Kernos Beach Hotel

Couples (and some families) appreciate Kernos Beach Hotel for its quiet atmosphere and pleasant environment. The lobby is in a separate building at the front of the complex, featuring a pebble mosaic on the floor, wood tables, wicker chairs, and red footstools with laced-up detailing. Past the lobby, the lovely grounds include well-planned rows of flowering plants and shady trees everywhere. Guest rooms are in long buildings marching back toward the sea, with the pool and beach at the far end of the grounds. Most rooms avoid noise from both the road and common areas, though some are close to the pools.

Kernos Beach Hotel is on the northern coast of Crete, a 35-minute drive east of the major city of Heraklion. It is mostly surrounded by hotels, though there is a bar across the street and a mini-market and taverna a two-minute walk away. It is a 20-minute walk to the village of Malia, where there are car and bike rentals, clubs, and a wide variety of shops. For trips farther afield, a public bus stops in front of the hotel, or guests can park their car for free across the street. It is a 16-minute drive to Crete Golf Club, a full 18-hole course and a neighboring water park with plenty of slides. From the hotel, it is a mountainous 35-minute drive to the Lassithi Pleateau, a quaint area with several villages to explore and beautiful scenery. Heraklion Airport is a 28-minute drive away, and Heraklion Port, where many cruise ships dock, is a 36-minute drive from the hotel.

Standard rooms are simple and bland, but cover basic needs for a comfortable stay. The decor is primarily white, from the walls and ceilings to the bedspreads, headboards, and lamps. Upgraded rooms have a more attractive design consisting of wood furniture, burnt-orange headboards and ottomans, and colorful striped bedspreads. All rooms have furnished balconies or terraces, some with sea views. Also standard are work desks, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and safe (for a fee). Kettles are not available. Shuttered windows between some bedrooms and bathrooms are a playful touch, though others may find it compromises privacy. Attractive bathrooms have neutral-tone tiling, vessel sinks, and either shower/tub combos or separate tubs and showers, as well as hairdryers and free toiletries.

Higher-category rooms add robes and slippers. Superior Family Hotels and Bungalow Suites can accommodate up to four people, plus a baby. These offer options such as separate living rooms with a sofa bed, two bathrooms, and two balconies or a large terrace furnished with sunbeds. Some of the lower-category rooms are showing a bit of age.

Restaurants and pools at the Kernos Beach Hotel provide the basics for a restful stay. The main restaurant has a rustic look with gray stone floors and natural stone brick walls inside. Outside, there’s a lighter, beachy feel thanks to wicker chairs and wood tables under linen umbrellas. An American-style breakfast buffet offers a good variety of options, but it's much the same every day. For dinner, salads, appetizers, and desserts are served on the buffet and main entrees are served at tables. Guests generally find the food appealing, but not exemplary and lacking in variety. For lunch, guests can patronize the beachside seafood restaurant or the snack bar with lighter grilled choices. Kafenion is a lovely little cafe serving coffee and ouzo under a vine-covered pergola surrounded by potted flowers.

The pool is large, with blue loungers under white umbrellas scattered around stone-paved and grassy areas. A kids' pool, baby wading pool, and playground are in a separate area of the hotel, which keeps the main pool quieter. Past the pool is a beautiful beach over 300 yards (275 meters) long, a highlight of the hotel. Sunbeds are free both on the beach and at the pool. A small fitness room has a selection of weight-training equipment and a few treadmills. Also available are two tennis courts and a simple mini-golf course. Aside from a weekly Greek night with live dancing and themed dinner, there is no entertainment or animation team at the hotel.