Giannoulis – Santa Marina Beach Hotel

A fantastic weeks holiday in Crete. I can honestly not fault this hotel at all in any way. The staff were the friendliest we have come across in any of the hotels I have ever stayed at. From the bar staff at the beach, the tireless workers at the relaxation pool bar , to all the waiters/waitresses in all the restaurants they all had smiles and time to talk. The food was very good and a lot of choice, our favourite was the restaurant at the top of the hill, but the main restaurant next to the beach was a lovely setting too. The rooms were very clean and while on the smaller side, they were ample and the maids service was very good and daily. The location was good and the beach was the best along the stretch as we walked up both sides daily. We don’t usually go to the same place again, but would definitely return here. Crete is a lovely island and Chania town is really charming and vibrant. The trips to Balos and the other island is worthwhile as well.

I’m writing this as I’m sitting by the beautiful beach at the hotel and we are sadly nearing the end of our holiday ( 2 1/2 days left). The Giannoulis in Agia Marina has been a wonderful, relaxing hotel to stay at. We’ve slept so well on the comfortable beds each night waking up refreshed each morning. We are staying pool side which is peaceful and quiet. There is no rush for beds or need to reserve with towels either - there are always plenty spare during the afternoon. The hotel reception staff are warm, friendly, welcoming and helpful making our stay a delight. The restaurant staff are also really friendly and welcoming, the food in the restaurant is typically Greek fare - tasty, well cooked. Lots of choice and it’s nice to see no themed nights. I can truly say our stay here has so far been relaxing and peaceful - as it was intended to be. My only niggles would be the lack of English channels on the tv and WiFi being so slow - but that’s not really a big issue as it makes you switch off from the outside world and stop. As a disabled person, and from a disabled point of view - If you are in a wheel chair and cannot walk at all, - this would not be a good place to come as it’s not fully wheel chair friendly but if you do have some walking ability with crutches, walking stick etc you’d be able to manage there are a few steps and uneven surfaces just be careful and take your time. There are some ramps but not everywhere there is a lift down to the public toilets in the hotel but then steps as you come out the lift so you wouldn’t be able to use the area. Thank goodness this is NOT one of those areas set up for people who want England abroad the are and the hotel retain, and rightly so, its Cretan charms remaining true to their routes and a delight to visit.

We had a wonderful time at this hotel, staff were wonderful. The reception ladies were so helpful and friendly 5 star. Our waiting staff at the upper restaurant, Lazarus and Katerina were absolutely lovely, so friendly and welcoming and quickly learned our likes!! All 7 of us. The lady serving the food was another lovely staff member, loved it all 5star. Not forgetting our lovely cocktail maker Michalis, brilliant 5star. The food was very enjoyable, can’t give 5star as it mostly wasn’t very warm. We will definitely be back to this area and hotel as the location is beautiful, restaurants and bars are brilliant. Great time.

We (2 adults and 2 children under 9) have just returned from 10 nights and really enjoyed our stay. The hotel is in a great location and has arguably the nicest part of the beach compared to other hotels. The room was very clean and we were given fresh towels daily. All of the staff were very friendly and some went above beyond with making us feel welcome and looking after us, for example, Michallis makes excellent cocktails that would rival some of the swanky bars in Manchester. Stella was another standout member of staff on the beach bar. The restaurants are very well organised, you are seated by staff and served drinks by them, in my opinion that's what separates this place from other all inclusive hotels we have stayed in and contributes to why we think this place deserves 4 stars. We preferred the restaurant near the relaxation pool which is smaller and less busy. The Greek night was great fun and worth the small supplement. Our only criticism is the lack of entertainment for children. There is no mini disco and no organised events outside. There is a mini club in a small room with no air conditioning. The member of staff in there is very nice, however, we didn't see any other children using it throughout the holiday. I think it would be good if the hotel were more proactive and ask the staff member to do outside activities, for example, table tennis or similar. Overall, this was a excellent holiday and we would certainly return but maybe when the children older. I would suggest shopping round because I discovered (luckily before I booked) there was a 50% difference between tour operators.

Loved this hotel. Rooms cleaned everyday, great walk in shower. We stayed all inclusive and the food was varied and very good. Best AI food we've had. Staff are all very friendly, smiles and willingness to help. Fabulous restaurant terrace for meal times, relaxation under the shade of the trees - and amazing that this all overlooks the beach which you walk onto straight from hotel. Hotel is in 2 parts. The beach side which has the main restaurant and terrace for entertainment and the 2nd part is just across a (busy) road, which has the family pool - further up, the fabulous relaxation pool. Happy to say neither pool has thumping music blasting which really makes a big difference. There is an underpass to reach both parts of the complex, but the steps are steep on both sides so if you have mobility issues, this is not a comfortable route - however, the road is very busy to cross, and there is no zebra crossing, you have to take a chance to cross when there's a break in traffic. Would also mention that the pool side of complex has lots of steps, so bear this in mind if you have mobility problems. There is a bus to Chania Old Town right outside the hotel which is just €2. Takes you to the harbour which is beautiful and many shops along little side streets. We took a boat trip from the harbour for an hour which was €15 each. Return bus drops you directly back outside the hotel.

Had. A very warm welcome when we arrived at the hotel the reception staff were great and we booked in in no time the room was fab we had a beach side room with a view over the beach kept very clean and clean towels every day it was great that the hotel went straight onto the beach with its own sun beds and parasols the only small issue was the pool was in the other part of the hotel across the road which you had an underpass to cross but it had quite a few steps to go up and down you could access it by crossing the road with no steps but the road is busy you can get into Chania on the bendy bus right outside the hotel and was only 2 euros a nice place to visit with it’s harbour and cobble streets with plenty of cafes and shops on the whole we had a very nice stay at the hotel all the staff are very helpful and friendly ps if you want a sunbed on the beach you have to go early