Peninsula Resort & Spa

Parking was tricky on our first day, and one of the beaches charges for access because it isn’t owned by the hotel, which was a letdown. We were pleasantly surprised to get an upgrade to a family suite with a large balcony and sea view, which made us very comfortable. The room was clean, the A/C worked well, and water was provided. The buffet had plenty of variety and was mostly good.

The activities and entertainment seemed aimed mostly at French-speaking guests. Almost everything was in French, which was disappointing when there were also many tourists who didn’t speak French. The fitness room was tiny, with space for only two people at a time, and it had to be booked in advance. Unfortunately, nobody told us that beforehand. We also found no basic room amenities like shampoo, toothpaste, slippers, or hair conditioner. At this price for a 4-star hotel, we expected those to be provided. Our room door was hanging and didn’t shut properly. There were plenty of good things too. We stayed four nights with a friend and enjoyed the beautiful location and views, the two adult swimming pools, and two or three direct paths to the beach. The staff were friendly and helpful, and the food was fresh, tasty, and varied every day. The beach bar made very good cocktails, and we even got a coupon for four free ones. We enjoyed the stay thanks to the food, location, and staff, though the hotel could improve the in-room amenities and offer more activities for international guests.

The view is incredible, and I think this place could work well for a honeymoon or an adults-only trip. For families with kids, I’d choose somewhere with a proper water park. Seniors who find stairs difficult might struggle here too, as the elevators are very slow despite the fantastic views. There are some real downsides for families: water park and kids’ facilities are limited, and although the kids’ club was technically open in early July, it wasn’t advertised and the staff didn’t seem motivated. It barely functioned, unlike at other resorts where kids are lining up in the morning. Sunbeds were often taken early by people reserving them. The resort also uses far more single-use cups, plates, and cutlery than others, which made me feel a bit guilty. The meals were delicious, the dining room staff friendly, and our rooms were clean and tidy. But compared with other 4-star all-inclusive resorts in Crete, the cocktails and other drinks were disappointing. Other resorts include drinks like Aperol or serve wine by the bottle, while here all the cocktails came from taps and tasted cheap. Drinks were sometimes served in glasses and sometimes paper cups. Freddo coffee, which was included at other resorts, cost extra here. The dining staff were lovely, but the bar staff seemed stressed and overworked, perhaps because there weren’t enough of them. The resort is mostly frequented by French guests, and many entertainment shows are in French, so English speakers may have trouble following.

The views and swimming pools were 5+, while the food, chefs, and service all deserve 5. Reception gets 3, and the entertainment team only 2. All-inclusive drinks get 2, they were terrible. The rooms and furniture are old, and the drains are clogged. When it rains, water can reach ankle depth. The entertainment was poor, especially for children. The bar and service staff are wonderful, but one Russian-speaking man curses at visitors.