Village Panorama Hotel

Everyone arrives here to be welcomed with the "you have a basic room but can upgrade at 5 Euros/day". For basic room, read, at top of stairs, opposite lift and above kitchen. In other words as much noise as you can suffer. We changed after one night at no extra cost to a much quieter location. Just be polite when asking otherwise you could end up just as badly off. Food is very samey after three days, and ultimately boring, but loads of it. Rooms are clean and the plumbing is better than average Greek style, but beds are hard and we were glad to be going after ten days. It takes 20mins to either beach (Lygaria or Pelagia) and is steep either way. Hotel mini-bus goes to busier Pelagia. Nothing much to do near the hotel apart from beach.

2 readers found this review helpful

Arrived at around 11.30pm to a friendly chap behind the desk. He explained to us that the room we had booked was a basic room, but was not available and so a better room with beautiful views was offered (having read lots of previous reviews on this holiday, this seems to be a bit of a ploy to get more money out of people, although we were never asked for any more money). He then put our suitcases in the back of his car and took us over the main road to another hotel! We had booked an all inclusive holiday, but the bar at the hotel he took us to was not covered under this deal. To be fair this was not a massive problem as we are not big drinkers and so didn't mind not being near to the 1 bar that could be used by the all inclusive deal. Whilst i fully understood that this hotel was only a 3*, I have to say that, although we never starved and there was generally always something to eat, the food was very much a mish mash ie beautifully cooked pork, with broccoli, cauliflower, peas with penne pasta (!).. no....where are the potatoes! Generally you would end up going back to a table with a complete mix of food on your plate and never really feeling that you had had a nice meal, just ate because you had to! Restaurant was very canteen like and you never felt you could relax and enjoy it. Entertainment was VERY annoying at times and I cannot tell you where I wished Peter (the entertainments guy)would store his whistle!!! Getting a drink was a job and a half at times as you had to queue (at busy times) and you could be stood there for 10 minutes or more. The serving of all drinks during the all inclusive period was in little plastic glasses, but come 11.30pm when you had to pay (and everyone was half cut) they then served alcohol in glasses!! Overall this was not a bad deal, BUT I think they could improve in so many areas regarding meal times - particularly evening meal (not even a proper wine glass for with your meal, but those dreadful plastic glasses!) The staff were friendly and helpful as we found out when we had to rush over to the reception to advise them that our room was literally being flooded during a torrential downpour and they immediately moved us into a room at the Panorama (we had actually spent 8 out of our 10 nights in another hotel) without any delay. We went into the little village down the hill on our last night and had a lovely meal in a taverna on the beach front - this confirmed to us that staying at the Panorama on an all inclusive basis had not provided us with the kind of holiday we like - authentic, romantic etc. I know it must be difficult to cater for all those people, but I think a little more attention to detail would definately have a lot of people wanting to book again, we won't and we never met anyone there that said they would. Sorry guys, good effort, but could do much better.

4 readers found this review helpful

Having read some reviews,we were a bit concerned.
but no need to be.
everyone there are friendly and helpful,
in particular peter,bar staff,restaurant staff.
you can always find something to eat,
rooms are clean,as is the whole place.
have been home a while now and wish we were back there!
well done everyone and many thanks

5 readers found this review helpful

The hotel is very clean and tidy, the rooms are cleaned daily,the staff are very friendly
and helpfull,the food is a bit bland but it was all cooked well,the views from the hotel are stunning,this hotel is not suitable for the unfit or disabled as there are lots and lots of stairs,and one hell of a walk up hill from the town,although you can get a a taxi before 1am but it costs 8 euros,the drinks are o/k but you wont get to drunk on them,five of us went to this hotel,all of different ages from 19 to 48 and we all enjoyed it.you can play darts , water volley ball, french boules, table tennis, water arobics,and water polo. although the water polo can get a bit rough at times it was always good fun
the hotel is quiet on a thursday, as this is peters day off,so no entertainment thursday
but the rest of the week was fine.

3 readers found this review helpful

When we arrived to the hotel around midnight we were given a different room or should a say appartment because the hotel didn't have a room for us that didn't matter because when we got the room the next day we had a huge queen size bed and a brillant sea view. ENTERTAINMENT - PETER well he's amazing he speaks 6 different languages english,polish,german,solvakian,french and romanian he tries to get every body envolved with the activties threw out the day and the nite.
the FOOD well i'm very please with it you all have a choice of meats, veg, salad and desserts it can be abit repetative but thats all inclusive for you. the town is about 10-15 minute walk down but a struggle coming back there is a bus at 9 10 3 6 and 7 during the day. we have just booked to go back in sept for a week can't wait x x x

4 readers found this review helpful

What can I say other than, GO GO GO! When you arrive you are greeted by a modern, stylish reception area, with amazing people who are so friendly you feel like you have known them for years. You are given keys to two rooms one which is basic but another which is larger and alot nicer and a sea view and it costs you only 5 euros a day to upgrade. Then they offer you an even better room, which is a better sea view, alot bigger, massive queen size bed and only 2 footsteps to the pool and bar area. This is supposed to cost 10 euros extra per night, but by neogiations we managed to get the best room and air con ( 5 euros a day, for the remote to switch it on) for only 90 euros, what more can you ask for.
Food: Really nice food and not one day in which you can't fill your plate. Breakfast is normally bacon, eggs, sausages, beans and continental choices. For lunch and dinner there is always a pasta choice and atleast two different meats. I had the best lamb ever whilst over there as there was a bit of fat but one piece I had was just pure meat cooked to perfection. A salad bar with a very wide range which changes daily and puddings are ok, as one day is is lovely and you have a bowl full but the next you might just have a bit of ice cream. The structure for meals is 6.30 till 10 for breakfast, 12.30 till 2 for lunch and 6.30 till 10 for dinner (Good enough).
Drinks: The bar is open from 10.30am till 11.30pm and has a typical range of drinks for the all inclusive members, but if you fancy a cocktail they can make an all inclusive version for you. It says you can only take 1 drink per person but they don't inforce it and the reviews which mention long queue i think has the hotel mix up with somewhere else.
Staff: The bar staff are the best very polite and just so plesant to talk to. The waitresses are quite but smile, say hi and do they job. The reception staff again lovely, a little hard to understand with the language difference but will help as much as they can.
Entertainment: There is a guy which is there from 10am to early hours in the morning which puts on so many activities you don't want to leave the hotel. Water aerobics, water polo, darts, bowls, drinking games once the kids have gon to bed and more. As the hotel includes quite a few european people he trys to get everyone involved and succeeds.
Only downfall and why it is a 9 and not a 300/10 is because it is a bit far away from anything. The nearest shop is a 10 min walk down but as it is in the hill side a 20 min climb up. The beach is about 30 mins away walking and the town is 5 mins from the beach. However there is a free hotel bus and a normal bus down regulary.
Overall we had a lovely time and just ignore the horrid comments, like I said they have their hotels mixed up!
HAVE A GREAT TIME!

1 reader found this review helpful

We went on this holiday as a young couple, 21 year olds, and after reading the reviews were unsure if we had made the correct decision. The room we eventually stayed in was very nice after asking for a change, which was at no extra cost. The air conditioning cost 5euros per night, and was well worth it if your room is in the sun all day. The rooms are always clean, with linen being changed daily.
FOOD - the food was good, sometimes there are strange combinations, but there is always something you can eat, if there isn't then you shouldn't go abroad on holiday.
POOL and ENTERTAINMENT - this was the best part of the holiday, Peter who is responsible for the day and night time entertainment is brilliant, we went on two day trips and the worst thing was missing the activities for that day!
BEACH - there are two beaches near by, and they do have a walk to them which is quite steep, but definitely worth it for the views, especially at the smaller beach by the church.
overall we had a great time, as long as you go expecting 3/4* quality you will be very happy, have your wits about you with the receptionists offering you upgrades for money, and you should have a good holiday. Also read Peters review as we were there at the same time.

3 readers found this review helpful

All in all had a great 2 weeks . when you first arrive you may well be asked if you would like to upgrade your room at a cost of 35 euros per week "don't" instead check out the room you are offered , if its not up to standard let reception know and insist its changed.
FOOD not always to everyones liking but you are always able to eat something.
ROOMS are of a good standard and are cleaned daily
LOCATION not for the faint hearted . this hotel by the very nature of its name PANORAMA is at the top of a cliff thus giving fantastic views of the village and islands .
it state its only 600 mtrs from the beach , well it is if you can fly , moor like 1 mile which takes 10 mins to walk down and 30 mins to walk back up . there is a complimentry bus to and from the beach,well nearly to the beach as the coach can not turn around if it goes all the way .
ENTERTAINMENT This was the best part of our stay . PETER who runs everything to do with your entertainment from french bowls,darts,table tennis,water volly ball,water polo ect
to the Evening entertainment Dancing around the world,Quiz with a differance,Karoke,Mr and Mrs ect . all in all one of the best animators i'v met , always has time for everyone and attempts to get all to join in . PLEASE DO

hotel was fine. if you are thinking of going be careful as they will give you a small room and then tell you they will upgrade you for 5 euro aday if you dont like the room. Also if you need a late check out it will cost any thing from 30 euros to 40 euros. they just like to try and charge you for anything they can just to make money. the hotel also got lot's of cat's about. staff was very friendly and nice apart from greek reception staff. lets get down about the food now its crap and more crap if you are a fussy eater. you will get pasta most days chips 4 times a week. the chef there smiles at you when you go back for more as he only grills stuff.

When I arrived there, they offered a room with sea-view for free, but the sea was on the left-hand side of the balcony, and in front there was just a greenfield. I went to the reception and the nice lady offered a better room free of charge. We got the room 311 and it was great. You cannot imagine a better view than this one. The food was very good and it was not the same everyday. There are 2 great sand beaches near the hotel, but do not waste you time only on these 2. The best thing is that you can rent cars from the hotel and cruise around the island. You actually have to descover it. It is just 30 EUR a day and it worth all the money. You can visit Iraklion, Chania, Rethimnon, etc. Also, if you have time to visit the AquaPark or the Aquarium, go for it.