Royal Heights Resort

Royal Heights Resort is a lovely resort with upscale decor in common areas, though it doesn’t always live up to the expectations of couples and families looking for the advertised five-star service. The lobby is modern and spacious, outfitted with a few funky flower-shaped chairs, large vases, silver and gold pear sculptures, and rich wallpaper. The Cafe Bar is another chic spot with a modern wood bar and funky white stools.; shimmering gray couches are complimented with royal purple in the curtains, pretty accent pillows, and footstools. The hotel is kept spotlessly clean, and guests appreciate the efforts from staff to meet their needs, though there are occasional issues such as lack of heating the indoor pool. The hotel hosts large events in the banquet hall, and the grounds are open to locals from Malia, which sometimes brings a rowdy crowd to the pool. 

Royal Heights Resort is a 40-minute drive east of Heraklion in Crete, just south of the small village of Malia. It's situated on a hill, surrounded by wilderness and with panoramic views over the village and to the sea. The hill makes walking to and from Malia difficult, and it is about a 20-minute walk to the outskirts of the village. The hotel has a shuttle which guests can hire for a ride into town, or other nearby parts of the island. There is also free parking on-site. It is a five-minute drive to the main road in Malia, where markets and restaurants are easily accessible. Malia Palace, an archaeological dig site of Minoan ruins, is a 10-minute drive from the hotel. Crete Golf Club, with its full 18-hole golf course and a fun water park, are a 20-minute drive away. The town of Elounda is a 40-minute drive, where guests can take a boat to the historic and beautiful island of Spinalonga. Heraklion Airport is about 30 minutes away by car.

Suites and villas are well-equipped with lovely decor and enough extras for a relaxing stay. A variety of room options offer different styles of decor, but all have ivory walls and tile floors with colorful accents. In some cases the colors are eye-popping, such as the bright orange, pink, and red bathroom of the Ambassador Villa. In other rooms, more subtle browns and blues create a calming atmosphere, with a few pops of bright green to add interest. All rooms have a stocked kitchen with a full refrigerator and freezer, an oven, kettle, and microwave; fridges are stocked as minibars. Every room has a 32-inch flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, and a free safe. Bathrooms are well-appointed with a whirlpool tub, hairdryer, robe, slippers, and free toiletries. Some guests complain that the beds are harder than typical. Villas are two-story buildings that add a second bathroom and a living area. Each villa has a private pool on the terrace with a couple of sunbeds, and a balcony with an expansive view. 

There are a solid amount of leisure and dining facilities on-site for both couples and families. The pool area is rather large, given the size of the hotel. Sunbeds under umbrellas are spread around the trim grass with ample room between pairs. Palm trees, shrubbery, and flowering vines surround the area. There's also a small wading pool close by. A lovely spa has a variety of massage and beauty treatments, plus a sauna, whirlpool tub, steam bath, and hair salon. A small indoor pool with a few comfortable loungers is also available, though some guests complain that the water is not heated and not comfortable in colder weather. Kids have a lovely indoor play space with supervision. A large, modern gym is fully equipped for weight training and cardio workouts. The main restaurant is a  simple space with a glass wall that looks into the children’s play area, so ambience is lacking. A few rows of tables are set with ivory linen and cloth napkins. Outdoor seating is much more appealing with bright-pink table runners and pink fabric decorating pillars. The view is spectacular, and at night, colored lighting adds a touch of glamour to the space. The free breakfast is an American-style continental buffet and dinner is served table-side from a menu. Guests appreciate the quality of the food, finding little fault but also not raving about it. The restaurant also serves an a la carte lunch, for those who spend the day at the hotel.