Vasia Beach Hotel

When we were first shown to our rooms, we were a little dissapointed as we had booked 2 superior rooms, 1 for my Husband and I and 1 for our Son, our Sons room was lovely with a balcony and a lounge area, but ours didn't even have a window!!!
I called reception immediatly only to be informed there was nothing they could do and we would have to wait until the following day to speak with the Managment.
I was not happy with the response as my Husband has mobility problems and the rooms were up flights of stairs and quite a way from the main reception and pool etc.
I went to reception again to be told there was nothing that could be done, I asked for the Manager only to be informed there was no one on duty until the following day, I told them of my problems, and informed them that I woulld sit in the reception area until something was sorted!!!
Within 5 minutes the receptionist came up to me and informed me that they had now found us alternative accomadation, which was a private suite with it's own private pool!
WOW, what a difference! the rooms were 1st class and made the holiday.
I would thoroughly recommend this to anyone (ask for room 1629!!!!)
The staff were very helpful and food wass good, I would defiantly recommend the Lobster night in the 1996 restaurant (which was not included in the all inclusive, but well worth the extra money)

I treated me and my boyfriend to a 1 week holiday to Crete in June. We stayed in Sissi, in a hotel called Vasia beach and Spa. I must admit when we arrived in crete and was on the way to the hotel, we both started to get slightly worried as the other drop offs were not all that nice. But when we finally arrived at vasia beach and spa we were chuffed! We arrived around midnight, and was welcomed with fresh snadwiches and drinks. We were driven to our room and had our bags drop off to our front door. We didnt have any one waiting for tips!
Neither me or my boyfriend could fault the holiday, we had a FANTASTIC time. The hotel was amazing. We are both extremmly fussy easters, but had not problems with the food as there was a huge selection to choose from.
The rooms were very cosey and cleaned daily.
There was 3 pools to choose from, one with more entertainment, and the other two more for relaxing. There was also rooms with their very own private pools.
The staff were fantastic, and we made friends with the barman and waiters! They were very polite and were willing to help with anything!
I would recommend Vasia beach and spa to anyone. Me and my boyfriend are 18 and 22 and enjoyed ourselves very much. The hotel caters for all ages!
Definatly 10 / 10!!!!

Vasia has a wonderfully relaxed environment – and, considering the size, it is extremely well run. Our suite was very comfortable, quiet and kept spotlessly clean every day – however, we were quite far away from the main building and any of the bars, which no doubt helped. The key complaint is the “Beach” in the title is rather misleading – the adjacent shoreline is very rocky and there is only a tiny (and grotty) strip of sand looking into the little harbour in Sissi. Of course, the hotel pools make up for this and there is a wonderful beach 5 mins drive away at Malia. The downside is that you will need to rent a car. This can be more of a minefield than you might expect – we finally rented one from Budget (at the desk in the main lobby) – who were extremely helpful.
My one MAJOR TIP is avoid “Mevis car rentals” at all costs!! We rented a Suzuki Jimney from them which broke down in the first hour – leaving us absolutely stranded for 5 hours on the side of a busy, dangerous main road in blazing heat. Incredibly, we received no apology or refund from Mevis, and lost a day of our holiday in the most miserable fashion. Sadly, we came across several similar cases – so be warned!

2 readers found this review helpful

We have just returned 2 days ago. We are well travelled, and like the All Inclusive packages.
Vasia Hotel and Spa, is not a 5* hotel rating. I would like to know who rated this hotel. Our down points: No beach close by, must catch a shuttle bus, that takes you 5 - 10 mins away, then to find a sandy beach, must clamber over rocks and on roads. The beach at the drop point is pebbles. Next down point, is the mini bar/coffee facilites. The mini bar consisted of 2 x beer, 2 x water and a few sml bottles of fizzy drink. Coffee consisted of 2 sachets. We went to reception to ask for top up on water and coffee, but were told we couldn't have more. The room was adequate, but no clock.
Now for the positve : The food was excellent, lots of choice, we couldn't fault it. The staff were friendly, especially the reception. The pools were clean, and always plenty on sunbeds available.
If we compare this hotel all inclusive to a Carabbean All inclusive, it falls short. Saying that we had a fantastic holiday, plenty of guarenteed sunshine, and chilled out. I would recommend it if you can get a good price.
Happy holidays

1 reader found this review helpful

My husband and I decided to book the Vasia after reading the various reviews on this website, although much of what is said is accurate I felt I had to highlight a few things we feel need mentioning for any other people thinking of booking here.
The hotel is clean and very tidy and we felt a very relaxing place a lot of the time. Our room was lovely and overlooked the swimming pool, the room was cleaned daily and fresh towels were also available everyday, it was nice that there were free drinks in the fridge on arrival, a lot of the hotels do normally charge for anything taken out of the fridge!
We were disappointing that on arrival due to a mistake with the travel company (we were booked All Inclusive but on checking in the hotel only had us down as half board) we had to sort this problem out via Peter (who was our rep at the hotel) and also by calling a family member at home, as the hotel refused to speak to anyone and said we had to sort this out ourselves, we felt that they could have perhaps been a little more helpful.
We felt that the food although ok, was very much the same each day (buffet style, lots of salad choice, then bits like, chips, pasta with sauces, vegetables, turkey in sauces or beef in sauces) we booked ourselves into the Greek/Med restaurant, Chinese Restaurant and Italian Restaurant. It was a shame that all these restaurants were also buffet style as it didn't really feel like you were eating anything different from the normal restaurant, although the Greek/Med and Italian Restaurants locations were great, you could watch the sunset over the sea whilst you ate your meal. The chinese restaurant was a little disappointing, as again everything was buffet style the food seemed to have been left a little too long in the serving dishes so seemed overdone. We thought out of all the restaurants the Italian one was the best.
I think it's a shame too that Vasia have obviously spent a lot of money on the Cotton Club, Players Club etc but they always seem quite empty, whether it's because a lot of residents aren't aware of the place or not, I'm not sure. We thought the Players Club was over 18s only, but unfortunately this isn't the case, we were enjoying a drink and playing pool when about 12 children came in and run riot whilst their parents were downstairs, ok if you have children and don't mind, we don't have children and didn't want to go away to be bombarded with other peoples!
All in all, the hotel is really nice, the food is ok without being fantastic and the walk into Sissi is only about 5 mins and there are some lovely restaurants there for you to try.

1 reader found this review helpful

Well where do I start..... We arrived at the hotel on 30th May at around 11pm and the hotel staff were immediately accommodating by ensuring that we were directed to our room. We got a lift on a golf buggy with all our luggage and the porter even carried our cases upstairs for us.
When we entered our room we were pleasantly suprised by the decor, very modern and spacious for two people. I even suggested taking home the table and floor lamps (but didn't think I could disguise them in my case). The living room had two chaise lounges, a PC which doubled up as a television and DVD. The fridge was stocked with soft drinks and water. Once we dumped our cases we stepped outside onto our balcony and I have to say it turned out to be a beautiful view as the sea almost seemed like a stone throw away. Our room number was 1626 towards the back of the hotel and there were no complaints. The maids cleaned daily, changed the bed sheets and towels and although we hired a safe, I can honestly say that there was probably no need to do so. On many occasions we left valuables lying around and there were never touched.
The staff were great, Vasia (whom the hotel was named after) was so lovely, she ensured that the special arrangements I had made for my partners 40th were carried out to perfection. Gosia one of the reception staff was lovely and all the bar staff and waitresses did a fantastic job, they work extremely hard and very long hours and always greet you with a smile.
I am appalled at some of the reviewers who complained about queueing to get into the restaurant. If you see the scale of the hotel and the amount of people that pass through the restaurant in each sitting, it's to be expected. And to be honest, the wait isn't that long, whilst you are waiting there is nothing stopping you from ordering free drinks at the adjacent lounge bar, to pass the time. Once you get seated, the tables are always re-dressed and ready for you to go up and get your food. The food is of an exceptional quality. I have stayed at many AI's where the food is of mediocre standard, this is definately not the case here.
The additional Greek, Italian and Chinese restaurants also serve a good variety of quality food, but again we heard people complain because of the buffet style. It seems as though there is just no pleasing some people. IWe have very high standards when it comes to eating out and it was fine with us.
We were fortunate enough to book the exclusive '1996' Restaurant and were the only ones in there, the food was sublime. It came at about 70 euros per head for the Lobster menu, but the food was out of this world. The additional drinks on top were slightly expensive at 40 euro for a bottle of white wine, but well worth it whilst watching the sunset with a special loved one.
We had many highlights to our holiday... Sissi Bay was picturesque with the beautiful palm tree walkway and harbour, the Milatos cave was well worth a visit (but please make sure you bring a torch/flashlight or even candles with you to explore the caves a little further than 10 meters). Milatos Beach with its wonderful beachside tavernas was wonderful and the fresh tuna fish was to die for. Agios Nikilolaus, lovely town, with a quaint beach, but be careful not to get lost on the way back like we did. We ended up off the beaten track, in the mountains, which took a while to negotiate our way out of (not funny at the time, but is a great topic for discussion now, especially on realising we weren't the only ones that had made that major error).
Car hire is relatively cheap, we got a Hyundai small car from Budget Rental, within the hotel for an entire week at a very reasonable price.
Sissi is definately a place to go if you are prepared for a relaxing holiday, the people in Crete are absolutely wonderful and the food in the many many tavernas dotted along the coastlines are fantastic. Hiring a car is a definate, as you get to experience Cretians in their natural surroundings if you are prepared to drive the winding roads up to the mountain villages.
I would also like to recommend Skuba Kreta at the Nana Beach Hotel just outside of Malia, where you can experience Scuba Diving with a professional dive centre. We went out and did a reef dive and I happened to get my PADI Open Water qualification. The views underwater were tremendous, extremely clear with a barrage of wonderful fish to see. I even got to hold an Octupus.
I would definately go back to Crete and would be more than happy to stay at the Vasia again.

A Very confused hotel.
Let me start by saying that im not a fusspot who moans at everything. I go on holiday with an open mind and make the most out of my time away.
This time i had read reviews about the Vasia before i went and so i was quite aware that this was a 3* hotel at best. So thats fine. However, here are the reasons I wouldnt return to this hotel:
The Hotels website is nothing like what you get. It shows a room which is far better than the one you get (and i was in a Junior Suite). The nice little restaurant you see the couple eating in... dont be silly! Its a big messy foodhall which is complete mayhem. The spa pictures look all very nice. If you pay hundreds of pounds to use them.
One reviewer referred to this hotel as Butlins in the sun. When i arrived i thought what is he on about. Lovely reception area, clean and friendly staff. Resort looks nice too. However, as days went on I soon began to agree with them.
When on Holiday i look forward to dinner time in a nice restaurant. good food and relaxing with good service. Me and my fiancee dreaded going so much that in the end we eat out in Sissi harbour. You have to que at mealtimes sometimes for a long time. When you manage to get a table its still dirty and you have to wait for it to be re made while you awkwardly sit there. The buffet is average. Plenty of choice but nothing special. Is almost impossible to get drinks because the staff are too busy running around trying to set tables. Honestly, its a disgrace.
This hotel is over-run with kids. more than usual. I was made to believe it was quiet and relaxing with pictures of Spas ,nice restaurants and 5* claims. Everywhere you go there is a screaming kid.
The evening entertainment is poor and pointless.
This hotel just needs to be honest with itsself. Stop claiming its 5*. Get rid of its fancy bits like the 1996 bar. (we went once. It cost 12 euros for a shot of metaxa. Needless to say it was empty and we never went again) Basically anything which is nice about the hotel you have to pay top dollar for as its not included in all inclusive. Otherwise youre stuck with what ive described above.
By the way, the a la carte resaurants, I tried to book the morning after we arrived and it was fully booked all week so we never got to go. Funny old thing im sure if i got my wallet out theyde have found us a table.
Ill finish on this, the Island of Crete is amazing. Weve been several times and will return again. If its your 1st time please dont judge the island by this resort. Get a car and go out. Viist Ag Nik, Rethymnon, Elounda ,Vai and anywhere else. Better still stay elsewhere. Everyones entitled to their opinions so those who rate this 10/10 fair enough but im preety sure theyve never been elsewhere in Crete.
Happy Holidays!

1 reader found this review helpful

I went to Vasia Spa Hotel in Crete 13th May 08 for a week with my partner.
The hotel was stunning. Room was cleaned to a lovely standard every day.
Food was nothing short of amazing. Lots of variety, something for everyone!
On arrival it was very early in the morning but got a sandwich, ice cold water and some fruit then taken to our room in a electric cart. Was lovely!
The people are very polite and pleasant.
Sissi is a lovely little town and theres a beautiful beach there.
I would most certainly go back. Hopefully the end of this year and I'm really looking forward to it.

Just returned from a week all-inclusive with the whole family. Ages range from 53 down to 1 year, there were 8 of us in party, and there was something for everyone. The food could not be faulted, as the selection in the main restaurant catered for all tastes. Buffet style and self-service meant you could pick and choose and have as much or as little as you like. The staff were very friendly - always a smile and greeting. Our rooms were upgraded on arrival, as we wanted to be near each other, and we ended up with our own swimming pool - at no extra cost. Accommodation very clean, staff very honest and friendly. Kids Club and other activities by the pool. Would recommend it to anyone. Look just outside the hotel for car hire - rates much cheaper, and spend time exploring. Spectacular views up in the hills nearby. Have a great holiday - We did!

Wow, Wow, Wow........what an amazing holiday we had at the Vasia Beach. We paid £259pp for 7nts in September and had the holiday of a lifetime. Flights were excellent, Travel Agent excellent, price excellent and the hotel was amazing. The rooms were spacious, the hotel is modern and very clean, staff very helpful...all in all a very relaxing holiday and will definately be booking with Jetline to the Vasia Beach again sometime in 2008.....once the boss confirms my holiday request :-)
Enjoy!!!!