Arina Beach Resort

Just got back from an amazing week at Arina Beach with my best friend. We originally chose this hotel based on the reviews and wow it lived up to expectations.

Location is 10 mins in a taxi from Heraklion airport, we paid 30 euros each way, quick and easy to get a taxi right outside the airport. We didn’t venture outside of the hotel as there was no need, everything you need is on site. Plus there is only a mini supermarket in close proximity outside of the grounds but that didn’t bother us, there is a lovely little mini market on site.

We were given room 1407 on the 4th floor with sea view room and the views are unreal and the sunsets amazing too. The room was spacious, very clean, the beds had a mattress topper, pillows were perfect too, usually I struggle sleeping when I go on holiday but not this time, we had great sleeps. The aircon was superb too. Safe in the wardrobe, iron, also dressing gown and slippers. Big TV but as usual when abroad it’s all foreign channels apart from news and MTV. The lifts were a little small for someone who doesn’t like them but fine when you got used to them. You could always take the stairs.

The food….wow. Breakfast was lovely, as a true Brit, I went for bacon, eggs, beans and toast. They even had Lurpack butter. The pizza at lunch time was class, burgers were super tasty, salad options were vast. Night times had themes, Indian, Local, Italian etc. You can’t go hungry at this hotel. The best food for and all inclusive we’ve had. Also a huge shout out to George who is the manager of the main restaurant, he looked after us, always smiling and friendly, one day we got back to the room and he had arranged a bottle of fizz to our room and also sandwiches on our departure day, what a legend. All waiting on staff were amazing also, they remember your drinks orders too.

The main bar where everyone congregated at night is very nice. You will queue for a drink but nothing that bothered us.

Big shout out to all of the staff there, they work super hard. They were always friendly, alway gave you the time of day, asked how you are. Mirto was our go to bar lady at the main bar at night, she made the best Gin Fizz and Aperol Spitz. Olga at the beach bar made the best Mojitos. Vincent one of the entertainers was lovely and friendly. Cleaning staff cleaned every day and the corridors and rooms smelt exceptional.

We stayed around the main pool during the day, I think this one is salt water, the sun beds were super comfy. There was always some entertaining going on, we did aqua on the days it was on, bingo one afternoon. The beach was lovely too. The hotel is on the flight path to Heraklion airport but that was not an issue, in fact it was amazing to see when coming in to land.

Some of the best entertainment at night too, we loved the lady singer and guy on the electric piano, they were amazing. The Drifters 3.0 were class acts too.

We didn’t see any wasps or mosquitoes so what ever the hotel is doing to combat that, keep doing it. My friend and I usually always get bitten but not this time which was a huge relief, we didn’t see anyone with a bite!

No fault of the hotels but one night we had a power cut for just under 2 hours due to heavy rain, so there was no lights or water to flush toilets etc. People using their torch lights on their phones to see but everyone carried on eating and drinking as best as they could. The only very slight criticism I have is that there was no communication from staff, we were literally in the dark, maybe they didn’t know themselves as it may not be like the updates we get back home on national grid website etc however we did see all staff rallying around to keep us all hydrated and safe.

Overall, this is a top class hotel, don’t hesitate to book, we would definitely like to return one day. We had the best holiday. Thank you Arina Beach.

Was good a Overall. Treatment room was too cold for me.