Minoa Palace Resort

This was my second stay at Minoa Palace just to make sure that the second would be every bit as good as my first stay. I wasn't disappointed. Your experience starts as soon as you step out of your taxi, and after efficient check in, you are escorted to your room. I booked that same room type overlooking the pool but was delighted when informed that our room was upgraded. I thought a larger room possibly one of the pool side rooms with a plunge pool? Our upgrade was exceptional, living, dining area, huge bedroom with adjoining bathroom with additional shower room and private pool area overlooking the beach. What more could you ask for? A welcoming complementary bottle of wine is an excellent touch as is the invitation once in your stay to an exclusive table service breakfast, a very special treat. Breakfast is close by and extensive with many Greek specialties. The reserved beach area is continually serviced so a cold beer or cocktail is always available. I also used the gym in the main hotel. The hotel is a pleasant walk into Platanias and a taxi to the top of the old town worth the trip. There are bus stops outside the hotel for Chania and further east to Kolymbari or Kissamos both worth a trip. Having experienced 5 star hotels in Dubai and Oman, the Minoa Palace experience is every bit as good if not better.

A long overdue review as we were at Minoa late September-early October. Such a lovely, open and relaxing place to have a holiday. Plenty of space that you can be in different parts of the resort depending what you want to do, several pools, bars and restaurants as well as the beach. Every part of the resort was immaculately cleaned, housekeepers do a fab job, thanks to Maria for keeping our room so clean. The staff made you feel very welcomed and nothing was too much trouble. The choice of food, breakfast, lunch and dinner was plentiful and you never got bored. As the hubby has several food intolerances that have only recently been diagnosed, after talking to the staff, namely guest relations (Alexia and Katin) and then in the restaurant where there is a specialist member of staff (Tzina) who confers with the chefs about your needs, from that point on food was enjoyable and amazing every morning and evening, as we were on half board, however, lunch wasn’t a problem either. All the staff were very accommodating and regularly checked up on my hubby about his intolerances and that he was ok with what they were doing. We were regularly greeted all over the resort by the staff, in particular in the restaurant where conversations were a daily occurrence with Athena and Sofia, and with Katerina on the main and pool bars. The reception staff were always there to help with anything and nothing was too much trouble, especially Andreas. What was nice to see is the managers were ever present and doing the everyday jobs like the staff. Fantastic place and would highly recommend. We will be back! Xx

We stayed at the Minoa Palace, Platanias, 14 to 21 June 2019 travelling as husband and wife. We had a lovely ground floor room overlooking the pool but had the privacy of a hedge. We were in the main block of the hotel where reception is. The room was large, clean and well maintained. Toiletries were provided, Towels and linen were of decent quality. There was a fridge, free safe and wifi. We were half board and found the food to be of excellent quality and variety. We swapped an evening meal for lunch which was lovely when we dined in the restaurant by the beach. There was a mid week BBQ. There was a massive choice of fresh food to suit all tastes. The staff were friendly and helpful. The gardens were beautifully maintained, complete with lizards, butterflies and birds. Rooms at the back of the hotel appeared to be peaceful in lovely surroundings with views of the gardens / allotments. Rooms and pools were also available across the road or over a walkway. This area led to the beach where there were plenty of sunbeds and brollies. Whilst it was hot, there was a breeze on both the beach and at the pool. The beach was pebbly so we purchased some beach shoes from the nearby shop. We had some lovely lunches in the area. We visited Chania twice, which is about 20 minutes on the bus. We went to see the war tunnels, where the views are spectacular. It was a five star experience, other than the poor bar service when we twice attempted to have a drink before returning to our room at bedtime. Only the cocktails on the menu could be made - in the world of the internet, why the bar man could not search for a Brandy Alexander and make a happy customer is beyond me. On the other occasion the service was poor. Perhaps more mature bar staff would resolve these issues. We evidenced occasional entertainment in the evenings but tended to go for a walk after our evening mail and have a couple of drinks in bars. The hotel was well positioned - a few minutes walk to restaurants and bars, which I imagine get busy in peak time. There are supermarkets opposite and just down the road. There are some nice shops, as well as tat souvenir shops. Whilst some tour operators are adults only, there are children in the hotel and the hotel filled up daily with more children. I am not sure this would be for us in July and August as the resort is very family orientated but June was nice. There is a children's pool but some strayed into the big pool! The pool areas were clean with comfortable loungers. There was no problem getting a lounger during our stay. Would we return? Most definitely. See you next June.