"Location:
Lovely remote resort. Car hire needed as 1hr 40mins approx from Chania airport and nothing in the vicinity at all to walk to. Not much parking at the front of hotel but small parking zone short walk away if you have a vehicle. Beautiful views over orchard/vegetation. Resort is on a hill so probably not recommended for anyone with mobility issues as there are steep slopes and steps to pool, bar areas and hotel amenities which could be challenging for some. Shuttle bus to beach is provided by hotel but we didn't use this. We drove to spilies beach which was 10min drive away - small pebble beach so need footwear if hot to walk to water edge, comfy loungers to hire for about 15-18E for pair with a parasol, cafe for food/drinks and free parking. Kids enjoyed jumping off small rock into the water and swimming.
Pool:
Pleanty sunbeds, shade area go quickly though. The floor was terribly slippy when wet so exercise exterme caution walking anywhere around the pool area. Both myself and son slipped on the one day we venturered down to the pool. No annoying animation team and being dragged to play games or aqua aerobics etc. Just chill in the pool or on lounger and chat in peace. Very clean and cosy loungers. 2 family pools and one adults pool. Plus terrace areas with no shade, these were empty most of the time and lots free loungers (Probably as it is so hot in Aug heat). Lack of shade is not great for fair skinned folk who burn easily and saw people moving loungers under trees to grab shade but the terrace area is exposed and no shade/umbrellas. Addition of pop up parasols would be a good idea so people can opt for quiet shade if needed in peak season.
General area:
Terraces and seating areas are dotted all around the resort so never struggled to find a place to sit day or night. 2 x giant chess boards outside in the grounds if you like to play. The grounds are beautiful with flowers and kept immaculately clean by staff.
Snack bar by pool:
Not great food selection and very poor, soda/pop and wine/beer help yourself machines for all inclusive. Only visit snack bar onces so avoided after that.
Main restaurant:
Pleasant enough but repeative for all meals. Breakfast was some hot options such as fried/scrambled egg and bacon, beans. Bread to toast. Tinned fruit. Basic cereal. Mini croissant and pastries. Chocolate spread some preserved but unusual flavours. Juices (machine and not fresh).
Lunch and evening meal: good array of salad items, feta and cheeses. Usually a couple hot meat selections (e.g chicken or pork and a fish), potatoes, 1-2 vegetation options and maybe rice. Fresh bread to slice yourself. Evening time small area open with things like ribs, chips or chicken/pittas, mussels. Varied day to day in this area. Desert: ice cream/spaces, melon/watermelon and some small cakes/sponges. Family always found something to eat but if you are a fussy eater will struggle as its not the pizza, burger, nuggets and chips culture some people are used to!
Drinks available all meals: self serve coffee, tea, soda machine, wine/beer taps. Always clean. Food was not super hot but always kept topped up when things ran out so rarely empty. Staff happy to help get cutlery and clean tables.......probably bit too keen as one day cleared away my freshly made coffee cup whilst getting Desert!!
Entertainment:
Occasionally there was live traditional music and dancers in small bar/seated area but didn't see a programme advertised so just passed it on way to dinner in evening. Wasnt every day. Was about 3 events on in the week so limited and just for hours or so in duration. Main bar had background music on speakers, pool tables and air hockey tables 2euros. Many people just sat chatting or playing cards/uno etc. We liked this quieter vibe but if you like the kids disco and bigger animation team vibe then this is not the place for you.
Shop:
Small shop with jewellery, clothes. Not pushy but bit pricy in my opinion. Small shop with drinks, chocolare, crisps, sweets, wine and souvenirs, suncream, goggles, mosquito spray etc. Which kids liked to visit.
Animals:
Loud crickets can be heard all day. Spotted a small lizard and praying mantis. Recommend mosquito spray every night as we all had a few bites by the end of the trip. The spray worked wonders that we bought from the shop so use repellant if prone to bites! Couple of cats are milling around the resort and restaurant area but seemed friendly. People were feeding them so they were often under the table at meal times being slipped scraps of food by adults and kids during meal times!
All inclusive package:
Breakfast 7.30-1030
Lunch 1230-2.30
Dinner 1800-2130
Snacks bar 1100-1800 but rubbish in our opinion
Drinks: Local Spirits are only available 7pm-11pm, cocktails are machine dispensed/pre-made and not to my liking, wine was low end quality but ok, beer was average and available 11am-11pm, soda was coke, orange, lemon and sprite so kids were happy. Basic quality and ok for a week and everything needed. If drink in bar area will be served in glass which is nice as hate a plastic cup but if taking to pool/room served in a plastic cup which is fine.
Room:
We had family room with private pool which was great. Sun from 2-5pm, 2 loungers, 2 chairs and small table. Comfy king bed and 2 x singles for kids and sofa/coffee table. Kettle and fridge in room. Nice modern and clean. Bathroom had a bath and separate shower cubicle. Room service booked daily as needed before midnight for the following day and can request morning or afternoon. Can hire beach towels for 20E. Private pool was a hit with kids and it was so nice to have own space to relax and shaded area. WiFi was a bit laggy and dropped out regularly in room and across the resort.
We had a great relaxing week away. I probably wouldn't do longer thank a week as food would be too repeatative if just staying there all week, but it was absolutely perfect for quiet week away in our private pool room. It's overall clean, modern and well maintained with a really relaxing vibe. All staff we met were friendly and the golf cart to and from room with luggage was top service extra too. Thanks for a really great stay!!!"
