Peninsula Resort & Spa

This beautiful, charming hotel appeals to couples and families with its lovely surroundings and solid list of on-site features. It is situated on a rocky peninsula, with buildings stepping down toward the cliff’s edge. While this affords breathtaking views from many areas of the hotel, it also means a lot of walking with hills and stairs. The design of the hotel, inside and out, has an elegant white motif with stone accents. Pale-stone masonry on patios and partial walls, along with terra-cotta roofing, add charm, as do chandeliers, white lanterns, and clusters of plants with colorful flowers. The lobby has a lovely rustic look with stone floors and walls accented by pristine white chair cushions and arched window and doorways. Rooms are a bit more austere, but guests primarily spend their time out by the pools and bars anyway. 

The hotel is on the northern coast of Crete in Agia Pelagia, a small fishing village west of Heraklion. In either direction along the coast, a five-minute walk will bring guests to popular public beaches. Mononaftis Beach, north of the hotel, also has a few taverns offering drinks and meals. The capes offer fantastic snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities. Otherwise, the surrounding area is empty, with a 20-minute walk to the beach road of Agia Pelagia where there’s more restaurants and activity. A public bus to Heraklion stops in front of the hotel infrequently, and there is free parking on-site for those with a car. Knossos, the archaeological dig site of an ancient Minoan Palace, is a 32-minute drive away. Doxa Cave is a 35-minute drive away, with four rooms for spelunking guests to explore. The museums, sites, and shops of Heraklion are a 30-minute drive from the hotel, as is Heraklion Airport.

Design elements vary between the contemporary rooms, but all are primarily white with some touches of color. In standard rooms, white tile floors, stucco walls, bed linens, shelving, and the beds' concrete bases combine to feel a bit monotonous and sterile. Other rooms have colored tile and free-standing beds with a headboard and nightstands, giving them more appeal. All rooms have furnished balconies or terraces, many with stunning views of the water. Also standard are a 32-inch flat-screen TV, mini-fridge, and kettle with tea. Wi-Fi and a safe require fees. Straightforward bathrooms have a shower/tub combo or shower with a plastic curtain and a pedestal sink. A few small shelves offer free soap and shower gel, and a hairdryer is provided. Upgraded rooms offer more space, and some have a separate bedroom with a king-size bed. 

The two main pools -- one seawater and one fresh -- are both large and surrounded by a stone patio with plenty of free sunbeds. The freshwater pool is just outside the main building and has a lovely view to the sea. The saltwater pool is farther away on the tip of the peninsula with a stunning panoramic view, but a longer walk with stairs to access. Each has a wading pool nearby. Ocean access is available from the beach bar, though there is no beach to speak of, only a concrete slab with sunbeds and umbrellas -- for a fee -- and a rusty ladder into the water. It is a small space considering the size of the hotel and the locals that add to the crowd on weekends.

Kids have access to a pool with a couple of short waterslides and a kids’ club with a small, worn playground and activity space. For adults, there’s a lovely spa with massage treatments, a sauna, and heated indoor pool. The animation team organizes activities for all ages, including exercise, dances, kids’ games, and shows, though some guests are turned off by a focus on French clientele. Tennis courts, a game room, and billiards are also available. Wi-Fi is free in public areas of the hotel. 

The buffet restaurant serves all meals for half-board and all-inclusive guests, including an early breakfast for those rising before the sun. Guests generally enjoy the food, but find it repetitive on longer stays. Guests note that only the most basic food and unappealing drinks are free on the all-inclusive plan, and there are better options at a price.