Anissa Beach Hotel

This hotel offers a serene escape, distinguished by its beautifully landscaped gardens and direct beach access, providing a tranquil oasis for guests. Recurring themes highlight the exceptional friendliness of the staff, the excellent food quality and variety, and the overall cleanliness of the expansive complex. Its spacious layout ensures a quiet and relaxing atmosphere, making it an ideal destination for families seeking engaging activities and child-friendly service, as well as couples desiring a peaceful retreat with quality dining and entertainment. Sightseers will appreciate the bus access, though renting a car is recommended for exploring the wider island. For those primarily seeking relaxation, the ample space and serene environment are highly praised. To enhance your stay, consider exploring the island with a rental car, and be mindful that sun loungers are often reserved early, though space is generally available.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel boasts a spacious complex with beautiful gardens that provide ample room for relaxation and ensure guests never feel crowded. There are multiple swimming pools, including a large outdoor pool and a children's pool, with an indoor heated pool also available, though some noted it was undergoing renovation during early season. Guests appreciate the abundance of sun loungers at both the pools and the beach, making it easy to find a spot, despite a common issue with early morning towel reservations. Free Wi-Fi is accessible throughout the complex, though some found its quality inconsistent. For recreation, the hotel offers well-maintained tennis courts and a mini golf course. A SPA and GYM are also present, with some areas noted to be under renovation. Various bars are conveniently located, and an amphitheater hosts evening entertainment.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests consistently commend the hotel's cleanliness, with rooms receiving daily cleaning and fresh towels provided regularly. While many rooms are described as spacious and comfortable, some guests noted that certain accommodations are older and could benefit from modernization, particularly the dated bathrooms which sometimes feature shower attachments in bathtubs. Issues such as loud air conditioning units, occasional ventilation noise, or minor maintenance needs like peeling silicone were mentioned by a few. Some rooms experienced external noise from deliveries or internal noise from neighboring guests, though overall, the hotel is perceived as quiet. Despite these minor points, the general consensus is that rooms are well-maintained and functional, with many offering pleasant balcony views of the gardens or sea, contributing to a relaxing stay.

Dining & Food Quality
The dining experience at the hotel receives widespread praise, with guests consistently highlighting the excellent food quality and varied buffet options available for all meals. The buffet ensures there is always something for everyone, including a notable selection of desserts and local dishes. Beyond the main restaurant, guests on the all-inclusive package can enjoy complimentary visits to specialty restaurants offering Greek, Italian, and Steakhouse cuisines, enhancing the culinary variety. Freshly made items like pizza and crepes are also available throughout the day. While the overall drinks selection is appreciated, some guests found the soft drinks to be watery or overly sweet. A point of mixed feedback was the service style in the main restaurant, where food is served by staff rather than self-service, which some noted could lead to long queues during peak times.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel boasts an exceptional direct beach access, with a clean sandy beach that features some pebbles, and notably clear water ideal for swimming. Guests appreciate the abundance of sun loungers and towels provided on the beach. Its setting is described as a quiet location, slightly out of the way, which contributes to a peaceful atmosphere away from bustling towns. While this isolation is perfect for relaxation, some guests recommend renting a car for greater flexibility to explore the island. A bus stop is accessible within a 10 to 20-minute walk, offering convenient public transport to nearby cities like Heraklion and historical sites such as Knossos. The tranquil environment combined with accessible transport options makes it suitable for both those seeking a secluded getaway and those wishing to venture out.

Staff & Service
The staff at the hotel consistently receives high praise for their exceptional friendliness and attentive service. Guests frequently highlight their helpfulness and willingness to go the extra mile to ensure a pleasant stay. The team is notably multilingual, with many speaking German, English, and French, which greatly assists international guests. The check-in process is often described as quick and problem-free, setting a positive tone from arrival. Housekeeping is efficient and thorough, maintaining high standards of cleanliness. The restaurant staff are commended for their dynamic and dedicated approach, contributing to an enjoyable dining atmosphere. While the animation staff are seen as fun and engaging without being pushy, some noted a stronger focus on German-speaking guests in their activities. Overall, the commitment to excellent service is a standout feature.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware that while the hotel is well-maintained, it is an older property that undergoes continuous renovations, with some areas like the SPA, GYM, and indoor pool noted as unfinished during early season visits. A recurring point of feedback is the common practice of sunbed reservation by guests, which can make finding available loungers challenging later in the day, despite the hotel's efforts to provide ample space. The all-inclusive package is generally considered excellent value, though it's important to note that some drinks in the specialty restaurants may incur an additional charge. The hotel offers a photo shoot service for souvenirs, but digital copies of photos come at a significant extra cost. For peace of mind, an on-site doctor is available, and past reviews highlighted the hotel's adherence to safety measures, including staff mask-wearing and assisted food service.