Castro Hotel

Castro is a cozy, fairly small hotel with good value for the price. It isn't fancy, but it has a great location for a pleasant holiday, even in early spring or late September. Ammoudara Beach is about a five-minute walk away, and there's a bus stop in front; buses come every 30 minutes and take at most 20 minutes to reach Heraklion city center. The airport is also close, with quick transfers by bus, shuttle, or taxi. There's a car rental next door for exploring the island's beaches. The outdoor pool is clean and well kept, the staff are friendly, and the food is very good. Maxim restaurant is at street level and has a lovely terrace.

We were very glad to get an early check-in after arriving tired in the early morning. The room was clean and nice, though the shower felt a little cramped. We couldn't swim in the sea because of the waves and stones in the water, so having the hotel pool really saved our holiday. Breakfast was good, and the restaurant food was excellent; the restaurant staff were lovely too. There's a bus stop outside for trips to Heraklion, which is worth a visit, and you can buy tickets on the bus. Turn left as you leave the hotel to find a supermarket. Thanks to Cristina at reception and everyone at the restaurant!

We booked through an agency, but when a flight cancellation meant we needed an extra room, the hotel helped us more than the travel agency did. The staff were professional, welcoming, and consistently kind and positive. The showers are rather narrow, which was a bit annoying, but I'd still recommend the hotel.

The staff were always smiling and kind, and we felt very welcome. Breakfast was a nice buffet, hotel room service came daily, and during dinner we were given fruit and raki shots. Cats sometimes came by during breakfast. Our room had good air conditioning and a very large, L-shaped balcony at the end of the hallway, which was a big plus. The shower was small; at 185cm I was close to needing to bend my neck, though we know bathrooms in Greece can be smaller and it didn't bother us. The towels and sheets could perhaps have been changed after a few days, since they were only changed on our last day. The hotel is easy to reach from the airport: tell the taxi driver its name and they'll know it. The ride cost 30€, and reception can arrange a taxi for a specific departure time for the same price. You can also extend checkout if needed. The beach is about a four-minute walk on a flat asphalt road, with no hills or steps. Thanks for the time we spent there. We enjoyed Crete to the fullest.