Eleftheria Hotel

We have had a two week holiday here, and while there are some good points to the hotel, there have also been some disappointing elements, which, for us, merited the average rating. Other guests had mentioned the irritating music, which constantly assaults the ears when around the pool side, but this can not be overstated. The constant electronic drum beat permeates every "tune" that plays on a loop, meaning you hear the same music over and over again is tantamount to torture. It proved very difficult to read a book and relax poolside as this noise is played at a volume that overrides normal conversation. In the evenings, this is evidenced by only a small group of people congregating at the bar, as most choose the option of escaping to the local town to avoid the noise. The hotel itself is a lovely modern building set on a hillside overlooking Aghia Marina, which is not a marina as we know it, but a busy seaside resort. It is full of restaurants and offers some good reasonably priced meals with stunning views. The hotel offers a free minibus to the bottom of the hill and a return, but it is often left to the barman to drive the bus! The capacity for the bus is eight people. If more than eight are waiting to come or go, then there is absolutely no bar service while he leaves the bar to drive the bus. The hotel restaurant is unlike any that we have experienced before. All meals are buffet service, including the evening meal. This shouldn't be a problem, but the restaurant closes at 10 am (breakfast) and 9 pm (evening meal) sharp! The opportunity to enjoy a leisurely evening dinner us abruptly stopped at ten to nine, when the staff approaches you and reminds you that the restaurant will close at 9pm. This leaves you with the option of catching the last bus down to the village and either a taxi back or a mile hike up the hill in the dark (there is no street lighting). We had a superior sea view room, which was very nice. However, the sea view was slightly limited due to a large overhang of the main stairwell, which protrudes away from the building, blocking part of the view. We would highly recommend hiring a car. The hotel recommended a local firm who supplied a very nice car at a reasonable price. For ten days, our car cost the same as three or for excursions. This allowed us to explore the lovely island and visit beaches and sites at our own leisure and not to the strict timetable that such excursions set. Would we stay here again? No, but others may like it.

We have just got back from a week stay in this hotel as our friend got married in chania. Couldn't really fault this hotel at all was really quiet around the pool. No need to rush down for sunbeds as always some available. We walked up and down the hill a few times but the hotel do put a bus on up and down every half hour in peak times. The cleaners made our room everyday which is brilliant this is obviously optional you have signs on your door. I think it would have been a nice touch to put some water in each room everyday. We visited balos lagoon this is a must visit absolutely stunning. 45euro per person from like 9 till 7 with 2 stops one at the lagoon and another at a beach so worth the money. The boat is huge with a restaurant and a bar on on. Prob was around 2k ppl onit when we went. You won't find a bad meal in crete and they don't shrimp on the portions you are always full! With a raki/ouzo on the house after every meal. You will pay 5euro tax each night you stay at the end of your visit too.

Lindsay Alberti & sister 16 May -23 May Had a wonderful stay here for a week. The hotel is so amazingly clean, food is great and position is so lovely and quiet. The staff are fantastic, attentive and considerate. Thank you to the ladies on reception, restaurant staff and bar staff especially Akis .. thank you to all for making this a really chilled experience. Thank you to all