Sitia Beach City Resort & Spa

A very clean, french owned small resort that is perfect for couples. Very few children and quite well behaved. The food is decent though lacks flavor and personality. The beach towels and chaise longs are included, the beach is narrow and mostly pebbles but the sea is absolutely perfect.

Amazing stay! The staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming, making us feel at home. The room was comfortable and the whole place had a warm, inviting atmosphere. Highly recommended!

1. ❌ Not a 5-Star Hotel — Not Even Close No shower gel, no toothpaste, no toothbrushes — nothing you’d expect in a proper hotel, let alone a 5-star one. The air conditioners are outdated, loud, and inefficient. ⸻ 2. 🤢 Awful Food — Bland and Repetitive Food was absolutely tasteless, with barely any variety. Two types of meat, sometimes fish in the evening if you’re lucky. Nothing flavorful, nothing enjoyable. ⸻ 3. 🪑 Overcrowded Pools — No Sunbeds Available The hotel takes in more guests than it can handle. Most sunbeds around the pools are “reserved” with towels early in the morning — even when the guests don’t show up for hours. The third pool is shallow and clearly meant for kids only. ⸻ 4. 🪨 Misleading Beach Access The so-called “private beach” is rocky, uncomfortable, and always overcrowded. Entering the sea feels like walking on broken stones. I didn’t swim there once. A much better sandy beach is available nearby — but you’ll have to pay for sunbeds. ⸻ 5. 💶 Extra Charges for Basics Paying €200 per night should include basic amenities like a safe, but nope — it costs extra. At this price point, you expect peace of mind, comfort, and decent service — not stress about storing your valuables or finding edible food. ⸻ 6. 🇫🇷 If You’re Not French — You Don’t Matter This hotel caters exclusively to French guests. All entertainment and activities are conducted in French only. If you don’t speak it — too bad. It felt like cultural discrimination, and it was extremely alienating. ⸻ 7. 🍷 Pathetic Alcohol Selection — Not Worth Touching The all-inclusive alcohol is a joke. • Liquor tastes cheap and synthetic — like it came from the bottom shelf of a discount store. • Every cocktail is overly sweet, unbalanced, and practically undrinkable. • Want a mojito? Pay €5. • Wine? Thin and sour. • Water? Not even replenished in your room after cleaning. Only the beer and soft drinks were somewhat tolerable — but even they were low quality. At €200 per night, this is insulting. You’re better off drinking tap water. ⸻ 8. 🎭 Staff Are Fake and Performative The entertainment team puts on a forced, exaggerated show — mainly for French tourists. It felt fake, scripted, and frankly awkward to watch. Their smiles felt rehearsed, not genuine. ⸻ 💡 Final Thoughts: Don’t Waste Your Time I’ve stayed in many hotels — cheaper, more expensive, all better than this one. My advice? Rent a car, book a hotel with breakfast only, and enjoy real Cretan food in local tavernas. You’ll have a far better, more authentic holiday experience than being stuck in a low-quality all-inclusive trap.