Grecotel Marine Palace & Aqua Park

We went to Crete on the 14th to 24 th September and stayed at Marine Palace. Our room was upgraded and we had a “bungalow” overlooking the pool and sea. Our room was a family room although there was only the two of us so we had a spare room. Very useful. The all inclusive was great with a choice of speciality restaurants. Although they say you can visit these restaurants only once every 7 days if there is availability you can go more often. We went 5 times in 10 days. The main restaurant had a big selection of food but was much busier so we preferred the smaller speciality ones. Fantastic choice of wines to suit every taste. You can also upgrade drinks which we never felt was necessary. The very best thing about Marine Palace is its staff. Ina was always around in the mornings and lunchtimes and always very warm and welcoming. Krysa and her sister Zacharina were lots of fun and so helpful. Zacharina’s friend in the Italian Restaurant looked after us so well. Sorry didn’t get her name. Marina was another fun and friendly girl. The staff in the main bar were fantastic and we never waited long for a drink. Ioanna was super efficient and she could reduce a queue very quickly. I can see her managing an hotel in the next few years. Highly recommend this hotel and would advise people to download the Grecotel app and register before you arrive as this saves so much time at reception. The app also contains lots of useful information and you can even book the speciality restaurants in advance.

Lovely hotel right by the sea. Comfortable rooms, good all inclusive food and drinks. The swimming pools were fantastic - clean with plenty of space (we went in late September). A family orientated hotel - we knew this when we booked and had no issue with it, but bear in mind if you want a quieter place to stay. The exercise classes were great - just 30 minutes, so not too much even on a hot day :) The lady who ran the classes was fantastic - pitching things to a good level. All of the employees were wonderful - a credit to the hotel. Stand out for us was Anna in the Big Blue restaurant near the sea, always greeting us with a welcoming smile. Nadia in the main restaurant was also great. A lovely break in beautiful Crete.

Very nice family hotel. A warm welcome right from the doorstep. Good pools and nice aqua park for 9-11 year old kids. Beach is also very close by and offers nice possibilities for swimming and snorkling. Food was excellent. Special thanks to Eleni!

Amazing place with great food and exceptional service. Equipped gyms, many bar areas with drinks available. Great room service. Many pools available including aquapark. Beautiful views and of course access to the beach. Fully recommend to all!

A holiday perfect for families with children – 85% of our guests are families. So keep in mind that the dining area can sometimes be a bit noisy, and little ones may occasionally be running through the hallways. That was a big plus for me because you don't feel like you're disturbing anyone. (family of 4 and 1 year old kids) LOCATION 4/5 - The hotel is located near a small village, approximately 60 minutes from Heraklion Airport. It’s important to note that there isn’t much in the surrounding area, so you are largely dependent on the hotel facilities. The grounds are extensive, with the aquapark situated on top of a hill, about 450 meters from the sea. The entire route can be navigated without stairs and poses no obstacles. We stayed in Casa Marina, which is at the exact center of the resort, and its location was ideal. The gardens on the premises are beautiful, with soft grass and well-cultivated plants, making it a pleasant place to stay. FOOD main restaurant 5/5 - The food was excellent, with a wide variety ranging from great fresh salads to local specialties, different types of meats, seafood, fresh pizza, and a wide selection of desserts. The quality was very good. The food options for children were perfect. The wine served at dinner was bottled and quite drinkable. RESTAURANT STAFF 4.5/5 - The service in the restaurant was 90% willing, friendly, and accommodating. However, there were occasionally noticeable differences among the individual staff members. POOLS AND AQUAPARK 4.5/5 - There are several smaller pools, well-maintained and with minimal or no chlorine, which is fantastic for small children. The cleanliness of the pools is excellent, and the aquapark is phenomenal for kids, providing ample entertainment for adults as well. The size of the facilities is fully adequate. However, the water temperature of 19 degrees Celsius was rather low. The biggest issue was with the sun beds, which are comfortable but often occupied by towels from early morning, with no one around BEACH 4.5/5 - The water is incredibly clear, with a gentle and gradual entry into the sea, soft sand, and plenty of fish visible just a short distance from the shore, making it fun even with a snorkel. Since the beach is carved into the rock, it’s a smaller area that can get quite crowded, and the number of sunbeds on the beach doesn’t meet the hotel’s capacity. I recommend the beach for swimming and playing, but for reading or relaxing, I’d suggest the pleasant grassy area just a few meters higher, offering a beautiful view of the sea. HOTEL ROOM - 3/5 - The location of Casa Marina was unbeatable, and the size of the family apartment was truly surprising. Although the furnishings were visibly older, the separate beds were comfortable, but the large double bed wasn’t as much—the mattress was older, and you could feel the springs in your back. We did encounter a few technical issues, such as a slightly leaking shower and a drain in the bidet, but these weren’t a ma