Elounda Gulf Villas

Overpriced, simple food selection, no room service at all (although stated on this 5-star hotel’s website)! Our 8-night stay in the 5-star Hotel „Elounda Gulf Villas“ in Crete, Greece, was the most disappointing and stressful vacation experience ever. It started with a different room than booked/confirmed, because it was occupied by other guests. Their so-called „upgrade“ because of the unavailable room, was a clear downgrade for us. We asked them why the „upgrade“, and they said because they are not fully booked and wanted to do us a favour. But we complained and insisted to get our booked/confirmed/pre-paid room and only then they honestly said that someone else got our room. So our first day/night was not relaxing at all. After talking to the manager on the 2nd day and as the other guests checked-out we were luckely able to move into our booked room around 3pm on day 2.  Here is a list of the other issues: - no room-service at all!! - not even a mini-bar in the villa - lunch only till 4pm, then 3 hours break and dinner (simple, small buffet) from 7pm - for lunch they ONLY serve a club-sandwich and a greek salat, AT EVERY SINGLE DAY!! - the breakfast buffet (from 8:30-11:30) offered a solid 3- to 4-stars hotel selection, without á la carte options you typically get in a 5-star hotel - first 5-star hotel we visited in our life without any sparkling wine or champagne at breakfast, no french toast, no eggs benedict, nothing to order besides the breakfast buffet. Also usually 5-star hotels have that certain extra, the little details, but they not even recognized/wished us a Happy Birthday although we augmented our villa with respective decoration - the dinner buffet offered a very small selection of food, nothing á la carte - they forgot to refill our in-room coffee capsules at 2 days (we had to call them twice, after waiting 30 minutes, to get it) - the in-room safe actually is a joke; it was just loose in the wardrobe and you can take it with you; I‘m not kidding  - the prices at the hotel’s Argo Restaurant and Pool Bar for drinks/lunch/dinner are 3x to 5x higher than the prices we experienced in the other close 5-star hotels where we enjoyed awesome food/drinks since we wanted to eat fresh local meat and fish (which seems almost impossible at the Elounda Gulf Villas) - besides the disappointing hotel, you cannot rely on the opening hours of the Elounda‘s supermarkets/minimarkets and it took us 1 hour from hotel to the next open minimarket and back to buy some food and drinks - basically we were trapped in a never-seen „vacation“-situation with more distress than at work. We had to complain 8 times in the first 3 days and then got sick of complaining and went out to the handful of other 5-star hotels (that are in walking distance) to eat & drink.  - It was not worth the money and I personally suffered due to the very limited healthy food options at our hotel. - our 9th complaint was actually on the final day since we asked to pickup our 4 heavy pieces of luggage from our villa for check-out…but guess what…no one appeared……defintely not a 5-star experience… Of course we will never stay there again.  But we would also like to share our highlights at the 5-star Elounda Gulf Villas Hotel:  1) the very friendly staff 2) our booked/confirmed villa with private pool and a fantastic view across the bay (which we finally got after complaining about the downgrade to a „tree“-view villa with less (attractive) furniture, less gym devices, etc.) 3) their self-baked bread for breakfast

We just finished a week stay with my pregnant wife and 2.5 year old daughter. As with any holiday with a toddler there are inevitably ups and downs and the EGV team couldn’t have been more considerate, helpful and caring. The chef made delicious off menu pasta and omelettes for our daughter and Athina was incredibly sweet and sensitive at the kids club, doing painting and Easter crafts. George made superb cocktails and mocktails for us and some fresh strawberries for our daughter and Constantinos and the restaurant team couldn’t have been more supportive. Maria and the front desk team were lovely and had lots of very helpful advice and we didn’t have any of the additional charges that other guests have spoken of with the previous management. The lovely warm pool with our room was at no extra charge and the views from it were spectacular. I’d also recommend the beautiful trail walk around the opposite peninsula - Spinalogkas. It’s totally unspoiled and has such a magical feel to it. We had a great trip and would come back again.

We went on a 10 day break - our first holiday with no children since our honeymoon 32 years ago! And what a place to go. From the minute you arrive the welcome is warm from the lovely staff on Reception. We spoke to Maria on arrival, who along with the rest of the front of house staff were excellent. Nothing too much trouble. Little touches with mattered - for example we had one of the ladies who service the room leave some towels on our bed in the shape of a heart with some flowers. Lovely touch. The properties are amazing, beautifully done out, we had a kitchen, fridge, washing machine and fridge freezer, a large sofa, big TV which we logged into our Netflix and Amazon accounts, and a dining room table. Outside a beautiful view - sun beds, and outside dining too. A lovely infinity pool, jacuzzi, sauna, and mini-gym with stunning views. The weather was beautiful, around 25 degrees C and clear blue skies. The only thing I would say is for someone like me with poor circulation the pool was a tad chilly, we plumped for it to be heated the last few days, but it was an extra 90 Euros a day. But worth it. Then there is the breakfast - you won't be disappointed, there is so much choice, English, Continental, Greek plus so much more. Salmon for breakfast every day! And the coffee is amazing, even decaffeinated for me. There was even Prosecco every other day! The staff. First class. Not only in their service, but the way they engage with you and turn eating a meal into an event. Wonderful people, Sofia and her team, I can't name them all, or remember all their names, but Manolis (and his sister!), Vitalis and Michalis, the young guy with them (I forgot your name!) as well as the guy on the bar (sorry forgot your name!) were a credit and a joy to spend time with, all of them. To all of you, thank you for making our holiday even more special! Be prepared on a Thursday night after dinner for some traditional Greek dancing, you have to join in, followed by a jump in the pool fully clothed with Vitalis. He will persuade you! Well, my wife, not me! Σας ευχαριστώ όλους. Neil and Teresa.

What a great hotel, we had the most perfect holiday. From the moment of arrival when you are warmly greeted (at 11pm) with a cold refreshing drink to check out 7 days later the staff could not have been better. The suite was just lovely the bed was super comfy and the bathroom had all you needed and more. Breakfast was an amazing choice and the orange juice was freshly squeezed. The beach club was the most relaxing beach I've ever experienced so peaceful and George could not have been anymore attentive, fresh beach towels and mineral water on ice provided the moment you arrived.

Heaven on earth! This place is very very special. We booked last minute and got a fabulous offer which included a private airport transfer and half board. We were met by someone to help us with our luggage, then a very nice car was waiting to take us to the hotel. Upon arrival we had a delicious lemon drink to welcome us, and the lovely ladies at reception were incredibly helpful and friendly. Our room had its own pool, which was just stunning!! I was pinching myself when I saw the breathtaking views. But also, we had so many small home comforts, quality sunbed loungers, towels for the pool, a very comfortable bed (very important) and daily housekeeping that were so attentive (we had little flowers left everywhere in the room one day) The hotel staff cannot do enough to help, we had some dietary issues and they took great care to ensure that my husband had anything he needed. Breakfast was so amazing we had all kinds of eggs, smoked salmon, Greek pastries, (mini donuts to die for and the Bougatsa cream pastry was incredible) Greek yoghurt, fresh fruit and Prosecco daily. Staff made me lovely lattes too. Dinners by the pool were delicious (the soufflé was outstanding) They also had a Greek buffet night that was good. Thank you to Sophia, Dimitri, George, (both of them!) Janis, Vassilli, Nectaria, Micheal and Manos. The beach staff were equally helpful and it was a great place to go to if we wanted a change of scene. No fighting for sunbeds, or paying for them - just arrive (by a lovely driver in the minivan) and everything was there including bottled water. Big George was there to bring you all you need! Excellent food and drinks too. Tip - Just bring your own beach shoes as there are some rocks on the sea bed. Elounda Gulf is the perfect place to rest, recharge, enjoy the stunning views and beautiful peace and quiet. We will never forget this trip. Thank you so much.