Sitia Beach City Resort & Spa

The place was spotless, from the buffet area and pools to the grounds, which were kept up nicely and smelled lovely. We had a great massage too. The spa staff were sweet, and I came away relaxed and not sore. Everyone we dealt with, from reception and servers to housekeeping, maintenance, and the shops, was really kind and flexible about what we needed. We’re big foodies, and the meals were cooked well with some interesting flavors, a nice change for us. They were on the mild side, though, so if you like spicy food you might want to bring something extra. We watched the trivia night from a distance since it wasn’t in English. It was still fun trying to follow along and use some vocabulary we’d learned. An English version of the game nights would’ve been nice, but it wasn’t a big deal. We had a lovely vacation and would visit again. ❤️

The room had no soundproofing, so we got little sleep and had no romance. The garden-facing accommodation also came with a garbage truck wake-up call at 7am every day. We had to fill out paperwork just to get towels, wear an annoying bracelet throughout the stay, and use rough, cheap toilet paper and KiiltoClean shower gel from Russia, which irritated our skin and ruined our hair. Staff had fake smiles that made us uncomfortable, and when we complained they became rude. There was no apology. Don't expect trust or decency here. Service and especially the food were nowhere near what you'd expect from a 5* hotel. It felt more like a 2* place. Most dishes seemed like cheap semi-finished products with no thought behind them, and tasted like average factory-canteen food from Lidl. Breakfast didn't include coffee service, just a vending-machine cup that was worse than an average home coffee machine. Most drinks, particularly the all-inclusive ones, were post mixes with a chemical taste. They were poorly made and tasted like sugar and alcohol. Expect to feel sick to your stomach the next day. The hotel didn't make us feel any more comfortable than home. I wouldn't trust its positive reviews. In my opinion, they may have been paid for or forced by the Fram agency, perhaps in return for a discount, or by hotel staff.

The sea was absolutely perfect, even though the beach is narrow and mostly pebbles. Beach towels and chaise longs are included. This is a small, very clean resort owned by French people, and it suits couples well. There were very few children, and they were pretty well behaved. The food was decent, but it could use more flavor and personality.

The food at breakfast was a real letdown, mostly industrial frozen products reheated by the kitchen. That wasn't what we expected from a hotel in this category. We ended up leaving a day early, disappointed but relieved to head home. It wasn't worth the five stars or the price. We booked a Maisonette room, but it was dark and right beside the main pool. With all the noise and no privacy, opening the windows for light or fresh air wasn't really possible. After asking to move, we got a room in the main building, which was a little better. The bathroom there was so tiny we couldn't fit our personal items. We stayed at the Sitia Beach Resort & Spa, still advertised as five-star. Maybe that fit 15 years ago, but the whole complex feels dated and needs renovation.