Crete's BEST Beach Hotel: Sun, Sand & Unforgettable Views!
Crete's BEST Beach Hotel: Sun, Sand & Unforgettable Views! – A Review (and Some Honest Truths)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because I've just wrangled myself back from the gloriously sun-drenched shores of Crete, and I’m about to spill the beans on a hotel that, well, it promises a lot. Let's be real, "unforgettable views" get thrown around like confetti, but this place, Crete's BEST Beach Hotel: Sun, Sand & Unforgettable Views!, actually delivered… mostly.
First Impressions & Accessibility (or, The Great Elevator Saga)
Landing in Chania airport, the airport transfer was smooth, thank the gods of organized travel. And the hotel? Visually, BAM! Stunning. That advertised view? Real. Like, actually unforgettable kind of real. Crystal clear water, golden sand… I almost choked on my coffee (they offer a mean cappuccino, by the way).
Accessibility: The elephant in the room, or actually, the stairs in the lobby. While the hotel boasts Facilities for disabled guests, I’m gonna be super honest – this area has significant imperfections. The initial approach to the lobby? Not amazing if you're using a wheelchair. The main entrance has steps. I'm talking a few steps, but still steps… They do have a ramp around the side, but it isn't the most obvious. Once inside, there's an elevator (thank the lord), and all the rooms and most public areas are accessible. But, again, the first impression could definitely be improved. I’m giving them a solid "B-" on accessibility, but they are trying.
Cleanliness & Safety: Germs Begone! (Mostly)
Okay, let's address the elephant of 2023: hygiene. They've clearly taken this seriously. Hand sanitizer everywhere you turn, daily disinfection in common areas, and staff trained in safety protocol. And this, my friends, is worth its weight in gold. I saw anti-viral cleaning products in action! They’re even offering Room sanitization opt-out, which I thought was a nice touch. My room felt fresh and clean. They even have first-aid kits on hand. I didn’t test those out, thankfully. But the overall vibe? Safe and sound.
On-Site Bliss & Rest (or, Why I Need a Body Wrap Right Now)
Alright, let's talk about hedonism. The Pool with view? Yep. That view again. Glorious. They also have a Swimming pool [outdoor], but the view from the pool with the view, you know? Pure bliss.
Now, the Spa… oh the spa. This is where the hotel REALLY shines. I spent a glorious afternoon in the Sauna and Steamroom, utterly melting away stress. They also offer Massages (duh!), Body scrubs, and Body wraps. Okay, confession time: I got a body wrap. I emerged feeling like a glistening, rejuvenated goddess (well, maybe a slightly less glistening, more relaxed me). The Spa/sauna area is pristine, calming music, and the staff is lovely. They even have a Foot bath, which I now believe is a mandatory part of any vacation.
And the Gym/fitness? Well, I saw it. It looked impressive! I, however, was more interested in the poolside drinks. So, I can't give you a firsthand report on the gym, but it exists!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Culinary Adventure (Mostly Successful)
Food, glorious food! Let me tell you about the food. I had a minor meltdown on the first day because of jet lag, and I was starving. Thank goodness for the 24-hour Room service! I ordered International cuisine (burgers and fries – don't judge me) and a Bottle of water. Delicious. They also have Restaurants, including a Vegetarian restaurant. The Breakfast [buffet] is a real winner. Breakfast takeaway service is available if you are running late for your excursion, in the rush hour of the morning.
Here's a confession: I went on a Happy hour bender one evening. The cocktails were strong, the Poolside bar was lively, and I may or may not have told the bartender my life story. (Sorry, dude!).
The Coffee shop is a lifesaver. Seriously, that cappuccino. Need I say more? They also have a Snack bar and Desserts in restaurant, so basically, you’re never far from deliciousness. They also Coffee/tea in restaurant. The Asian cuisine in restaurant is worthy of the name (though not my favorite). A la carte in restaurant and Buffet in restaurant. Very convenient. Alternative meal arrangement is possible if you are vegan or have some allergies, for example.
The downsides? The Happy hour prices could be a touch better. And some dishes, while beautifully presented, were a little… meh. But overall, a solid offering.
Rooms: My Little Cave of Comfort (and Technology)
The rooms are quite swanky. Air conditioning is a must-have in Crete, and it worked like a charm. The Blackout curtains were essential for my afternoon naps (a necessity, trust me). The Wi-Fi [free] worked flawlessly (essential for Instagram, obviously). A Coffee/tea maker, Refrigerator, and Mini bar were all welcome additions.
Now, there was a small issue with the Shower. The Shower was fantastic, but I felt a bit confined at the end of a day of exploring. Extra long bed. Non-smoking. Alarm clock, Slippers, Bathtub, I felt like a pampered queen!
Services and Conveniences: Pampered Perfection (Mostly)
The staff is friendly and helpful. Daily housekeeping keeps the place sparkling. They offer Air conditioning in public area, which is a godsend. Cash withdrawal, a concierge, and Doorman: very nice. Laundry service and Dry cleaning (thank goodness – I’m a messy packer). Luggage storage. The little things, like Safe deposit boxes and Ironing service, really made a difference.
A few things that could be better: the Convenience store was a bit limited. And the Gift/souvenir shop was a tad overpriced.
For the Kids: Family-Friendly (Maybe a Little Too Much)
Family/child friendly. Look, I don't have kids. But I could see the kids! They have Kids facilities. Babysitting service, Kids meal. It's definitely geared towards families, which, depending on your perspective, is a good or bad thing. If you are going for ultimate relaxation and romance? Perhaps another hotel is better. However, I can't deny that the hotel really caters to those looking for family fun.
Getting Around: Easy Breezy Getting to and from the hotel is super easy with a Airport transfer. Car park [free of charge] means you can easily explore the island. Taxi service available.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Beyond the Beach
Crete is a gorgeous island. The hotel is a fantastic base for exploring. You can arrange excursions, rent a car (Car park [on-site]), or just… sit on the beach! They could have exterior corridor, which I thought was a nice touch.
My Final Verdict & the Honest Truth:
Crete's BEST Beach Hotel: is a stunning hotel with a lot to offer. The views, the spa, the overall vibe are fantastic. Accessibility could get better. And the food, while generally good, isn't always exceptional. But honestly? I’d go back. The pros definitely outweigh the cons.
The Quirk Factor: I spent a large chunk of my time just staring at the sea. It's therapeutic. In fact, I actually almost missed my flight because I was so mesmerized!
My Emotional Reaction: (Mostly) Ecstatic! The view made me want to cry tears of joy. The massage made me want to melt into the floor. The cocktails made me want to dance on the tables (I refrained).
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P.S. Don’t skip the body wrap. Just… don’t. You’re welcome.
P.P.S. And if you see the bartender, tell him I said hi. And maybe apologize for the singing.
Escape to Kentucky's Bourbon Country: Hampton Inn Bardstown Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because you're about to get a REAL taste of what it's like to NOT be a perfectly planned vacation robot. This is my "May Beach Hotel Crete Itinerary" - and by "itinerary," I mean a rough guideline that'll probably fall apart faster than my beach umbrella in a Cretan windstorm.
Pre-Trip: The "Oh God, What Have I Done?" Phase
- The Booking Debacle: Let's be honest, I booked this trip at 3 AM after a particularly brutal week. I vaguely remember clicking on a picture of turquoise water and thinking, "Yes, I need this. I desperately NEED this." Turns out, I was right. But now I'm also realizing my passport photo makes me look like a wanted criminal. Pray for me.
Day 1: Arrival - Sun, Slather, and Utter Confusion
- Morning (Or, More Accurately, "Whenever the Heck the Plane Lands"): Landed at Heraklion Airport. Already sweating. The baggage carousel is a chaotic dance of suitcases, and mine, of course, is the last one to show up. Finally grab it (it weighed twice as much as I thought), and then struggle to find the transfer – because, naturally, I forgot to print the voucher. After spending an hour dealing with the situation, with a smile, I'm finally on my way to the hotel. The driver, bless his soul, probably thinks I'm a disaster.
- Afternoon: The May Beach Hotel - Bliss or Bust? The hotel is… well, it looks like the pictures, which is a win. The staff are ridiculously friendly, which is a massive bonus because I'm pretty sure I'm already sunburnt. Checked into a room with a "partial sea view" - meaning you can see the sea if you squint and stand on your tip-toes. Fine, whatever, who needs an ocean view when you have… a balcony.
- Evening: Dinner Disaster (But Delicious!) The hotel restaurant is a buffet. My weakness. My downfall. I load up my plate with everything that looks remotely appealing - Greek salad, moussaka, some mystery meat that tastes suspiciously good. Attempt to order a glass of wine. Get totally flustered by the server, who speaks excellent English (obviously) and I stammer out a request that ends with me feeling like I've insulted the wine gods. The food? Divine. The ambiance? Still recovering from the buffet experience.
Day 2: Beach, Bombshells, and Bad Decisions
- Morning: Beach Bliss (Mostly) Finally made it to the beach. The water is stunning. Spent a delightful hour trying to figure out how to assemble a beach umbrella. It ended up looking like a twisted metal sculpture, but hey, it provided some shade. I'm absolutely sure I'm burning, but, I put some sun cream, after the first few minutes in the sun.
- Afternoon: Unplanned Adventure Decided to explore. Found a tiny taverna down the beach. They served the crispiest, most delicious grilled octopus I've ever tasted! I'll never get tired of it.
- Evening: A Night on the Town? Thought about going into the nearby town, but I got back to the hotel room and realized I was wearing flip-flops and a slightly stained t-shirt. I'm not sure a fancy night is on the cards, I’m not going to change.
Day 3: Getting to know Crete: The Trip to Knossos
- Morning: A Cultural Awakening (Maybe?) Decided to be responsible and go to Knossos Palace – the ancient Minoan ruins. Got on a bus, and I'm with a bunch of other tourists, all of us squinting at the sun and trying to look intelligent. The ruins themselves are amazing (even if I still don't understand half of the history), and it's incredible to actually be among such beauty. The tour guide, bless him, clearly felt this wasn't the most interesting person.
- Afternoon: The Gift Shop Gamble The gift shop. The ultimate trap. I bought a miniature ceramic amphora that I'm 90% certain I'll break before I get home. Still, a good souvenir…
- Evening: Sunset and Swindles Went down to the beach for the sunset. The sky exploded in colours. It was truly beautiful. Then, a group of street performers came, they weren't very good. But, I was feeling generous. I lost €10 to a seashell game that was definitely rigged. Serves me right for thinking I could outsmart a Cretan street hustler.
Day 4: Doubling Down on a Good Time
- Morning: Learning Greek, Failing Miserably: Decided to try my hand at learning some Greek phrases. "Efharisto" I can do. "Ti kanis?" (How are you?) is proving… challenging, but I'm having fun.
- Afternoon: The All-Inclusive Afternoon: Cocktails and Reflections: Spent an afternoon indulging in the all-inclusive perks. Sipping cocktails by the pool and reflecting on life. I am so glad I came here.
- Evening: Dinner and Dance Got invited to the hotel's Greek night, it involved some dancing, plate smashing, and way too much ouzo. I can’t remember all of it.
Day 5: The Day of the Donkey
- Morning: Woke up not remembering the day before. The first thing I found, was a donkey picture! I’m not sure why.
- Afternoon: Went to the beach and was sunbathing.
- Evening: The night ended with more dancing, more drinks, and definitely more plate smashing. I am so going to get sick
Day 6: Goodbye, Crete! (For Now)
- Morning (Again, whenever the heck the plane lands): Last-minute souvenir shopping, a final swim in the glorious sea, and an attempt to pack my suitcase without exceeding the weight limit (wish me luck!).
- Afternoon: Wrote my journal. Wrote my goodbye to Crete.
- Evening: Goodbye Crete! Next time, I'll bring a bigger suitcase, a stronger stomach… and maybe a crash course in speaking Greek.
Important Notes and Ramblings:
- Food: Eat everything. Seriously. Don't be afraid to try a weird-looking fish. You won't regret it.
- Alcohol: Pace yourself. Or don't. No judgment.
- People: The Cretans are incredibly warm and welcoming. Don't be shy about striking up a conversation.
- Sunscreen: Reapply. Seriously.
- The "Perfect" Itinerary: Forget it. Embrace the chaos. The best moments happen when you least expect them.
- My emotional state: All the time
- What to expect: You will have an amazing holiday.
- Important Reminder Enjoy yourself.
This is not a perfectly polished travel guide. It's a snapshot of a real-life experience, complete with the highs, the lows, the questionable decisions, and the pure, unadulterated joy of being on vacation. I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing. But, I am having a blast!
Unbelievable Chicago Getaway: Fairfield Inn & Suites Naperville/Aurora!
Sun, Sand & Unforgettable Views: Crete's BEST Beach Hotel – Seriously, Ask Away!
Okay, okay, the website promises 'unforgettable views.' Are they *really*? Because I've been burned before by "stunning sunsets" over a parking lot.
Alright, confession time: I was skeptical too. I've seen more "stunning sunsets" photoshopped onto a postcard than I care to admit. But here? The views are genuinely, jaw-droppingly spectacular. Picture this: I was on my balcony, sipping... *ahem*... something that wasn't water (let's just say it involved Raki), and the sun was melting into the Aegean. It was so beautiful, I almost cried. And I *never* cry. Okay, maybe I cried a little bit when I stubbed my toe the next morning, but that's different.
Seriously though, you've got the turquoise water lapping at the beach, the cliffs, the hillsides dotted with whitewashed villages... And at night? Stars. So many stars. You'll spend half your time just staring. The other half? Trying to figure out where you're going to eat next.
The beach. Is it... clean? Sandy? Or that awful, pebbly kind that murders your feet?
Okay, the beach. This is important. It's *mostly* sandy. Like, glorious, soft, powdery sand that *begs* you to lie down and do absolutely nothing. There are tiny pebbles near the water's edge, but nothing that'll leave you limping. Trust me, I'm clumsy, and I survived. I actually spent an entire afternoon building a truly pathetic sandcastle. It was more of a sand blob really, but the point is, it was satisfyingly sandy.
The water? Crystal clear. And the colour? Honestly, it changes throughout the day. Sometimes it's that electric turquoise you see in all the brochures, sometimes it's a deeper, sapphire blue. It's mesmerizing. Just, uh, watch out for the occasional rogue wave. Learned that the hard way – got completely soaked trying to take a picture of a particularly impressive one. Note to self: waterproof your camera, you idiot.
What about the food? I'm a picky eater (aren't we all?) and get nervous about "all-inclusive" buffets.
Alright, food. That's a big one. And listen, I *get* the all-inclusive buffet panic. Been there, suffered that lukewarm mystery meat experience. But this place... the food is *amazing* for an all-inclusive. There are fresh, local ingredients everywhere you look. They have Cretan specialities, fresh seafood, all sorts of yummy things.
The main buffet is actually really good. Plenty of choices. And the a la carte restaurants? Worth booking. I had a seafood platter one night that was so good, I nearly licked the plate. (Okay, I *might* have licked the plate a little bit. Don't judge.) They also have a taverna right on the beach. The best grilled octopus I've EVER had. And the Greek salad? Forget about it. Seriously. Just... delicious.
My one *tiny* complaint: the queues for breakfast omelettes can get a little long. But hey, that just gives you more time to appreciate the view while you wait, right?
Are there any activities? I get bored just sitting around.
Yes and no. It's *mostly* about chilling out, but there are activities. They have watersports – jet skis, paddleboards, all that jazz. I'm more of a "sit-on-the-beach-with-a-book-and-a-cocktail" kind of person, but the jet skis looked fun (and noisy!).
They also have a pool. It's lovely, but honestly, why would you even bother when the sea is right there? There are organised trips to nearby villages, historical sites, all that stuff. I went to Knossos. Worth it, but be warned: it gets hot! Bring water. I didn't, and nearly passed out. Note to self: hydrate, you idiot, part 2.
Honestly, the best activity is just wandering around. Exploring the little shops, trying the local pastries (baklava, anyone?), getting lost in the charm of it all. And, of course, *relaxing*. That's the point, right? Though, again, I wouldn't knock the jet skis completely... maybe next time.
How's the service? Sometimes hotels can be... well, less than attentive.
The service is generally fantastic. They're genuinely friendly, helpful, and seem to actually *want* you to have a good time. Which is a refreshing change from some hotels, where it feels like they're actively trying to make your life difficult. The staff go the extra mile. They knew my coffee order by day two. They were always happy to chat, give recommendations, and generally make you feel welcome.
There was one tiny hiccup, though. My air conditioning went kaput one night. Disaster! But honestly, they fixed it so quickly, it was barely an inconvenience. They were apologetic, offered me a complimentary bottle of wine… They handled it perfectly. Even imperfections are handled well. That’s impressive!
Is it kid-friendly? I'm travelling with screaming... I mean, *lovely* children.
Yes, it is kid-friendly. They have a kids' club, a separate pool, and all sorts of activities to keep the little ones entertained. I didn't have kids with me, but I saw plenty of happy families. I also saw some kids having a full-blown meltdown in the buffet, but hey, that's kids. It's part of the deal, right?
The beach itself is perfect for kids. Shallow water, soft sand... Just keep an eye on them, obviously. And maybe pack some earplugs, just in case. Just kidding! (Mostly.)
Okay, so, let's get real. What's the *one* thing you didn't like? There has to be *something*.
Alright, honesty hour. Here's my one minor quibble: the price of the sunbeds on the beach. They're not *outrageously* expensive, but it's an extra expense on top of the all-inclusive deal. That's more a personal gripe, though, because I can’t resist the temptation to have one. Because, honestly, lying onInfinity Inns
