3 Star Crete Holidays

Annika Tomlinson

I spent a week here along with 8 other girls and from the other reviews left about this hotel, we were nervous. However as soon as we got there we were pleasantly surprised. Owners were very nice, we had to pay a deposit and wifi/aircon payment in cash upon arrival (you get €20 back at the end of your week depending on the state of your room). They told us the rules such as no loud music on the balcony’s after 11pm, no food or drinks that weren’t bought at the hotel to be by the pool ect (these all seemed reasonable). The rooms were very modern, clean and much nicer than we were expecting. However, we did have 2 single beds and a sofa bed which is not what we thought we paid for. We had to ask for a second mattress for the sofa due to it being extremely uncomfortable. Air-con does need to be paid for but it is definitely worth it as works really well. They also only provide you with one toilet roll and no hand soap, but these can be bought from any of the shops nearby. (There’s also a tiny shop at the hotel with a few essentials in) WiFi works wells if you’re near the pool/have a room near the pool. The restaurant in the hotel was amazing as it was well priced with lots of breakfast/lunch/dinner options. However it’s also less than 5 min walk to get to old town where there’s lots or traditional Greek restraunts. Overall, all the girls were very happy with our experience at Happy Days Studios and I’d recommend this hotel to anyone going to Malia.

the magpies

Services- The internet is horrendous. Constant sign in to a sign in page, that’s when you can get internet. Limited devices per login. Told to sit outside my room for better reception. Said the area is bad. Not sure if it is site specific or the area in general. So I sit outside all night in the cold while trying to get work done. Not the solution I was looking for. Do not stay here if you need the internet. If you dont need it then the rooms are well presented. Need T towels, chopping boards, dishwashing liquid and hand soap at the bathroom basin. They did assist me with an additional login so I could join wifi with my 3 devices but of little use if the wifi is so bad you can’t connect. If you want to be away from the action the location is good but if you want to be in the action then this is a little way from it.

Tayla Davis

Wrapping up my holiday at Happy days & we've had a lovely time here. The rooms are clean, the staff are welcoming & happy to help with anything you need. Upon arriving after a long day of travel delays I arrived at my room to find the toilet was leaking, so reported it the next morning where the hotel owner came to introduce herself to me & let me know she had tried to get someone to sort before our arrival but being a Sunday it was hard to do so & all rooms were fully booked so I was unable to swap rooms & someone would be out by the afternoon to fix it & later in the day I arrived back to find it had been dealt with. The hotel is in a nice location just off the old town which is beautiful. I can't fault our stay here, thank you Happy days staff! :)

elliot mairsss

I came here on a lads holiday and after reading some reviews we were very skeptical but the hotel was nothing like any of the bad reviews. We stayed in the “Apartment Superior Two Bedrooms” room and it was the best decision we made. The room was very spacious and perfect for 3 people. As you arrive there’s a few additional costs like tourist tax, air con cost, safe cost and a deposit. They are all fair costs and worth the money and the deposit was given back at the end as long as you keep your room in a good condition. The 2 pools were very nice and clean and there’s a lot of sun loungers dotted around the pool and bar. The staff are very fair and reasonable if you respect their rules. It’s located in Malia Old Town and is a nice 10-15 min walk to the strip. Would definitely recommend for young people looking at staying just outside of the strip. The pictures below are from the double bed room inside the “apartment superior two bedrooms” and the other bedroom had 2 single beds.

Emily Nicholls

Very nice hotel. Rooms are clean. Pool is lovely. However when booking through booking dot com even though it tells you that you will get aircon and wifi the hotel will not give it to you unless you pay extra charges. They were not accommodating even tho I showed proof of what I had payed for. So just be aware so you’re not at a loss when you get here like I was.

P. E.

For a low season price it's a very good place. Spacious room. If you take a room with the yard view, it's gonna be quiet at night. A few steps and you're at the sea. I'd definitely come again, it's a good, budget friendly place. 👍

Mike Dave

Basic rooms are in need of an update. The bathroom is the same needs a renovation . Everything you need is in walking distance. Beach very close, so are the shops. Owner always there till 5 pm for questions and directions. For breakfast and lunch , ood cheap food. Tip. Use the rrooftopterrace for sunbathing when it's windy.

Jennifer A KresseRodriguez

Manolis was amazing and so was his team. He told us about a beautiful rustic beach where we snorkeled in crystalline waters right off the shore. There were lots of gorgeous fish. The place was just what we were looking for. The price was incredibly good. It was super quiet. I love Hersonissos- I'm referring to the quiet part where Klery is. I highly recommend the self service restaurant called DAVID. They serve Cretan food and it is so good I'm still dreaming about it.

Celeste Settembre

Very close to the beach and the restaurants. Dirty rooms from the first to the last day of my holiday. Old furniture. I refused to have breakfast in there. A real nightmare.

Zuza W

Very nice hotel, clean rooms with air-co, talkative staff, good prices in the small restaurant (food was not so bad and well-sized portions; I had really cool iced cappuccino) and very close from beach, restaurants and small shops (lidl 10 minutes far by walk).

Vladyslav Khmelnyk

We stayed here last year and it was amazing. Great service, wonderful people – especially the bearded man at the reception, the older gentleman from the service team, and the Albanian bartender – greetings to all of you! We wanted to come back this year but unfortunately couldn’t make it. Breakfasts were excellent, the atmosphere during Euro 2024 was fantastic. We really enjoyed the billiards, the bar, the good food, and the perfect location close to everything.

roxana nafei

I found the hotel to be affordable, but the room didn’t look good at all. The walls and such had mold that had just been painted over. The mattress was extremely hard, and there was no private parking—you had to park somewhere on the street. The only good thing was the breakfast buffet.

Dan Nemes

Really nice place for a hotel, 5 minutes of walking till you reach the beach. Shops even closer, not too loud at night so you can sleep Pool was really nice, exactly what you need in the afternoon before dinner. Open hours for pool are from 10:30 till 18:30. Really nice dinner, you can have spaghetti, you can have French fries, different kinds of meat but really wonderful cooked. The rooms are ok, the bathroom is quite small. Rooms are equipped with ac, fridge, safe box, tv. The staff is really friendly and will assist you in any way poasible.

Wahrheit Kommt

Dear Sir or Madam, I would like to share my honest feedback regarding my recent stay at your hotel. We arrived at 11:00 a.m., but unfortunately had to wait until 3:00 p.m. to check in. After a long journey, this was quite inconvenient. When we finally entered the room, we were extremely disappointed. The condition of the room was unacceptable – to the extent that I wouldn't even let my dog in Germany sleep there, and I say that without exaggeration. One of the most concerning issues was the shower. Due to the extremely thin shower curtain, water flowed directly into the room while showering, causing significant mess. In addition, there was visible mold in the shower area. As a result, I felt physically unwell – in fact, I was sick to my stomach, something that has never happened to me in a hotel before. The dining experience was also far from what we expected. Although we had booked half board, we were charged extra for drinks in the evening – a practice I have never encountered in over 25 years of traveling. The quality of the food was disappointing as well; it was neither visually appealing nor appetizing. Even the birds I tried to feed some of it to refused to eat it. I am not someone who complains easily, but in this case, the conditions were so distressing that I felt compelled to speak up. Unfortunately, under these circumstances, I cannot recommend the hotel. I sincerely hope that you take this feedback seriously and take the necessary steps to improve the experience for future guests.

Sarah Mcleod

Terrible hotel, staff quite unhelpful. Rooms are basic, do have air-conditioning and a fridge, the shower has good pressure but beds are hard. The room appeared to be cleaned each day but all they really do is empty the bin and attempt to make the bed, twice the sheets were folded up and left on rge bed. Only received 2 new towels in a week. Continental breakfast was basic but reasonable, however the evening buffet was dreadful, cold, tasteless, and made up both feel quite ill, so half board was a waste as only ate the breakfast. Avoid the downstairs toilets as they are dirty, smelly and full of mosquitoes.

Adam Jarch

Food was nothing special – repetitive and without much creativity. Definitely don’t come here if you expect any kind of culinary experience. It’s warm, colorful, and there’s plenty of it, but that’s about it. With kids it’s not really a win either – the hotel doesn’t seem to count on families too much. We stayed in September and there were no animations or even basic kids’ facilities. The walk to the sea is quite far and crossing the main road from Heraklion with a stroller felt a bit like an adrenaline sport. The shuttle bus to the beach is fine, but you’re tied to fixed times (10:00, 12:30, 15:00). The beach in Gouves is great when the wind calms down, but after a windy day it was full of seaweed and the waves were rough (end of September). Walks around the hotel are basically impossible – best to rent a car and head somewhere else. For example, Stalis beach is fantastic with kids. On the positive side, the hotel staff were all really kind and friendly. But overall – we probably wouldn’t come back.

Oleksandr Tishchenko

I stayed at this hotel, and I must say — it was absolutely wonderful! Despite its rating, the quality of service and experience exceeded all expectations. The food was delicious every single day, and the rooms were always clean and well-maintained. The pools were spotless, and even the outdoor tiles were washed daily — a small detail that really shows their commitment to cleanliness. But what truly made the stay special was the staff. Everyone was incredibly kind, always smiling and ready to help. Special thanks go to a man named Dali — the heart and soul of the evening entertainment. Every night, he hosted Showtime — whether it was a quiz, dance party, or karaoke, he brought great energy and fun to the event. What’s even more impressive is that he speaks (if I’m not mistaken) five languages — definitely French, Greek, English, and German — so conversations flow easily no matter where you’re from. He clearly gives his all to make sure guests are enjoying themselves, and his positive energy is contagious. I truly recommend this hotel to anyone looking for a warm, clean, and fun place to stay. Don’t let the 3 stars fool you — this place shines bright!

Αντωνης Νταγιαντας

Had an amazing stay at Lyda Hotel! The service was excellent, especially Mr. George, who went above and beyond. The space is really big with beautiful pools and plenty of activities to enjoy. The food was delicious and overall, we had a fantastic experience. Highly recommend!

Jáchym Metlička

We had a great 7 day stay at the hotel. The staff were very friendly toward us and our small children. The food was great. We honestly never used the pools - it was 100% sea for us. I would come back to this place

Oleksandra Chumak

I recently stayed at Lyda Hotel and I absolutely loved it! One of the best things about this place is the incredibly friendly and welcoming staff — they really make you feel at home from the moment you arrive. But the real star of the show is the DJ, Dali! He’s hands down the best staff member — so fun, energetic, and knows exactly how to keep the vibe going. He made every evening unforgettable! I 100% recommend this hotel to anyone looking for a great vacation in Crete. You won’t regret it!

Sharon Tyson

We enjoyed our stay here and we would go back but there are a couple of things that need to be improved open the bathroom is kept very clean but it's very dated and needs re grouting. In the evenings it's so quiet from 9pm on entertainment nights and all night on other evenings. We did very much enjoy the food especially on special nights and the bar staff were great especially the day bar man and the evening cocktail man his cocktails were the best. All the staff we encountered were all very polite and friendly.

Philippa Mander

Amazing hotel! Arrived around midnight & the guy on reception was so friendly & helpful, took us to our room. The room was lovely very clean & spacious. There was a large bottle of water and a plate of food...sandwiches etc in the fridge for us which was such a lovely gesture and welcomed. The hotel is on a hill away from the main road so nice & quiet but only a 5 min walk in to the town & to the beach. The food was really good, has themed nights including a crete night with dancing ! The hotel is very clean, quiet and the staff so friendly & helpful! Would definitely recommend and come again.

Kitty 15

The hotel was very good. The room was spacious, nicely presented, and comfortable. The area was peaceful, and the food was excellent. The staff was exceptionally helpful and attentive. There were many friendly cats around the hotel, which was a lovely touch. The hotel wasn’t far from the beach, you could easily walk there in 5 to 7 minutes, and the beach was never overcrowded, with some spots even quite empty. There were also many supermarkets and plenty of activities nearby. The only minor drawbacks were that the pool was often crowded, and on one occasion, the room cleaning took longer than expected.

Lobster WRLD

AYYYYYYYY HOMIES! That place I went, to — sheeeeeshh. Everything about it was AMAZING, no cap! Let's start with the rooms, youre getting what you payed for absolutely, 100% worth it, bathroom was very clean and nice, everything was clean, the cleaning lady who comes every day is friendly fasho. The service? These guys are real friendly, nothing to complain about. Location? Lowkey goated. It's close to a beach, close to a shop (I'm gonna warn all yall tourists that boutta go to Greece, these small shops might look normal, but many of them sell some disgusting, inappropriate souvenirs and magnets where kids can see it all, so just a small warning if you're coming at this exact place in Crete, SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE!). Now let's focus on the positives, cause I can only talk about positive stuff in the sunrise village hotel. You basically get a big ahh swimming pool where your can spend time with the lil ones, beach bar is goated, everything you need. Now one of the best things about the place that 100% makes it worth it. The food dawgssss 😍😍😍😍. Like no cap, I loved the food whilst there, there was something for everyone, they got like unique stuff every day (when I came there was mexican food, then next day was Italian I guess and Asian, it was real unique) 😸 loved the breakfast options, truly amazing. I was once kicked out of the restaurant for being shirtless 😿 can't flex anymore bruv

Little Al

Visited 1st week in June 2025. Was dubious at first due to being Scandinavian visitor area and hotel, but that was soon dismissed. Got to hotel early afternoon and had a speedy great check in and was taken to room by the lovely lady on reception. On the way to room was given all information on food and drink and hotel. Great room and view. Lovely balcony and free safe and air con. After a few days got to meet lovely Scandinavian visitors and everybody was friendly. All inclusive Food was great, great choice and staff very fast and efficient, tables always cleans and plates removed and very polite sans friendly and all inclusive drink was also great and the bar staff Dinos (Dino) and Maria where fab, had some fun at the bar, No complaints at all. Everybody speaks English and I leaned greek whilst here. Thank you to all the staff at reception and cleaners and restaurant and bars it is a 10 out of 10 hotel. Very clean and staff are always cleaning and tidying and lovely to visit, Local town is only 5 minutes walk to all shops and bars and restaurants. Met 2 ladies called Margaret and Rita as I named them due to drinking margaritas all the time, lol. And Met a lovely couple from Denmark Henrik and Henrietta who come a couple of times a year and great fun. Also met other couples from Wales and Scandinavia, Overall this hotel is a must to visit and it is clean and tidy. We are looking too come again next year if we can get find it available for next June.

Aaron Morgan

Booked this hotel last minute, beautiful views, it’s run well by the staff who are very accommodating and polite. Food is all you could ask for and there are variations in the menu each day. Would highly recommend to anyone. Bonus, there’s a free shuttle bus down to the beach with plenty of restaurants and bars. Sas efharisto Aaron & Harry

Colin Dougall

Hotel Review: 2/5 I recently stayed at this hotel and left with very mixed feelings. The Good: The best thing about this place is definitely the view. The scenery is beautiful — whether you’re relaxing on the balcony or looking out from your room, the panoramic views are genuinely stunning. The rooms themselves are also quite nice: clean, modern, and spacious, with comfortable beds and good air conditioning. It’s a peaceful place, and ideal if you’re just looking to unwind. The Bad: Unfortunately, that’s where the positives end. The food is absolutely awful. Bland, repetitive, and just plain disgusting — we found ourselves skipping meals entirely or looking for places to eat off-site (which aren’t nearby, by the way). It’s honestly unacceptable for a hotel at this price point. Entertainment was also extremely poor. — low-effort and not engaging at all. If you’re expecting even basic evening activities or something to keep you entertained, prepare to be disappointed. Location & Access: The beach is a 20-minute walk downhill — and it’s steep. Going down isn’t too bad, but coming back up is a serious trek, especially in the heat. Not suitable for anyone with mobility concerns and the hotel has no lifts so if you have health problems or breathing problems then this hotel is not for you. The beach itself is okay, but not really worth the effort unless you’re desperate for a swim. Very Little to Do: Aside from sitting by the pool or walking to the beach, there’s really not much going on. No activities, no liveliness, and no real atmosphere. It’s very quiet — almost too quiet — and after a day or two, it starts to feel boring. Final Verdict: This could be a great hotel if they improved the food, added some decent entertainment, and made more effort to provide things for guests to do. As it stands, it’s all views and no substance. Come here if you’re happy doing absolutely nothing — but don’t expect to be impressed

Elle Pickard

Totally great stay. Can't wait to return. Irene on the front desk made the whole experience for us. Plus can totally recommend the gorge walk through the hotel. Comfy and fabulous facilities.

Thomas Cross

Overall a nice hotel but not without it's faults. (Couple spending a week here). Me and my girlfriend booked a week here for some Autumn sun. After the first night we had to change rooms due to being next to a very loud road with no sound proofing. The staff were very helpful and accomodating for us to make this change so credit to them. Unfortunately we were placed next door to 2 male guests who liked to take drugs every night and were up until 4am shouting, banging and screaming (They would have been better suited to Malia). Despite their warning from hotel staff, they did not change their ways. There was also a dog nearby that barked loudly and repeatedly at the crack of dawn every morning. I am not a light sleeper but sleep was very difficult here. The walls being paper thin did not help. Another negative is the amount of people who reserve sun beds despite the signs saying not to. By 7am, every sun bed was taken up with towels by guests who did not come down until closer to 10am. Entertainment was also lacking but we did come slightly out of season so I can understand this. Final negative, the pool is not heated and was one of the coldest pools I have ever been in, but this was okay once you were in for a while. Not all doom and gloom: Despite the lack of sleep we had a good time. The staff were amazing, especially Irene on reception and all of the bar staff. Very friendly and helpful. The food and drinks are good. The food was a bit samey after a while however we went out for dinner on a couple of nights too so this was fine. The cocktails and beer were very nice. Wine was ok. Coffee was very nice compared to other places we have stayed. There is a shop on sight which is very reasonably priced for souveniers and water. Very friendly staff in the shop. There is also a spa, we both had a massage and this was well priced. It is in a very nice location with a small nice town nearby with shops and restaurants. Great views from the terrace. Other surrounding villages were nice. Good beaches. Transport is good. The hotel offer a free bus to the beach 3 times a day which is super handy if you have difficulties walking on hills. The hotel also offer 10 euro return bus trips to the city Heraklion (about a 20 minute journey) which we loved. The onsight restaurant Marea was amazing. Stunning food, drinks and views. We would also recommend the local wine bar Theros which is a 5 minute walk away. Overall, very nice staff and good location, but the lack of sleep and very questionable clientele bring it down (we may have been unlucky).

Piotr Capecki

We were very happy with our stay at the hotel. The hotel provided very good conditions, beautiful views and the food was delicious. Throughout our stay, Ms Irene took care of us and provided assistance. She was very helpful and kind, and we had no problems whatsoever. Best regards from Poland.

Elizabeth Sekela

We had an amazing stay at Maleme Mare. The resort is clean and spacious with two pools and and nice clean beach just across the road. Hotel is also very family friendly and doesn't feel overcrowded. Overall it has a very relaxed vibe and food was also amazing. Staff were fantastic, friendly and extremely helpful with everything we needed. Big shout out to Alex, Elena, Nikos, Stavros and everyone else that took such an amazing care of us. We enjoyed our girls trip so much and will definitely be coming back again!

Mark Vickery

A very nice clean hotel rooms are spotless, two pools food and little above average staff are very friendly and helpful. The beach is a pebble beach with restricted sun beds set by the local government, also be aware of turtles 🐢 that nest on the beach. Elena on reception a lovely girl nothing to much trouble, and sasha the head barman a proper nice. I wouldn't hesitate recommending this hotel to anyone. Overall my stay with this hotel as been positive.

William Hall-Atkinson

Stavros is a character, you'll hear him before you see him,laughing usually. Sacha behind the bar will remember your order. Rooms are clean modern and spacious. Food varied fresh and sometimes fantastic. Two pools and always sunbeds available, beach 20m away, grounds immaculate. Bus service to Chania stops at the hotel every 30 minutes. Local cats aswell.

Chris Donnay

Just had a fantastic holiday at Maleme Mare Hotel. All the staff are friendly and polite. The manager Stavros is a great guy and very helpful. The food is fantastic, always a good choice and beautifully presented. We enjoyed our week and thoroughly recommend it.

Tim Hiscock

Lovely little hotel with great staff and lovely location. Shops and bars/restaurants nearby but not too close to the busy parts of town so nice and quiet. Good food, pools and right on the beach (over a quiet road). Regular bus service to Chania and other towns from right outside and very cheap. Entertainment is 3 times a week in the evenings and is ok but don't get too excited about the singer (its like vic and bobs guess the tune) you'll find out. Clean and tidy with good facilities, rooms, food and bar. Worth a visit