Ostria Resort and Spa

The hotel has an excellent location right on the beach, with plenty of sun loungers available. The entrance to the sea is gradual and very pleasant. The hotel has a wonderful atmosphere and a friendly, welcoming environment. The room was very well equipped and spacious enough. We found the value for money to be very good, especially considering the quality of the accommodation, services and hotel facilities. Cleanliness was excellent. The room was always carefully cleaned and well maintained, and we really appreciated the daily replenishment of bottled water. The entire hotel was peaceful and relaxing, and we were not disturbed by any unpleasant noise during our stay. For shopping, bars and restaurants, Ierapetra is approximately 5 km away. The service was excellent. The staff were always very kind, friendly, helpful, accommodating and cheerful. We also greatly appreciated the parking within the hotel’s secure grounds, the wide selection of food at breakfast, lunch and dinner, and the excellent overall hotel facilities.

Have just returned from a 10 day stay.

We travelled with Jet2, the transfer from the airport is long, you will be near 2 hours if coach. Taxi was 1 hour 20 mins as our flight was late leaving Glasgow so Jet2 picked up the tab, which was €130.

On arrival at near 1.30am we checked in and reception offered to let us go to the restaurant to get some food (even though it was closed) which I thought was a nice touch but we just wanted our bed.

We got a nice room, sea view above the swim up rooms, great view and big comfortable bed, this was definitely worth the extra cost and well placed for everything in the hotel along with the spectacular view. Bathrobes and slippers were provided and shower gel, conditioner and shampoo along with towels were replenished and changed every day without fail. Bottles of water were also re-stocked daily, we normally got 3 bottles. Iron and hairdryer also in room, along with safe.

My partner and daughter used the Spa, they loved it. Adults can use the pool 1 hour before your Spa but children not allowed, although they can provide a voucher to return at another time. Seemed value for money, they have a shop that sells some wares reasonably priced.

Food, buffet is always more than decent. Staff are so hard working, it is constant for them. Breakfast can become repetitive but lunch and dinner there are usually different options. I am generally quite a healthy eater however the pizza and chips from this place are immense. Always a good selection of seafood, the mussels and Seabass personal faves. Meat dishes can be hit and miss but generally hit the spot, although no chicken nuggets for kids which I did find surprising. Salads and fruits, particularly melon and watermelon were also 10/10. Desserts were ok. Drinks, cocktails are ok but nothing special. You also have mocktails for kids. Plenty of fruit juice and Pepsi etc. House wine is ok, stick to that, paid for wine is well over priced for really average stuff.

We also used the ice cream/pancake place across from the shop, it’s open all day more or less, you can also get drinks here but non alcoholic.

Book the al la carte restaurants at guest services, Maestro & Aealous (tip - avoid Wednesday & Thursday due to Gala & Palladium nights).

Thelassa, the paid for restaurant. I would recommend, it can be expensive but the food was worth it and the service from Katya and Maria was brilliant. Great ambience, good music and sound system and entertainment is good. This is mainly Friday and Saturday nights, I thought it was worth it.

Pools, main pool was good. Plenty of space and sunbeds weren’t really and issue unless you really wanted a specific place at the pool. The lifeguard is brilliant, friendly wee guy who is always watching and helps tidy up whilst doing his rounds and checks the parasols to make sure they’re secure. Zen pool is nice and obviously quiet, we only went once as preferred the main pool. There is an adults only pool but as we have a child never got a chance to try. Beach is ok, you’ll always get a bed no matter the time. There is also a paid for water sports bar, staff are good and we done the Crazy Sofa which was good fun. Reasonably priced. You can also do Jet Ski’s etc.

Activities, the team are really good. Always friendly and approachable. Some activities you have to pre-book, look at the notice board to see what ones but generally the Aquabikes fill up quick (quite hard work if you do it right) I would also encourage to book the occasional ones such as flower making and stone painting, these are really good and should be advertised more.

Entertainment, of a good standard. Do not worry if you arrive on a Thursday and Friday/Saturday seems underwhelming if you haven’t booked the Thelassa (which I’ll come to) as the entertainment team are mainly down there. Otherwise the remaining nights of the week are pretty good. You MUST do the meal/dinner at the Palace on Thursday nights, absolutely brilliant. It’s once per week, you cannot miss it. Also, the night down at the Palladium (Wednesday’s) you don’t want to miss that either.

The hotel is immaculate, so clean due to the hard working staff. I loved the whole vibe, it really is something else it’s a beautiful resort.

On your last day, you can speak to reception to book a slot for a shower room to get changed. This worked well for us as pick up was 7pm, check out room at 11am. We got a slot at 4.30pm to sort ourselves out ready to go.

I would encourage folk to visit the Go Kart circuit 10 mins from the hotel, Go Kart LeraPetra. Ask reception to call them, they will pick you up and drop you back free of charge. I loved it, should be promoted more. We also got a taxi into LeraPetra itself, spent the day there. Taxi is around €11 each way. There are some great places to eat and it’s the place to buy your souvenirs to take home, particulary a shop called Blue Shades. Also visit the market shop just along from the hotel, few mins walk. Grand Bazaar, good for inflatables and other bits and bobs, more than half the cost of the hotel shop and the owners will give you Raki/Ouzo as a treat if you buy stuff!

If you are coming with Jet2, be aware the only trip you can book is the 4x4, which we done and was really good. However, they need certain numbers for Spingarolla and Knosossos trips due to how south on the island you are and they rarely happen. Also, if you want to visit the water park, it’s a no go unless you hire a car and prepared for a near 6 hour round trip. This is the main downside, not the hotels fault at all, but worth mentioning as the hotel is majority French (70%), Polish & Czech (20%) and remaining is English mostly. Pretty sure we were the only Scottish folk in the hotel.

Overall, brilliant. Would I come back, yes.

Lastly, a special mention to the staff below who made our holiday, thank you, you are all amazing human beings!

πολλή αγάπη από τη Σκωτία.

George - Pizza Man (Orion/Restaurant) Katya & Maria (Thelassa) Viktoria (Animation) Anna (Orion/Restaurant) Dimitris (Orion/Resturant) Nikos (Drinks)

Ευχαριστώ πολύ, γεια μας!!!