Giannoulis Santa Marina Plaza - Adults Only

“Great experience- thank you!”

From the first point of arrival there was fantastic service. The receptionist was super friendly, helped us to our room and told us we should be really excited for our view in the morning and she was not short of the truth. There was also a meal laid out for us as we missed dinner which was perfect… more

From the first point of arrival there was fantastic service. The receptionist was super friendly, helped us to our room and told us we should be really excited for our view in the morning and she was not short of the truth. There was also a meal laid out for us as we missed dinner which was perfect following our flight! We had the sea view with balcony room which was really the most beautiful view to wake up to and probably one of the best in the hotel. Despite the decor not necessarily being thee most modern, the room was really very clean and beds very comfortable with a 10/10 AC. There were spa slippers, plenty of towels etc available as well as a well stocked mini bar. The shower had fantastic pressure and temperature gage. By the way as 2 young female Black British friends, we felt really safe and welcome from everyone in this hotel. We had half board breakfast/dinner, there was a good variety of food available on a daily basis and all the staff were very attentive and helpful. The drinks at the bar were made with love, were beautiful and tasted great. Although we never reached in the pool, it was very large and kept very clean. We were way too busy enjoying the beach as the hotel had free deck chairs for guest and it was literally a minute away from the hotel bar! The beach also has access to water sport activities not too far from the hotel aswell. We personally did not use the rest of the facilities available at the hotel but explored and found the spa, gym etc available which all looked well kept. The old town is a quick 20min bus ride via the no.21 (couple euros in cost) which is a minutes walk across the road from the hotel. There is access to quite a few supermarkets literally next door to the hotel with a wide variety of everyday items, gifts and food. Overall we really enjoyed our stay- thank you to the cleaners who were always smiling and happy to say hello. Alexander the manager, thanks for engaging in such positive conversation, checking things were all ok and especially for such great food recommendations and travel guidance. Also thanks Katerina the receptionist who really made an incredible first impression and consistently made us feel at home, supported and welcome. Hopefully we’ll be back to our gorgeous room similar time next year for another fantastic holiday in Crete. Thanks again

less

“If in doubt go ahead and book it!”

I was expecting a great holiday at this hotel after regularly checking the reviews and it fulfilled my hopes and expectations. We stayed for ten nights at the beginning of October on half board basis. When the transfer drops you off the front of the hotel looks a little underwhelming / understated… more

I was expecting a great holiday at this hotel after regularly checking the reviews and it fulfilled my hopes and expectations. We stayed for ten nights at the beginning of October on half board basis. When the transfer drops you off the front of the hotel looks a little underwhelming / understated but once inside and beyond the feeling is that you've made a great choice. You are immediately warmly received in reception by the reception team with sparkling wine. There was initially a problem with room allocation but it was only the first night. The hotel has a boutique / intimate atmosphere as opposed to a busier all inclusive hotel. The pool area is calming with good sunbed availability and the pool area adjoins a lawned area which gently slopes down to the beach where there are more sunbeds belonging to the hotel. The pool bar area looks outwards to the sea and the bar menu has great choices for lunch: pizza, salads, club sandwiches etc all of which are excellent. The staff at the bar ( Kevin and Nicky) are friendly and warm and the restaurant staff are exceptionally friendly too ( special thanks to Veronica and Nicoletta ). The food at breakfast and dinner was varied and delicious. The rooms are very comfortable and they are cleaned and beds made each day. The surrounding area is good with local busses only €2 to Chania ( not to be missed ). On two nights we ate away from the hotel and the Taverna options nearby are unlimited which might make bed and breakfast a better option next time. That's not to say evening dinner at the hotel wasn't good, it absolutely was delicious and I loved that the Chef came into the restaurant to meet guests. I fail to see how anyone would not enjoy and appreciate this hotel especially it's laid back vibe and position on the beach. If in doubt then go ahead and book it. I must however be slightly negative on two points to be 100% honest. Firstly there is clearly an issue with room allocation upon arrival based not only on my direct experience but also talking to other guests and also reading previous reviews. However the management go out of their way to make ammends by upgrading and / or offering free lunch with wine at the bar; despite this some guests are still problematic. Secondly ( and this is my own personal opinion) I thought the drink prices were overpriced especially wine. Most guests bought alcohol from the nearby supermarkets and asked Kevin at the bar for ice and drank it on their balcony. I think the drink pricing needs reviewing and I also think a happy hour - maybe 2000 to 2200 - would encourage guests to use the hotel bar. Nevertheless it was a great stay and it was a pity to come home.

less

“Great Hotel”

Just a true review from our stay at the Giannoulis Santa Marina hotel in Chania. It’s going to be a small review as I have not much to say about the hotel. Everything is superb from A nice well come from the reception girls and through our stay they were very helpful with any info we have ask. Staf… more

Just a true review from our stay at the Giannoulis Santa Marina hotel in Chania. It’s going to be a small review as I have not much to say about the hotel. Everything is superb from A nice well come from the reception girls and through our stay they were very helpful with any info we have ask. Staff were always happy to help you with everything you need. Rooms were nice size with refrigerator kettle and replenish tea or coffee every day, cleaned every day, comfy beds and pillows for a good night sleep. Hotel split in 2 buildings one by the beach I have to say it is right on the beach you don’t get many hotels like that, the other part is over the road with underway passage, hotel grounds are very clean very beautiful and sunbeds are free. Beach bar perfect serving drinks from 10 till 6.00 big thanks to Manousos and Stella for the good service they provide every day, also big thanks to Michalis and Sveltava at the evening bar for the hard work they do them self’s. Restaurant and food, hotel provide good and tasty food lots of people will say is repetitive but you get this in most hotels also they provide some different dishes every day as far the food is taste and nice no matter. I have spoke to the managers and told them what areas they need to improve and one of them is the snacks by the beach bar and cakes in the restaurant and maybe more privacy to the ala carte restaurant and drop the charges for normal drinks as you are all inclusive ok if you want branded alcohol fair enough. In total we have enjoy our stay at your brilliant hotel and we hope we come back in the future thank you for your hospitality i forgot to say the beach is beautiful clean and very safe (ps) for the gests get some mosquito repellents for your stay in the summer you will need it

less

“Not the best of start to our holiday !”

We arrived late into the evening with another couple an were greeted by the manager an asked if we’d like a welcome drink to which we all said yes please - I went to use tne bathroom an when I returned 5mins later my drink was there but so was a taxi to ship us out to another hotel for the night as… more

We arrived late into the evening with another couple an were greeted by the manager an asked if we’d like a welcome drink to which we all said yes please - I went to use tne bathroom an when I returned 5mins later my drink was there but so was a taxi to ship us out to another hotel for the night as while I was away they had been told that 2 families were sick and unable to move from the rooms - we were quickly bundled into a taxi been told this hotel is an AI hotel an we can use this service while there - on arrival we were shown where our room was via a a squiggle on an hotel map of the grounds an sent on our way - we found our room an on entering there were 2 VERY un-appetising looking baguettes an 2 very over ripe oranges taking one look at each other cases dropped an myself an hubby headed back out to find the bar as a drink was very much needed to cool down the anger I had burning inside me - we found the bar ordered 2 beers an were asked for payment we explained we were Al he said no AI finish at 10pm I just started laughing or I would have cried I was that angry - we eventually went back to the room and tried to get some sleep after a very long day - 4AM this cockerel decided to let us know it was here by cock-a-doodle doing ! Only it had lost its DOO - we decided to get up an sorted as we told we would be collected by 11am an taken back to our original hotel so we headed out to find breakfast - oh my days it was like stepping into a cattle market / school canteen u could not hear yourself think I found the coffee machine an thought where the hell have they brought us this was NOT the ADULTS ONLY - we had initially booked please get me out of here !!! We were taken back to our “ booked” hotel about 11-30 to be told our room would soon be ready left sat waiting with our cases an of no offer of a drink or anything it was gone 2pm before we got in our room so already a day of our holiday was wasted an when we only booked for a week that is an issue for me - we were told due to the inconvenience we would be upgraded to full board- our holiday could begin! Our room ground floor pool view was lovely perhaps a little dated but it was spotlessly clean - the pool & area was lovely an clean also - the hotel is right on the beach which is also lovely with plenty of sun beds an parasol’s- there is a little beach bar with dining area where u order your lunch from as the main dining room area is closed at lunchtimes we decided on our first day an having had no breakfast to get a pizza each big mistake they are huge so we could have shared :) prices for alcohol I didn’t think were too badly priced for a hotel - breakfast was lovely an the waiting staff very polite an welcoming - we only ate at the hotel on an evening once as there are so many lovey little tavernas that we prefer to eat at - as the week went on we discovered that many other guests had been unable to check into their rooms due to illnesses ect even hearing of a couple of gentleman having heart attacks :/ they weren’t put into other hotels but put in the basement lol it was just getting better was this place an becoming quite clear that this ( people been ill ) is Infact an ongoing excuse to them overbooking which is bang out of order - we did notice towards the end of our stay that the management team were starting to ignore us which we assume is due to us not eating & drinking at the hotel an when we were there we preferred to sit on our veranda in our own company having a drink an chilling out - it’s our holiday an we can make it how we like it we shouldn’t have been made to feel uncomfortable - all in all we had a lovely holiday despite the awful start to it an we did enjoy our stay at “ Santa Marian plaza “ but due to the start an while waiting for our return transfer bus watching the management team chatting away an looking over at ourselves an others waiting to leave an sniggering we would definitely not return here - AND if you do decide to book an chance your luck of not getting moved or thrown in the chokey take some mosquito repellent your gonna a need it :D

less