Golden Beach Hotel

Golden Beach Hotel presents itself as an elegant, modern hotel and while the lobby delivers, other areas are uninspired. The building has a plain, tan exterior with green-tinted glass railings lining balconies on each floor. Coming in from the busy street is like entering a contemporary oasis. The minimalist lobby is done in black and white, with chic decor such as a gold horse head sculpture and ballet painting, and sleek furniture. A couple flirty, life-size silhouettes stand next to a column, while mauve couches and chairs add pops of color. The most attractive space, however, is the rooftop pool which has cushioned wicker loungers and gorgeous sea views. Other areas are less appealing. Outdoor seating for the bar is on a patio open to a narrow side street, and the main restaurant has bland brown tables, chairs, and placemats against a white room. Due to its lack of kid-centric facilities, the hotel mainly draws couples.

Golden Beach Hotel is along the northern coast of Crete, east of Heraklion in the village of Hersonissos. It's on a busy street with a karaoke bar, car and scooter rentals, and a coffee shop directly across the street. A small stretch of pebbly beach is a two-minute walk away, plus there are many shops, restaurants, and a bus stop within a few minutes’ walk of the hotel. It is an eight-minute drive to the harbor at Hersonissos, where there are boat rentals and excursions out to sea. The archaeological ruins of Knossos, one of the oldest cities in Europe, is a 34-minute drive away. Heraklion -- a city full of shops, restaurants, museums, and sites, is a 32-minute drive away. Heraklion Airport is 26 minutes from the hotel by car and Heraklion Port, where many cruise ships dock, is 34 minutes. 

Standard rooms are small, with just enough space for a double bed, desk, and luggage rack. Furnishings are contemporary but the overall look is bland. Unadorned neutral walls, paired with light-brown curtains and bedspreads, are touted as being minimalist by the hotel, though they actually appear lackluster. Furnished balconies are a welcome feature, but they're a bit tight since air conditioners take up space. As expected, bathrooms are similarly tiny and lack counter space. They come equipped with shower stalls, hairdryers, and wall-mounted soap dispensers -- which are the only toiletries. 

All rooms have 32-inch flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and free Wi-Fi. Safes are also provided but these require a fee to use. Some guests complain of thin walls allowing too much noise through from neighboring rooms. Upgraded rooms have king-sized beds and slightly more attractive decor, including chaise lounge chairs, metal accents, and quality tiling in the bathrooms. 

Dining offerings include the main buffet and an a la carte Mediterranean restaurant. All-inclusive, half-board, and bed-and-breakfast meal plans are available. The main buffet restaurant serves an American breakfast and Mediterranean lunch and dinner; food is simply presented and gets mixed reviews. Drink quality also receives less-than-stellar feedback. The a la carte beach restaurant consists of a dozen tables on an outdoor patio, between a public street and the beach. It's not private but it has sea views and higher-quality food.

The beach consists of a small strip of pebbly sand, packed with recliners that are shaded by umbrellas. Above the sand is a pleasant grassy area with bean bag loungers and chairs shaded by white umbrellas. There is a fee to use either area. A rooftop pool has spectacular views, but the area is worn and the pool itself is small. The grout needs refreshing and the sunbeds, while comfortable, look worn. There is a fee for towels at the pool and beach. 

A billiards and ping-pong table are the only forms of entertainment.