Iberostar Creta Marine

After a disappointing start of our holiday in Crete at a different hotel, we switched to the Iberostar Selection Creta Marine, which saved our holiday and ensured we had an incredible experience. We stayed in a Waterfront Bungalow on an All Inclusive basis.

The staff are all incredibly friendly and welcoming, and the service provided is outstanding - you are truly taken care of from the minute you walk in the door.

The food was absolutely amazing - both the quality of the meals and the variety of different foods available. With some themed nights and a mix of local and internally dishes, there is something for everyone. I am vegetarian and never ever struggled to eat at this hotel. It's also the first hotel we've been to where it really doesn't matter what time you go to the buffet during lunch and dinner service, as all the food is kept piping hot and replenished quickly. We also ate at the snack bar, which again the food was delicious and fresh.

The selection of cocktails and drinks available was also impressive, and all the drinks were delicious - I particularly enjoyed the Limoncello Spritz and the Iberostar cocktail.

We used the spa facilities and booked the Black Lava facial. The whole spa experience was incredible and the spa staff make sure you feel at ease and relaxed.

We also had some photos taken with the onsite photographer. We ended up doing a 20-minute photoshoot session, and he was amazing and really took time to work with us and make us feel comfortable - and we got the best holiday photos ever!

There is a theater which is shared between this hotel and the neighbouring sister hotel which put on shows every evening. We watched a few, and even for us as adults, we really enjoyed them - the dancers were great and the comedy sections were hilarious. Back at the Creta Marine, they also had live entertainment in the Lobby bar in the evenings, including singing and dancing. Our favourite was the Cretan dancing, where they got everyone up and involved and it was so much fun!

Our room was incredible, and being down by the waterfront and away from the main hotel, it was very peaceful and quiet. The rooms and the entire grounds of the hotel are kept meticulously clean and tidy.

This hotel was by far the best we have ever been to and provides extremely good value for money - and because of that we will definitely be returning soon.

A fabulous hotel in a lovely location, perfect balance of luxury and family. Traveling with my 3 1/2 year old and wanting to celebrate my 30th with my husband, it would be fair to say I had done my research! So if you're a mum wondering to book, keep reading....

Firstly, we arrived with a warm welcome. The room was ready just after arrival, and we had a refreshing drink offered. I booked a Full Sea View Bungalow (room 743) My son slept on a sofa bed which was comfy and ideal. We had a beautiful view of the cove/bay.

We spent most of our time around the main pool (salt water - but wasn't an issue) relaxing but entertaining and good for people watching 😅 It had a shallow end ideal for my son and other families, aswell as a swim up bar. There is also two other pools around the resort, which felt more quiet and more adults. There was also a children's pool with slide and water umbrella which was ideal and close to the big pool.

We had two al a carte meals included, we chose Thalassa and Vegara. Both lovely. The rest of the meals were in the main buffet - all inclusive- they did mix it up - some would say a little repetitive but that's what you expect at all inclusive! The food was lovely on the whole, the only place I thought needed improvement was the food truck on the beach.

My only complaint is that no ice cream/ice lollies is available round the pool ( in a cone). I appreciate you can have a bowl at the restaurant, but it's not the same!! Surely not too much to ask 😅

The grounds were beautiful and clean. Absolutely love the planting scheme!!

Kids club was too old for my son but we didn't need it.

Bonus is you can use the waterpark of the neighboring hotel, my son loved the ones he was allowed on! The entertainment was also next to this with great kids shows... starkie and Stella and later shows which were great when we went - especially the acrobatic show!

Take the little land train to nearby village for a rustic, charming change. We also caught the bus to Rethymno.

A brilliant stay, great value and we would reccomended to others and I am sure we will back!

Currently look at other Iberostars for February.

Experience exceeded our expectations, amazing service from both Vasilis and Sylvia. Highly recommend both of them!