TUI MAGIC LIFE Candia Maris

We came back from a lovely week feeling relaxed, and I think the hotel was well worth the money. The staff were friendly and helpful, and the whole place, including the communal areas, was very clean. Our room was a good size and cleaned every day. We had a pool view, and I appreciated that the music didn’t start until 10am, so we weren’t woken up during a lie-in. There are several pool areas and you can always find a sunbed. The main pool was fairly clean, but there was a lot of sand at the bottom of the smaller pools in that section, and it was still there after a few days, so they weren’t really usable for a dip. The food was brilliant. Lunch and dinner at the buffet had some regular main dishes, but the rest changed each day, so we didn’t get bored. The choice was huge, with something for everyone, and breakfast had a good mix of healthy and treat foods. It was fresh, and they clearly take food hygiene seriously. There were a few times when we couldn’t find a seat and had to ask for help. It might help to stagger how many people can enter the buffet restaurant, especially during peak summer when I can imagine finding a place to eat gets difficult. I would have liked more alcoholic drinks at dinner, though you can take drinks from the Wanderbar. The Wanderbar is open 24/7, which was great when we arrived late and could get a fresh sandwich instead of going to bed hungry. The drinks were tasty, with a good range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic options, but I’d have liked more choice. The premium package is very expensive, and I missed frozen drinks and things like pina coladas and passion martinis at the pool bar, as I’ve had at other TUI hotels. That was one reason for taking half a star off. The entertainment was good, even though I’m not really an entertainment person. The silent disco was the highlight, and we had fun at the disco too. We didn’t join any activities, but there was so much on offer, so it’s a great fit if you like staying busy during the day. The main reason for marking the stay down a little was the additional restaurants. We had a booking at the Tavern but couldn’t tell whether to sit down or wait to be seated because there were no signs. We eventually got a table, but the atmosphere felt awkward, there was no music, and it was very quiet. After waiting 40 minutes without being offered a drink or having our order taken, we left and went to the buffet because we were hungry and couldn’t deal with the awkwardness any longer. It’s a real shame, as the beach views are lovely, and the service needs improvement. We also had a massage and I was very impressed. We managed to agree on a service within our budget, which I thought was fantastic. They cater for different budgets within reason, and the spa staff were friendly and professional.

We had an amazing stay. When our flight was cancelled, Vaggelis took care of the whole booking for us. We also met some very nice Swiss people and played volleyball with them over and over.

The team and service are great, and the rooms are top-notch with plenty of variety. There’s a wide choice of sports and adventure activities, plus very good food, including local dishes. One of the best places you can go.

The staff were brilliant, and our room was clean and comfortable. Most of the facilities and communal areas were also very good and clean. That said, I wouldn’t call this a five-star hotel. I’ve stayed in better four-star places, and this one needs some TLC. The route to the beach is along a sandy dirt road that’s unpleasant underfoot, and it wouldn’t take much to extend the walkway. The soft drinks were awful and ruined the cocktails for me. I couldn’t drink them, so I had to go out and buy my own drinks to take with me in the evening. The food was repetitive and the dining area always felt like a cattle market. The entertainment was dire, though hilarious enough that I had to get some amusement out of it. The hotel mainly caters to the German market, who seem to love everything about it. It’s a nice hotel, just not what I expected, and I don’t think I’ll do all-inclusive in Greece again.