Miramare Villas

The most positive thing to say about this hotel are the stunning views, the slight downside to getting these views is that you are located on a very steep incline with numerous steps throughout the grounds and lifts that sound like they want to give up. Definitely head into Agios Nikolaos it's a lovely place and only about a 15 minute walk, there's some lovely shops and restaurants.

We paid for a suite with private pool on an all-inclusive 'plus' meal plan. The 'plus' gives some access to branded spirits e.g. Absolut vodka - however if you want Absolut vanilla or citron there is an additional charge? Why? There are a few cocktails included in the 'plus' plan which are like drinking syrup. I fancied an Aperol Spritz however I had to pay (not just a small surcharge) I could have a prosecco or soda within my all-inclusive plan so to be charged for a full price cocktail for a shot for Aperol is shocking. You could get a plastic cup of water at the bar but if you wanted a bottle of water you had to pay.

While our suite was large with plenty of space for three of us, it was a bit tired in areas and could do with more sockets. We experienced ants in the bathroom and a lizard in the lounge which were there for the duration of our 7 night stay. The air conditioning worked however far too noisy for a peaceful nights sleep. The bed was firm and the pillows horrible so much so I've come home with a bad back, neck and shoulders, but I do understand that beds and pillows are a personal preference. Our pool area was a good size however the location of the two external motors for the aircon blew hot air on you. This may not have been an issue if they were wall mounted and not on the floor in front of the sunbeds.

The main restaurant was chaotic and totally unorganised. I think the short dinner services didn't help as when you have 288 rooms (min 576 guests) all trying to eat within a 2/2.5 hour window it gets very crowded and the staff can't cope. The food was average - you wouldn't starve, but the selections weren't great. We personally ended up eating out 3 of the nights just so we had more variety. The A La Carte was ok but nothing too dissimilar to what you could get in the main restaurant, it was just served to you on fancier plates.

Maria on reception was lovely and was really the only member of staff that stood out for her helpfulness and professionalism. The only other member of staff that stood out, and NOT in a good way was Vasili, at the pool bar. This man has to be the most miserable barman I've ever come across. He really shouldn't be in the hospitality business as it's clear he doesn't want to be there or engage with his customers.

Would i come back again? Absolutely NOT.

Overall I would rate the hotel 3 out of 10

Would i come to crete again? Absolutely would.

Overall quick points for hotel.

1. (Location) Not suitable for people who wouldnt like walking hills.
2. (Drinks) Feels like im constantly dehydrated even on a all inclusive as it takes so long to get drink.
3. (Food) is mediocre at best, 1 or 2 nice things. We tried the al a carte menu once and it was ok
4. (Views) Amazing from Seaview room. Beautiful walk to beaches and scenery of mountains across the see.
5. (Excursions) not part of the hotel but we did a catamaran cruise with food and that was 5* quality
6. (Hotel facilities) acceptable standard includes 1 x pool table / live music
7. (Pools) Cold but this was nice in aug heat. Not overcrowded. No shade at all in the pools.
8. (Snacks) or lack there of during the day. Small stale rolls, ive cream, 1 type of stale pastry

16.10 original take off time 18.20 actually take off time 02.00 Arrival time at airport 03.00 Arrival time at hotel 03.20 Into bed

Checking in, 0300 The man behind reception at night is super friendly and helpful, quick and informative especially for this time in the morning I was very happy with it. Shown to our room.

Reception - during the following days I spoke to reception about my experience in the bar ans in the restaurant, they were very argumentative ans looked so miserable like they just couldn't be bothered with us. Never wanted to go back and talk to them again

Room Found to be adequate, considering this is meant to be a deluxe double the smell coming from the toilet and bathroom drains was horrible. The smell was fixed in the days after. But the drain in the middle flows out when u drain the bath or sink

All inclusive plus ??? Be carefull its not really what u would expect.

Drinks - tiny glasses and you cant help urself. I kept getting told off for self serving. During a dinner I counted 2 times in 90 minutes the servers came to table and that was mainly to clear plates not ask if we needed any more drinks. We sat at the table for about 30 minutes trying to eye up a waiter to get a drink but they are always busy and running around Im a big drinker and the glass they give goes in 1 mouthful for me. So I needed to start asking for 4 drinks at a time. Which they did but i was then trying to juggle my table space.

Bar - Again the confusion comes in for all inclusive, ur only allowed certain drinks off the menu that they decide which isn't alot in comparison to the size of the drinks menu, again the cups are small (about the size of a 330ml coke can) your only allowed to order 1 at a time - it really feels like they are trying to stop people drinking and trying to save as much money as possible we ordered drinks with a waiter @ 21.20 and waited over an hour n half might have been quicker to join the 15 man que at the bar, the waiter didnt even come back to our table she looked at us then walked off before we could call her over, then avoided us for the rest of the night so we called another waiter over and got the drinks in 2 minutes at 22.50, and then the bar closed for free all inclusive at 11 then everything was extra charge. So we couldnt have anymore to drink so we ended up complaining and getting one just before the bar closed. It feels awkward and very slow not such a fun experience, and not expected for a 4* hotel. Nice outside and inside seating areas, bar staff are friendly but often I think there isn't enough of them only 1 or 2 behind the bar for hundreds of people makes slow going only positive were view was amazing.

Hotel is on a very steep hill so not recommended if you would struggle with this.

Pool and (pool bar) Really cold pool but it was nice in the August heat. Bottom pool - you cant self serve again and the snacks are rubbish to say the least. Ice cream and small rolls which are left for hours. And 1 kind of pastry. No self serve here Top pool - you can self serve with pop and drinks such as apple juice or water. But again they have a drinks menu and everything we asked for was "thats extra charge" such as a simple iced latte but the the iced frappe is included. This bar had the same snacks.

Wi-Fi: Hotel information states Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel free of charge. Wi-Fi has been unavailable for 3 days as of 19Aug26. This still has not been fixed for us.

We have just returned from a week at the Miramare hotel. We paid £9500 for 8 nights for a family of 4 in a room with a pool & all inclusive plus. The room & the hotel are very dated. No water in the room & they wanted 5 euros a day for the safe! Not what we expected after paying the amount we did. On the first evening I asked for an espresso martini, only to be refused. It’s not included, you have to pay. Not even pay a supplement, pay full price. I’ve never been refused a cocktail when we have paid for all inclusive. The next day, at the pool bar I asked for an iced latte. I was refused, it’s not included! I would have to pay. Gobsmacked! Afternoon snacks were doughnuts, watermelon & ice cream, if you wanted a proper snack, you have to pay. There is pizza at one of the pool bars but that’s not included either, you have to pay. There is a theme here! It’s very much about making money not the guest experience. Most of the staff are lovely, the reception staff, especially Eleni, she went out of her way to help us. The guys that drove the buggy’s around were great. The bar staff were miserable. One little girl got told off for taking 2 straws instead of 1! The food wasn’t great, school canteen at best. All chucked in big metal trays. Not much choice and the quality wasn’t great. Not geared up for kids. We got sick of pork. We ate out of the hotel 4 of the nights. There were some days where the kids ended up just having fruit for lunch as there was nothing they liked. The hotel is rated 4*, however it’s a 3* wrapped up in a 4* price tag. Overall, very disappointing. I wouldn’t recommend.