Paralos Irini Mare

We were pleased with our stay in the end, and renting a car let us try local restaurants and eat outside the hotel most evenings. The food at the hotel was enjoyable and there was plenty to choose from, though we'd have preferred a smaller selection with better quality. At meals, staff sometimes cleared things away too quickly, making it hard to relax, and the background music was loud and repetitive, often with tracks in a Stevie Wonder-like style. Our arrival was disappointing because the room was damp, dark, and cellar-like. After we raised it, the hotel quickly moved us to the beautiful, spacious room we had booked, which came with its own private pool.

The staff were lovely and helpful, and the pool area had comfortable sunbeds. Our half-board meals were great, with plenty of choice at breakfast and dinner. We especially liked the risotto, fresh vegetables, and dishes, and the restaurant's own baked bread. We had a spacious junior suite for two adults and one child, with a very clean, large bathroom and a balcony with a wonderful sea view. The hotel grounds were beautiful, with lovely plant-lined paths and alleys among palms, olive trees, rosemary, cactus, and more. We'd definitely come back.

The food was an unexpected highlight: some of the best dining we've had in Crete. The fish soup, meat and souvlaki, salads, bread made at the hotel, fruit, and desserts were all incredibly good. The staff were very kind and gave us a real sense of Greek hospitality without being pretentious. We found the design and architecture amazing, and every area felt welcoming, with plenty to enjoy and places to relax. The rooms were unusually spacious, well above average, and the beds were very comfortable. There are several pools, plus private pools in some rooms, so there's always somewhere nearby to cool off. We'd read an article in the UK Times before our first visit and arrived with high expectations, but the hotel still impressed us. We couldn't have chosen better and hope to visit again soon. If we'd stayed longer, we'd have needed a diet ;)

Agia Galini felt like a lucky find, less touristy than many places in Crete, with a relaxed charm that slowed our holiday down. The resort itself is beautifully designed, with lots of attention to detail, and the staff were consistently friendly and helpful. Half-board food was solid and tasty, though it was hard to ignore children reaching into the buffet, especially the ice cream. Our first assigned room didn't match our expectations or the website photos. After some back and forth, we waited four more nights before getting another room in the same “Superior” category, and that one matched what was shown online. We spent 18 nights here, paying about €300 per night, so we had plenty of time to get to know the hotel. Would I return? Maybe, but only if I had a private pool. The main pools felt more like a public swimming bath than a peaceful holiday retreat.