We have just returned from a one week holiday at this hotel and wouldn't recommend it.
We had paid extra for a room with a sea-view but the holiday got off to a dismal start as the hotel had no note of this and asked for proof that this indeed was what we had booked! Luckly I was carrying all papers concering the booking, so we eventually allocated a room with sea-view though the room was not ideal. It was on the first floor, at the far end, and overlooked the outdoor snack bar which was extremely noisy in the afternoons with loud music being played continuously - so we could not relax in the room with the window open because of the din outside. The room was very basic and the bathroom was tiny though everything worked well and was spotlessly clean. The dining room was a real headache as the buffet tables were arranged in such a way that it was very difficult to maneuver without bumping into someone or without feeling crowded - a very unpleasant dining experience. The food was quite good, nothing exceptional and cooked items for breakfast were only for the lucky ones! You had to time it just right to get a fried egg, bacon etc., many of the serving dishes remained empty. Food was always luke warm and the plates were cold which didn't help. Having said that, the dining room staff were wonderful. Very effecient, hard working and so friendly, they couldn't do enough to please. They all held that dining room together and without them, |I believe there would be many more complaints. Two waitresses in particular should be commended, one was called Constantina and the other Georgia - they always had a smile and a hello for everyone - the hotel is fortunate to have such great staff as their best PR tool. One of the nice things about the hotel was that one could have meals outside, which made for a pleasant change. The grounds are lovely, comfortable seats to relax in and just a few steps from the beach. Losts of little places to shop and eat in the area. We hired a car for the full week so went exploring every day. We were booked as all inclusive so the hotel provided a picnic lunch which was a nice addition. Gorgeous beaches, our favourite was Stavros beach and harbour on the Akrotiri Peninsula. We covered quite alot of ground; visited two coastlines, the Amari Valley, Chrisoskalitisas, Aptera,Paleohora, Spili. and on an on .... probably did a bit too much driving and didn't relax enough! Loved the town of Hania and we always found a parking place behind the covered market. The harbour is so picturesque, lots of lovely places to have a relaxing drink, tons of restaurants; we ate at a couple, Tamam and Portes, both very good and there's a more basic snack bar on the main street of Chalidon which is aptly called Tasty! Very good gyros and fresh juice drinks, delicious! All in all, a good holiday but unfortunatly would not return to the Santa Marina Beach hotel.

The hotel is rather old, with very small rooms. We paid for a room with the sea view - and it was nice....as the alternative are rooms overlooking the busy street. Food was awful. We actually stopped eating in the hotel after few days although we paid for All Inclusive (AI). Our daughter could not eating anything besides fruits & bread although she is used to eating outside. About fruits - these were available early in the morning, for late sleepers - no chance to get a fruit for breakfast.
You need to pay for the sunbeds at the beach and the beach is dirty with cigarettes, cups and all the stuff that peaple throw around. Still, they never cleaned the beach. The samll pool is on the other side of the road - so we never went there.
On the Greek night event - there was Greek music, the same awful food and grill - which was composed of sausages and burgers. No comment.
It's impossible to get table at a la carte reaturant - which is an option for one dinner if you are AI. They limit the number of guests to 12 and all others can have a table only if they pay for it. The waitress told me if I want to eat for "free" there is no space. If you pay you can book a table.
To sum up - never, ever go there, I am sure Crete and Chania region has many better places to spend your holidays

We stayed in Santa Marina Beach Hotel with family, one small children (2 years old) in mid August 2010. Our room (in the main building) was very clean, the bathroom was very small, the balcony spacious. The view from the room was amazing. The personnel VERY polite and friendly. The beach is clean. The swimming pool is at the other side of the main road (the two parts of the hotel are connected by an underground passage)
Conts: In a 4 star hotel you don’t expect : to pay for the safe in the room (15 Euros/week) , the chair in the beach (2.5 Euros each) , no free wifi - you have to pay 1 euro for 20 minutes for use of a PC , luck of bathrobes and a VERY small bathroom. The water in the beach showers had no enough pressure for a proper shower. A 4star hotel has to offer more.

I really enjoyed my 2-week stay at this hotel. The first week was perfect because there were less guests than in the second. The hotel was roomy and staff gave me as much attention as I needed. As for the second week of stay the service quality stayed almost the same, but I believe that more space for the number of guests that arrived would make the stay there a even bigger pleasure. As I was walking down the beach i think that it was the best looking hotel.The rooms weren't too big (about 20 sq. m. including bathroom) but it was good enough for me. The food was diverse so it wasn't boring to eat at the hotel restaurant daily(for those who are not satisfied with buffet there is a ala carte restaurant in the hotel too and once during your stay you can eat there for free if you have a all-inclusive packet). Last but not the least the beach is really well maintained (blue flag) and quite big. In my opinion this hotel is great for family with teenagers as well as for a couple.