Ibiscus Hotel Malia

We all had room to relax, with plenty of sunbeds, and the pool and grounds were very clean. The apartments had everything we needed, and I’ll miss having coffee in the morning with those mountain views. Breakfast and pool-bar food were lovely and very reasonably priced. Restaurants and bars are only a short walk away, and the old town was our favourite spot for food. We stayed for 10 days at Ibiscus Apartments and felt welcome as soon as we arrived. Aris and Dimitri went above and beyond throughout the holiday. We were a group of 12 and they made us feel like part of their family. We’d happily book again and highly recommend the place.

The kitchen could use a few more basics. For me, forks and a pan should be included. There’s no soap, but you can get some at the supermarket next door for 1-2 euros, so it wasn’t a big issue. I thought the hotel offered good value for money, and it would suit young people or anyone spending most of their time out exploring Crete. The rooms are basic but comfortable, and towels and bed linen were changed regularly. The pool area was quiet, and we enjoyed scrambled eggs and other snacks there for a small amount. I don’t understand the complaints about the air conditioning: the hotel description and hosts explain it clearly. You can try it free on the first night, then return the remote the next day if you don’t need it. Simple. We had a wonderful stay and would choose the Ibiscus Hotel again :)

The rooms were clean and lovely, and we enjoyed the spacious pool. More than anything, this family-run hotel had a warmth to it that we felt throughout our 12 days. Aris, Dimitri, Eleni, and the rest of the family put so much time, care, and love into the place. They were always around with positive energy, morning, afternoon, or evening. They were kind from the moment we arrived and helped us with everything. Over an affordable drink and something to eat, we had great conversations and got tips for exploring Crete, including hidden spots we’d never have found ourselves. It was my first visit to this beautiful island, and everything turned out better than I expected. I’d read the negative reviews before going, but we didn’t run into any of those problems. This is a great base for seeing the rest of the island. Aris, Dimitri, and Eleni, thank you for an unforgettable stay!

Ibiscus is family-run, and the place has the warm feel of a family home. Ari and his family were pleasant throughout our stay and keen to help us enjoy the holiday. He shared great suggestions for beaches, outings, and delicious places to eat in Malia. They were all right beside the hotel. There’s a convenience shop directly across the road, and a supermarket about five minutes away with everything you need at great prices. Malia’s centre is a two-minute walk away, with the old town to the right and the strip to the left. The beach is about a 15-minute walk along the strip, so you can enjoy both sides of town. The balcony view was a lovely surprise on our first morning, with sunlit mountains in the distance. My partner and I stayed in June. Ari welcomed us at around 2am and had stayed up for our arrival. He offered to carry our bags, gave us free cold bottles of water, showed us to the rooms, explained how everything worked, and made sure we were comfortable before saying goodnight. Our room was a good size for a couple, clean and inviting, with air conditioning that worked without trouble. It was basic, but had what we needed. Ibiscus is an ideal place to stay, and I can’t recommend it enough!