"Panorama has surprisingly become one of the best hotels we’ve ever stayed in – and we’ve been fortunate enough to stay in some far more lavish places. What makes this hotel special isn’t unseen luxury or opulence; it’s the setting, the atmosphere and, most importantly, the people.
The panoramic views are genuinely breathtaking. Being able to watch the sun rise from our room in the morning and set over the mountains in the evening, whether from the pool or while eating dinner outside, has been one of the highlights of our holiday.
The food has also been very good. There’s a varied buffet which changes daily, and dining outside overlooking the coastline and sunset makes it feel that little bit more special. We didn’t book all-inclusive, yet we enjoyed the food and convenience so much that we chose to eat at the hotel for around half of our holiday – which probably says more than anything else!
Our room was compact but comfortable, with a good-sized bathroom, and we appreciated having both a bath and shower option.
The pool area is another big plus. We travelled during peak summer season and never once struggled to get sunbeds – even the ones we wanted. The pool itself was warm, a good size and never felt overcrowded.
There’s also plenty going on if you want to join in. Igor runs the poolside entertainment with such enthusiasm and good humour that activities like water polo, water aerobics and football were always well attended without ever feeling forced.
But our absolute favourite part of the hotel has been the staff, particularly the pool bar team. A very special mention has to go to Nikos, Kostas, Liova and Stavros, who genuinely made our stay extra special. They are warm, friendly, hardworking and clearly care about giving guests a great experience. Panorama – give them a bonus! They deserve it.
If I had to mention one downside, it’s the location for exploring without a car, although that isn’t really a criticism of the hotel itself. Chania is only around 15 minutes away by car, but the bus takes closer to 30 minutes because of its route and can become extremely busy – think London Underground at rush hour! The advantage of Panorama being at the end of the line is that you’ll normally get a seat.
There are some restaurants nearby, but we found that venturing further afield generally required a car, taxi or a willingness to walk. We enjoyed Salavantes, which is within walking distance, and Theodosi, although you’ll probably want a taxi back. We personally wouldn’t recommend Taverna Elia; it was quite isolated and we didn’t feel the food justified the journey.
We hired a car for part of our stay, which I’d definitely recommend if you want to explore more of Crete. For Chania itself, however, the bus is probably still the easiest option because parking can be difficult.
Panorama advertises itself as a five-star hotel. In terms of the rooms and facilities alone, I’d personally describe it as a very solid four-star hotel rather than a luxury five-star property.
But would I recommend it? Absolutely. And would we come back? Without hesitation.
The views, relaxed atmosphere, great pool, good food and, above all, the wonderful staff have made this a genuinely memorable family holiday"
