Elounda Bay

Absolutely fantastic. I've traveled extensively and can't recall a better place. Upon arrival, instead of having to stand at the counter (feeling quite exhausted), we were escorted to a table, served drinks, and comfortably taken care of with the necessary paperwork. Our room was stocked with delicious meals and a refreshing bottle of wine. The arrangement and design, spread out across a hillside and bordering four private beaches, is absolutely breathtaking. The ocean water is so crystal clear that it could easily be mistaken for tap water. The food was outstanding. The staff members were delightful, friendly, and always ready to assist. Even the beach showers have adjustable taps, allowing you to rinse off the sand with water at your preferred temperature. The only issue was that we had only booked a week and wished we had reserved a longer stay! We were reluctant to leave and return home.

This beach is a fantastic place to stay with its breathtaking views and a wide variety of restaurants, bars, and water sports activities such as boat rentals, water skiing, and jet skiing. Additionally, there are also sports activities like tennis and a gym available. Although the resort experience may start to feel repetitive at times, the client restaurants and shops provide a refreshing change. The rooms are pleasant and roomy, with some even offering amenities like steam saunas, private pools, and baths. The breakfast and lunch options are abundant and delicious.

I apologize, but it did not meet our expectations and I will outline everything below: *The positives: The staff was amazing, always providing heartfelt assistance and delivering excellent service. The hotel itself is stunning, with a beautiful beach and a peaceful atmosphere (although it may not be ideal for large families). The food is decent, although it doesn't reach a very high standard. However, nothing was lacking (this depends on your expectations when booking a five-star hotel...). *The negatives: If you don't choose the rooms with a pool, the other rooms are quite disappointing! The furniture and conditions are extremely outdated, and it's not considered vintage. There is a very fine line between vintage and neglect, without a doubt! The sofas are torn, the mattresses are old and have dents (I ended up sleeping in a hole in the middle of the mattress), and the air conditioners are ancient. Our air conditioner in the room was simply broken and couldn't be adjusted for temperature. It only works if you set it to 16 degrees above. The TV is so old that it doesn't even have HD. (Again, I'm not referring to the vintage TV from the 90s in the shower, because that was actually beautiful). Once again, I'm in a five-star hotel... and in a five-star hotel, it's expected to have a high-quality smart TV, right? When I book a five-star hotel, I anticipate a level of quality that matches its rating; otherwise, I could have chosen any other hotel... After spending four days in this hotel, in my personal opinion, it feels more like a four-star hotel with upscale amenities, but it doesn't meet the definition of a five-star hotel.

This hotel seems to have seen better days, earning a maximum of three stars. The location is great, with beautiful olive trees and a beach area. Most of the staff are attentive, although the staff in the pool and beach areas often seemed uninterested and unwilling to provide beach towels. The room we stayed in was outdated, and the food in the canteen was of low quality and served in large quantities. Although the holiday package included half board, we had to pay for drinks during the evening meal, with still water priced at 4.50 euros and sparkling water at 7 euros. One day, we brought our own bottle of water for the evening meal and were treated as if we had committed a major offense. The glasses were removed from our table, and a member of the waiting staff kept a close eye on us for the next 10-15 minutes. We didn't even bother asking about the prices of soft drinks, wine, or beer, as we had a feeling they would be extremely expensive. Overall, it wasn't a terrible experience, but it didn't meet our expectations either. Although we didn't need them, it appears that the hotel lacks wheelchair access to many of its facilities.

The beach is amazing. The scenery is incredibly beautiful. The pool is lovely, and the sea is absolutely stunning. The facilities are well-maintained, and the service is exactly what you would expect from a 5-star establishment. The room was incredibly spacious, and the jacuzzi and steam room were in perfect working order. Everything was exceptionally clean and tidy. It's a fantastic destination for families, although it may not be the best choice for energetic young adults.