The 81-room, adult-only Thalassa Beach Hotel is tailor-made for couples seeking a quiet, relaxing vacation. Spa packages, beach cabanas, and add-on services such as dancing lessons or a photo shoot are all designed for romance. The decor throughout the hotel is upscale, with plenty of beautiful common areas for guests to enjoy. Three restaurants provide well-reviewed food, including a free buffet-style continental breakfast with Greek specialties. All rooms have a mostly modern design with a balcony or terrace, plus free Wi-Fi, safes, kettles, and mini-fridges. Especially noteworthy is the on-site Mare Art Gallery featuring Greek artists, which is free for guests to tour. Those looking for a more active, kid-friendly vacation might check out Minoa Palace Resort and Spa with its extensive list of on-site entertainment for children and adults.
The 81-room, adult-only Thalassa Beach Hotel is tailor-made for couples seeking a quiet, relaxing vacation. Spa packages, beach cabanas, and add-on services such as dancing lessons or a photo shoot are all designed for romance. The decor throughout the hotel is upscale, with plenty of beautiful common areas for guests to enjoy. Three restaurants provide well-reviewed food, including a free buffet-style continental breakfast with Greek specialties. All rooms have a mostly modern design with a balcony or terrace, plus free Wi-Fi, safes, kettles, and mini-fridges. Especially noteworthy is the on-site Mare Art Gallery featuring Greek artists, which is free for guests to tour. Those looking for a more active, kid-friendly vacation might check out Minoa Palace Resort and Spa with its extensive list of on-site entertainment for children and adults.
The upper-middle-range Santa Marina Beach Hotel is a family-friendly all-inclusive offering direct access to a lovely beach with loungers and umbrellas. The hotel is split into two halves by a main road, but an underground tunnel allows guests to walk between the two easily. The 212 rooms are likewise split, and poolside units in the Pearl Wing rooms are more modern and spacious than others. However, all have air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and outdoor spaces. All rates include breakfast, plus all-inclusive packages are available for the buffet restaurants, a la carte Cretan eatery, and three bars. On-site features include two pools, a gym and games, and a kids' club. Unfortunately, the spa is at a sister hotel and Wi-Fi sometimes requires a fee. For an adults-only option, try its sister hotel Santa Marina Plaza.
The upper-middle-range Santa Marina Beach Hotel is a family-friendly all-inclusive offering direct access to a lovely beach with loungers and umbrellas. The hotel is split into two halves by a main road, but an underground tunnel allows guests to walk between the two easily. The 212 rooms are likewise split, and poolside units in the Pearl Wing rooms are more modern and spacious than others. However, all have air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and outdoor spaces. All rates include breakfast, plus all-inclusive packages are available for the buffet restaurants, a la carte Cretan eatery, and three bars. On-site features include two pools, a gym and games, and a kids' club. Unfortunately, the spa is at a sister hotel and Wi-Fi sometimes requires a fee. For an adults-only option, try its sister hotel Santa Marina Plaza.
This upper-middle-range CHC Galini Sea View offers solid on-site facilities and beautiful vistas, but a bland design throughout the hotel and some worn areas detract from the overall experience. It's about a five-minute walk to the lounger-lined beach and a 20-minute drive to the town of Chania. The 128 rooms are contemporary, outfitted with flat-screen TVs and balconies, some of which overlook the water. Features include outdoor and indoor pools, spa services, a playground, and a small kids' club with adjacent gym -- both of which are showing their age. A buffet eatery receives mixed reviews, but there are also a Chinese and Italian a la carte. For those seeking more modern design and better upkeep, the nearby Iolida Beach Hotel offers a more stylish environment at a lower price.
This upper-middle-range CHC Galini Sea View offers solid on-site facilities and beautiful vistas, but a bland design throughout the hotel and some worn areas detract from the overall experience. It's about a five-minute walk to the lounger-lined beach and a 20-minute drive to the town of Chania. The 128 rooms are contemporary, outfitted with flat-screen TVs and balconies, some of which overlook the water. Features include outdoor and indoor pools, spa services, a playground, and a small kids' club with adjacent gym -- both of which are showing their age. A buffet eatery receives mixed reviews, but there are also a Chinese and Italian a la carte. For those seeking more modern design and better upkeep, the nearby Iolida Beach Hotel offers a more stylish environment at a lower price.
The 66-room mid-range Hotel Eleftheria sits high up on a hill, providing gorgeous views of the Agia Marina. It’s a 15-minute walk to the beach, but the hotel offers a free shuttle service. The property has a large swimming pool, small but bright gym, and lovely landscaped grounds. Rooms are spacious and all have balconies or patios, but furnishings and decor are basic. It’s a solid, quiet option for travelers who don't mind being a bit removed from the beach.
The 66-room mid-range Hotel Eleftheria sits high up on a hill, providing gorgeous views of the Agia Marina. It’s a 15-minute walk to the beach, but the hotel offers a free shuttle service. The property has a large swimming pool, small but bright gym, and lovely landscaped grounds. Rooms are spacious and all have balconies or patios, but furnishings and decor are basic. It’s a solid, quiet option for travelers who don't mind being a bit removed from the beach.
With just 51 rooms and an adults-only policy, the beachfront, upper-middle-range Santa Marina Plaza is a popular choice for peace-seeking couples. Located in the coastal village of Agia Marina, the hotel has a sandy, swimmable beach with waiter service, plus tavernas and bars are within easy walking distance. A large, pool with an adjacent bar is a popular spot, and two restaurants provide decent Cretan and international cuisine (bed-and-breakfast and half-board plans available). A basic gym and indoor hot tub are also available, plus a dated and dark conference room. Rooms are also a bit outdated, but they're pleasant, spacious, and comfortable, outfitted with flat-screen TVs, minibars, and furnished terraces -- many with at least partial sea views. However, expect a fee for safes. For a family-friendly option, try sister property Santa Marina Beach Hotel, which is also more lively.
With just 51 rooms and an adults-only policy, the beachfront, upper-middle-range Santa Marina Plaza is a popular choice for peace-seeking couples. Located in the coastal village of Agia Marina, the hotel has a sandy, swimmable beach with waiter service, plus tavernas and bars are within easy walking distance. A large, pool with an adjacent bar is a popular spot, and two restaurants provide decent Cretan and international cuisine (bed-and-breakfast and half-board plans available). A basic gym and indoor hot tub are also available, plus a dated and dark conference room. Rooms are also a bit outdated, but they're pleasant, spacious, and comfortable, outfitted with flat-screen TVs, minibars, and furnished terraces -- many with at least partial sea views. However, expect a fee for safes. For a family-friendly option, try sister property Santa Marina Beach Hotel, which is also more lively.
The 139-room upscale Iolida Beach Hotel is a two-building beachfront property just a 15-minute drive to Chania. However, one of the complexes isn’t along the beach and you have to cross a walkway over a busy road to reach the water and one of the two pools. All guest rooms are clean and spacious, and come with kitchenettes and a balcony; some have better views than others. It’s a good value, but be sure to stay in the northern complex if you want to be beachside.
The 139-room upscale Iolida Beach Hotel is a two-building beachfront property just a 15-minute drive to Chania. However, one of the complexes isn’t along the beach and you have to cross a walkway over a busy road to reach the water and one of the two pools. All guest rooms are clean and spacious, and come with kitchenettes and a balcony; some have better views than others. It’s a good value, but be sure to stay in the northern complex if you want to be beachside.