Your rating of this hotel:
5.0
from 10
Hotel ratings by criteria:
Rooms:
6.0
Service:
5.0
Cleanliness:
6.0
Food:
7.0
Amenities:
4.0
I myself have been choosing hotels for many years based on the reviews of those who have visited them. Therefore, I considered it necessary to add my review about this hotel. Moreover, a week has passed after the arrival, all emotions have already subsided, and only the most objective information remains: ) Which I hasten to bring to all those who are interested.
I will say right away: if you take the GENERAL - then there is still a little more good in this hotel, but I can not describe all the points. I am sure that this will save many in the future from disappointment, and possibly from a spoiled vacation.
So, I'll start.
We rested with my family from May 21 to May 30.2013. It was the first time in Crete. We fell in love with the island...Upon arrival, my little daughter immediately asked: "Daddy, when will we go to Crete next time? " another hotel.
However, in order.
We are me, wife, 12 year old son and 4 daughter.
5 years - they took vouchers through the Join-Up tour operator (from Ukraine this is one of the largest tour operators in Crete). The entire plane in which we flew from Zhulyan to Heraklion was filled with tourists flying through this tour operator. Vouchers from Join-Up are cheaper than from other operators, but the service, of course, is also cheaper. One couple we met and became friends with during our vacation experienced this to the fullest.
At the airport we were met by a lady from the host - Le Grand Travel. I was immediately surprised that the host party was another company (usually the tour operator has its own representatives in the country, this was the case with Tez-tour, TUI, Pegas, etc. ). As it turned out later, it was the WORST option, which could only be chosen. The company was absolutely not interested in either tourists or their problems. After excursions were offered at unrealistically high prices (about excursions - a little later), interest in tourists fell to zero.
We were dropped off the bus near the hotel - and the bus drove on, the guide did not even bother to go with us to the reception and make sure that we were settled.
I saw HOW EXCELLENT the accompanying guides from other tour operators worked - and it was a shame that I contacted Join-Up and their partners Le Grand Travel.
Upon arrival, we were accommodated in a 2-room suite 110 on the second floor overlooking the road. I have no complaints about the number, I knew that I was going to the "troika", even though they were given a 4th star a couple of years ago, which proudly flaunts everywhere. But this is a "troika" ...in the truest sense of the word.
The couple I mentioned above were less fortunate. They were not given a voucher. To the question of the guide "How to settle in a hotel? " They received the answer: "You will be accommodated according to your passports. " And at the hotel, the first question to them was "Your voucher, please! " The guys, who hardly spoke English, were really confused. I had to intervene and explain that the guide from the host side said so.
What they promised to settle according to their passports. The woman from the reception said only "Ah, Grand Travel ... " and made such an expression on her face that I realized that I should not contact this company anymore. Eventually they were settled.
Two more words about the host company to finish. Usually, before departure, the night before, they post the time of departure and the names of those departing on a board in the lobby. It's like an unwritten law. So. Le Grand Travel didn't even bother to do it on time. The guys described above called the guide from the hotel several times with a request to clarify when the departure was, and at what time they would be picked up from the hotel. They eventually received a fax with information. And they picked me up from the hotel almost an hour later than the indicated time (fortunately, as I found out later, they were not late for the plane). When we left, we were not very nervous, because several families left the hotel with us (I thought that they would not forget everyone for sure).
But a fax with information came to the hotel at 23:30, about which I was kindly called from the reception and offered to come, pick it up and hang it on the bulletin board ourselves : ) Thank you for going to bed late, at least they didn’t wake me up ...
Now about the hotel itself. For which I gave them a "troika" for both placement and service.
I will simply enumerate those moments that took place, and you, dear fellow tourists, will judge how objective I am.
1. Non-working air conditioner.
Almost all hotel rooms have a common air conditioning system. I wrote "practically" because our friends had a personal air conditioner in their room.
So. On the day of our arrival (May 21) this air conditioner was not working. At all. I figured it out the second morning, waking up on a sweat-soaked pillow. The children that night, despite being tired from the flight, practically did not sleep - it was very stuffy.
By the way, for information - the rooms overlooking the road (103-110) are not as noisy as they say here - there is almost no traffic on the road at night - but they are very hot, because they face the sunny side.
The next morning I went to the reception and, smiling sweetly, explained that the air conditioner was not working. The woman wrote down the room number, the problem (A/C doesn't work) and promised that everything would be fine. A couple of hours later a smiling Greek guy (a local repairman-carpenter-groom-carpenter, as I understood later) came in), twisted the knobs of the air conditioner and said that everything would be fine (what he actually said, I don’t know, not a word of English he did not understand, and I had not yet had time to learn Greek).
By the evening of the second day, I realized that nothing was "OK", it was stuffy in the room, the air conditioner generally drove warm air instead of cold, and I turned it off. The next night was a total nightmare - sticky heat, sweat and all. By the morning of the third day, I was already serious.
Going to the reception, I tried to add steel to my voice and said that the children didn’t sleep the second night, it’s impossible any longer, and I don’t intend to endure it. I was again promised to sort it out, again the same guy came with a partner (for help, or something).
I, who already know a few Greek words (life will force me), managed to explain that this is not a problem of our room, but of the entire block (and most likely, of the rest of the hotel too).
He understood and informed the receptionist. They said, attention! "Tomorrow a master from the city will arrive (meaning Rethymnon, 6 km from us). That is, I was offered to sleep one more night in unbearable stuffiness. It was already too much. I demanded a manager (by the way, the owner manages the hotel, his name is Giorgos Maravel (pronounced Gyorgos, emphasis on the first O). They answered that the owner was not there, he had left for Chania. I specifically waited for him at the reception in the evening and when I saw him getting out of the car, I approached and complained about the problem.
I have to give credit - I did not expect such a reaction. The owner, smiling back, said: "OK, now everything will be done. " And going to the reception, he gave a short command in Greek. It was 20:00 pm. The repairman who was promised the next morning arrived half an hour later. And the problem was solved.
Therefore, I advise everyone: if anything - contact the owner directly. He often sits at the reception, he was often described here - a very large young man. He has a separate office - on the right, how to go to the restaurant. All issues of relocation to another room or any problems are solved ONLY by HE, at the reception - smiling "dolls" who do not have any authority.
2. Restaurant.
I want to clarify right away: I had no questions about nutrition. I went to the "troika" and did not expect food there, as in the "five". The food was completely satisfying for me. The only thing I put a minus for is the complete lack of baby food. No porridge.
No normal soups (what was served there under the guise of soup, the children refused to eat at all, I ate a couple of times myself, because I love it very much and need liquid). My daughter, 4.5 years old, ate only fried potatoes, pasta and rice there (she even remembered their rice at home - "It was delicious, dad! "). So if your child does not eat everything in a row, there will be difficulties, I warn you. And so - the food was all right.
We arrived on May 21, when the hotel was still half empty (but they didn’t agree to change the room even when it was half empty, this was when I swore about the air conditioner).
But the hotel was full by 26-27. And even, as it seemed to me, it overflowed. And then another unpleasant moment came into play, which, it seems to me, simply did not give them the right to ask for a fourth "star". The restaurant was absolutely not designed for such a large number of visitors. They didn't fit in it.
And so the waiters did the following: they closed the front door, gathered under it those who came later and asked to wait until the seats were free. My family and I went as soon as we opened (for breakfast at 8, for lunch at 12:30, for dinner at 19), but when we left, we often saw people waiting.
I'm sorry, but it's too much to make a small restaurant and keep people waiting outside the door! I think those who waited for their turn for half an hour, it was not very pleasant.
3. Animation. I read fresh reviews here - as if they were written by people from another hotel : )
For 7 days there were only 2 shows - on Tuesdays "belly dancing" (an excellent show by the way, I advise everyone to watch it, I got 2 times), on Wednesdays - a "magician" (also very interesting, also watched 2 times). And that's it. It might have been better later, but for the 9 nights we were there, that was all we saw. From Thursday to Monday all evenings were not filled. Obviously, the owner saved on artists, but it was weak to organize something themselves.
At the same time, I want to warmly note the children's animators who work with children in the Dolphino kids club. From 10 to 13:40 you can BOLDLY (I'm not afraid of this word) leave children from 4 to 8-9 years old there - and they will not be bored. The animators play, draw with them, they watch cartoons - and then they all go to dinner together at a restaurant (at 13:00), from where their parents can pick them up at 13:40. Yes, they don't speak Russian, but believe me - everyone will be happy and everything will be clear : )
If anyone will have a rest there in the near future - a big hello to Virginia (Virginia) and her cousin from Vasily from Poltava. By the way, Virginia offers everyone who wants to study the Greek language. Believe me, it is very interesting and useful.
A few Greek words - "Kalimera" (good morning), "Kalispera" (good evening), "EucharistO" (thank you) will be simply necessary for you ...Accents - where the capital letter is ...
4. Housekeeping. Here is a separate issue. I assume that the hotel has several maids.
And everyone cleans differently. We had no luck with the maid. We, instead of changing towels (which must be thrown on the floor, as is customary), were lifted from the floor and the dirty ones were hung (put) in place. Seriously, I'm not kidding! After I complained to the reception, a disgruntled maid came, and, repeating something (I was not there, and my wife does not speak English), literally threw a few clean towels and took the old ones. Then we really made up : ) 2 euros on the table and a note in English with a couple of Greek words did their job.
To leave or not to leave a tip - believe me, this is your business. And, as I understand it, communicating with different people, this absolutely does not affect the quality of cleaning. Some did not leave - but they were cleaned well, we left more than once - and we got such an incident : )
5. Hotel accommodation.
Separately, I want to tell a case that I unwittingly became a witness.
Shortly before our departure, two women arrived with three children from Russia (Siberia). They booked rooms back in January (and it was at the end of May, I remind you). So. They were told that there were no available rooms (the hotel was really full, but this is not the problem of the guests, is it? ) and offered to settle ...in a neighboring hotel, even worse in terms of ours. Naturally, they refused. Then they were offered 2 "windowless" rooms, I didn't even know there were such rooms - yes, there are several such rooms as it turned out! Two of them are in a building overlooking the pool near the road (unfortunately, I forgot the numbers, but in general the numbers in this building start at 5, some 500). They refused again. I have already understood that they want to "put in" illiquid assets, numbers that no one wanted to take, and I advised them to demand and not agree. They - two young women with 3 children from 7 to 12 years old - were kept at the reception from 11 am to 9 pm!
Communicated with those who traveled through "street agencies". Everything was just EXCELLENT, everyone was very satisfied.
By the way, I recommend Spiridon Tour, their representative office is right in front of the hotel (slightly to the left, if you look at the road from the reception). The girl Yana, about whom a lot has been written here, not only rents cars, but also arranges excursions for Spiridon - this is the owner of this company. Everything can be asked, discussed and chosen. Prices are the same throughout Adelianos Kampos. While walking around the village, I specifically looked at the prices written on the billboards exposed. One to one, accurate to 1 euro.
That couple of guys, about which I wrote above, went on two excursions from Spiridon - they got a lot of pleasure. Who prefers organized excursions - I advise! You will not regret.
We and another family that we met already at the hotel (our countrymen, from Cherkasy) rented 2 cars from Yana for 3 days.
And during this time we saw a lot more than from the bus window : ) Here I will stop in a little more detail.
In general, having a license, driving experience and not renting a car in Crete is a crime against your holiday! Especially when you know where to take and what to take.
Further it will be interesting to read only for those who drive, as well as for their families : )
So, Yana was heard (read) from the reviews of this hotel. In general, in Crete (and in Adelianos Kampos) there are few people who speak Russian, but you still can’t express everything in English. Therefore, Yana and her agency (I suspect that she is a co-owner, although I don’t know for sure) are just a godsend for those who want to rent a car cheaply and successfully.
Taking the opportunity, who will take a car from her, send a big hello from Vasily from Poltava (say "Renault Clio", she will understand who it is).
We seriously approached the issue of choosing a car.
We were very lucky - we met Jura from Tallinn (if you read Jura, thank you very much again! ), a great guy who has been vacationing in this place for several years. He told which cars in this company are worth taking and which ones are not. Therefore, we were already prepared : ) And this provided us with an excellent choice and rest in the end. I took a Renault Clio (number IHT 7886, whoever is lucky, take this particular car), a friend - a Fiat Pandu. Both have a 1.2 engine, but just believe me, I, accustomed to powerful cars (I myself have a Hyundai Tucson 2.0), did not feel a weak engine. Perhaps because of the wonderful gasoline, which cannot be compared with the Ukrainian "donkey urine". "Reno" is much "alive" than "Panda", ran around the track. Believe it or not, only numerous signs limited the speed and the fact that almost the entire route passed through the towns, where the speed had to be reduced to 50-60 km. And so ...along the serpentine, up ...the car easily accelerated to 100 km (I didn’t try it again, because
it was simply impossible), very maneuverable, and carried four people inside, as if it were empty.
Yana gave us Renault Clio for 3 days for 75 euros. "Fiat Pandu" to friends - for 70 euros.
We both refueled for 50 euros and drove 550 km.
The first day - to the west, Marathi beach (I highly advise those who will travel by car, this is an unforgettable sight, the elder did not want to leave from there), the monasteries of the "Holy Trinity" and the second, mountainous, did not remember the name, buses are not allowed to enter there, the road along a terrible serpentine (Crimea is resting, believe me), but ...it's worth it : ) If I find a name, I'll put it in a review. Then from there - to Chania, a very beautiful old city, a stunning bay, you must see it with your own eyes and walk with your own feet. By the way, in Chania - a great market for tourists, with very cheap prices.
Our friends bought the famous Greek sandals there (there is a huge selection), I looked for leather gloves for myself, but did not find the right size for me, unfortunately.
The second day is to the east. Heraklion, Palace of Knossos. Then - still to the east, the Aquapark and the famous Aquarium. Here, despite the navigators in both cars (we took them with us), we had to get lost, especially when we were looking for the Aquarium. But trust me, it was worth it. It will be especially interesting for children, and it was interesting for me to see a big sleepy shark a meter in front of me ...
Third day - south. The road goes through the small, but quite famous, town of Armeni (Armenoi). Further - the Kurtaleotiko gorge (if you are going towards Preveli, the road goes through it). Everyone stops there and takes pictures. Beauty is breathtaking...
Then - to the monastery of Preveli.
It contains a miraculous cross with a particle of the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified, many excursions go there, but believe me, getting there by car is very quick and easy. In addition, in the monastery of Preveli there is a spring, the water of which, according to legend, cures eye diseases. And...the famous Plakias palm beach : ) I warn you right away - going down the steep path to the beach is quite difficult, and going up is even more difficult. Therefore, with small children - just do not recommend. You will go down, but it will be very difficult to go up.
The beach itself, after everything that was heard about it, was a little disappointing. Pebbles, not sand, the cold Libyan Sea (we were at the end of May, in June everything was already warm there, probably)
True, this was compensated by a beautiful river with palm trees growing on the banks (everyone unanimously said "little Nile"), flowing into the sea right on the beach, as well as stunning grottoes, which you can swim right from the sea near the beach.
I can honestly say that I fell in love with this wonderful island, with stunning nature and generally friendly people (why "in general" - a little later), and leaving, I probably left a piece of my heart there. That's why I'm drawn there again : )
Finally, a few words about the shops in the village and the people working in them. I will say right away - both shops and people ...are different : ) If you leave the hotel and go to the right - there are two neighboring shops right next to it. In the first (near) one, a girl, Lyudmila, from Moldova, works, she speaks Russian, and even though she does not know English, she will help and tell everything.
I advise everyone to take everything from them - believe me, they have the best prices and a good selection. Who will buy something more expensive - keep in mind, you can bargain : ) The Greeks themselves give a 10% discount on the price, do not count more, although you can try, but 10% is very even.
By the way, in the markets (Chania, Rethymnon) you can bargain even more, but they themselves will tell you how much they can throw off the maximum). Just for non-Russian speakers, say "Discount", they will understand what you want.
But in the second shop on the right near the hotel (it says in Russian, English and French "Low prices" there), the harmful old Greek Vasilis (the namesake, by the way) works, he deceived us and acted very ugly. I do not advise you to go to them at all, especially since their prices are higher).
Still, if you go to the right of the hotel - across the road, behind the Voss store and car rental - there is a very good shop for beach goods and souvenirs, as well as a grocery store. I had to change their beach slippers for my daughter several times (they didn’t take the child with them, they stomp far), they allowed me with a smile. Such an attitude deserves respect and gratitude. There they took drinking water to the hotel, and acquaintances bought beer, wine and various products.
I recommend this cute shop - prices are good, the staff is very friendly.
If you go left from the hotel - then behind the hotel "Aquila Rethymnon Beach" (it is on the right side of the road leading to Rethymnon), to the left of the road, there is an excellent KALOSTOUS store (I saved the receipt to rewrite the name). It sells amazing handmade chess. I brought one set as a gift to my father-in-law. The girl Miroslava, from Lviv, works in it, she will show and tell everything. A discount is made in the amount of 10% of the amount, more - no.
I tried to describe everything to the maximum. If anyone has any questions - write, I will try to answer.
ATTENTION QUESTIONERS! As it turned out, comments here do not appear immediately after writing. The moderators of the resource answered me that moderation is possible UP TO THREE DAYS! I try to answer questions as quickly as possible - but I wrote answers yesterday, a day has passed, they have not yet appeared.
Perhaps, if this continues further, I will simply add answers to questions in the review, below, although it will be inconvenient to read ...
ANSWERS TO THE MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.
1. About renting a car. Don't be afraid to rent : ) It's not scary at all. Greeks drive normally when they see "non-natives", they often give way on turns, give way and all that. I didn’t see ANY accident (pah-pah), while in Kyiv on the way from the airport to the railway station I saw 2 at once in 10 minutes.
Rights - what you have, such will go. Except, of course, the very old "Soviet" ones, but hardly anyone still has them. And so - plastic, laminate and so on - everything will pass. It is better if it is of an international standard, but ...they are very critical of this there. If only the name and surname were written in Latin letters.
When you take a car, you MUST inspect it for scratches, dents, chips, bumps, and so on.
It is desirable to photograph all the discovered places. Although I have not heard that someone was run over for "other" sins, but it's better to do it.
Gasoline in the tank - you also initially fix how much it was, return AS MUCH as it was. If you return more - it's your business, but less - you can't, they will calculate the difference from you at a VERY disadvantageous tax for you.
As for the cars - I already wrote in the review. Do not take too LOW cars (with low ground clearance), otherwise any exit from the asphalt to the primer will be a problem. The ideal choice - "Renault Clio" (took himself), "Fiat Panda" (took a friend), "Toyota Yaris" (Toyota Yaris) - was taken by several people at once, but Toyota will be a little more expensive.
If you take more than 1-2 days - bargain, initially they call the maximum price : )
Yana's insurance is really complete. And ...believe me, if you don't drive "under the closet" - everything will be fine. There are NO wheel nails on the side of the road - drove off the road dozens of times ...
There are no holes and nodules on the asphalt - I saw one hole only high in the mountains on the road from Preveli to Argyropolis (where there are artificial waterfalls).
The main thing - God forbid, get drunk behind the wheel. Caught - it will be very bad. I warn you right now.
About the GPS navigator. I took it with me, before that, a month before, I was "filled" with fresh maps of Greece. We went everywhere, in the mountains, never failed anywhere. The main thing is that the cards are fresh. They catch a satellite there for a long time (in Ukraine - it took 2 minutes to connect, there - 5-7 minutes, sometimes up to 10 minutes), but having caught it, they keep it well.
As for paying for insurance. You pay NOTHING ADDITIONAL upon registration - the lease agreement that they give you in your hands - it also spells out the terms of insurance. Now, if God forbid WHAT ...then yes, you will have to pay up to 100 euros, the rest is covered by this insurance. If everything is fine - your expenses are only for renting a car. All.
2. About the food in the restaurant.
Families with small children - take cereals with you, instant or instant, perhaps they are in stores there, but it is better to stock up on what little ones eat for sure. Because there is no SIMILAR food in the restaurant.
About food for adults. Just believe - it is BETTER to go there on All Inclusive, because by paying extra for drinks (even water - for money) you will actually spend more. I was specifically interested in the difference in prices in agencies on AI, FB, HB - the difference is not significant. And on the spot you will block it instantly, paying for drinks.
Yes, in a restaurant, the waiters first come to the table, ask, "what will you drink? ", write down the order and the room number (I asked: "Why? We have All Inclusive, " they said "For statistics"). Who does not have AI - then they bring a bill for drinks. In general, it is surprising that even those who have breakfast and dinner still have drinks for a CHARGE. Keep this in mind.
ABOUT PANTS for dinner for men. It is not joke.
There is a DVD player in the room, but I personally have never used it. Is it possible to insert USB flash drives into it - honestly I don’t know : )
5. Wi-Fi works at the reception, but I didn't like it there. In our room (110) it worked much better : ) Whoever gets this number will be with fast Internet. The rooms are FURTHER from the reception - I suspect that I did not get there, although I did not check.
6. About payment. Greeks prefer cash. Moreover, giving change even with a large bill is not a problem anywhere. That is, you should not strive to take small bills with you, this is not critical here.
I took a card in euros with me - I never even took it out of my wallet. "Didn't come in handy... " : )
I will say right away: if you take the GENERAL - then there is still a little more good in this hotel, but I can not describe all the points. I am sure that this will save many in the future from disappointment, and possibly from a spoiled vacation.
So, I'll start.
We rested with my family from May 21 to May 30.2013. It was the first time in Crete. We fell in love with the island...Upon arrival, my little daughter immediately asked: "Daddy, when will we go to Crete next time? " another hotel.
However, in order.
We are me, wife, 12 year old son and 4 daughter.
5 years - they took vouchers through the Join-Up tour operator (from Ukraine this is one of the largest tour operators in Crete). The entire plane in which we flew from Zhulyan to Heraklion was filled with tourists flying through this tour operator. Vouchers from Join-Up are cheaper than from other operators, but the service, of course, is also cheaper. One couple we met and became friends with during our vacation experienced this to the fullest.
At the airport we were met by a lady from the host - Le Grand Travel. I was immediately surprised that the host party was another company (usually the tour operator has its own representatives in the country, this was the case with Tez-tour, TUI, Pegas, etc. ). As it turned out later, it was the WORST option, which could only be chosen. The company was absolutely not interested in either tourists or their problems. After excursions were offered at unrealistically high prices (about excursions - a little later), interest in tourists fell to zero.
We were dropped off the bus near the hotel - and the bus drove on, the guide did not even bother to go with us to the reception and make sure that we were settled.
I saw HOW EXCELLENT the accompanying guides from other tour operators worked - and it was a shame that I contacted Join-Up and their partners Le Grand Travel.
Upon arrival, we were accommodated in a 2-room suite 110 on the second floor overlooking the road. I have no complaints about the number, I knew that I was going to the "troika", even though they were given a 4th star a couple of years ago, which proudly flaunts everywhere. But this is a "troika" ...in the truest sense of the word.
The couple I mentioned above were less fortunate. They were not given a voucher. To the question of the guide "How to settle in a hotel? " They received the answer: "You will be accommodated according to your passports. " And at the hotel, the first question to them was "Your voucher, please! " The guys, who hardly spoke English, were really confused. I had to intervene and explain that the guide from the host side said so.
What they promised to settle according to their passports. The woman from the reception said only "Ah, Grand Travel ... " and made such an expression on her face that I realized that I should not contact this company anymore. Eventually they were settled.
Two more words about the host company to finish. Usually, before departure, the night before, they post the time of departure and the names of those departing on a board in the lobby. It's like an unwritten law. So. Le Grand Travel didn't even bother to do it on time. The guys described above called the guide from the hotel several times with a request to clarify when the departure was, and at what time they would be picked up from the hotel. They eventually received a fax with information. And they picked me up from the hotel almost an hour later than the indicated time (fortunately, as I found out later, they were not late for the plane). When we left, we were not very nervous, because several families left the hotel with us (I thought that they would not forget everyone for sure).
But a fax with information came to the hotel at 23:30, about which I was kindly called from the reception and offered to come, pick it up and hang it on the bulletin board ourselves : ) Thank you for going to bed late, at least they didn’t wake me up ...
Now about the hotel itself. For which I gave them a "troika" for both placement and service.
I will simply enumerate those moments that took place, and you, dear fellow tourists, will judge how objective I am.
1. Non-working air conditioner.
Almost all hotel rooms have a common air conditioning system. I wrote "practically" because our friends had a personal air conditioner in their room.
So. On the day of our arrival (May 21) this air conditioner was not working. At all. I figured it out the second morning, waking up on a sweat-soaked pillow. The children that night, despite being tired from the flight, practically did not sleep - it was very stuffy.
By the way, for information - the rooms overlooking the road (103-110) are not as noisy as they say here - there is almost no traffic on the road at night - but they are very hot, because they face the sunny side.
The next morning I went to the reception and, smiling sweetly, explained that the air conditioner was not working. The woman wrote down the room number, the problem (A/C doesn't work) and promised that everything would be fine. A couple of hours later a smiling Greek guy (a local repairman-carpenter-groom-carpenter, as I understood later) came in), twisted the knobs of the air conditioner and said that everything would be fine (what he actually said, I don’t know, not a word of English he did not understand, and I had not yet had time to learn Greek).
By the evening of the second day, I realized that nothing was "OK", it was stuffy in the room, the air conditioner generally drove warm air instead of cold, and I turned it off. The next night was a total nightmare - sticky heat, sweat and all. By the morning of the third day, I was already serious.
Going to the reception, I tried to add steel to my voice and said that the children didn’t sleep the second night, it’s impossible any longer, and I don’t intend to endure it. I was again promised to sort it out, again the same guy came with a partner (for help, or something).
I, who already know a few Greek words (life will force me), managed to explain that this is not a problem of our room, but of the entire block (and most likely, of the rest of the hotel too).
He understood and informed the receptionist. They said, attention! "Tomorrow a master from the city will arrive (meaning Rethymnon, 6 km from us). That is, I was offered to sleep one more night in unbearable stuffiness. It was already too much. I demanded a manager (by the way, the owner manages the hotel, his name is Giorgos Maravel (pronounced Gyorgos, emphasis on the first O). They answered that the owner was not there, he had left for Chania. I specifically waited for him at the reception in the evening and when I saw him getting out of the car, I approached and complained about the problem.
I have to give credit - I did not expect such a reaction. The owner, smiling back, said: "OK, now everything will be done. " And going to the reception, he gave a short command in Greek. It was 20:00 pm. The repairman who was promised the next morning arrived half an hour later. And the problem was solved.
Therefore, I advise everyone: if anything - contact the owner directly. He often sits at the reception, he was often described here - a very large young man. He has a separate office - on the right, how to go to the restaurant. All issues of relocation to another room or any problems are solved ONLY by HE, at the reception - smiling "dolls" who do not have any authority.
2. Restaurant.
I want to clarify right away: I had no questions about nutrition. I went to the "troika" and did not expect food there, as in the "five". The food was completely satisfying for me. The only thing I put a minus for is the complete lack of baby food. No porridge.
No normal soups (what was served there under the guise of soup, the children refused to eat at all, I ate a couple of times myself, because I love it very much and need liquid). My daughter, 4.5 years old, ate only fried potatoes, pasta and rice there (she even remembered their rice at home - "It was delicious, dad! "). So if your child does not eat everything in a row, there will be difficulties, I warn you. And so - the food was all right.
We arrived on May 21, when the hotel was still half empty (but they didn’t agree to change the room even when it was half empty, this was when I swore about the air conditioner).
But the hotel was full by 26-27. And even, as it seemed to me, it overflowed. And then another unpleasant moment came into play, which, it seems to me, simply did not give them the right to ask for a fourth "star". The restaurant was absolutely not designed for such a large number of visitors. They didn't fit in it.
And so the waiters did the following: they closed the front door, gathered under it those who came later and asked to wait until the seats were free. My family and I went as soon as we opened (for breakfast at 8, for lunch at 12:30, for dinner at 19), but when we left, we often saw people waiting.
I'm sorry, but it's too much to make a small restaurant and keep people waiting outside the door! I think those who waited for their turn for half an hour, it was not very pleasant.
3. Animation. I read fresh reviews here - as if they were written by people from another hotel : )
For 7 days there were only 2 shows - on Tuesdays "belly dancing" (an excellent show by the way, I advise everyone to watch it, I got 2 times), on Wednesdays - a "magician" (also very interesting, also watched 2 times). And that's it. It might have been better later, but for the 9 nights we were there, that was all we saw. From Thursday to Monday all evenings were not filled. Obviously, the owner saved on artists, but it was weak to organize something themselves.
At the same time, I want to warmly note the children's animators who work with children in the Dolphino kids club. From 10 to 13:40 you can BOLDLY (I'm not afraid of this word) leave children from 4 to 8-9 years old there - and they will not be bored. The animators play, draw with them, they watch cartoons - and then they all go to dinner together at a restaurant (at 13:00), from where their parents can pick them up at 13:40. Yes, they don't speak Russian, but believe me - everyone will be happy and everything will be clear : )
If anyone will have a rest there in the near future - a big hello to Virginia (Virginia) and her cousin from Vasily from Poltava. By the way, Virginia offers everyone who wants to study the Greek language. Believe me, it is very interesting and useful.
A few Greek words - "Kalimera" (good morning), "Kalispera" (good evening), "EucharistO" (thank you) will be simply necessary for you ...Accents - where the capital letter is ...
4. Housekeeping. Here is a separate issue. I assume that the hotel has several maids.
And everyone cleans differently. We had no luck with the maid. We, instead of changing towels (which must be thrown on the floor, as is customary), were lifted from the floor and the dirty ones were hung (put) in place. Seriously, I'm not kidding! After I complained to the reception, a disgruntled maid came, and, repeating something (I was not there, and my wife does not speak English), literally threw a few clean towels and took the old ones. Then we really made up : ) 2 euros on the table and a note in English with a couple of Greek words did their job.
To leave or not to leave a tip - believe me, this is your business. And, as I understand it, communicating with different people, this absolutely does not affect the quality of cleaning. Some did not leave - but they were cleaned well, we left more than once - and we got such an incident : )
5. Hotel accommodation.
Separately, I want to tell a case that I unwittingly became a witness.
Shortly before our departure, two women arrived with three children from Russia (Siberia). They booked rooms back in January (and it was at the end of May, I remind you). So. They were told that there were no available rooms (the hotel was really full, but this is not the problem of the guests, is it? ) and offered to settle ...in a neighboring hotel, even worse in terms of ours. Naturally, they refused. Then they were offered 2 "windowless" rooms, I didn't even know there were such rooms - yes, there are several such rooms as it turned out! Two of them are in a building overlooking the pool near the road (unfortunately, I forgot the numbers, but in general the numbers in this building start at 5, some 500). They refused again. I have already understood that they want to "put in" illiquid assets, numbers that no one wanted to take, and I advised them to demand and not agree. They - two young women with 3 children from 7 to 12 years old - were kept at the reception from 11 am to 9 pm!
Communicated with those who traveled through "street agencies". Everything was just EXCELLENT, everyone was very satisfied.
By the way, I recommend Spiridon Tour, their representative office is right in front of the hotel (slightly to the left, if you look at the road from the reception). The girl Yana, about whom a lot has been written here, not only rents cars, but also arranges excursions for Spiridon - this is the owner of this company. Everything can be asked, discussed and chosen. Prices are the same throughout Adelianos Kampos. While walking around the village, I specifically looked at the prices written on the billboards exposed. One to one, accurate to 1 euro.
That couple of guys, about which I wrote above, went on two excursions from Spiridon - they got a lot of pleasure. Who prefers organized excursions - I advise! You will not regret.
We and another family that we met already at the hotel (our countrymen, from Cherkasy) rented 2 cars from Yana for 3 days.
And during this time we saw a lot more than from the bus window : ) Here I will stop in a little more detail.
In general, having a license, driving experience and not renting a car in Crete is a crime against your holiday! Especially when you know where to take and what to take.
Further it will be interesting to read only for those who drive, as well as for their families : )
So, Yana was heard (read) from the reviews of this hotel. In general, in Crete (and in Adelianos Kampos) there are few people who speak Russian, but you still can’t express everything in English. Therefore, Yana and her agency (I suspect that she is a co-owner, although I don’t know for sure) are just a godsend for those who want to rent a car cheaply and successfully.
Taking the opportunity, who will take a car from her, send a big hello from Vasily from Poltava (say "Renault Clio", she will understand who it is).
We seriously approached the issue of choosing a car.
We were very lucky - we met Jura from Tallinn (if you read Jura, thank you very much again! ), a great guy who has been vacationing in this place for several years. He told which cars in this company are worth taking and which ones are not. Therefore, we were already prepared : ) And this provided us with an excellent choice and rest in the end. I took a Renault Clio (number IHT 7886, whoever is lucky, take this particular car), a friend - a Fiat Pandu. Both have a 1.2 engine, but just believe me, I, accustomed to powerful cars (I myself have a Hyundai Tucson 2.0), did not feel a weak engine. Perhaps because of the wonderful gasoline, which cannot be compared with the Ukrainian "donkey urine". "Reno" is much "alive" than "Panda", ran around the track. Believe it or not, only numerous signs limited the speed and the fact that almost the entire route passed through the towns, where the speed had to be reduced to 50-60 km. And so ...along the serpentine, up ...the car easily accelerated to 100 km (I didn’t try it again, because
it was simply impossible), very maneuverable, and carried four people inside, as if it were empty.
Yana gave us Renault Clio for 3 days for 75 euros. "Fiat Pandu" to friends - for 70 euros.
We both refueled for 50 euros and drove 550 km.
The first day - to the west, Marathi beach (I highly advise those who will travel by car, this is an unforgettable sight, the elder did not want to leave from there), the monasteries of the "Holy Trinity" and the second, mountainous, did not remember the name, buses are not allowed to enter there, the road along a terrible serpentine (Crimea is resting, believe me), but ...it's worth it : ) If I find a name, I'll put it in a review. Then from there - to Chania, a very beautiful old city, a stunning bay, you must see it with your own eyes and walk with your own feet. By the way, in Chania - a great market for tourists, with very cheap prices.
Our friends bought the famous Greek sandals there (there is a huge selection), I looked for leather gloves for myself, but did not find the right size for me, unfortunately.
The second day is to the east. Heraklion, Palace of Knossos. Then - still to the east, the Aquapark and the famous Aquarium. Here, despite the navigators in both cars (we took them with us), we had to get lost, especially when we were looking for the Aquarium. But trust me, it was worth it. It will be especially interesting for children, and it was interesting for me to see a big sleepy shark a meter in front of me ...
Third day - south. The road goes through the small, but quite famous, town of Armeni (Armenoi). Further - the Kurtaleotiko gorge (if you are going towards Preveli, the road goes through it). Everyone stops there and takes pictures. Beauty is breathtaking...
Then - to the monastery of Preveli.
It contains a miraculous cross with a particle of the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified, many excursions go there, but believe me, getting there by car is very quick and easy. In addition, in the monastery of Preveli there is a spring, the water of which, according to legend, cures eye diseases. And...the famous Plakias palm beach : ) I warn you right away - going down the steep path to the beach is quite difficult, and going up is even more difficult. Therefore, with small children - just do not recommend. You will go down, but it will be very difficult to go up.
The beach itself, after everything that was heard about it, was a little disappointing. Pebbles, not sand, the cold Libyan Sea (we were at the end of May, in June everything was already warm there, probably)
True, this was compensated by a beautiful river with palm trees growing on the banks (everyone unanimously said "little Nile"), flowing into the sea right on the beach, as well as stunning grottoes, which you can swim right from the sea near the beach.
I can honestly say that I fell in love with this wonderful island, with stunning nature and generally friendly people (why "in general" - a little later), and leaving, I probably left a piece of my heart there. That's why I'm drawn there again : )
Finally, a few words about the shops in the village and the people working in them. I will say right away - both shops and people ...are different : ) If you leave the hotel and go to the right - there are two neighboring shops right next to it. In the first (near) one, a girl, Lyudmila, from Moldova, works, she speaks Russian, and even though she does not know English, she will help and tell everything.
I advise everyone to take everything from them - believe me, they have the best prices and a good selection. Who will buy something more expensive - keep in mind, you can bargain : ) The Greeks themselves give a 10% discount on the price, do not count more, although you can try, but 10% is very even.
By the way, in the markets (Chania, Rethymnon) you can bargain even more, but they themselves will tell you how much they can throw off the maximum). Just for non-Russian speakers, say "Discount", they will understand what you want.
But in the second shop on the right near the hotel (it says in Russian, English and French "Low prices" there), the harmful old Greek Vasilis (the namesake, by the way) works, he deceived us and acted very ugly. I do not advise you to go to them at all, especially since their prices are higher).
Still, if you go to the right of the hotel - across the road, behind the Voss store and car rental - there is a very good shop for beach goods and souvenirs, as well as a grocery store. I had to change their beach slippers for my daughter several times (they didn’t take the child with them, they stomp far), they allowed me with a smile. Such an attitude deserves respect and gratitude. There they took drinking water to the hotel, and acquaintances bought beer, wine and various products.
I recommend this cute shop - prices are good, the staff is very friendly.
If you go left from the hotel - then behind the hotel "Aquila Rethymnon Beach" (it is on the right side of the road leading to Rethymnon), to the left of the road, there is an excellent KALOSTOUS store (I saved the receipt to rewrite the name). It sells amazing handmade chess. I brought one set as a gift to my father-in-law. The girl Miroslava, from Lviv, works in it, she will show and tell everything. A discount is made in the amount of 10% of the amount, more - no.
I tried to describe everything to the maximum. If anyone has any questions - write, I will try to answer.
ATTENTION QUESTIONERS! As it turned out, comments here do not appear immediately after writing. The moderators of the resource answered me that moderation is possible UP TO THREE DAYS! I try to answer questions as quickly as possible - but I wrote answers yesterday, a day has passed, they have not yet appeared.
Perhaps, if this continues further, I will simply add answers to questions in the review, below, although it will be inconvenient to read ...
ANSWERS TO THE MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.
1. About renting a car. Don't be afraid to rent : ) It's not scary at all. Greeks drive normally when they see "non-natives", they often give way on turns, give way and all that. I didn’t see ANY accident (pah-pah), while in Kyiv on the way from the airport to the railway station I saw 2 at once in 10 minutes.
Rights - what you have, such will go. Except, of course, the very old "Soviet" ones, but hardly anyone still has them. And so - plastic, laminate and so on - everything will pass. It is better if it is of an international standard, but ...they are very critical of this there. If only the name and surname were written in Latin letters.
When you take a car, you MUST inspect it for scratches, dents, chips, bumps, and so on.
It is desirable to photograph all the discovered places. Although I have not heard that someone was run over for "other" sins, but it's better to do it.
Gasoline in the tank - you also initially fix how much it was, return AS MUCH as it was. If you return more - it's your business, but less - you can't, they will calculate the difference from you at a VERY disadvantageous tax for you.
As for the cars - I already wrote in the review. Do not take too LOW cars (with low ground clearance), otherwise any exit from the asphalt to the primer will be a problem. The ideal choice - "Renault Clio" (took himself), "Fiat Panda" (took a friend), "Toyota Yaris" (Toyota Yaris) - was taken by several people at once, but Toyota will be a little more expensive.
If you take more than 1-2 days - bargain, initially they call the maximum price : )
Yana's insurance is really complete. And ...believe me, if you don't drive "under the closet" - everything will be fine. There are NO wheel nails on the side of the road - drove off the road dozens of times ...
There are no holes and nodules on the asphalt - I saw one hole only high in the mountains on the road from Preveli to Argyropolis (where there are artificial waterfalls).
The main thing - God forbid, get drunk behind the wheel. Caught - it will be very bad. I warn you right now.
About the GPS navigator. I took it with me, before that, a month before, I was "filled" with fresh maps of Greece. We went everywhere, in the mountains, never failed anywhere. The main thing is that the cards are fresh. They catch a satellite there for a long time (in Ukraine - it took 2 minutes to connect, there - 5-7 minutes, sometimes up to 10 minutes), but having caught it, they keep it well.
As for paying for insurance. You pay NOTHING ADDITIONAL upon registration - the lease agreement that they give you in your hands - it also spells out the terms of insurance. Now, if God forbid WHAT ...then yes, you will have to pay up to 100 euros, the rest is covered by this insurance. If everything is fine - your expenses are only for renting a car. All.
2. About the food in the restaurant.
Families with small children - take cereals with you, instant or instant, perhaps they are in stores there, but it is better to stock up on what little ones eat for sure. Because there is no SIMILAR food in the restaurant.
About food for adults. Just believe - it is BETTER to go there on All Inclusive, because by paying extra for drinks (even water - for money) you will actually spend more. I was specifically interested in the difference in prices in agencies on AI, FB, HB - the difference is not significant. And on the spot you will block it instantly, paying for drinks.
Yes, in a restaurant, the waiters first come to the table, ask, "what will you drink? ", write down the order and the room number (I asked: "Why? We have All Inclusive, " they said "For statistics"). Who does not have AI - then they bring a bill for drinks. In general, it is surprising that even those who have breakfast and dinner still have drinks for a CHARGE. Keep this in mind.
ABOUT PANTS for dinner for men. It is not joke.
There is a DVD player in the room, but I personally have never used it. Is it possible to insert USB flash drives into it - honestly I don’t know : )
5. Wi-Fi works at the reception, but I didn't like it there. In our room (110) it worked much better : ) Whoever gets this number will be with fast Internet. The rooms are FURTHER from the reception - I suspect that I did not get there, although I did not check.
6. About payment. Greeks prefer cash. Moreover, giving change even with a large bill is not a problem anywhere. That is, you should not strive to take small bills with you, this is not critical here.
I took a card in euros with me - I never even took it out of my wallet. "Didn't come in handy... " : )
Translated automatically from Russian. View original
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OTHER REVIEWS ABOUT THE HOTEL
- Hospitable Crete
- Good hotel
- Hotel for 3+, there are shortcomings, but not critical
- The hotel is a solid "troika". For what they were given a fourth star - it is not clear.
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