Grammatikakis Beach Hotel

My friend and I have just come back from a week’s holiday in Malia, we stayed in the Gramatikakis Hotel. I noticed from your reviews that you haven't got any up-to-date reviews so here is ours:
We were very shocked at the condition of the room we were expected to stay in. we arrived at 5(ish) in the morning and therefore had to stay the night in the room which was very dirty with hairs in the plug hole of the sink and even more in the shower. The mattresses did not fit the beds properly so you could see all the dust at the side of the slats. The curtains were torn right down the middle with great big stains on them.
We couldn't believe that a company as good as Thomson's would associate themselves with such a grubby tatty hotel. The next morning we told the rep that was very good and got us moved that day to a small apartment block apparently owned by the hotel owner which was on the same site.
We moved in the afternoon, the apartment was a bit better but still had the hairs in the shower cubicle. it was very basic and not too clean but at least we had a fridge (that also needed cleaning) .
On a brighter note the Hotel staff were very nice but the continental breakfast only consisted of 2 pieces of toast, 1 jam 1 butter, a small cup of tea and a small glass of orange oh! and a small piece of Madeira cake. We were very disappointed with the accommodation and realise that it is mostly aimed at the younger holidaymaker but Thomson's should realise that their young customers are also entitled to cleanliness and comfort.
The Holiday itself was really good apart from getting harassed by all the PR's. We spent a lot of time in Molly Malone's bar, met some great girls from London, and had some really nice meals out. One place we would definitely recommend is the Brassiere just by the crossroads. The meals in the George and Dragon were also nice.
The plane journey to Crete was great, we had our own TV screen in the back of the seat in front with a choice of films and games (millionaire etc) we had the same plane on the return journey but the TV system was down but it was still very comfortable.
On the whole we had a great Holiday but we think Thomson's should go in and take a look around the rooms as we would not even give it 1 star status.
Kate and Brenda.

When we first arrived we looked at the rooms and thought oh my god these are bad, but who cares we were in them for ten minutes on an evening and however many hours we decided to sleep which wasn't a lot! Other than that the staff were fantastic with us and we were a rowdy bunch of ten, they still joined in the banter and served beer 24/7 which was great. Also the location couldn't have been any better, on the beach for the daytime and at the start of the strip on an evening. Anyone who went to this place without enjoying themselves ought to book a trip to Bognor Regis next time.

Myself and six other lads visited Malia July 1 - 8th 2007. After reading many of the awful reviews on the internet we were dreading the stay at the hotel - however, it turned out to be the best part!
The reviews have been very harsh here.
The hotel is cheap and offers all the services a normal hotel would, but has the added benefits of being on the beach AND and bar that only closes for three hours a day (between midnight and 3am, although it was often opened earlier).
To be fair, yes, the rooms are very basic. There is no air conditioning or fridge, however, a fan can be obtained for free from the reception and, being on the coast, there is always a pleasant breeze blowing through.
The rooms were clean as was the bedding and during my week-long stay, were cleaned twice by cleaners who did not help themselves to the money, phones and ipods we left lying around.
The bathroom was a bit rubbish though, the shower did not pin to the wall and the size of the bathrooms was very small. Again however, on arrival, these were clean and fully stocked with toilet paper.
The atmosphere of the actual site was fantastic. The bar staff were amazing and always happy to help with anything. The selection of drinks was massive, from your standard alcoholic drinks to cocktails, as well as milkshakes and an amazing iced frappe coffee (highly recommended!).
The pool was a decent size: nothing to have a decent swim in (but who's on holiday to exercise?) but enough to have a relaxing and cooling paddle in, despite the two slides being out of order. The pool was cleaned every night from what I seen.
Sun-loungers are free to anyone at the hotel, as is the use of 2 ping-pong tables. There are 4 pool tables, laundry facilities (washing machine and iron) and two computers with internet access.
There is a section of the beach which is private to the hotel and it is 2.50 euros to rent a sun-lounger on here for the day, this is well worth it as it is not as busy as the other main beach and has the locality of your room and hotel facilities.
We found that as the "strip" in Malia was plagued by PR staff trying to con you into their clubs (offering 2 for 1 on drinks etc etc) many of our nights ended back at the hotel, where, although the ale was more expensive, it actually did the trick. Music is played all day except when the bar closes.
Overall, this hotel made my holiday and it is the one thing I miss the most. Everybody there is roughly the same age (18 - late 20s) so getting along with others is easy.
You have the benefit of waking up of a morning and walking less than 30seconds onto the beach.
I would highly recommend this hotel to anyone who wants a cheap and enjoyable holiday, and if I returned to Malia I would not hesitate to stay at the Hotel Gramatikakis!

To be honest the hotel was very basic, which was all we needed, somewhere to sleep off the hangovers and get ready to go out. The location was perfect if you are going to Malia for the nightlife.
On the beach for daytime relaxing and was 30 second walk from the strip of bars. If your a group of friends wanting a lively place to party the nights away then the Gramatikakis is a great place to stay!

Oh dear! I have just come back from this so called hotel. I have been to Malia for 3 years on the trot! So I know what accommodation levels to expect, this hotel is a joke! The side that are in the brochure have not worked in about 2 years! The reps were unhelpful, as soon as you say you don’t want to do any trips you are a total outcast!
The hotel itself is nearly on the beach which is good (the only reason it’s got my 1 star) The breakfast the rubbish but that’s the same in which ever hotel you go the in Greece!
The pool area was tiny, the sun beds were on the grass or should I say mud?! Nice, when you are going to get in the pool which with 2 weeks of being there the pool where never cleaned, the rooms are very small, the maids came round once a week and took all your small change you had left around as a tip, (we wouldn’t of minded it would have been nice to ask!!) me and my friend had one bed and 1 chair and a small set of draws!! (I think we were given a single room)!
Our room never had a balcony, just a small window, which made the room very hot! So try to ask your travel agent to request a room with a balcony.
I know what I’m talking about as I’m a travel agent and the Thomson brochure lies! no way is it a 3 star hotel, no way do the water sides work, no way are the rep there to help you.
No way I will come back to this hotel ever again, if you have already booked, please think about the thinks above and not too expect much.

Last August me and 5 of my closest friends went to Malia, we were all 18 at the time and it was our first holiday abroad all together.
When we pulled up at the hotel we were shocked! After dropping everyone else off at other decent hotels, we actually felt cheated. Yes it’s on the beach, which is a plus, and the bar is open throughout the night until the next day (it only closes between 12 and 3am, as everyone is on the strip).
We couldn’t understand why so many other people were using our pool? Some days we couldn’t even get a sun lounger, because people had taken them to the beach instead. Great!
The only changed our towels twice a week, which we thought was not enough, we had to lie to them to get more towels.
WE chose this hotel because it said it was bed and breakfast, but in fact breakfast was a piece of cheese and a cracker! This was not a massive help for our massive hangovers!
There was a turning bay for the quads outside our hotel window, which was noisy at times.
The hotel owns part of the beach, which was advertised in the broachers, it’s called Bikini Beach, it sounds lovely, but don’t be fooled. It is the only section of the beach which is just rocks.
We really liked Malia, I would recommend it, its wicked, good bars (Banana, Apollo, Geordie Bar, and Castle Club) but I wouldn’t recommend going to this hotel.

This was a great hotel, I was expecting it to be horrible, due to what Thomson say on their website, but it was right on the beach!
We had dinner overlooking the sea, was beautiful! Bar staff were lovely!
Our dinner was amazing, and I could not fault it at all!!
I enjoyed being by the pool as they have really good up to date music, like background noise across the hotel. Don't go here if you want a peaceful holiday (don't go to Malia).
Will be going again next year hopefully!

Fab hotel, staff are wonderful, location is fantastic right on the beach!
Breakfast was continental, toast and jam with cake and coffee, but when I’m home I have toast and coffee, so no complaints from me!
Rooms were basic, but that all we needed, rooms were cleaned every day.
Bar food was good, along with the cocktails! Beach was fab!
I want to go back!!

It's cheap and cheerful, has the basics which is all you need while you're there - somewhere to sleep, change and wash!
The staff were wonderful, very welcoming and friendly and made our stay very comfortable.
It can get a bit on the noisy side but you do tune out after a day or so, and after all it *IS* Malia, if you're looking for peace and quiet I suggest you go elsewhere!
The bar food at the Gram is great, and cheap too. B&B gets you a continental breakfast which is toast with jam and butter, tea or coffee and a slice of cake, which was lovely.
A couple of days we had their full English breakfast and paid a little extra for it (3.50 euro for residents of the hotel) which was nice too.
It's in a fantastic location; right on Bikini beach with all the bars, restaurants, clubs and shops a short walk up the road.
I loved it there, and would definitely go back again.

This is probably the worst place I have ever stayed at but, at the end of the day it was somewhere to sleep and leave my stuff.
I did have a shock when we first arrived but once you hit the bars you forget about it.
There were 4 girls and we had two rooms, which we managed to get next to each and on the end of the balcony which was great as we set up our own bar outside.
The rooms are tiny and the bathroom well, in my room the water would not turn off in the shower which flooded and in my friend’s room, their bathroom has no light so they had to shower before the sun set. However bad it was it was laugh and made the holiday more fun!
The staff were great especially when we locked ourselves out!! Although they asked us if we wanted any extra pillows we never actually got them even though we were promised everyday!
Breakfast is a waste of time as very basic but who cares when you have the Red Lion just 5 minutes away....that place does the best food and the staff are really nice.
Overall if you want something cheap and cheerful I would recommend as its right next the beach and a short walk from the bars and clubs. If you like luxury and too stuck up to rough, it don't book!