We booked a 13 Day Greek Islander w/Crete through Gate 1 Travel. We were very pleased with Gate 1 Travel for their thoroughness and their reps that met us for our transfers, etc. We opted for the Plan B hotels and while our hotels in Mykonos,Santorini, Athens were very good, the Marina Beach in Crete (Heraklion), was not a 4+ star hotel in our opinion. My husband and I plus another couple were very unhappy with the rooms. The beds were very very low and extremely hard. The rooms were shabby and old, in need of paint and new bedspreads. Patio furniture was very old. While we were told we would have an ocean view, we did not. Front desk people were uncooperative and had an attitude of indifference. One day our room was still undone at 5:30 pm and we had to call the front desk to have it straightened. Several areas on the grounds needed extra lighting.

We booked all our tours through Gate 1 but noticed that in one of the hotels we could have booked the same tour for a lot less.

R. Moreno, Pahrump, NV

This hotel is situated in the small tourist town of Gouves. It caters to the all inclusive beach vacationers from Europe. There are actually 2 plans available, all inclusive or half board. You need to ensure which one you are on as many features are excluded on the half board and it is extremely expensive to upgrade on the spot. For example, the water at the hotel is undrinkable. The hotel sells bottled water at about a 10x mark up. You cannot bring your own water to the dining room and drinking water is not provided. So on the half board plan you MUST pay 10x the going rate to have water with your meal.

As with other hotels of this type, during the busy season all beach chairs and pool loungers are claimed by about 8am.

We had notified the hotel months in advance that we were travelling with children and requested adjoining rooms. We were not told until we arrived that they don't have adjoining rooms. The kids were put about 10 doors down the hall from us, which did not work well. Management was blunt and unhelpful about the situation.

There are many nice and affordable restaurants close to the hotel. Our favorite was Zorba's which has beautiful tables within a few feet of the water and a fantastic sunset. Staff are over the top friendly and accomodating.

the marina beach hotel is the worst place we have stayed, the first room we were given the shower leaked and flooded the floor I went to complain and was treated as though I was something they had stood in, but a nice lady in reception offered us another room the next day. Also when I went for a shower before dinner there was no towels I went back to reception and again was greeted rudley. We were given a much better room the next day with a sea view which cheered us up, however there was nothing for the Brits? Thank goodness we hired a car as we did not wish to be stuck in this awful place. The food was disgusting even though we were all inclusive we ate out I ordered a packed lunch for our days out and they went in the bin, It says in the the broucher there is snacks available all day all there is, is ham and cheese sandwiches which are awful.Crete is a beautiful island I would not recomend that anyone stay at this hotel.

I have stayed at the Marina Hotel now 5 times and absolutely love the place. Each time I go I love it even more. The all inclusive package is value for money. It is definitely a proper all inclusive with all meals, drinks (including water) and snacks part of the package. Sunbeds on the beach and by the pool are also part of the package. In the dining room if you ask for a red and a white wine they will bring you a bottle of each. The staff at the hotel are lovely and helpful. The bar is still all inclusive up to 1 a.m. instead of the usual 11 p.m. The hotel is spotlessly clean, rooms cleaned every day and towels changed every day. The Marina hotel is undergoing refurbishment but not during the summer. Both of the hotel blocks have been refurbished in the last 2 years as has the poolside bar at the main pool, the outdoor restaurant, reception and bar. I believe that the bungalows are next in line for refurbishment. The waiters have a fantastic sense of humour and have become our friends. The Italian animation team are really good fun - do some silly things but are a good laugh. I will go back again and again. The town of Gouves is about a 10 minute walk away. The first thing you see as you walk up the street towards the town is the Irish bar which is a brilliant place to visit. George the owner is a lovely man and goes out of his way to please. There is a brilliant chinese at the top of the stretch - very reasonable and well worth a visit. The main town isn't very big compared to some resorts and is full mainly of bars and gift shops. It is much cheaper in Gouves than Stalis or Hersonnisos.