75 Dimokratias Avenue, Heraklion, Greece | (888) 635-3814
Located about a 20-minute walk from Old Town
Well-appointed rooms have minibars, bathrobes, and flat-screen TVs
Upgraded rooms offer sitting areas and whirlpool tubs
Pleasant pool in an atrium with loungers and umbrellas
Quality, find-dining restaurant serves a sumptuous breakfast
Lighter meals and snacks available at hip lounge
Nine meeting rooms and capacity for poolside events
Seven-minute drive from Heraklion Airport and 10 minutes from port
Wellness area for massages and small but modern gym
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Balconies are tiny, and some have unappealing views
Fitness room only has a few machines
Guests may not eat outside food in common areas
The upper-middle-range Galaxy Hotel Iraklio has well-designed spaces for a quiet, relaxing city stay. A small pool lined with loungers forms the heart of the hotel, with a fine-dining restaurant and well-reviewed lounge both featuring outdoor terraces overlooking the area. All 127 rooms are well-designed and offer free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and minibars, plus upgrades such as living areas and whirlpool tubs. Meeting spaces, executive rooms, and a business center appeal to business travelers, though travelers are largely tourists. The city location is convenient, and sites such as the Archaeological Museum are within a 15- to 20-minute walk. Those looking to be even closer may prefer the Lato Boutique Hotel, which also has colorful rooms and harbor views.
Scene
Quiet, modern hotel with appealing common spaces and a focus on service
This contemporary hotel appeals to couples and business travelers, as well as some families, for its quiet atmosphere and beautiful spaces. The lobby has a clean, comfortable look with a minimalist design. The combination of warm and dark woods against white walls and upscale embellishments creates a lovely and comfortable space. The front desk has a deep, dark-wood finish and a glass backsplash with colored lighting, while the adjacent bar has modern couches in neutral colors and light streaming in through large windows. A beautiful glass chandelier adds elegance to the space. Downstairs, the restaurant follows a similar design scheme with wood floors, large windows, and minimal decor. Outdoor seating is poolside with ivory umbrellas shading small tables. Guests enjoy the staff’s focus on service and the quick, courteous response to requests, whether in the restaurants, from the cleaning service, or at the front desk.
Location
Convenient city location; museums and historic sites within walking distance
Galaxy Hotel Iraklio is situated in the bustling city of Heraklion on the northern coast of eastern Crete. The hotel is easily accessible from a main road, just a seven-minute drive from the airport and a 10-minute drive from the port where many cruise ships dock. Guests can access many shops and restaurants within walking distance, and it's just a 15- to 20-minute walk to the Old Town. There is a local bus stop a one-minute walk from the hotel, and free valet parking is available for those with their own transportation. It's an 11-minute drive outside the city to Knossos, the ruins of the oldest known city in Europe. A 27-minute drive brings guests to Crete Golf Club, a full golf course with reduced fees for guests of the hotel.
Rooms
Inviting rooms offer minibars, robes, and free Wi-Fi; upgrades include whirlpool tubs and sitting rooms
The 127 contemporary rooms are comfortable spaces with appealing neutral-tone decor. Superior Rooms have brown wool carpeting, white walls, and light-wood furniture, with minimal embellishments such as mirrored headboards and brown curtains with stripes in muted colors. Beds have Egyptian cotton linens, anti-allergy tan duvets, and decorative pillows. All rooms have soundproofed windows and small unfurnished balconies, plus flat-screen TVs, minibars, and safes. Additionally, free Wi-Fi, bathrobes, and slippers are standard. Tea- and coffee-making facilities and ironing boards can be provided on request. Bathrooms are small and simple, with small stall showers, hairdryers, and a few quality toiletries. a few nice extras. Upgraded rooms have a smarter design using darker woods and black accents. Bathrooms are larger and equipped with shower/tub combos and additional free toiletries. Options for higher-category rooms include sitting rooms, whirlpool tubs, walk-in closets, and turndown service.
Features
An outdoor pool, quality restaurant with delicious breakfasts, small fitness room, and meeting space
The pool and adjacent dining options are at the heart of this hotel. The small pool is surrounded on three sides by wood decking with a few free sunbeds, although tall buildings limit the amount of sun each day. A nice array of potted plants and trees gives the area a fresh, peaceful feeling for a pleasant spot to relax. Snacks and drinks are served directly to the sunbeds around the pool. The hotel restaurant occupies a raised terrace next to the pool, and part of the patio belongs to the lobby bar, with some comfortable couches under umbrellas. Meals in the restaurants are well-reviewed, with guests appreciating the sumptuous free breakfast and quality dinners offered buffet-style. Light meals and cocktails are also available at the hip lounge Per Se. A small, 24-hour fitness room offers a couple of cardio machines and weight-training equipment. The neighboring wellness center has a shower and steam room, plus a room for massages. Nine meeting rooms are available, with modern audiovisual equipment and banquet space to service a variety of events. The business center is open 24 hours a day.