Mrs Chryssana Beach Hotel

We spent five days here. The hotel was very clean and cosy, and the staff were kind, helpful, and always available. Breakfast had lots of options. It’s well connected, with bus stops nearby, so it’s easy to reach Crete’s best beaches, including Balos Lagoon, Elafonissi, and Falassarna. Mrs. Emanuel at reception can help arrange a rental car and guide you through any situation if needed.

The dinner choices were the one disappointment for us. My son is four, and on a few nights there was nothing he could eat, so we had to eat out, which rather defeated the point of all-inclusive. Otherwise, it’s a lovely small hotel in a quiet location, with a nice pool and very friendly, welcoming staff. Our room was modern and spotless. We had a family connecting room, and our toddler loved having his own bathroom. We’d love to stay again!

The pool is well looked after and has a bar, and breakfast had a good mix of hot and cold choices. Everyone working there was very pleasant. Kolymbari centre is about a 20-minute walk along the coastal road, with some nice restaurants there. The main road is about five minutes away on foot, with buses and a supermarket nearby. The hotel itself was clean and quiet.

The people are what I'd remember most. Everyone, from reception and the pool bar to the cleaning staff, was kind and smiling. Emanuel at reception even made our departure emotional. When we arrived in the evening, someone walked us to the room and left water and a sandwich, which was a thoughtful welcome. The pool was cleaned every day, the surrounding greenery was well kept, and the rooms had exemplary daily cleaning. The cleaners deserve recognition, maybe even a bonus. It was a quiet spot right by the sea. On our last day I noticed traditional Greek food on the pool menu and ordered a gyro. It was generous and tasted really good. That was a pleasant surprise, especially after a disappointing experience with the meals included in our half-board stay. Breakfast was acceptable, but it barely changed over our seven days apart from the omelet. Dinner looked appealing but often lacked flavor, and the desserts felt like basic options to head off complaints, such as fruit compote, yogurt with fruit pieces, or jelly. I don't consider myself fussy, but I do like food with some taste. The coffee was instant rather than freshly made from ground beans, and I found it bad. Better coffee was available at the bar for an extra charge. There were also some room issues: the air conditioner was old and very noisy, there was mold in the bathroom, and the bathroom had no sink, which could be uncomfortable. The wooden entrance door felt as if the wind might pull it off the wall. Leaving food and those smaller room problems aside, I'd rate the place 1000. But I paid for the meals too, and they need significant improvement. I'd happily return for the warmth of the staff, but without the dining service. ❤️