I booked 2 weeks here for our honeymoon, then I saw the reviews, PANIC! I seriously thought about canceling, but I liked the View and location so we went.
WELL what can we say! we were so glad we did, the views were fantastic. The staff were all exceptional. Manolis, Irenee, Chantelle, Tom, George all made us so welcome, so friendly and helpful, nothing was to much trouble. The rooms were tipically greek and very clean. The food was varied and very good and there was always a wide selction to choose from, there was also a good selection of drinks. The pool area was always clean and tidy. The hotel is a little way out from the local towns so a car is a good idea, but the taxi's are both cheap and very efficient approx 7 euro's. We were so sorry to leave at the end of our 2 weeks stay. We can honestly say we enjoyed our stay, and I'm sure if you go you will not be disapointed

Brilliant.....For the money we paid for our holiday we were overjoyed
with what we got plus the location is absolutely beautiful. The staff were so friendly and helpful. We had a lovely typical greek apartment with terrace and yet again more stunning views. We hired a car & were very glad we did as the hotel is that bit too far away to walk into town plus we were able to discover gorgeous quiet beaches/
tavernas near by. The food was surprisingly good after I had read some bad reviews before going. Definitely not suitable for wheelchairs, as there are loads of stairs! If you have booked a holiday here you wont be dissapointed. One last thing to mention, In Greece they have their own hotel Star *** system and it is not the same as in the uk!!

For anyone who has booked to stay at the Hera Village in 2007, you have booked a real treat!

We stayed for a week there in may 2007, and we have had a fantastic time.

From the moment we arrived in reception, to the staff who saw us back on the coach, it really was a wonderful experience.

The first thing that hits you when you arrive is the view, I know we have all seen photo's of it on the internet, but being there and seeing it is just something else, coupled to the fact that the restaurant has the same view as you sit and eat, makes dining a very pleasureable experience.

Myself and my wife both enjoyed all the food that was put in front of us, and considering she can be a fussy eater, thats praise within itself. The food was always fresh, not too repetitive, and was always very tasty.

Our room was fine, certainly been in a lot worse, and was very clean.

The all inclusive drinks are pretty much ok, again, I have been served a lot worse at other all inc hotels.

But, I have to say it was the staff who helped make our holiday.

Every single one of them is a credit to the hotel, and if you let them, they will help you have a fantastic time here

So if you have booked here, don't be afraid, Its Fab!!

Steve Williams (South Wales)

Well how can I start? I can see there has been a lot of bad feedback about the hotel, and most of it is justified.. But its really not as bad as it sounds if youre willing to go out of your way to have a good time... Although this wont involve being in or around the hotel...

As a lot of others have said, the best way is to treat this hotel like a B&B.. Take time to travel around Crete as the people there are really lovely.. Both Agios Nikalaos and Elounda were both great places to visit, with extremely welcoming people (Especially good with the young children) - If you want to go to a sandy beach, make your way to Agios Nikalaos as thats the only one we could find.. Quite a few stone beaches but only 1 sandy one, and no beach at all at the hotel.. So dont expect one.

Food was ok.. I found it alright anyway and my partner and daughter both found it ok too.. There is always enough to go around and the selection is not bad.. Could be better but the price for the holiday wasnt over the top anyway so we wasnt 'ripped off'. As everybody else has mentioned 'Ray' the Restaurant manager really is a great guy.. Take time to say hello to him and be nice, and he will make your meal times a hell of a lot entertaining and enjoyable.

The drinks I was really not impressed with. The Beer was not bad (But dont expect to get drunk on it.. I drank beer the whole of the day and was stone cold sober... Not even a little tipsy). All of the mixers were horrible.. Couldnt stand the Vodka or any other spirits, I guess the Vodka was drinkeable with orange but I preferred to just stick to the beer.

There was a mini-mart on site, which was ok for necessities, but I would not recommend shopping there n a daily basis as it is a hell of a lot more expensive than in the city centres.. Well worth getting a taxi to the centre, enjoying a day out and picking up some shopping before making your way back to the hotel - Would recommend this to anybody (Also dont exchange your money in the mini-mart on site as its a very bad exchange range compared to the centre).

The pool was definitely not olympic size, but big enough - It was saltwater, and very deep at one end (12+ foot). Kiddy pool was not bad for the small ones I suppose, but was no kids pool entertainment as advertised.

Childrens entertainment consisted of a large plasma screen tv in the lounge area indoors which played a dvd each night. Other than that there was 1 pool table and 1 computer with internet access which you had to pay for.. Some enterainment at night in the main bar but AI drinks only server til 11..

All I can say really is, to make the most of your holiday I would suggest spending a couple of days around the hotel first to check everything out and so you make the most of your money, then spend the rest of your holiday travelling into Agios Nikolaos and Ellounda.. This will really improve your holiday as they are both beautiful and very enjoyable places (If you rent a car be careful as the Greek drivers are very impatient, arrogant and rude - I would suggest getting a taxi - All taxis are luxurious mercedes benz with great air conditioning for 7 euros each way).

Wouldnt go back but I enjoyed it when I was there as made the most of it instead of sitting around whinging about everything that was bad...