Grecotel Creta Palace

I highly recommend this hotel for family gathering in class with lots of activities to meet everybody's need. I cannot imagine we could have been provided with better and more personal service. All the staff is amazing, friendly and very attentive. They make you feel a real valuable customer, nothing is too much problem, and everything is done with a smile. This hotel does not have the over the top ostentatious feel, yet still maintain and deserve the 5 stars level. Bungalows are spacious and confortable, the "famous palace package" is really worth the extra money spent..... Arrangements made for my wife birthday were all above expectation. In short a MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE with SERVICE SECOND TO NONE.

Just finishing a lovely holiday staying the Grecotel Crete Palace at the beginning August. I was slightly sceptical as we normally have quite cultural, active holidays and I wasn???t sure how I???d cope just sitting by the pool at a resort, but we had a fab stay with our two boys (10&8) and sister and family (7 yr old twins). There was a mix of nationalities while we were there which I liked, although all staff talked English and I think they run English language lessons for anyone interested. The buffet food (evening and breakfast) was delicious and varied enough throughout the week we stayed (the courtyard setting is beautiful) so much so that we didn???t eat at any other restaurant - these were very expensive but the food did look good. The sky bar was worth the (high) price for the amazing view and cocktails. The children???s pool with slides was quite tired and could do with refurbishing but provided the boys with some entertainment. The main pool was lovely, although I wouldn???t necessarily recommend (during school holidays) if you want a quiet swim as it was very family focussed. There is an indoor spa pool though, that was quiet. Drinks aren???t cheap but were available (sporadically) by the pool and on the beach, and although the good sun loungers were reserved from an early hour by keenies there were always ones available (with shade) with people on hand to help locate some if needed. The beach is lovely with sun loungers and umbrellas easily available although there were a few rough days where it was quite dangerous to get in or out. I???d also recommend water shoes as although it???s a sand beach it is pebbly just as you go into the water. I wouldn???t recommend for toddlers either as it gets deep quite quickly (but the pools have shallow areas). Not great for snorkelling unless you take a boat trip although there are some interested fish around if you go looking. Water sports available on the beach at extra cost (circa E10 for a pedalo, E40 for jet skis/ waterskiing, paragliding a bit more). Entertainment was great if you like that sort of thing with different family evening performances on 6 days a week - our boys loved these. Aqua gym and other activities (no extra cost) happen several times throughout the day, for both adults, children and families, these are accessed through an online schedule so not in your face at all but could do with a bit of extra advertising as otherwise quite hard to find out what???s on. I???d especially recommend the aerial yoga being an amazing start to the day. Kids club (no extra cost) was great too, really welcoming and had on a variety of activities mon-sat. The kids loved the (no extra cost) climbing wall and the kids corner was great, providing food throughout the day for the children - saved a fortune on snacks! The rooms were fine, although it would have been good to have bottles of water provided as well as tea and coffee making facilities. Our balcony wasn???t safe for the children upon arrival but this was sorted quickly the next day. Our youngest joined the football academy for a few days which was expensive but he loved. The best thing by far though was the friendliness of all the staff. Call outs to the super-friendly, abs leader extraordinaire Richard; football coach Amir and all the kids club staff. Lovely holiday, I hope to visit again soon (and actually see some of Crete this time, we didn???t make it out of the hotel which I???m not proud of. The nearest town is 5k down the coast so an easy taxi ride or long walk...).

My wife and I stayed here with our six year old daughter and went half board. We could barely fault the whole experience - consistently excellent food at the main restaurant (rare, in our opinion, for a buffet), consistently friendly and attentive staff and management, and a fantastic array of activities for kid/families (so much so that we felt we didn't cover the full range of activities in one week at all). Having spent the week before in a villa inland, buying groceries at supermarkets and eating at local restaurants, we felt the prices of drinks was high in the hotel (e.g. ???6 for a beer). We also ate several times at the hotel beach bar and once in the Asian restaurant - also excellent quality and service. Will definitely return