Athina Palace

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ We had a wonderful stay at Athina Palace in Crete! The hotel itself is beautiful, with stunning views and a great atmosphere for relaxation. The facilities were well kept, the food delicious, and the surrounding area is perfect for exploring both the coast and nearby villages. A special mention goes to Sofia at reception, who truly made our stay unforgettable. Her exceptional kindness, warmth, and helpfulness stood out from the moment we arrived. She went above and beyond to make sure we had everything we needed and gave us great recommendations so we could enjoy the best of Crete. Thanks to her, we felt so welcomed and cared for. We would absolutely recommend Athina Palace to anyone looking for a memorable holiday in Crete, and we’ll definitely be back!

The location is gorgeous! We opted for rooms with a sea view - I recommend it! 5 stars are only worth the location, not the food or the hospitality of the employees towards customers. They argued even with the managers in front of the customers without any embarrassment at all. The culinary options are at most 3 stars, not more. All drinks are in plastic cups. Not even the fruit is freshly served. There is no espresso in the all inclusive, for example. Generally the stuff are French speakers, very few English or German speakers. The few artistic programs are held in French. Of course, this experience will not change our opinion about the wonderful Greek people/country, but I would not recommend this destination to friends.

Disappointing Experience – Not Worthy of 5 Stars I recently stayed at this hotel in Crete and, unfortunately, my experience did not meet the expectations of a 5-star resort. Starting from the first day, I encountered something completely unacceptable: in the minibar fridge of my room, there were a few bottles of water – one of which was filled with seawater. Whether this was a prank by previous guests or not, it is the hotel’s responsibility to ensure the room is properly checked and everything is safe and appropriate for new arrivals. This was a serious oversight and a very poor first impression. The food was consistently below the standard one would expect from a 5-star establishment. Often of very low quality and not fresh, it simply didn’t match the setting or the promises made. Even basic details, such as serving cold water at breakfast during the hot summer season, were overlooked – the water was always warm. As for the staff, my experience was mixed. The older staff members were often unpleasant and, at times, irrational in their approach. Thankfully, the younger team members showed more kindness and professionalism, which was appreciated. It’s truly a shame, because the hotel is in a beautiful location with great potential. Sadly, the poor service and lack of attention to detail ruined what should have been a relaxing holiday. I found myself counting down the days until I could return home – just to enjoy a simple, good coffee. I’m not sure if this reflects the general standard in Greece, or if I was simply unlucky with this stay. But for a hotel that claims to be five-star, this experience was deeply disappointing.