Avra Imperial Hotel

The staff were consistently attentive and friendly, and made a real effort to make our honeymoon special. We also loved how easy it was to spend time by the water, with spacious, well-designed pools, plenty of loungers and quieter spots, swim-up bars, poolside service, and sea-view seating for a daytime coffee or evening drink. The resort is large, but still felt relaxed and intimate. Our Junior Suite with a private pool was a highlight. It was spacious, modern, and spotless, with a calm minimalist look, a very comfortable bed, and thoughtful details in the layout and lighting. Having a private place to swim made for peaceful mornings and lazy afternoons. We chose half board and enjoyed the food throughout the stay. Breakfast had lots of variety, including fresh fruit, pastries, quality ingredients, and hot dishes. Dinner also offered plenty of choices and nicely presented food for different tastes. The meals never felt repetitive, and the quality was better than we expected from a big resort. Avra Imperial Hotel, Crete was our honeymoon choice, and it exceeded what we’d hoped for. The atmosphere felt calm and luxurious from arrival. We left feeling relaxed and already talking about coming back. For luxury, good food, lovely pools, and attentive service in Crete, it was well worth it.

What really earns Avra those extra stars is the staff. They were friendly, professional, and always nearby if we needed help. Every request was met with a practical, helpful attitude, as though nothing was too much trouble. We came with high expectations and still ended up surprised. The architecture, food, pools, and surroundings all felt just right to me. The design brought to mind a modern take on an ancient minoan temple, made for rest and relaxation. The pools are spacious, the spa is peaceful and has everything you need, and the buffet offers something for everyone. The luxurious, interesting design carries through from the bathrooms to the bottom of the pool. Avra is an incredible place, and we’re already looking forward to visiting again. Since it’s already a 5-star hotel, I’m adding two extra stars to show how good it was.

The spa was a great last-day discovery. We found the Spa Complex on our final day and wished we’d gone earlier. It had an indoor pool, relaxation rooms, an ice room, sauna and steam rooms, massage jets, and jacuzzis. We didn’t book treatments, but using the facilities was a lovely way to finish the trip. We were on half board and mostly ate at Basilico. The hot and cold buffet was fresh, tasty, and had a huge selection, though after a few days the choices felt a bit repetitive. It might help to have signs suggesting combinations for Cretan or Greek meals. We also had dinner at Al Fresco one evening. It wasn’t included in half board, but there was a discount. The pool looked beautiful lit up at night, the pizzas were delicious, and the extra cost felt reasonable. The resort never seemed crowded, even though it’s large. There are different places to relax, including the main pool, seaside pool, and private pools, and guests can also use the sister complex across the road. We noticed an outdoor cinema showing family-friendly films every other night. It wasn’t very busy, but was a thoughtful extra. Evening entertainment was low-key, usually a pianist at the bar or a DJ by the pool, and generally ended by 10 pm. Our deluxe room had a private pool facing the main pool area, plus a patio with a table, chair, and two loungers. Inside, it was spacious, modern, and very well finished, with a separate dressing table area and a small seating space. The bed was large but a little firm for us. The bathroom had a walk-in wet room and a generous sink area. There was no dedicated shaver or toothbrush socket, though a regular electrical socket was available. We told the hotel we were celebrating our anniversary, and they sent sparkling wine and a fruit platter to the room, which was a lovely surprise. The central pool is enormous and beautifully designed, with three restaurants at each end and a pool bar and lunchtime food spot in the middle. You’re never far from a drink or something to eat. The staff were another big highlight, always warm and friendly, easily switching languages for guests and ready to help. We visited Avra Imperial Hotel this September 25 for our anniversary and were impressed by its modern style. The village nearby felt a little tired, but the hotel grounds were beautifully designed. The hotel was wonderful, with good food and exceptionally friendly staff. We’d love to return and recommend it for a relaxing, stylish getaway.

The rooms were beautiful, large, and clean, and the staff were lovely. One thing that bothered me was the tipping system. Each time we ordered a drink, whether it was a soft drink or a cocktail, we got a slip to fill in with our room number. It felt a bit pressuring, and at one point I avoided the bar because I noticed a few staff members checking the slips right away and making faces when no tip was left. The buffet had lots of choices and changed quite a bit day to day, and the à la carte restaurants were good too. The beach loungers are free, which is great since other places charge for them, though the beach is rocky, so bring water shoes. We were upgraded to the adults-only area, which was great. It’s across the road from the main hotel, but has its own bar, pool, and breakfast restaurant. This is a very large hotel with something for everyone and several pools. The size does mean a lot of walking. If long walks in the heat aren’t for you, consider that, since a couple of times we were too lazy to trek all the way to get food. All in all, it was a great stay.