Zorbas Village and Aqua Park

Zorbas Village is a three-and-a-half-pearl hotel with a pleasant atmosphere and solid features that attract families and couples. The design throughout is contemporary and pleasant, mostly using neutral tones with a few pops of color. The lobby has terra-cotta tile floors, cream-colored walls featuring some exposed brick, and a modest bar offering a few brightly colored couches inside and wicker chairs with tables on the outdoor patio. The grounds spread away from the lobby into pink and off-white, adobe-style buildings that have an apartment-like feel. Pathways lead between buildings over weedy lawns dotted with palm trees and flowering shrubbery. Most guests tend to spend their days by the main pool or at the sandy beach. Guests appreciate the friendly staff, especially the fun and entertaining animation team. 

The hotel is on the northern coast of Crete, west of Heraklion in the municipality of Hersonissos. There isn’t a lot to do close by, but there are a couple of cafes within a three-minute walk, a car rental shop one minute away, and a travel planner a minute away. A local transport, styled as a train, stops immediately outside the hotel and makes stops in local villages, ending up at Hersonissos Port. For those with a car, there are many restaurants within a 10-minute drive of the hotel. Crete Golf Club is a nice golf course, and one of the few in Greece; it is a 13-minute drive away. The major city of Heraklion is 25 minutes away by car and there guests will find ample restaurants, shops, and museums. Herakion Airport is a 20-minute drive from the hotel, and the port, where many cruise ships arrive, is 25 minutes away. 

The contemporary rooms are pleasant, if a bit underwhelming, outfitted with light-wood floors, cream-colored walls, and a mix of wood and wicker furniture. Blue bedspreads and blue accents in curtains, fabrics, and artwork add visual interest. All rooms have furnished balconies or terraces, some with lovely ocean views. Some rooms also have a private pool. Standard amenities include mini-fridges, coffee- and tea-making facilities, flat-screen TVs, and safes (these require a fee to use). An iron may be requested for free and Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. Beige bathrooms are small and either have showers or shower/tub combos. They have marble countertops with free soap, and wall-mounted hairdryers are provided. Guests generally find rooms to be clean and comfortable. Double rooms are 270 square feet (25 square meters) with a double bed or two twins, and a folding cot can be provided for a third guest. Family rooms are 345 square feet (32 square meters) and can sleep up to four people. 

The main restaurant is a simple affair with plain tile floors, cream-colored walls, and matching wicker chairs. One wall houses a display of local flavors and spices used in cooking. The buffet-style food gets mixed reviews, but guests agree that the salads are particularly good at dinner. An a la carte restaurant serves a late dinner of Mediterranean dishes with some Cretan specialties. It is available six nights a week and all-inclusive guests get one free meal here during their stay. All-inclusive guests may use the lobby and pool bars without extra charge (for allowed drinks) and there’s a late-night disco bar with cocktails for purchase. The outdoor pool has loungers, umbrellas, and lovely views of the ocean, but the area can get crowded, especially when planned activities are taking place. There is a separate, shallow children’s pool with a fountain feature. An indoor pool is heated in cooler parts of the season and a whirlpool is in this some space, though there are no loungers. The sandy beach is across a narrow street, offering free loungers under umbrellas for guests. A simple spa includes a small fitness room with just a few cardio machines and weight benches. The sauna is free with the purchase of a treatment at the spa. The kids’ club includes an indoor space, a playground and adjacent pool with a water feature, and a teen hangout spot with a TV and a couple of computers. Other facilities include shops, a conference room, and facilities for sports such as tennis, soccer, and beach volleyball.