Отдых в сентябре 2013 Vacation in September 2013

This year, we preferred holidays in Greece on the island of Crete to holidays in Turkey. And not only were they not disappointed, but they also saw a tangible difference in a positive direction.
The road to the hotel took less than an hour, arrived at about 10-00 am local time. At the reception, we were met by a Russian-speaking employee and settled into the room within an hour, although the standard check-in time is 14-00. True, the room turned out to be overlooking a steep mountain of red stone. It didn't bother me much, but it was dark. The hotel guide indicated the possibility of checking into a room with a sea view, but for an additional fee of 300 euros.
The room is spacious, comfortable, renovated, with air conditioning, hairdryer, TV and refrigerator (Wi-Fi was also available).

and a DVD player that we didn't use). Cleaning, change of bed linen and towels was done daily, but the refrigerator was not replenished with water. There was a safe in the room for an additional fee of 3 euros per day (however, when paying, the receipt was not issued, the safe was opened by the receptionist upon check-in). BEWARE OF MOSQUITOES, dozens of them fly around the room in the evening and do not let you sleep all night.
The peculiarity of this hotel is the minimum of its own territory, on which are located: the hotel building itself (stepped), two swimming pools, a pool bar, an amphitheater. The rest of the infrastructure is in the main building: the ground floor is a spa, the 1st floor is the main restaurant, the 3rd floor is the main bar, etc. The hotel building is seven-story, there are numerous elevators, including an elevator from the beach to the parking lot and from the parking lot to the reception. The hotel is quiet, the music by the main pool is not loud, all entertainment ends at 11-00 pm, but the rooms have good audibility (the noisy Germans were especially annoying).
I was pleasantly surprised by the delicious and varied food in the main restaurant (buffet): the food is adapted to European and Russian cuisines, there are no peppered or unleavened dishes (as in Turkey). Delicious local drinks (wine, beer). Attentive, friendly staff.
The beach does not belong to the hotel and is located across the road with little traffic, which does not affect the possibility of crossing it. A small beach with small pebbles, a pontoon, sun loungers and umbrellas (paid, costing 1.5 and 2 euros). The entrance to the sea is gentle, but in some places with boulders. Swim slippers are not required, although they are sold at a local shop for 12 euros.
Communication with Russia via the Internet or mobile communications, there is no payphone in the vicinity of the hotel, although cards for them are sold in the hotel store.
Didn't like the animation: a team of four animators acted every day (except for the Greek evening) either as fakirs, or dancers, or comedians, and dismantled poorly rehearsed numbers. Programs with the participation of spectators are practiced.

We repeatedly visited the nearby town of Agios Nikolaos. It has a sandy beach, shopping malls, cafes, Orthodox churches. You can get to the city by taxi provided by the hotel (13 euros one way) or once an hour by local bus (1.6 euros one way).
The tour operator offers a variety of tours: historical and mythological places (40-60 euros per person), horseback riding (70 euros per person), entertainment tours (Greek evening - 72 euros per person), pilgrimages, boat trips (from 50 euros per person). ), jeep safari (145 euros per person), shopping (fur coats from 2000 euros, even from a rabbit), car rental (with a car for 500 euros), etc.
We visited the pilgrimage tour "Journey from Crete to Crete" (135 euros per person) with a stop at the cave of Zeus and the largest plane tree in Crete, were very satisfied. By the way, the ascent and descent to the cave of Zeus can be done on a donkey (10 euros per person up or down, 15 - up and down).
Knowledge of foreign languages ​ ​ is welcome: we met Russian-speaking Greeks.
We recommend the hotel for a family relaxing holiday (but not through the Tez-tour).