Carolina Mare

This contemporary, well-appointed hotel appeals to families and couples looking for a quiet, relaxing vacation. The lobby has a modern design and includes light, neutral colors with many glass elements. Whites and grays predominate with a few bright yellows and greens in pillows and a partial accent wall. Some walls are floor-to-ceiling windows, and others are covered in glass with built-in display panels and TVs. The floor just inside the front entryway has glass-covered sections with a beachy scene underneath, while colored recessed lighting adds a touch of elegance. The lobby bar and main restaurant continue the design-centric style. The bar adds modern black chairs and more colored accent lighting. Though interiors are certainly appealing, it's the multiple pools and wide stretch of beach that lure most travelers, plus many areas have gorgeous sea views. 

Carolina Mare Hotel is on the beach in Malia, a 37-minute drive east of Heraklion on the northern coast of Crete. It is on a quiet a road, mostly surrounded by hotels, though there are a few restaurants within a 10-minute walk. The road leads to the archaeological dig site of the ancient palace of Malia, a 20-minute walk or a four-minute drive. It is a six-minute drive to the center of Malia, with its restaurants, shopping, and active nightlife. Hersonissos, a bustling town with shops, restaurants, and plenty of family-friendly entertainment, is a 15-minute drive. Elounda, a bustling town where guests can rent a boat to the beautiful and historic island of Spinalonga, is a 34-minute drive from the hotel. Heraklion Airport is a 32-minute drive away. 

Rooms have a modern, minimalist design, with a mostly gray-and-white color scheme that echoes the rest of the hotel. They have beige or light-gray wood furnishings, gray tile floors, white walls, black headboards, and pops of olive-green in the bed runners and curtains. Rooms don't have much in the way of decorative accents, but they're nonetheless attractive. All rooms have furnished balconies or terraces, though glass dividers between neighbors don't deliver much privacy. Some rooms also have gorgeous sea views, while others overlook the garden. Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, kettles with free coffee and tea, ironing boards, and safes (for a fee). Contemporary bathrooms have glossy white-tile walls, brown floors, and glass showers with rainfall showerheads. Wall-mounted hairdryers, magnifying mirrors, and soap dispensers are also provided. Upgraded rooms include options such as bathrobes and slippers, additional free toiletries, and a welcome fruit basket. Some rooms have shared private pools directly off the terrace.

This all-inclusive resort has a solid list of on-site facilities for dining, relaxing, and activity. The main restaurant serves buffet-style meals with regular theme nights for variety. Guests generally like the food, but find lunches particularly repetitive. A la carte restaurants include an Italian eatery with some organic menu choices and an open-air Greek spot set over the waters on a pool. The main pool consists of a large swimming area, plus three smaller pools below it. Past the pool bar is a large wading pool with a few slides. Both areas are dotted with free sunbeds and black umbrellas. A third pool in the same area give swimmers plenty of room to spread out without any one becoming too crowded. Beyond the pools is a nice stretch of sandy beach full of free sunbeds. Beyond the children’s pool is a concrete patio on which curtained massage rooms are set. A cute kids’ club has a small activity space and simple playground. The game room has an air-hockey table and video games available at an extra charge. Guests report that the free Wi-Fi only works near reception, which is a small part of the hotel.