Apollonia Beach Resort & Spa

Families and couples appreciate Apollonia Beach Resort & Spa for its beautiful surroundings -- particularly the beach -- and solid list of features for entertainment. The lobby has the look of a castle brought into the modern era, thanks to arched doorways with decorative metal dividers, exposed wood beams, and large wrought-iron light sconces. Gleaming tile, stone, and brick materials coming together nicely, however, some tired furnishings and scuffed wood floors undermine the contemporary feel. The dining spaces have a similar look with stone walls, wicker and wood seating, and some quirky accents such as light fixtures shaped as birds in flight. Outside, the grounds are gorgeous, with stone pathways, trellises dripping with flowers, and thick plant life in every direction. Water features, sitting areas, and even hammocks offer guests plenty of quiet spots to spread out and relax. From some areas, particularly the beach, smokestacks from a nearby power plant interrupt the skyline, detracting from the view, but in the gardens it is not visible. 

On the northern coast of Crete, Apollonia Beach Resort & Spa is near the small village of Amoudara, west of Heraklion. Aside from a neighboring hotel, there isn't a ton in the immediate vicinity. However, it's a 20-minute walk to an area that has a few shops, cafes, a supermarket, and even a movie theater. The hotel is on land that is part of a national park and gives guests easy access to trails for nature walks. There’s a bus stop on the corner of the main road -- a three-minute walk -- for those looking to explore the area. It is a 20-minute drive to El Greco Museum, in the hometown of the famous painter from the Spanish Renaissance. It is also a 20-minute drive to Finikia Horseriding, where horseback tours of the area are available. The major city of Heraklion, with its museums, restaurants, and a plethora of shopping, is a 17-minute drive from the hotel. Heraklion Airport is 13 minutes away by car. 

Standard Rooms lack style -- particularly the linens -- but they provide the basics for a comfortable stay. They're outfitted with dark-wood furniture, white sheets topped with brown-and-blue blankets, and tile floors. Bungalows have a bit more stylish and cheerful vibe with red linens and gold artwork. Across the board, there are also desks with comfortable chairs and small flat-screen TVs, and extra twin beds can be added for a third guest. Furnished terraces look into the lovely gardens and balconies have a view to the sea, though in some cases it is far off. All rooms have mini-fridges, kettles, and safes (for a charge), plus free Wi-Fi extends to rooms. Bathrooms are basic, equipped with bathtubs that have showerheads mounted midway up the wall and half-glass partitions to catch spray. Free soap and shower gel are provided, as are wall-mounted hairdryers. Upgraded rooms have more space, and Family Rooms able to accommodate up to two adults, two children, plus a baby. Some have sitting areas with a sofa bed or separate rooms with extra twin beds. 

Multiple restaurants, pools, and entertainment options provide plenty of choice for guests. All four restaurants receive good reviews for quality and variety of food. The main restaurant is a comfortable, bright space with decorative stone walls and large windows all around. A neutral color scheme -- mostly ivory with touches of brown -- is dressed up with yellow napkins and dark red designs in the stone walls. The three a la carte restaurants offer Cretan, Italian, and Asian cuisine. Half-board and all-inclusive packages are optional.

Three pools -- one with saltwater -- give guests room to spread out. The main pool is large and gets plenty of sun, and there are free loungers lining the patio, some under a shade and others with beige umbrellas. A small wading pool is built in, and there are two shallow pools across the lawn with small waterslides. Past the pools, the beach is a long, beautiful stretch of sand -- loungers and umbrellas here are free for guests as well, and there’s plenty of space to spread out. The ocean floor does get rocky past the shoreline. 

Kids’ entertainment is planned by age, so smaller children (4 to 6), older kids (7 to 12), and teens have their own activities, plus there’s a nice indoor activity space. A tiny fitness room has basic cardio and weight-training equipment. Next door is a small indoor pool -- both are part of the spa and come with a daily fee. The spa itself includes a nail and hair salon, massage tables, and a whirlpool. Some areas show wear from long use or poor maintenance, but guests say the treatments are enjoyable nonetheless.