Gerani, Crete 731 04 Greece, Gerani, Greece | (937) 315-4602
Large pool area with wading section, a bar, and free loungers
Five-minute walk to a pebbly beach with free loungers
All rooms have mini-fridges and furnished terraces or balconies
Upgraded rooms offer private pools, living areas, and nicer decor
Buffet-style restaurant has good variety at every meal
Well-equipped playground and spacious kids’ club
Rooftop bar has views of the mountains and sea
Spacious fitness room with strength and cardio equipment
Buffet restaurant is the only all-inclusive option
Room decor is mostly bland and TVs are tube-style
Little to do in walking distance; requires a drive to sites
Fee for in-room safes and a daily charge for Wi-Fi
The mid-range Solimar Aquamarine Hotel is five minutes by foot to the beach in Platanias, with little to do nearby. Most of the 104 rooms are bland but comfortable, outfitted with sofa beds, mini-fridges, and bathtubs; upgraded rooms have nicer decor. Wi-Fi is available with a fee. On-site features are limited for an all-inclusive hotel: There is one restaurant, one large pool, and no spa. Kids have access to a large outdoor playground, indoor club, and kiddy section at the pool. Guests looking for a more central location might check out Amalthia Beach Resort, which has direct beach access and more to do in its immediate vicinity.
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Scene
Quiet hotel with comfortable surroundings
Solimar Aquamarine Hotel is a quiet, relaxing hotel that appeals to couples and some families with facilities catering to both. Interiors are clean and comfortable but out-of-date. The lobby is a long, narrow room with reception on one end and a small bar on the other. In between, blocky brown-leather sofas, plus beige walls, floors, and window dressings make for a bland space. The grounds are more attractive thanks to trim grass, palm trees, a fountain, and clusters of local plants and flowers all about. Benches offer pleasant places to sit and enjoy views of gardens and the sea. Guests have noted that staff members are particularly friendly and responsive when requests are made.
Location
A quiet, isolated area west of Chania requiring a drive to popular cities and sites
Solimar Aquamarine Hotel is near the coast in the municipality of Platanias, to the west of Chania. It's a quiet area with little nearby besides other hotels. There’s a small cafe a five-minute walk down the road and a mini-market seven minutes away. A 15-minute walk will bring guests to a few restaurants. The closest village is Gerani -- a 20-minute walk or just a three-minute drive -- with a few restaurants, a bar, and a car rental agency. The city of Platanias is a nine-minute drive away with more eateries, entertainment, and a nightlife. It is a 20-minute drive to the popular tourist city of Chania and its historic Old Venetian Harbor containing many shops, restaurants, and museums. Kissamos Port, with a ferry to the breathtaking Balos Beach is a 33-minute drive west. There is a bus stop a two-minute walk from the hotel with routes to popular sites. Chania International Airport is a 37-minute drive away.
Rooms
Standard rooms are bland and basic; upgrades add living rooms, private pools, kettles, and bathrobes
Standard rooms are comfortable but bland with white walls, beige tile floors, wood furniture, and neutral tones in cushions and the bedspread. All rooms have a furnished terrace or balcony, either with views of the garden or sea from a distance. Basic bathrooms have tubs with handheld showerheads, plus hairdryers but no toiletries. Mini-fridges, old tube-style TVs, and safes are in all rooms, though safes require a daily fee to use. There is also a daily, per-device fee to access Wi-Fi.
Superior rooms and suites are done in more cheerful shades of blue, though certain elements are out-of-date. Floral wallpaper, striped sofa cushions, dot-patterned duvets, and red-and-white checkered chairs feel disjointed and busy. Some have more-subdued decor consisting of neutral tones accented with dark grays and blacks, and fine art adorning the walls. Suites have a separate living room and can accommodate up to four people. Upgraded rooms have free bathrobes and slippers, kettles with free coffee and tea, water in the mini-fridges, and fresh flowers in the room. Bathrooms might include a tile backsplash, larger counter for the sink, or a touch of color.
Features
Three bars but only one restaurant; a pool, fitness room, and kids club on site
This all-inclusive hotel has dining, entertainment, and family-friendly features, but not a lot of choices are built into the package. Outdoor seating at the restaurant and the pool bar bookend the pool, so the area gets congested at mealtimes. Breakfast is continental, while lunch and dinner are buffet-style Mediterranean cuisine. The food gets mixed reviews, though guests agree that the variety is good and breakfast is the best meal of the day.
The pool is large, with a separate shallow area off to the side for kids. There are free loungers shaded with beige umbrellas poolside, and sunny recliners on a grassy area nearby. The pebbly beach is a five-minute walk down the road, and the hotel has a number or free loungers set out, but no beach bar or refreshments available.
The covered rooftop bar has wicker tables and a few potted plants, plus lovely views of the water. A spacious fitness room has a variety of equipment for cardio and weight training. Tennis and volleyball courts, as well as a large playground, provide opportunities for outdoor activity. A large indoor play space has activities for kids, though it is simple. There are video games and a billiards table on-site, but an extra charge to use them.
