Mareblue Neptuno Beach

There’s direct access from the hotel to the beach, which was perfect, though the sunloungers go quickly in good weather. The location is handy, with local shops and transport nearby. The hotel suits couples and families, and I’d recommend it. Our room was a good size for two, with air conditioning, a three-piece bathroom, a balcony with a table, two chairs and lighting that switched off late in the evening. There was good storage and a decent sized bed, but the wifi didn’t reach the balcony. The outdoor pool is a good size, with a children's paddling pool alongside it, plenty of deck chairs and seating. Snacks and small plates between meals, a coffee machine, outside bar and ice cream were nice extras, though wet weather made these hard to get to, with no indoor alternative. Service was very good, and the staff were polite and hospitable. The all-inclusive meals had variety and tasted appetising, with a different cuisine for dinner each evening. Drinks were the weak point. The alcohol in the mixed drinks wasn’t particularly nice, though the draught beer was good. Non-alcoholic choices were okay.

We went into reception to look around before booking and see some of the amenities, since the restaurant was beside it. The receptionist asked if we had a booking; we said not yet and explained we were just looking. Staff then escorted us outside as if we were stealing. It was embarrassing, and they were completely unprofessional.

From a Cornish/British point of view, the staff are lovely and really friendly, and the hotel is clean throughout. The location works well, with a small pool, one outdoor bar and a fine local beach just behind the hotel. There are plenty of nearby restaurants, and the city center is a 15-minute bus ride away. It seems geared toward Germans, who look to be the majority of guests. Breakfast and lunch are very standard all-inclusive fare, as are the included drinks. Dinner gets dull and repetitive. I’d avoid coming very early in the season, from April to mid May: if the weather turns rainy, it gets boring because there’s no indoor bar.

This is a nice spot for a peaceful break. The resort isn’t too large, and there were no queues at meals or the bar. The pool is small but never crowded. There’s a sandy beach with a sandy bottom, and it can get windy, as it does on the Greek islands. The hotel provides free sun loungers and umbrellas by the pool and on the beach. People do race to claim loungers in the morning, though often only towels are left on them later. Beach towels are available with a deposit, no problem. The bus stop is two minutes away for an easy ride to the city center or promenade. Our refreshed room had new furniture and a renovated bathroom. A bidet would be useful, since paper can’t be thrown in the toilet. It was typical Greek standard, nothing fancy, but very clean and cleaned daily. Towels were changed practically every day too. The door could be better, as we heard every rustle in the corridor. The food was very good and varied. I’d have liked a little more seafood and fruit on its own. There was fish daily, but not one serving of larger shrimp all week. I was surprised there were no nuts or strawberries. Snacks between main meals were weak, while drinks and alcoholic beverages were okay. The service was faultless, from the nice reception staff and bartenders. You can get by with everyone in English. The animator was great and seemed able to chat in any language :D The surroundings were nice, with a direct exit to a lovely, uncrowded public beach that locals use too. Heraklion center and the airport are close, as is a kite and kayak base. Smoking tourists bothered me a little, but it was bearable. In the evenings, you can take an easy stroll and watch the island lights come on.