Mediterraneo Hotel

Mediterraneo Hotel is a pleasant, comfortable hotel where families and couples come for the kid-friendly facilities, relaxing environment, and nearby village. The hotel is built on a steep hill, with separate buildings cascading down towards the ocean. This means many beautiful views, but guests with mobility issues may have trouble getting around. The grounds are natural, with stairs built into the steepest areas, plus a path lined with bushes and trees accessing all buildings. Interior spaces are simple and spacious. The lobby is wide-open, with appealing marble-tiled floors and cream walls, but the faux-leather couches look dated. The bar also has old-fashioned rose-colored patterned couches, though the main restaurant has more contemporary wooden furnishings. The pool areas are the most attractive and liveliest parts of the hotel, particularly the Ocean Pool with pretty vistas.

Mediterraneo Hotel is near the village of Hersonissos, on the northern coast of Crete. It is on a hillside, surrounded by open space and a few other hotels. The hotel is not on the beach, but there is one a five-minute walk away. A 10-minute walk will bring guests to a populated area with a few restaurants, shops, and entertainment for kids. A local bus stop is a three-minute walk from the hotel, which provides access to Star Beach, a popular stretch of sand. The center of Hersonissos is a 25-minute drive away and offers a bustling atmosphere and a night life. The major city of Heraklion, with its historic sites and museums, plus restaurants and shopping for all tastes, is a 30-minute drive away. Heraklion Airport is a 23-minute drive from the hotel. 

Standard rooms are contemporary, if a bit plain, featuring light-wood furniture, dark-wood chairs and headboards, and beige tones in the curtains and duvets. A much-needed dose of color comes from the wall art, and occasional light-blue accents. Each room comes with a double bed or two twins, a desk, wardrobe, 32-inch flat-screen TV, mini-fridge, and safe (with a charge to use). Many of the furnished balconies and terraces have beautiful sea views, while others overlook the hillside and other buildings. Small bathrooms have marble countertops, either curtained tubs or showers, hairdryers, and free toiletries. There is no Wi-Fi available in rooms. 

Suites add a separate area with two single beds in addition to the bedroom with a double bed. Only the main bedroom has air-conditioning. Villas are at the top of the steep hill, but they have more space and amenities. Private pools are the highlight, though these aren't private, plus there are free coffee and tea.

Mediterraneo Hotel has a solid list of features to meet all-inclusive guests’ needs, but some services are basic and guests find themselves paying for higher quality. There is one restaurant with the buffet-style meals that get mixed reviews. Guests complain about the quality of all-inclusive drinks at the three bars, but paid drinks are considerably better.

There are two saltwater pool areas, each with a small kiddy pool. The ocean-view pool is crowded together with the waterslides, a wading pool with fountains, and the amphitheater. There are free, worn loungers with tiki umbrellas all around this busy, central area. A well-reviewed spa offers massages and cosmetic treatments, plus it has a whirlpool and sauna. The fitness room is a decent size, with plenty of cardio and strength-training equipment. There are also a tennis court, small soccer field, and beach volleyball for sports enthusiasts. 

For kids, there are a dark indoor space showing age, a playground, game room, and activities which guests say are engaging for children. Two nights per week there is planned entertainment for adults, but guests find it mediocre. Wi-Fi is free in the lobby and the signal can reach other public areas.