Tylissos Beach Hotel - Adults Only

The road outside was the one real worry for me. It’s busy, cars go much too fast, and drivers don’t seem to pay attention to people crossing. The crossing situation is unclear and feels dangerous. Bright or reflective clothing might help, and perhaps the local authorities could be asked about signs or a lower speed limit. I came alone at the beginning of June 2025 hoping to get some rest and feel looked after, and that’s exactly what happened. Everyone was so kind, from the ladies at reception and housekeeping to the two women in the restaurant. Special greetings to Ranja! 💙 They remembered I prefer water that isn’t chilled and often took care of requests before I had to ask. Tobi, the animator from Slovakia, deserves a mention too. I’m not someone who joins group activities, but he kept inviting me in such a friendly, persistent way that I never felt left out. The chef even made me a Cretan treat, cheese pastries with honey. The food was excellent, and the staff’s care and effort really impressed me. With my busy life, I badly needed a peaceful break. I hope I can come back to this special adults-only place and enjoy that genuine Cretan hospitality again. Efcharistó! 🇬🇷

The beach is rocky, though we found a good place to get into the water, so it didn’t cause us trouble. Dinner was a highlight, with different dishes each evening, and the food was good. Our room furniture wasn’t especially modern, but the room itself was clean, and the housekeeping ladies did a great job, bringing fresh towels every day. The crossing in front of Tylissos Beach Hotel needs attention. It isn’t clearly marked, and cars often don’t yield and drive very fast. A speed bump could help. I don’t know whether the hotel or the local authorities are responsible, but it’s a safety concern. The staff were friendly, especially in the restaurant and animation teams. We had a comfortable, pleasant stay and would recommend the hotel.

The food was tasty and had a good range, and there’s a pleasant little beach beside the hotel. Those were the bright spots. Getting there means crossing a very busy road. Our room looked worn and had old furniture, quite different from the Booking photos. The window looked out over barren ground and a construction site. Cleaning wasn’t done very well, and some staff were rude, though not everyone was impolite. There’s no guest iron, so you have to use the laundry service, which charges €8 per item for washing and ironing. The grounds and what they call parking are tiny. I’d give it three stars at most, and even that feels generous. It was the most misleading four-star hotel we’ve stayed in.

Parking turned into a challenge. The hotel is large, but the lot holds maybe 10 cars, and staff eventually told us to leave ours on the roadside shoulder. I found that unacceptable. The view from our window was awful, and the surrounding area seemed poorly developed. For the same price, I’d choose the north of Crete for its better hotels, prettier nature, nicer architecture, and stronger infrastructure. This part of the island didn’t feel touristy to me, with nothing to do nearby. Entertainment was pretty sad, apparently aimed at guests aged 60 and over, with karaoke, folk dancing, and little else. The nearby beach is marked for people aged 16 and up, yet children who weren’t hotel guests often came in from the street to swim and yell. It struck me as odd. The beach is across a busy road. There’s a painted crossing but no traffic signs, so drivers don’t stop, and getting across was difficult, especially when we were in a hurry. We arrived at 5:30 in the morning after a late check-in and were entitled to dinner from the previous day. The receptionist offered it in the dining room. When we asked to take it to our room because it was far too early to eat and we wanted to sleep, she refused. It was eat there or go without. She was rude. Our room was old and worn, with outdated furniture and rust inside some mirrors. When I asked if all the rooms were that old, she seemed surprised and said, “Do you really find this room old?” After I said yes, she told me to deal with it in the morning. The next day, they said no other room was available and offered no alternative. The food was fairly decent, though fresh juice was impossible to get. We saw oranges only once during our seven days. We had half-board, breakfast and dinner; the food was okay overall, but breakfast could have had more variety. We also asked for an iron, since this is supposed to be a four-star hotel, but there wasn’t one. They offered dry cleaning at €8 per item, which we declined. We’d booked after seeing the photos and many positive reviews, but the stay was disappointing in many ways. I don’t understand where the positive reviews come from. At best, I’d call it a three-star hotel, and even that’s generous. If you have this budget, I’d spend it somewhere else.