We stayed at Elpida in the beginning of September with my husband (we were on our honeymoon). It is a hotel that is a complex of different buildings - which makes it look beautiful. The buildings are surrounded by many plants and flowers. Its not a typical rectangular hotel! Very unique! The hotel is high up on a hill, for us it wasn't a problem. There is a phone in the wall at the bottom of the hill to call staff to help you with your heavy luggage (a car drives down and takes your luggage). There is one pool, but it has a divided part for children where it's not deep. In the hotel there is also a game room (pool table, and another game but I don't remember the name), the fee is 2 euro per game. There are many spots at the hotel where you can sit and talk with friends and have some privacy (this is an advantage especially for evening chats and discussions).

The hotel is located in Istron, a small village about an hour from Heraklion. There are only a few stores, other hotels, 3 car rentals and small villages near Elpida, but that was the beauty. It was so peacefull! And all those olive trees!

The staff is very nice and helpful. We didn't know how to find a church (it wasn't even in google maps) but a man that works at the reception personally called around to find out the information we needed. The manager is also a nice person, who is always eager to help. After each meal a person from the staff clears your plate from the table.

There are 2 computers where you can use the internet (for a small sum). If you have your own laptop that you will have access to the Internet.

The rooms are comfortable, they are cleaned everyday. They give you clean towels every 3 days. Depending on which building you stay in you will have different room arrangements. We had a refrigerator, but not everyone did.

The food was delicious! There are 3 main meals at particular hours. You get to eat on the rooftop and enjoy the view of the sea and mountains. They serve international food as well as their local specialties (mousakka, olives, tzatziki, feta, meat). It;s a smorgasbord. In between you can go to the bar for their local drinks (ouzo, rakki and brandy) as well as cake and ice cream. The drink bar for all inclusive clients is free till 11 pm, after that hour you pay for your drinks, but from what I noticed no one had complaints because during the day you can also visit the drink bar.

There are 2 beaches nearby (silver and golden) where you go on foot about 10-15 minutes along a road, where you pass small stores and souvenir shops.

Just near the hotel there are bus stops so transportation to other nearby cities is no problem. You can also rent a car of your choice for some sightseeing (the hotel has an agreement with a car rental), be we rented a car by ourselves which made the rental a bit cheaper.

The departure hour from your hotel room is 12:00 pm not depending on when you flight is, but they still give you lunch and you still can swim in the pool.

We recommend this hotel! Elpida is a 3 star hotel, but personally, we would give them 4 stars!

We booked this as a very last minute holiday and with a family of five it was very much a case of you take what you get.

I read most of the reviews before my holiday and I have to admit I was worried. When we got there it was fairly late - I have to agree with the reviewers that there was little more than a nodded direction to the room, but to be fair it was midnight and he was the only person on reception. We had to laugh when we were given out remote control for the TV, only to find that there wasn't one in the room. Force of habit I guess.

The room was very dated and basic (see pictures). It was clean in the main areas, but the "kitchen" (1 hot ring, a sink and a fridge) hadn't been cleaned for some time. I can only assume this is because the place is now all inclusive for the majority of guests. The rooms were large enough for Greece, however there were five of us so we had the inevitable z-bed for my 9 yr old. The air-conditioning was pay as you go (€35/week) and only in the main room. That said, when I mentioned my daughters poor nights sleep to the receptionist they had a second mattress and fan put in the room.

The pool was really nice and was cleaned each day by the staff who were fighting a losing battle against ignorant holidaymakers who insisted on eating ice cream and drinking while in the pool. The saving grace here was the plastic glasses issued by the poolside bar, unfortunately those people who confuse all inclusive with excessive drinking were going to the hotel bar and bringing glasses to the poolside for the short time the pool bar was shut so there was a risk there.

The food was pretty mundane - having stayed at a similar hotel the year before we were quite looking forward to Greek food (well we are in Greece, you want chicken nuggets? Stay in Blackpool), sadly the lovely potato side dish we had on day one was soon replaced by chips - depending on who you spoke to this was the fault of the noisier tourists, who probably wanted proper English/Polish food like pasta and chips. Oh well. We consoled ourselves with the fact that the holiday was so cheap we could still have the odd meal out so if the menu didn't look to tempting we went elsewhere.

Getting to the drinks - I agree with most reviews. They were without doubt diluted or reduced alcohol. I'm told this isn't cost cutting - it's because they have learned through painful experience that where there is free alcohol and Norther Europeans there is likely to be trouble. Given the antics of a couple very small and very voluble minorities I can see their reasoning and sympathize with the hotel owner.

All that said, the kids loved it, we met some lovely people and really enjoyed ourselves.

Would I go again, probably not until it's had a face lift and priced the muppets out. But you never know.

arrived at 8 in the morning party of 6 dropped of bottom of steep hill at to drag all luggage up the hill and three flights of stairs shown our rooms which wear past basic balcony and shutter doors all got rotting wood food is terrible at the bar you only get beer which is disguisting or raki or ouso any other sprit you have to pay for. all inclusive is one big joke stale sandwiches for one hour or dry cake every english person we spoke to said that would never go back to HELLPIDA. Cost more money havin to eat and drink out everyday DO NOT GO THERE.

My wife and my two children enjoyed our stay at this hotel. It was a case of having to come here as we did leave it late and all of the other places that we would rather have gone to were fully booked due to the school holidays. It would be our third trip to Crete so the standards had been set and we were, maybe, thinking the worst as the previous two trips were amazing and surely our luck would run out.

However, we were pleasantly surprised and didn't come across any of the problems that we read about which really does beg the question "are reviews worth reading?"

Anyway, if you are still reading this then this hotel is quite a lovely place. In it's time I would bet that this place was rather a "hot" place to come to. The views are utterly amazing, the people friendly and what it lacks in nightlife can be found at the bottom of the driveway in the "Istron taverna" and "Commotions Bar". Both lovely places. There are beautiful beaches to be found within a short walking distance, notably, Voulisma (or Golden) Beach that is truly breathtaking, with clear waters and "to die for" views. Before the entrance to this beach there is a lovely Pool Bar with friendly staff and a lovely fresh water swimming pool. The pool was lovely and cool when we visited and along with the beers in iced glasses and ice cold Coke for the kids, refreshed us before we walked the short distance back.

The hotel surroundings are clean and rustic and the all inclusive drinks are very good. The beer is ice cold and refreshing and the spirits are ample if you like the local stuff as we do. Supermarkets also at the bottom of the drive should you require a chocolate binge for a change.

The only grouch I have is that the food isn't amazing. It is very basic and I wouldn't even call it traditional. As my wife and I commented, "It fed us.......but thats about it" so no Michelin Stars are going to be found here but what do you expect for a 3*.

We would definately come here again but maybe stay as Self Catering as there are enough places along the stretch to eat. Istron has an abundance of Tavernas and an internet cafe so you won't starve if you decide the SC way.

My advice......try it. Well worth it but don't say I didn't warn you about the food. Happy travelling.