3 Star Crete Holidays

Tayla Davis

Wrapping up my holiday at Happy days & we've had a lovely time here. The rooms are clean, the staff are welcoming & happy to help with anything you need. Upon arriving after a long day of travel delays I arrived at my room to find the toilet was leaking, so reported it the next morning where the hotel owner came to introduce herself to me & let me know she had tried to get someone to sort before our arrival but being a Sunday it was hard to do so & all rooms were fully booked so I was unable to swap rooms & someone would be out by the afternoon to fix it & later in the day I arrived back to find it had been dealt with. The hotel is in a nice location just off the old town which is beautiful. I can't fault our stay here, thank you Happy days staff! :)

Annika Tomlinson

I spent a week here along with 8 other girls and from the other reviews left about this hotel, we were nervous. However as soon as we got there we were pleasantly surprised. Owners were very nice, we had to pay a deposit and wifi/aircon payment in cash upon arrival (you get €20 back at the end of your week depending on the state of your room). They told us the rules such as no loud music on the balcony’s after 11pm, no food or drinks that weren’t bought at the hotel to be by the pool ect (these all seemed reasonable). The rooms were very modern, clean and much nicer than we were expecting. However, we did have 2 single beds and a sofa bed which is not what we thought we paid for. We had to ask for a second mattress for the sofa due to it being extremely uncomfortable. Air-con does need to be paid for but it is definitely worth it as works really well. They also only provide you with one toilet roll and no hand soap, but these can be bought from any of the shops nearby. (There’s also a tiny shop at the hotel with a few essentials in) WiFi works wells if you’re near the pool/have a room near the pool. The restaurant in the hotel was amazing as it was well priced with lots of breakfast/lunch/dinner options. However it’s also less than 5 min walk to get to old town where there’s lots or traditional Greek restraunts. Overall, all the girls were very happy with our experience at Happy Days Studios and I’d recommend this hotel to anyone going to Malia.

the magpies

Services- The internet is horrendous. Constant sign in to a sign in page, that’s when you can get internet. Limited devices per login. Told to sit outside my room for better reception. Said the area is bad. Not sure if it is site specific or the area in general. So I sit outside all night in the cold while trying to get work done. Not the solution I was looking for. Do not stay here if you need the internet. If you dont need it then the rooms are well presented. Need T towels, chopping boards, dishwashing liquid and hand soap at the bathroom basin. They did assist me with an additional login so I could join wifi with my 3 devices but of little use if the wifi is so bad you can’t connect. If you want to be away from the action the location is good but if you want to be in the action then this is a little way from it.

Emily Nicholls

Very nice hotel. Rooms are clean. Pool is lovely. However when booking through booking dot com even though it tells you that you will get aircon and wifi the hotel will not give it to you unless you pay extra charges. They were not accommodating even tho I showed proof of what I had payed for. So just be aware so you’re not at a loss when you get here like I was.

elliot mairsss

I came here on a lads holiday and after reading some reviews we were very skeptical but the hotel was nothing like any of the bad reviews. We stayed in the “Apartment Superior Two Bedrooms” room and it was the best decision we made. The room was very spacious and perfect for 3 people. As you arrive there’s a few additional costs like tourist tax, air con cost, safe cost and a deposit. They are all fair costs and worth the money and the deposit was given back at the end as long as you keep your room in a good condition. The 2 pools were very nice and clean and there’s a lot of sun loungers dotted around the pool and bar. The staff are very fair and reasonable if you respect their rules. It’s located in Malia Old Town and is a nice 10-15 min walk to the strip. Would definitely recommend for young people looking at staying just outside of the strip. The pictures below are from the double bed room inside the “apartment superior two bedrooms” and the other bedroom had 2 single beds.

Samuel Grinsell

When we booked this Hotel it was one of the cheaper options in the area, so we were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the rooms and the facilities at the hotel. The staff were lovely and vert attentive. We had food included and were happy with the quality. The rooms had air conditioning included! which was a big plus as most of the time we found this was an extra fee. Rooms were very clean and comfortable. The location is also perfect. As the name suggests you are central to Hersonissos town and also a short uphill walk brings you to the very nice old town! Definitely recommend!

Vladyslav Khmelnyk

We stayed here last year and it was amazing. Great service, wonderful people – especially the bearded man at the reception, the older gentleman from the service team, and the Albanian bartender – greetings to all of you! We wanted to come back this year but unfortunately couldn’t make it. Breakfasts were excellent, the atmosphere during Euro 2024 was fantastic. We really enjoyed the billiards, the bar, the good food, and the perfect location close to everything.

roxana nafei

I found the hotel to be affordable, but the room didn’t look good at all. The walls and such had mold that had just been painted over. The mattress was extremely hard, and there was no private parking—you had to park somewhere on the street. The only good thing was the breakfast buffet.

Wahrheit Kommt

Dear Sir or Madam, I would like to share my honest feedback regarding my recent stay at your hotel. We arrived at 11:00 a.m., but unfortunately had to wait until 3:00 p.m. to check in. After a long journey, this was quite inconvenient. When we finally entered the room, we were extremely disappointed. The condition of the room was unacceptable – to the extent that I wouldn't even let my dog in Germany sleep there, and I say that without exaggeration. One of the most concerning issues was the shower. Due to the extremely thin shower curtain, water flowed directly into the room while showering, causing significant mess. In addition, there was visible mold in the shower area. As a result, I felt physically unwell – in fact, I was sick to my stomach, something that has never happened to me in a hotel before. The dining experience was also far from what we expected. Although we had booked half board, we were charged extra for drinks in the evening – a practice I have never encountered in over 25 years of traveling. The quality of the food was disappointing as well; it was neither visually appealing nor appetizing. Even the birds I tried to feed some of it to refused to eat it. I am not someone who complains easily, but in this case, the conditions were so distressing that I felt compelled to speak up. Unfortunately, under these circumstances, I cannot recommend the hotel. I sincerely hope that you take this feedback seriously and take the necessary steps to improve the experience for future guests.

Dan Nemes

Really nice place for a hotel, 5 minutes of walking till you reach the beach. Shops even closer, not too loud at night so you can sleep Pool was really nice, exactly what you need in the afternoon before dinner. Open hours for pool are from 10:30 till 18:30. Really nice dinner, you can have spaghetti, you can have French fries, different kinds of meat but really wonderful cooked. The rooms are ok, the bathroom is quite small. Rooms are equipped with ac, fridge, safe box, tv. The staff is really friendly and will assist you in any way poasible.

P. E.

For a low season price it's a very good place. Spacious room. If you take a room with the yard view, it's gonna be quiet at night. A few steps and you're at the sea. I'd definitely come again, it's a good, budget friendly place. 👍

Mike Dave

Basic rooms are in need of an update. The bathroom is the same needs a renovation . Everything you need is in walking distance. Beach very close, so are the shops. Owner always there till 5 pm for questions and directions. For breakfast and lunch , ood cheap food. Tip. Use the rrooftopterrace for sunbathing when it's windy.

Jennifer A KresseRodriguez

Manolis was amazing and so was his team. He told us about a beautiful rustic beach where we snorkeled in crystalline waters right off the shore. There were lots of gorgeous fish. The place was just what we were looking for. The price was incredibly good. It was super quiet. I love Hersonissos- I'm referring to the quiet part where Klery is. I highly recommend the self service restaurant called DAVID. They serve Cretan food and it is so good I'm still dreaming about it.

Celeste Settembre

Very close to the beach and the restaurants. Dirty rooms from the first to the last day of my holiday. Old furniture. I refused to have breakfast in there. A real nightmare.

Zuza W

Very nice hotel, clean rooms with air-co, talkative staff, good prices in the small restaurant (food was not so bad and well-sized portions; I had really cool iced cappuccino) and very close from beach, restaurants and small shops (lidl 10 minutes far by walk).

Lena

Absolutely amazing stay! The hotel is beautifully designed — super modern, stylish, and very clean. The staff were incredibly friendly, funny, and always ready to help with anything we needed. You can really tell they enjoy what they do! The food was delicious with a great variety every day, and the animation made the evenings so much fun with their entertainment. The view of the sea was absolutely stunning — waking up to that every morning was just perfect. Overall, we had an unforgettable time here and would definitely love to come back. Highly recommend!

Colin Dougall

Hotel Review: 2/5 I recently stayed at this hotel and left with very mixed feelings. The Good: The best thing about this place is definitely the view. The scenery is beautiful — whether you’re relaxing on the balcony or looking out from your room, the panoramic views are genuinely stunning. The rooms themselves are also quite nice: clean, modern, and spacious, with comfortable beds and good air conditioning. It’s a peaceful place, and ideal if you’re just looking to unwind. The Bad: Unfortunately, that’s where the positives end. The food is absolutely awful. Bland, repetitive, and just plain disgusting — we found ourselves skipping meals entirely or looking for places to eat off-site (which aren’t nearby, by the way). It’s honestly unacceptable for a hotel at this price point. Entertainment was also extremely poor. — low-effort and not engaging at all. If you’re expecting even basic evening activities or something to keep you entertained, prepare to be disappointed. Location & Access: The beach is a 20-minute walk downhill — and it’s steep. Going down isn’t too bad, but coming back up is a serious trek, especially in the heat. Not suitable for anyone with mobility concerns and the hotel has no lifts so if you have health problems or breathing problems then this hotel is not for you. The beach itself is okay, but not really worth the effort unless you’re desperate for a swim. Very Little to Do: Aside from sitting by the pool or walking to the beach, there’s really not much going on. No activities, no liveliness, and no real atmosphere. It’s very quiet — almost too quiet — and after a day or two, it starts to feel boring. Final Verdict: This could be a great hotel if they improved the food, added some decent entertainment, and made more effort to provide things for guests to do. As it stands, it’s all views and no substance. Come here if you’re happy doing absolutely nothing — but don’t expect to be impressed

Conor Bradley

Stayed at end of October. Lovely hotel with very nice staff. Both pools very nice with plenty of sunbeds and hotel is close to beach. Food options were good and cocktails very tasty. Weather was still very good, 25-30 degrees for the week. When we went to check out on our last day at 11am we were told to stay in our room free of charge until we left for our flight at midnight which was very kind! We booked a shuttle bus from airport to hotel and back again. No issues. I would definitely recommend.

Piotr Capecki

We were very happy with our stay at the hotel. The hotel provided very good conditions, beautiful views and the food was delicious. Throughout our stay, Ms Irene took care of us and provided assistance. She was very helpful and kind, and we had no problems whatsoever. Best regards from Poland.

Thomas Cross

Overall a nice hotel but not without it's faults. (Couple spending a week here). Me and my girlfriend booked a week here for some Autumn sun. After the first night we had to change rooms due to being next to a very loud road with no sound proofing. The staff were very helpful and accomodating for us to make this change so credit to them. Unfortunately we were placed next door to 2 male guests who liked to take drugs every night and were up until 4am shouting, banging and screaming (They would have been better suited to Malia). Despite their warning from hotel staff, they did not change their ways. There was also a dog nearby that barked loudly and repeatedly at the crack of dawn every morning. I am not a light sleeper but sleep was very difficult here. The walls being paper thin did not help. Another negative is the amount of people who reserve sun beds despite the signs saying not to. By 7am, every sun bed was taken up with towels by guests who did not come down until closer to 10am. Entertainment was also lacking but we did come slightly out of season so I can understand this. Final negative, the pool is not heated and was one of the coldest pools I have ever been in, but this was okay once you were in for a while. Not all doom and gloom: Despite the lack of sleep we had a good time. The staff were amazing, especially Irene on reception and all of the bar staff. Very friendly and helpful. The food and drinks are good. The food was a bit samey after a while however we went out for dinner on a couple of nights too so this was fine. The cocktails and beer were very nice. Wine was ok. Coffee was very nice compared to other places we have stayed. There is a shop on sight which is very reasonably priced for souveniers and water. Very friendly staff in the shop. There is also a spa, we both had a massage and this was well priced. It is in a very nice location with a small nice town nearby with shops and restaurants. Great views from the terrace. Other surrounding villages were nice. Good beaches. Transport is good. The hotel offer a free bus to the beach 3 times a day which is super handy if you have difficulties walking on hills. The hotel also offer 10 euro return bus trips to the city Heraklion (about a 20 minute journey) which we loved. The onsight restaurant Marea was amazing. Stunning food, drinks and views. We would also recommend the local wine bar Theros which is a 5 minute walk away. Overall, very nice staff and good location, but the lack of sleep and very questionable clientele bring it down (we may have been unlucky).

Jáchym Metlička

We had a great 7 day stay at the hotel. The staff were very friendly toward us and our small children. The food was great. We honestly never used the pools - it was 100% sea for us. I would come back to this place

Adonis dagiadas

Had an amazing stay at Lyda Hotel! The service was excellent, especially Mr. George, who went above and beyond. The space is really big with beautiful pools and plenty of activities to enjoy. The food was delicious and overall, we had a fantastic experience. Highly recommend!

Lea Thompson

This is not a hotel that will receive repeat custom. I was lucky with room listening to fellow travellers. The food and drink choice is terrible and what is served is of low quality. This hotel should have stayed self catering. Nearly everything is extra, you cannot get a glass of water between 9.30am and 11am. The bar closes at 10.30pm so no water again until 7.30am. The snacks are served regimentally for 1 hour, 1 small tray (of their choice) at a time for over 1000 guests. Pay a little extra and go elsewhere. The only saving grace for this hotel is that there are two others. Valentina's and Rena's very close by where you can get nice food and drink.

Bella

Visited for a week as a family trip, unfortunately it was not an enjoyable experience. The hotel lists a number of amenities which are not actually included such as 5 pools when in reality there are only 3, a spa which doesn't exist, entertainment where none was on at all that week, an arcade which is a few claw machines. Staff were rude and dismissive shrugging shoulders when notified about the broken air conditioning in our room. The manageress was hardly seen and her office was in a hidden spot hard to locate. the rooms were dirty, only one room in the apartment had air conditioning which then broke a few days in leaving all four of us to sleep in one room. Shower water ran yellow and a window handle fell off. Food was terrible with little selection, we ended up eating out for all 3 meals every day which cost us a few hundred a day. For an all inclusive hotel, only free drinks were local beer wine or off brand soft drinks, cocktails are €8 which was disappointing. Su beds also frequently broke and a parasols actually flew out as clearly broken and hit me in the face. This should not be 3/4 starts at all and was a terrible experience i would not recommend.

VICTORIA LOUISE ABBERLEY

This hotel is the worst 3 star hotel i have ever stayed at, it should be 1 star! Staff are rude & the food for all inclusive is utterly shocking & not edible & very poor quality & lack of food choice & does not cater for children. Manager is very rude & at reception too. Very dirty rooms & cleaned once in ten days & hotel generally very dirty. Very quiet area of Gouves but you can walk to beach & restaurants in 15 minutes. Good bus service to Malia & Hersonissos. If you want a good hotel & restaurant i recommend Valentinas next door. It saved our holiday as we had to spend extra to eat out as food was so awful at club lyda. Milk was always off for hot drinks & cereals & asked for sparking water at bar & it was served to me & it was yellow! Pizzas are not included & hotel charged 8 euros for one. All inclusive drinks are awful & snack once a day of tiny dried up croissant or a cake or fish fingers cut into pieces...one item per day for a snack. AVOID CLUB LYDA AT ALL COSTS!

Philippa Mander

Amazing hotel! Arrived around midnight & the guy on reception was so friendly & helpful, took us to our room. The room was lovely very clean & spacious. There was a large bottle of water and a plate of food...sandwiches etc in the fridge for us which was such a lovely gesture and welcomed. The hotel is on a hill away from the main road so nice & quiet but only a 5 min walk in to the town & to the beach. The food was really good, has themed nights including a crete night with dancing ! The hotel is very clean, quiet and the staff so friendly & helpful! Would definitely recommend and come again.

QAS

The hotel was very good. The room was spacious, nicely presented, and comfortable. The area was peaceful, and the food was excellent. The staff was exceptionally helpful and attentive. There were many friendly cats around the hotel, which was a lovely touch. The hotel wasn’t far from the beach, you could easily walk there in 5 to 7 minutes, and the beach was never overcrowded, with some spots even quite empty. There were also many supermarkets and plenty of activities nearby. The only minor drawbacks were that the pool was often crowded, and on one occasion, the room cleaning took longer than expected.

Sharon Tyson

We enjoyed our stay here and we would go back but there are a couple of things that need to be improved open the bathroom is kept very clean but it's very dated and needs re grouting. In the evenings it's so quiet from 9pm on entertainment nights and all night on other evenings. We did very much enjoy the food especially on special nights and the bar staff were great especially the day bar man and the evening cocktail man his cocktails were the best. All the staff we encountered were all very polite and friendly.

Lobster WRLD

AYYYYYYYY HOMIES! That place I went, to — sheeeeeshh. Everything about it was AMAZING, no cap! Let's start with the rooms, youre getting what you payed for absolutely, 100% worth it, bathroom was very clean and nice, everything was clean, the cleaning lady who comes every day is friendly fasho. The service? These guys are real friendly, nothing to complain about. Location? Lowkey goated. It's close to a beach, close to a shop (I'm gonna warn all yall tourists that boutta go to Greece, these small shops might look normal, but many of them sell some disgusting, inappropriate souvenirs and magnets where kids can see it all, so just a small warning if you're coming at this exact place in Crete, SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE!). Now let's focus on the positives, cause I can only talk about positive stuff in the sunrise village hotel. You basically get a big ahh swimming pool where your can spend time with the lil ones, beach bar is goated, everything you need. Now one of the best things about the place that 100% makes it worth it. The food dawgssss 😍😍😍😍. Like no cap, I loved the food whilst there, there was something for everyone, they got like unique stuff every day (when I came there was mexican food, then next day was Italian I guess and Asian, it was real unique) 😸 loved the breakfast options, truly amazing. I was once kicked out of the restaurant for being shirtless 😿 can't flex anymore bruv

Little Al

Visited 1st week in June 2025. Was dubious at first due to being Scandinavian visitor area and hotel, but that was soon dismissed. Got to hotel early afternoon and had a speedy great check in and was taken to room by the lovely lady on reception. On the way to room was given all information on food and drink and hotel. Great room and view. Lovely balcony and free safe and air con. After a few days got to meet lovely Scandinavian visitors and everybody was friendly. All inclusive Food was great, great choice and staff very fast and efficient, tables always cleans and plates removed and very polite sans friendly and all inclusive drink was also great and the bar staff Dinos (Dino) and Maria where fab, had some fun at the bar, No complaints at all. Everybody speaks English and I leaned greek whilst here. Thank you to all the staff at reception and cleaners and restaurant and bars it is a 10 out of 10 hotel. Very clean and staff are always cleaning and tidying and lovely to visit, Local town is only 5 minutes walk to all shops and bars and restaurants. Met 2 ladies called Margaret and Rita as I named them due to drinking margaritas all the time, lol. And Met a lovely couple from Denmark Henrik and Henrietta who come a couple of times a year and great fun. Also met other couples from Wales and Scandinavia, Overall this hotel is a must to visit and it is clean and tidy. We are looking too come again next year if we can get find it available for next June.

Pim G

We had an absolutely fantastic week at Villa Oliva! From start to finish, Dora and her team made us feel so welcome, we can’t praise them enough for being some of the warmest, friendliest, and most genuine people we’ve ever met. Breakfast was lovely, with a nice selection of eggs, coffee, and a small but tasty buffet. The pool area was also great — not too crowded, and there was no need to fight for sun loungers! The hotel is conveniently located close to shops and restaurants, and there’s a very good bakery nearby as well. If we could make one small suggestion, it would be to improve the soundproofing to help reduce road noise and perhaps add some relaxing lounge music in the common areas to enhance the atmosphere even more. Overall, we truly enjoyed our stay and would happily return. Thank you, Dora and the Villa Oliva team, for a wonderful holiday!

matt percy

Stayed for a week here and loved it! Pool is secluded and at the back of the property unlike many others we walked past on the main road. The staff are exceptional, welcoming and knowledgeable about the local area. There are places to eat within immediate vicinity and a 1.5km walk towards Rethymno will bring you to a busier area with more places to eat. Access to the beach is just across the road. This place is an absolute gem with no overcrowding, as it’s part of the Grecotel chain it has high standards to uphold and does so! Staff to mention include: Dora, Anna, Manos and Dimo.

Eloise Jones

We had an amazing week long vacation at Grecotel Villa Olivia!! The rooms were lovely and have everything that you will need. The location was also perfect as it was walking distance to the beach, restaurants etc. The staff were also incredible, especially Anna who gave us so many recommendations of places to visit and eat! Looking forward to staying again!

Konqi Debian

A well refurbished hotel very close to the beach with pool. We were impressed by the kindness of the personnel and their eagerness to make our stay comfortable.

Mariona Marquès

Thank you Grecotel for our nice stay! Beautiful bedrooms, nice swimmingpool and very king attention.

Mark Vickery

A very nice clean hotel rooms are spotless, two pools food and little above average staff are very friendly and helpful. The beach is a pebble beach with restricted sun beds set by the local government, also be aware of turtles 🐢 that nest on the beach. Elena on reception a lovely girl nothing to much trouble, and sasha the head barman a proper nice. I wouldn't hesitate recommending this hotel to anyone. Overall my stay with this hotel as been positive.

William Hall-Atkinson

Stavros is a character, you'll hear him before you see him,laughing usually. Sacha behind the bar will remember your order. Rooms are clean modern and spacious. Food varied fresh and sometimes fantastic. Two pools and always sunbeds available, beach 20m away, grounds immaculate. Bus service to Chania stops at the hotel every 30 minutes. Local cats aswell.

Elizabeth Sekela

We had an amazing stay at Maleme Mare. The resort is clean and spacious with two pools and and nice clean beach just across the road. Hotel is also very family friendly and doesn't feel overcrowded. Overall it has a very relaxed vibe and food was also amazing. Staff were fantastic, friendly and extremely helpful with everything we needed. Big shout out to Alex, Elena, Nikos, Stavros and everyone else that took such an amazing care of us. We enjoyed our girls trip so much and will definitely be coming back again!

Chris Donnay

Just had a fantastic holiday at Maleme Mare Hotel. All the staff are friendly and polite. The manager Stavros is a great guy and very helpful. The food is fantastic, always a good choice and beautifully presented. We enjoyed our week and thoroughly recommend it.

Ted Teape

I'm currently here and an thoroughly enjoying the place, peaceful, great staff and service, rooms are great, and a small but pretty hotel with well tended gardens and pool, my only criticism would be the beach isn't great(not hotel's failing) and if you want a sunbed you get charged, but all in all a great hotel, ideal for families or the older person.