Georgioupolis Beach Hotel

Georgioupolis Beach Hotel is a lovely place for couples and families looking for a relaxing vacation. It has a quiet, laid-back atmosphere in a pretty setting, though there is sometimes noise from nighttime entertainment at neighboring hotels. The hotel is family-run, and guests appreciate the role the owners take in making things run smoothly. Inviting grounds have lots of greenery and flowers surrounding comfortable seating, plus views of the sea. Building exteriors are modernized versions of ancient Greek architecture, evident in archways and columns supporting decorative, triangular rooftops. 

Inside, the lobby has white- and rust-colored marble tiling and large clay pots that act as a nod to Greek history. The space is furnished with wicker couches and chairs topped with white cushions, which can also be found in the airy pool bar with panoramic windows. This modern, neutral-tone color scheme continues out to the stone pool deck lined with tan loungers and umbrellas. Ocean views are somewhat hindered here, but the rooftop eatery and sea-view rooms provide excellent vistas.

Georgioupolis Beach Hotel is in a small fishing village on the northern coast of Crete. There are several restaurants, shops, and a supermarket within a ten-minute walk. The beach is a minute away, just across the street. St. Nicholas’ Church -- set on a tiny island just off the coast -- is a 10-minute walk over a stone walkway across the sea. The popular Old Venetian Harbor area of Chania is a 40-minute drive. There is a bus stop on the main road, about an 8-minute walk from the hotel, for those wishing to travel farther afield. Port Souda, where many ferries from the mainland dock, is a 35-minute drive away. It is a 50-minute drive to Chania International Airport.

There are 32 sea-view rooms, 18 studios, and two fully equipped apartments at the property, all with furnished balconies or patios overlooking the water or garden. All have simple, modern decor but the upgraded rooms have a more stylish and thoughtful design. Standard rooms have the basics: A double bed with salmon-hued fuzzy blankets, white furniture consisting of a small desk and bedside tables, and wood flooring. Family rooms add a set of bunk beds, and larger rooms for couples have two twin-size beds pushed together. Two-bedroom apartments with two bathrooms are available for families or groups. 

A keyed safe (with a fee to use), a flat-screen satellite TV, and a mini-fridge are standard amenities. Bathrooms are small but attractive, outfitted in white and dark-gray tile. They have glass shower stalls and vessel sinks with almost no counter space. Toiletries are not provided.

Studios and suites are better appointed. Studios have attractive tiled floors and add a simple kitchenette with two electric burners and a sink. Suites have more appealing decor in black, white, and grays, plus sectional sofas in living areas and larger bathrooms with whirlpool tubs and separate showers. 

Though the grounds are small, Georgioupolis Beach Hotel has several pretty spots for guests to spread out and relax. The stone pool deck has the main pool and a separate shallow wading pool for kids, plus some floats and toys are available for free. Greenery and flowers dot the area, and there are both mountain and sea views. A stone wall separates the pool from the nearby street, but noise is minimal.

Local cuisine is served all day at the restaurant, and bed-and-breakfast or half-board packages are available. Tables are set in a bright indoor space, as well as on a pretty stone patio surrounded by potted flowers and plants. The rooftop bar and cafe gives guests another option for meals and offers a lovely view over the pool and out to the sea. 

Off the bar area, there is a billiards room and a computer with internet access for guests. The basement has a small fitness room and laundry facilities. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.