The Royal Senses Resort & Spa Crete, Curio Collection Hilton

We left with very good memories, thanks to the resort’s quality and atmosphere and the warmth of its staff. After a difficult start, we had a truly wonderful stay. The hotel is high-end and beautifully designed, and the whole staff and management team were friendly, attentive, professional, and focused on finding solutions. Our initial issues weren’t caused by the hotel, but the team made a huge effort to improve things, even upgrading us to the highest room category. We’re grateful for that. One thing to know is that the hotel isn’t directly on the beach, which disappointed us at first. But nearby Spilies Beach is beautiful, and we absolutely fell in love with it. It may not be much of a hidden gem anymore, but it’s fantastic. If snorkeling or freediving matters to you, definitely visit. Renting a car is highly recommended too, since it gives you access to many beautiful nearby beaches and bays. Thanks again to the whole team!

The restaurant service was extremely slow. A few times we’d finished a plate before anyone took our order. An adults-only area in the restaurant might improve the experience too, just a small tip, not part of my rating. Our room with its own pool was lovely, though its terrace got very little sun, and the two loungers were never in the sun at the same time. We sometimes noticed an unpleasant drain smell in the bathroom. Still, we really enjoyed our stay. The resort is beautiful, with spacious, stylish rooms and excellent cleanliness. Front-desk staff were very friendly, the food selection was large, and the daybeds at the adults-only pool were extremely comfortable. It made for a relaxing atmosphere.

The villa upgrade made our birthday celebration feel extra special. It was beautiful and looked out over the sea. We were also touched by the birthday cake and Prosecco, and the floating breakfast was one of the trip’s highlights. Everything about it felt perfect. Every staff member we met was kind, welcoming, and helpful, and their care from the moment we arrived really stood out. Thank you all for going above and beyond. I couldn’t have asked for a better birthday, and we’ll remember this trip fondly and hope to return.

We keep coming back to the Royal Senses because we love the thoughtful, distinctive design. The rooms and resort feel modern, elegant, and well planned. Fresh barista coffee at breakfast is a special touch, housekeeping cleans carefully twice daily, and the Guest Relations Manager takes real care with individual requests. The tennis courts are in great condition and included, and the beach area is pleasant, with a good range of drinks and snacks. The buffet still has a lot of choice, but we feel its quality and variety have slipped over the years. There used to be more changing meat and fish dishes; now it’s often mostly chicken and lamb. More meat options and fresh fish, such as sea bream, would be appreciated. When we arrive later for dinner, around 20:45, some main dishes have sometimes run out and aren’t replenished, which doesn’t feel acceptable for a hotel in this category. We’ve also noticed many more families with young children. That’s understandable, but the atmosphere at the pool and in the main restaurant has changed quite a bit. It can get noisy with crying and running children. Drink service has been frustrating too. At breakfast, we’ve regularly waited over 30 minutes for coffee and finished eating before it arrived. The same thing happened twice at dinner. One morning, after waiting so long, we went to the buffet first. When we returned, our table had been cleared because staff assumed we’d left. The waiter then raised his voice and told us to leave a handbag on the table next time to show it was occupied. We found that unfriendly and unprofessional. The Royal Senses is still a beautiful and special hotel that we enjoy returning to. But compared with earlier visits, the food and drink service aren’t at the same high level.