We arrived in Crete to rain which quickly developed into a violent thunderstorm which made our journey from the airport to the hotel rather adventurous as we travelled down some very steep windy roads in poor visibility.
Our hotel in Crete was the Grand Leoniki and Leoniki Residence, in Platenes, just outside of Rethymno in the Prefecture of Rethymno. We arrived at about 7.30pm and were greeted by very friendly reception staff that helped us with our cases from the shuttle bus up the steps to the welcoming foyer where we booked in. I was promptly given a beautiful single rose as a present. We were RCI guests and had Platinum membership so our one bedroom apartment was upgraded to a two bed two bathroom apartment the next day.
We were encouraged to purchase a half board package which included two entertainment evenings and also breakfast and evening meals. We were taken to the taverna where we saw the wonderful display of salads, bread and fruit and then in another area the hot meals were set out beautifully in heated tureens and other hot food could be cooked for you whilst you waited. The desert station with the ice creams and mouth watering puddings was very tantalizing and extensive. I have also never tasted such wonderful Greek Yogurt.

Breakfasts were amazing with once again a huge selection of breads, cold foods, cereals, continental type cold meats and also on the hot counter selections of mushrooms, bacon, fried eggs, poached eggs and omelettes all prepared freshly for you by very friendly chefs who were only too pleased to prepare your food to your exact preference. By the end of the first day we knew we were going to have trouble keeping our weight down as everything looked so appetising and deserving of sampling!

The hotel was set out well with apartments set around the pools and surrounded by very well-manicured local flora and fauna. DVD’s and books could be borrowed from the Club house.
The health and Spa centre was situated in the Grand Leoniki which both hotels shared. The Spa area had a heated pool, saunas, steam rooms and a Jacuzzi and where massage and every type of health and beauty treatment were on offer. There was also a squash court and gymnasium and was very well laid out over two floors. The staff in the Spa area were superb and made you feel very ,so each day I visited the complex to use the Jacuzzi .

The hotel was about three minutes from the sea front were there were sun chairs and parasols a plenty and a nice beach bar, open late into the season in October. The hotel was also central to a lot of local restaurants of all different types and cafés and mini markets and gift shops so it has plenty to occupy oneself with if you wanted to leave the hotel complex.
Although the weather was disappointing (the worst they had for October in 25years) whilst we were there for two weeks, the hotel wasn’t disappointing. Our apartment was spacious and well-appointed and the maid service was good and friendly.

The hotel manager Mr Yannis Zoulakis led a team who went out of their way to spoil you and cater to your every need. They were also eager to take on good ideas or suggestions that you made in relation to running the hotel which we thought was excellent because it showed they valued their clients opinions. We were really sad to say goodbye to the restaurant manager, chefs, waiters and waitresses who managed to make us feel very special.

This hotel is very family friendly and is well worth a stay, it is clean and intimate and well located on the island for day trips and excursions. We would recommend it to those who visit Crete.