Brits heading to this island were offered 'free' sunbeds then hit with 'heart attack' bill

Tourists have warned other sunseekers about supposedly "free" sunbeds in the popular Greek island destination of Mykonos, where one beach bar has been accused of luring in customers with great views, only to hand them unexpected "heart attack" bills.

Situated on the stunning soft sands of Platys Gialos Beach and facing out into the glittering turquoise waters of the Mediterranean, many visitors to Mykonos' southern end have found themselves drawn to DK Oyster, where they are told they can have a bed and parasol for free, so long as they pay €50 upfront for drinks.

However, holidaymakers who have been stung by the business have warned that they were not given any prices and often misled into spending large sums. One British tourist complained on TripAdvisor: "We were asked if we wanted a 'large or small beer'... Instead they brought out huge glass boots of beer and later charged €35 per drink, regardless of the size or what it was."

Jessica, who took her family to DK Oyster this month, accused the beachfront bar of 'abusing' their opaque pricing and leaving her with an eye-watering bill for a meal. She said: "For a whole fish we paid 350 euros and for 3 dishes 1000 euros (£868). The worst experience in Mykonos."

DK Oyster advertises itself as "a modern day saga of hedonism and indulgence", set within luxurious surroundings. However many customers, after being charged €15 for water and in some case being abused by the staff, described it as overpriced and "a scam."

A couple from the Netherlands even experienced prejudice from the staff when they questioned the lack of pricing. They cautioned: "We only received the menu after sitting down. The waiter stood there waiting, pressuring us to order immediately. After we ordered, the waiter started mocking us for being Dutch, saying we’re always stingy and shocked by prices. But €35 for a liter of soda is insane by any standard."

One man, who was not even a customer but simply walking past the restaurant, reported "vile racist comments by the owner and staff," after they hurled insults at him as he walked by. He alleged in an online review that he was called "a terrorists and Taliban, simply because of my appearance."

Others who have paid by card have claimed being charged for items they did not order, taxes they were not told about, and a hefty automatic service tip. One man was asked to pay €116 for two drinks, but when he got home, found he had paid €300 for a lunch he never ordered, with a 25 per cent tip.

As the bar has received a whopping 1370 one-star 'terrible' reviews and a number of suspect five-star reviews, TripAdvisor has been forced to caution anyone planning to make a visit: "You may wish to perform additional research for information about this property when making your travel plans."

However, the restaurant's owner, Dimitrios Kalamaras, has claimed that these online allegations are false, according to the Independent, and argued that customers should discuss the pricing with the manager before they order an item. He said it would be "ridiculous" to explain the menu to every customer.

“Unfortunately, all of us who work in the hospitality sector have been approached by notorious ‘influencers’ who, instead of making their living by advertising products and services to their audience, put pressure on certain businesses for exorbitant fees and free meals.

“In DK Oyster, we have advertised in the ways we consider suitable for our restaurant, and we will not succumb to the influencers who have been attracted to the beautiful island of Mykonos,” Kalamaras said.

The traveller who was deceptively asked if they wanted a 'small or large beer', summed up the frustration of visitors to DK Oyster, saying: "This is not a case of high prices at a luxury venue — this is deliberate deception. No menus, no price transparency, unrequested items added to your bill, and aggressive billing tactics."

They revealed they were left with a €400 bill, after being charged €35 for a soft drink, forcing them to warn: "Please avoid DK Oysters. It may look stylish and inviting from the outside, but based on our experience and the many reviews we’ve now read, it’s a tourist trap that ruins what should be a beautiful Mykonos."