Atali Grand Resort

The food was fresh, tasty and varied, and the staff were warm and friendly. But the aquapark, a big draw for our group with kids, stayed closed until Wednesday afternoon even though we arrived Sunday. There was almost no entertainment beyond quiz nights for senior groups from France. We expected local dancing or live music at a 4-star resort. We were traveling with my wife, our 10-month-old baby, and friends with children. Although we were assigned family rooms, they were in a separate building 300-400 m uphill from the modern-looking main building, on an upper floor with no elevator. Carrying the stroller and baby up those stairs every day was difficult. The room was disappointing: old furniture, uneven walls, and a bathroom in very poor shape, with old tiles and dirty grout. Shower water covered the whole floor, and they left us a squeegee to clean it ourselves. A small window opened onto a public staircase, so privacy was an issue. Drinks were average, there was no fresh juice except paid orange juice, coffee was fine, and the ice cream was mediocre. Good food and kind staff couldn't make up for the poor room and bathroom, awkward uphill access with a stroller, lack of entertainment, and closed aquapark. The experience fell well short of 4-star standards.

We especially liked having two pools and a water park, with a lively feel around the main pool and a quieter spot to relax at the other. The beach, shops and tavernas are only a short walk away. Meals were varied and delicious, with buffet and themed evenings, plus an à la carte restaurant. Atali Grand Resort exceeded what we expected. The staff were always welcoming and ready to help, and the hotel was spotless, with daily room cleaning and well-kept shared areas. Great service and food. We'd definitely return and recommend it to anyone visiting Crete.

The staff were pleasant and professional, and the waterpark had decent slides, though getting there meant tackling a steep hill. The main pool area felt a bit drab. On arrival, we wondered if we'd been dropped at the wrong place, since the hotel looked more like a two-star than a four-star property. Our rooms weren't ready, so we were put in a suite with two connected bedrooms but no shared space. Anyone in the back room had to walk through the other bedroom to get in or out, and there was only one wardrobe for both rooms. They moved us the next day. Our eventual room was a decent size, but the bathroom shower was on the side wall rather than at the end of the bath, making it almost impossible to keep the floor dry. I found the bed uncomfortable, while my partner thought it was comfortable but a little creaky. The thin walls meant we could hear the neighbors. The buffet was our biggest problem. Most of the food was poor, and the few good items often ran short. It was so cramped where people served themselves that guests were pressed against each other, and I nearly saw a fight break out. We ate out five of our seven nights. I didn't try breakfast, but my partner said it was even worse.

The hotel is well placed for a large beach within walking distance, and after exploring the village I thought its location was excellent. The food was good, with something for different tastes. Room cleaning and towel changes followed the schedule we were given at check-in. I want to warn Ukrainians about what felt like biased treatment from the administration: they offer us rooms that seem 2-3 star, with awful bathrooms. The bathroom floods every time after a shower, and management left a mop for us to clear up. The mirror is shabby, and the toilet flush button panel is coming away from the wall. Bathroom windows could also use mosquito nets. Without that bathroom, the stay would have been more pleasant. I'm not sure we'll come back.