We did a TUI excursion to Samaria Gorge which was amazing

Hubby did one gorge walk trip, great if you are feeling active.

Location
We hired a car so the location was perfect for us to go and explore places such as Deres (horse riding), Elafonisi, Imbros Gorge and loads of driving around the Prefecture up and down windy roads!

Aris in the pool bar is always so funny, Alex and spiros in the evening bar remembered me which was lovely, Kiki in the bar - so friendly, in the main pool bat at night the barman also remembered (think his name was gorge), plus everyone helped me improve my Greek (I speak a little).

Elafonissi is a gem well worth seeking out, either by car or on an organised trip as are Samaria Gorge (if you enjoy a 6-8 hour hike) or the Imbros Gorge if you fancy a shorter and easier walk(2-3 hours).

The dotto train up a long gorge was very good and we went into Platanias a few times and walked to Maleme once.

The food was great, lots of selection for the adults and kids, and they did different national nights so the menu changed.

The hotel stretches from the beach to a local, fairly quiet road and then an annexe stretches up to the old National Road where the buses to Chania run.

The 'new national road' is great as are just one or two on the main inland or coastal roads

Pick of sun beds and no waiting at the bars or in the restaurant.

Similarly, you can taste the best homemade gelato outside of Italy at Ice Queen in Platanias (we highly recommend the 'Siciliana' flavour)

The pools were amazing and you can always guarantee a sun bed, the beach once again you could always guarantee and sun bed.

Sun beds: Seriously, ALL the guest was out reserving a bed early in the morning.

Main positives:-
Quiet at night
Clean
Good food
Friendly staff
Able to get a sun bed

We had an area with two sofa beds, then sliding doors to our room.

As with most hotels you get the usual selfish morons chucking their towels on sunbeds at the crack of dawn (one woman literally took 4 beds to herself)

The beach is nice, lots of beds and the sea was nice and warm

Pools
There are a few pools, you could always get a sun bed as there are loads.

The beds are firm and comfortable the pillows leave a little to be desired.

The room we had was right by a quite pool over the road from main building which suited us and we slept like babies in the comfy bed.

Rooms were cleaned and beds changed daily.

but functional for what’s needed, bed extremely comfy.

Large double bed, enough storage space, a shower bath, good air con, balcony, marble bathroom, sofa, deposit safe for valuables and a mini fridge.

The hotel has a lovely beach, several pools and plenty of sun beds and parasols.

There was plenty of space and plenty of beds.

even though Atlantica Aegean Blue in Rhodes had bigger and more modern pools and also slides and so on, this hotel had enough to choose from, we almost did not miss having slides and "water park"-pools.

We enjoyed both parks and visited every day.

The parks website says that the park is doable with a pram.

The food is great and loads of choices, huge resort with loads for kids to do including 2 big parks and loads of pools.

We went in July and the sand on the beach and park areas were soooo hot we didnt venture there until the evenings !

We ate out twice once in Gerani and Platanias, also travelled to the water park via the little train that departed near to the hotel, it was great to head out and experience Crete, also important to support local businesses.

but they kept it safe and lesson was well and truly learnt by my girl :) 

We took the excursion to the water park for a day.

Consider taking the delightful Trolley train to the nearby aqua park, on the way back it stops at an orangery where fresh orange juice is on offer.

The facilities available were great, the parks, the baby pools, the baby room facility's by the pool.

Lots of shops nearby, play park and amusements in hotel.

There is also a really good water park not far from the hotel, about 15 minutes drive.

the first trip was to limnoupolis water park- we got a bus about 30 mins- now you can actually not book via TUI and go across the road to a train pop up thing outside caldera beach hotel and its 10 euros euros cheaper plus you go on a little train!- anyway the water park was good- me and my husband enjoyed the slides and it was clean and the food was good.

You could also help yourself to a number of different flavoured soft scoop ice creams, including pistachio :) 
There are two parks which kept our toddler occupied along with the freezing cold pool.

Recommend renting a car from reception and going to water park, elafonassi beach and coming back cliff top route!

Entertainment for the children started early and there were play parks and mini golf around the hotel.

There is a good size pools, parks and the beach is a stones throw away.

The hotel also had two parks - one in the shade and one not, both on shingle sand.

Oh and the water park was a fantastic day out.

however we went to Pista Park go karting which was fun and we also went onto the Train on a trip which is bookable from the stall in front of the Viking supermarket near the hotel.

The evening entertainment for kids and adults was poor quality exept of few expections.

The food in the snack bar downstairs is poor, we arrived on the first day and missed lunch,

The shows were repetitive and poor and no energy.

Drinks - Coffee is poor here unless you pay for a coffee from Thea’s.

Only 1 buffet restaurant for dinner which is poor and a Taverna where it’s still not a la carte so basically the buffet food

Our initial welcome was poor as we were faced with a long flight of steps to climb with our two cases and bags, unaware there was a ramp at the side.

All-inclusive, of course, tends to mean rather poor quality local wines and other drinks.

the overall entertainment was poor - this is usually something that Tui does well so that wasn't great,

Pretty poor that TUI do not mention this.

The beach is poor, not really suitable for letting your child play on due to the rocks.

There was a reference to 'pipe bombs' which was in very poor taste considering what had happened that week in the USA.

The drinks are poor quality with even branded soft drinks having a peculiar after taste.

Well, how wrong we’re we too read the poor reviews!

but just get fed and have some poor workers cleaning up after your mess, this might be a good place for you.

A poor waiter carrying a tray of glasses slip on something right by our table he went flying and so did the glasses.

And there was no reason to threaten the police as actually 6 swim up rooms were still available at 6pm 🤦‍♀️

Really poor on tui.

Food was poor standard, choice and gluten free options limited or non existent.

Thankfully with help from the rep we were able to only suffer one night in that cigarette smelling, damp riddled health hazard before being re situated to a better room on another floor (however some family must have ended up in that dive as we saw the windows open a few times during our stay), this room still had its issues with a very poor refrigerator and daily incursions from ants.

Atlantica Creta Paradise

poor

park

Samaria

Gorge

National

Free parking

Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)

Pool

He offered us fair advice and supported up in booking car hire, Balos and the Samaria Gorge walk.

We also did the Sa Marina Gorge which was great

The hotel is not so far away from Chania airport (45-60min drive with bus) and a perfect stay to visit the beautiful Samaria Gorge (90-120min drive).

We would recommend the trip to Samaria Gorge if you enjoy a very long walk with great views, about 15K

Imbros Gorge : is about 70mins drive from the hotel and a great Gorge to hike with the kids  (9 & 11yr).

We took the Grand Canyon Gorge trip and it was spectacular.

Little Fun Train is an excellent way to see some local sights, we want through the gorge.

The resort is perfectly located for excursions (or renting a car (I suggest Pan-Car, best included insurance coverage) to Balos Beach, Elafonissi Beach and the Samaria Gorge (->age 12 and up, 18 km mountain hike..).

Location was good for walking Samaria Gorge and sightseeing Western end of Crete

If you are in good health we fully recommed having a go at the Samaria Gorge walk.

Access to this hotel is easy as it is close to the national road to go to Chania or any other place you want to visit.

We found a National Greek Football Museum (situated close to the market) which our two boys loved. It's only small

Would love to say many thanks to all staff especially Stella in the Samaria restaurant.

FOOD AND DRINK

There are 2 restaurants and the Creta Princess the main restaurant (Samaria Restaurant) and an Asian Restaurant (Easy Japanese Fusion) which you can book at reception.

The Mura restaurant like the Samaria restaurant was buffet style.

We also thought Pavlos in the Samaria restaurant was friendly & jolly every morning, chatted to us & worked hard.

In the Samaria restaurant the quality and variety of food was excellent, local specialities were always on the menu and we were encouraged to try these dishes.

We ate breakfast and dinner in the Samaria restaurant -

I have to mention also Efi in the Samaria restaurant who was everyday so welcome and tried to please us all the time.

however on 2 occasions they didn’t leave the correct number of bath towels.

The bathrooms both flooded every time we showered which meant I was mopping up a dirty floor every night.

The bathroom is dingy with lots of mould etc.

The bathrooms had mould and not cleaned adequately whilst we were there.

There was a terrible smell coming from toilet all the time as well.

The building and amenities are definitely in need of an upgrade.

However they do allow you to use a room for 30 mins for showers etc an hour and half before your transfer time and there is of course a luggage room.

but they are only needed for sleeping and showering.

The shower is really powerful and water very hot.

There were certain things like the sink not being cleaned everyday, mugs not washed, tea & coffee not replenished etc that I would've expected from any hotel, no matter the star rating.

The rooms I was most worried about were better than expected, yes they were dated, yes the shower leaked over the floor, yes there was a present smell of sewage.

Among the minuses, I would like to say that there was always no soap in the handicap toilet, dirty bath towels were not always changed in the room, and the plates were often not well washed in the restaurant.

but the bathtub had a little rust and no bath stopper it means I could not have a bath only a shower.

Upon flushing the toilet you would constantly have a stench of sewage that filled the room.

I going, to be honest - the hotel is terrible for 4 stars,
Horrible smell in the bathrooms that spreads throughout our room, not to mention the micro size of the room.

The bedrooms need a revamp, as well as the bathrooms.

Ants in our room .Sprinklers flooded our room  because we was on ground floor when we told reception no apology was given.

This obviously makes a lot of the toilets smell.

Beach area pebbly with rusty old loungers and dirty parasols,some better than others.Pools were good with slides for extra fun,food was also a good point.on arrival did complain about aircon asked to be moved to be told not possible,however hotel nowhere near full !!

The housekeeping team visited the room every day to make beds

I got up at 6.15 each morning to reserve our beds; there were a number of beds already taken by this point. BEACH
Beautiful!

Pool area,
The pool area is fantastic, plenty of sun beds, and plenty of space for everyone to use the pools, at the height of the summer holidays it never felt cramped.

but saying that  they had lots of storage and beds very comfortable… swimming pools are amazing one shallow and warm one medium depth great for floaties one deeper for swimmers not to mention the water slides pool for older kids and adults and a baby slides pool for younger ones !!

Pros

Pools
The pools are amazing, plenty of beds

Rooms were an average size, plenty of stairs he space though, with small balcony (side sea view) beds were comfy and bathroom had all that was needed.

having the slides is an added bonus, and never any mad sun bed rush at daft oclock in morning.

Aqua Zumba and aqua gym is a great  way of getting up from sun beds and shake a little bit.

Rooms cleaned daily and bed really comfy.

the room was clean, the beds comfortable, towels were plentiful.

Could always get a bed as there’s lots!

The room was cleaned daily and the linens changed every three days.

The bar that opens , serving cocktails , ice creams has the queen of the bar , Irene .

but still beautiful and there are lots of beds if you fancy a more chilled lie down than next to the pools.

The rooms are spacious and have very comfy beds as well as a safe, mini fridge, hair dryer and a very powerful shower.

BUT there was plenty of storage, the beds were comfy, the balcony was amble for storing or drying towels etc.

Beds in the room is quite comfortable not hard as usualy in other hotels.

Clean pools and facilities, manager Andreas went out of his way to help with any issues, and made us feel very welcome, water park excellent fun and well supervised by lifeguard team.

but also could ride all the large flumes in the water park.

Pool area is great with the bonus of the water park and lifeguards work hard so it feels really safe.

Park & Train 🛝 🚂
There is a small play park which is great for little ones.

There are 4 swimming pools (2 children's wading pools, 1 main pool, 1 water park).

The hotel is very nice, big pool area and water park are great and the staff is very friendly.

We took our granddaughter here for her 7th birthday, it was a lovely resort for her as she loves water so was in her element with the splash park and pools.

Klean rooms,  good food, big pool area with aqua Park.

Located beachfront with massive swimming pools and aqua park.

The pool area is the hotels selling point, the aqua park and children's pools were brilliant.

The Aqua Park was so much fun and the  lifeguards were on the ball with watching out for people.

Apart from 3 fantastic aqua parks for all ages, the entertainment team planned plenty of activities every day, from Zumba and dance to Yoga and core trainings.

The kids pool and splash park were so good and the lifeguards were very attentive making it all feel every safe.

but the squash park mad this the best hotell in Creta ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The hotel is lovely, in a great location with its own beach, lots of pools and a great aqua park.

Thank you to all at creta princess aqua park and spa.

The park was another place my little one enjoyed.

There is also children EVERYWHERE which is to be expected as this hotel has an aqua park,

There’s also lots of places to eat out & parks for kids to go on on the walk down.

The entertainment itself is solely aimed at the adults and is quite poor and only lasts around 30 minutes if that.

•	WiFi was poor in the room (bungalow rooms).

Very hot 3 nights because the air conditioning in the rooms is very poor.

very poor selection and every day is the same.

though and in need of some TLC 
-The food is really poor and queues are so so long.

but the alcohol is pretty poor, especially the beer.

Greece, or at least this part of it, apparently have a poor sewage system, so there are notices above all toilets for ALL toilet paper to go in the bin, not in the toilet.

In all it’s not worth the money to stay here, poor drinks, small/basic rooms & some rude staff.

I was very apprehensive after reading reviews on here about Creta Princess as a lot of them had been poor.

(Pepsi, orange tango etc) no fresh juices, the cocktails were very poor and all drinks served in horrible browning reusable plastic glasses.

The nightly shows were of poor standard and as the stage was so small most of the time the shows took place on the dance floor which was lower than the seating , so if your not at the front you cannot see.

The evening entertainment being honest was awful - only once was it good when they got some external dancers in…the rest of the time I have to say it was so poor, games night was awful - rolling a table tennis ball across a table in a bucket….

The quality of rooms are very poor and far away from a 4 star hotel.

Room's is not good and poor eqquiped, lucily we have two room's.

Food - I'll echo the review below, the choice actually is very poor, they have the same pork, beef, chicken dish on rotation everyday with a different sauce.

The rooms are very small and could do with updating,

The rooms are small and could do with a refurb( I believe this is happening in 2 weeks anyway.

Was worried after reading some reviews absolutely had nothing to worry about had the best holiday at this hotel … rooms are a bit small for a family of 4

Cons
As others have said the rooms are small

Improvements that need doing before I’d consider recommending or revisiting:
•	The room was small (for 3) and very dated and there was the most awful sewage smell from the drains in the bathroom.

-Yes it is true that the rooms are very small,

Room is quite small and some of the furniture could use some improvement.

Hotel Room: 

Hotel room was very small for a family of four.

Hotel cleanliness around the grounds is debatable room cleanliness the same,my experience was a dirty rusty fridge stained furnishings aircon that just about done the job and generally a small room that needed updating.

Yes, the room was small as was the balcony.

Creta Princess by Atlantica

small room

bathroom

Free internet

One of the sweet receptionists “ Agapi” gave us a suggestion to go South to Sfakia , cruising the Gorge.

The staff was great and was very helpful in making our Samari Gorge hike perfect.

Did the Samaria Gorge hike and our tour from Chania was one of the first to arrive (started our hike about 7:50am).

they arranged a trip to the Samaria Gorge at a price lower than I could get on the internet and on a day that I could not book on the internet with a company who were excellent).

The staff are very welcoming and friendly and George, one of the barman, gave lots of great advice on places to visit including the Samaria Gorge - if you are up for a 6 hour 16km walk!

The staff was very friendly, and helped us book a Samaria Gorge hike.

They were kind enough to pack us a complimentary picnic lunch for our hike to the gorge!!

We did our own thing to the Samaria gorge, they gave us instructions an d a boxed lunch.

they also helped in booking our Samaria Gorge Hike and prepared a lunch for us to take with us.

They arranged a trip to Samaria Gorge and had two complimentary lunch boxes for us since we missed breakfast.

The staff were also incredibly helpful with booking a tour of the gorge, and even booked tickets for our friends that were staying at a nearby hotel (and offered to provide bag lunches for us and our friends).

We found this gem of a hotel through a blog for the Samaria Gorge extreme hike.

The staff also helped us arrange a day trip to hike the Samarian Gorge, turned our laundry around incredibly quickly, and just couldn't have been warmer.

The hotel was very accommodating and arranged a Samaria Gorge tour for us with hotel pick up and prepared lunch for us to take - made vacation planning even easier for us!

we walked through the Imbros gorge, than drived to Ora Sfakyon, took a ferry to Loutro.

The gorge hike was the high point of my stay in Greece.

Hotel staff was friendly and pretty helpful as noted above with accommodating check-in and with booking a trip to Samari Gorge,

It was perfect to come back to after an all day hike down the Samaria Gorge.

but we did not find this to be the case - it was easy to get to from the national road.

Excellent breakfast
At the receptionist we get excellent help top program  our Tours around around chennia
We  booked the trek  to samaria through the hotel and Was vero good
Restaurants near  the hotel vero good
I will reccomend this hotel to my freinds

The Samaria gorge excursion was arranged by the reception staff, and I was picked up at the hotel by a shuttle for the day.

beds are so comfortable, breakfast delicious, location fantastic. .

The rooms were well appointed with a comfortable bed, an amazing shower, and a balcony overlooking the harbor.

The room was very comfortable and the bed was lovely with good quality bed linen.

Bed, pillows, linens very comfortable as was the A/C system.

Our junior suite with harbor view was fairly spacious and beds very comfy.

Our room overlooked the harbour and we would sit on the balcony watching the passing parade
A very good big bed ,lovely sea breezes at night, not at all nosy and the staff were
 just so helpful.

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