Chose the hotel for a long time and carefully, because traveling with two kids (6 years and 1.5 years), and were very satisfied. To avoid repeating previous reviews say that the hotel was surprisingly easy it is for our version of the holiday. The beach is sandy and very close to the sea clear and warm (although a couple of days were a wave, then brings all the vegetation), set in the water is good, no sneakers do not need to buy, this is especially important kiddies. They write that there is a pebble, but it's actually less than a meter wide fine mild pebbles along the shore, which, again, the kids liked to play. The territory of well-groomed and blooming in the lobby - fresh roses. Heat is normally due to the breeze from the sea. On the beach and pool are toilets, showers, changing rooms - very comfortable, too. Beach towels every day if I was.

Food excellent, it was always possible to feed all, for the youngest in the morning was oatmeal, but at dinner there is a dietary meal, such as for those who lose weight (for example, boiled beef with vegetables) - that it fits perfectly in children's diet and even the soup too delicious. Beautiful and various desserts and fruit (so that if a child suddenly does not want to eat - you can feed a pudding or cake). For the rest all the time never had a problem with a table, in fact - we always sat at the same table, but came at different times. The soiled dishes are cleaned immediately. Staff is excellent, all friendly and customized for adults and children. In the evening the bar for free drinks (including non-native), cocktails, although they have little alcohol, and ice a lot, but still nice, champagne, brandy, in general, quite convenient to put the kids to bed and go down to drink at the cocktail to the sound of waves - a little joy of parenthood.

Really liked the animation, however, opportunities pouchavstvovat my husband and I almost was not, but went to aqua aerobics on a regular basis - is very positive, good evening presentation, plus a children's disco - our daughter loved it. There is a mini-club, there may be a couple of hours to keep children older than 4 years old daughter also went with gusto.

Disadvantages of the hotel three (and we are in no way overshadowed the rest): 1 - beds on the lawn of hours necessary to take up to eight, but if it's somewhere at a certain place you want to lie at nine - what is left, and later - will have to scour the lawn in search of a solitary lounger and drag him under a palm tree, umbrella, because it is unlikely syschetsya), but our kids got up early, so we had no problems, 2 - Skaleta this village - quiet miserable hole with three mini-shops (in that sell the same thing as a shop in the hotel, and at the same price), we kind of went after dinner with a stroller and realized that nothing - to walk in this village have nowhere and no reason, and 3 - the hotel is a little poiznosilsya is evident from the flaky cranes, and the cracks in the tile pool, but we started to travel as a student with a "dead" Turkish "treshek" so special perfectionism are no different, as long as it was pure.

This hotel is recommended for those who want to rest easy - there are for this condition. We love to go every time to a new location, but if you run out of spas and will go to the second round, then it is possible that back in Creta Star - great hotel

What can I say except fantastic staff great entertainment really wonderfully food and hot weather . The only cons could be slightly remote location and no air con after early September. Overall we loved it and once again the staff were so kind to us!

The Creta Star is a great place to stay if you want lots of sun and to relax and enjoy the facilities. The rooms are spotless and cleaned every day. The restaurants offer a great choice of food, including diet foods, and there were never any queues despite the hotel being failry full. Of course some of our european friends just had to get in front or get the most food possible on a plate however it didnt bother me.
The grounds are well manicured and managed and the outside area is a clean as the inside. There is an area in the garden near the towel kiosk where there is a distinct smell of mothballs but I think it comes from some plant. Pools is salt water but immaculate and cleaned frequently. There is an indooor pool if you prefer.
The beach is okay. I'm not a sand person but take care as its a bit rocky on the way into the water so wear shoes. If you walk a bit further along ( usually where everyone seems to be in the water, you can find a way in without the rocky bits.
Not much to do outside the resort. Get the local bus into Rethmyno. Only takes about 30 mins. But ticket from the wee supermarket outside the hotel and to the right. 1.5 euro to go in and the same back. No return tickets. Get the bus to the station. Its an easy place to remember for the journey back.
Animation were very good and work very hard without being in your face. Give them a chance. The usual day time activites for adults and children and something on every night.
All in all a great place which I have no hesitiation in recommending.

OK, start with a couple of negatives. Yes, it can smell a bit around the pool in the late evening, but that's not unusual for Greece of course - and you can sit in the outside bar area if you don't like the smell (didn't really bother any of us to be honest). And the hotel is about 8 km from the main Rethymnon town, but had bus stop outside - however, for us there was enough going on in the hotel itself and a few beach bars locally so this does not need to be an issue. Onto the positives; We travelled with another family with seven kids (10 to 18) between us and they all had a great time, and the hotel played a very big part in this. This of course meant the adults had a good holiday as well. So here's my run down:
ROOMS: Basic but very clean - clean daily, fresh towels. Basic air con facility but had fridge, TV etc. Can't really complain - it's 3+ Star in my mind, but very comfortable and spoltessly maintianed.
FOOD: Very good - great choice, lots of very nice local dishes as well as freshly prepared international standards. Great presentation, minimal or no queues, replenished promptly and varied daily. We all loved the food. Absolutely no complains.
DRINKS: Great bar, unlimited soft drinks, inclusive cocktails of the day, serve yourself Mythos lager on tap. Hard to beat.
ENTERTAINMENT: Friendly animation team, tried very hard - we didn't see many of their shows but we joined in with activities such as boules, table tennis, etc - which we all enjoyed. The animation team made a big effort but were not too 'over the top'.
CLIENTELE: Good variety - not too many Brits! German, Belgian, Dutch, French, Eastern European mix - all nice and friendly whilst we were there.
POOL/BEACH: Pool was salt water but not an issue for any of us - it wasn't like there was scampi swimming about in it, it was filtered and very clean. Chlorine pool undercover next to bar as well. Sun loungers were relatively scarce though - lots of ridiculously early 'towels on bed' reservation going on. But that's not unique to the Creta Star though. Any we always managed to get some beds if we were down for 09:00.
Beach beds were €3.50 each, which I did not think was a rip off but should be part of the all-inclusive deal I think.
LOCATION: Good central location - we visited Imbros Gorge, some lovely Beaches, Spinalonga Island, a fantastic lake and Rethymnon (which was a clean, cosmpolitan town with good shopping and bars/cafes around a marina). About 1 hour drive from airport (1.25 hours by shuttle bus).
VALUE: I think very good value given the cost, cleanliness, facilities, helpful and friendly and fantastic/plentiful food. Hard too beat at this price and star rating I think.