. Eventually she came with a dry wipe and just wiped the crumbs off the table leaving the greasy stains on it. When I asked if she could clean it properly with a spray or water, so the table is not greasy, she got offended. The whole stay she had an attitude towards us, was unprofessional, didn’t smile even once. It was the most unpleasant experience we had so far.