Hotel Tsagarakis Beach

I spent a week here in the summer of 2025 and had an amazing time. The sea views were stunning, and my room had panoramic views that made each morning feel special. Staff were polite and always smiling. Guest parking was very convenient since we rented a car for the week. It’s only a five-minute drive to central Heraklion, which made it easy to explore. I’d recommend the hotel to anyone visiting Crete and would love to stay again if I get the chance.

The hosts are the best part of Tsagarakis Beach Hotel. They’re exceptionally pleasant, warm, welcoming, and always ready to help with guests’ needs. The hotel has fantastic beach access and a suitable pool, but the building itself feels tired and high-rise, more like a bed and breakfast than a resort. A few practical things to know: there’s no elevator, and finding the front door when you arrive can be difficult. Air conditioning costs extra per day, and ours didn’t work, so we used the fan they provided. Mosquitos can be a problem, and the hotel gives you a plug-in repellent at check-in. There’s a very good grocery store nearby, but few places to eat right around the hotel. Take Bus Route 6 west and you’ll find many more restaurants and cafés. It isn’t a polished resort experience, but if direct beach access, a decent pool, and friendly hosts matter to you, and you’re fine with some quirks, it can still be a pleasant stay.

Mr Tsagarakis welcomed my friend and me so warmly when we arrived, and was a great host right through to the end of our stay. He was always smiling, friendly, and ready to offer advice or help. The rest of the staff were kind too, and the woman handling breakfast made sure everything was just right. As a vegan, I’d worried about finding something to eat, but the owner made sure there was something suitable for me every day. Mr Tsagarakis’ mother was lovely as well, and treated us to delicious biscuits and homemade snacks. We spent a week at Tsagarakis Beach Hotel, overlooking beautiful Ammoudara beach. The swimming pool was clean and quite large. Supermarkets and several restaurants were only a few minutes away on foot. The beach is about a two-minute walk, and the hotel isn’t far from the city centre. I could get by bus to the main attractions, including the Archeological Museum and Knossos palace. I’d recommend the hotel to friends and family, and will definitely return.

We planned to do lots of activities, but ended up spending much of our time at the hotel. The outdoor bar area is lovely, with beautiful views, and the garden leads right to the beach. You can reach the strip by road or along the sand. It’s at the quieter end of the strip, but still in a perfect location. Our room was a good size, en-suite, and had a balcony with a nice side-on sea view. It also had a fridge, safe, and air conditioning. The bed creaked and the pillows weren’t especially comfortable, but that was fair enough, we weren’t paying for five-star luxury. It’s a family-run place with lovely people. They were very patient as I practised my Greek on them. We’re glad we booked and would happily return. I’d strongly recommend it.