Villaggio Hotel Hersonissos

We will be back! Having stayed at several Axel properties in the past; this one exceeded all expectations and was the most luxurious of them all. The room was pristine, well kept, large and quite gorgeous, the food and views at Skybar were great and best of all was the service. Fillipa in particular was an absolute delight and made our departure memorable. The only regret was how short our stay was. We will definitely come back.

For those who may be used to the old Axel brand: a little darker, spicier and edgier - while it is now a little more sophisticated and grown up, the spirit of inclusion and freedom to be yourself remains. We’re now more fans of this brand than ever before.

Fabulous staff in an excellent position and large comfortable rooms and very good value for money

Terrible. Perhaps we are spoilt.

When we arrived it was late so we didn't see the area. I wanted to go to bed, so I pulled out the duvet. It was stained. I went to reception and changed that, but was given another with blood on it. Then a single and a double blanket as there were no other duvet covers available? In the morning I found my towel was used /dirty... which is beyond unacceptable. To help room was thoroughly cleaned and new bedding & towels were provided.

The room was ok. On the small side for a superior with a distant sea view. The building opposite the room is almost finished, but kids often played in the garden. It's nice for them, but kind of negated it being adult only. Also a dog barked constantly day and night. Neither of those are the hotels fault but it made it difficult to sleep and relax in the room even when the door was closed. Triple glazing is needed. The day after we were offered a free lunch but didn't use it.

I had booked a suite with a pool that B.com cancelled in error. I am soo glad, as this room didn't have any privacy at all. It said it had a view of the mountain, that view was actually a hill, Motorway and access road and scrubland....littered with rubbish and teaming with stray cats! To the left, the unmade car park! We parked more safely on the road. The weather was terrible so I couldn't have made use of the pool even if I had the room and had wanted to.

The hotel layout was very odd with one room's balcony area, actually being the corridor. It was funny seeing them playing cards one night, 4 people, chairs, the area / walkway to other rooms totally blocked? Other rooms ground level again were looked straight into, with their chair/ table on the walkway.

A very odd design for a hotel. It doesn't flow and you are constantly up and down stairs to rooms and or restaurants/ pool area.

The pool was cold, the jacuzzi was cold and scummy. We got in and straight out again to shower.

I complained to the manager who simply blames and berates the staff. The staff are only as good as their manager. I didn't once, witness him walk into the restaurant on arrival and greet staff/ customers/ look at the food etc. He simply set up his laptop at the bar. Got his coffee and his laptop out then ignored everyone. Not well led.

The surrounding area offers little after 2 days so a car is definitely needed. When we did venture out. We were shocked at how poor Crete is. How totally neglected it is, rubbish everywhere, stray dogs and cats, dilapidated buildings or half built houses, dangerous roads no pavements. We sat on the seafront at hersonissos, looking at the sea (across rubble that was once the boardwalk) through wire fences, both couldn't wait to go home.

We went on a boat trip to Spinalonga, that was ok. The 3rd world airport when we left was disorganised carnage. Why would anyone go to Crete! Much less this hotel in the hills with a 10 euro taxi for 1 mile trip to the town.