Iberostar Creta Panorama & Mare

IBEROSTAR Creta Panorama & Mare offers an upscale, all-inclusive option for families and couples wanting a beachfront vacation in Crete. The hotel sits on over serven acres of lovely green gardens filled with beautiful trees and flowers that accent the great ocean views from many rooms and public spaces on the property. This is a large resort and its often full, which means crowded areas, especially at the pool where guests vie for loungers throughout the day. Night and day entertainment and children visiting with families can sometimes make for bothersome noise, but most guests say the hotel maintains a relatively respectable noise level. As for the inside, decor is mostly stylish; the lobby has glossy white marble floors and an impressive glass chandelier. However, the cozy tan couches and armchairs are a slight step below what’s thought to be upscale. The same can be said for the wooden chairs with green padding in the buffet restaurant -- they could use replacing. Yet, this is a good choice for those who want quick access (at relatively low rates) to the lovely blue waters of the Aegean Sea. 

The hotel’s location has some positive and negative aspects, depending on the type of traveler. For those who don’t want to leave the property, it’s a perfect location as there’s direct access to two different beach coves and boat docks. Beyond the beach, however, the area is lacking in things to see, do, or eat. Panormos is the closest city at a six-minute drive (or almost an hour's walk) away, for dining options and shopping. A 13-minute drive west of the hotel takes travelers toward Skaleta Beach which has some restaurants and shops, too. A trip to the Melidoni Cave takes 21 minutes to reach by car. The Heraklion Airport is about a 55-minute drive away. 

As a hotel that touts itself as a luxury property, the rooms are a real let-down at IBEROSTAR Creta Panorama & Mare. Awash in soft white and blue colors, the rooms evoke a subtle beach-y vibe, and yet that doesn’t excuse the fact that it’s a clearly dated design style. The tan-tiled floors are as simple in design as the wooden furniture and dated wall lamps. Many rooms have old-fashioned Greek antiquity-style artwork but it looks a bit hodgepodge in nature. Rooms include flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, kettles, air-conditioning, and mini-fridges. Safes do cost a fee which is a bit of a drawback, and air-conditioning isn’t controllable by guests 24/7 year-round. The balconies, especially those with ocean views, are a great addition. The bathrooms could use an update but offer shower/tub combos, toiletries, and hairdryers. 

The hotel offers an extensive list of features to satisfy vacationing couples and family who want a diverse mix of leisure and active activities. There are six outdoor swimming pools that include a children’s pool, all of which are serviced by three outdoor pool bars. Unfortunately, sun beds are sometimes hard to come by as some guests don’t always follow the rules and “save” them with towels. The three restaurants are mostly buffet-inspired with Mediterranean and international dishes provided for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Full- and half-board options are available and are convenient, as there are few restaurants in the area. Fitness features include outdoor activities like basketball or tennis, or inside in the hotel’s gym (though it’s not of the highest quality). Guests can relax in the hotel’s spa which houses a sauna and a hot tub, and offers massages and beauty treatments. Kids are welcomed here with kids’ clubs split among different ages, plus an outdoor playground. The animation team provides entertainment throughout the day and into the evening. Wi-Fi is free throughout.