Hotel Heliotrope

I was a little apprehensive before going to this hotel but my boyfriend and I had a lovely time. Yes there are a lot of steps, and yes it is on a biggish hill but it really isnt as bad as some people make out. I am not the fittest person in the world but I managed the 137 steps to our room everyday, 3 or sometimes 4 times. Also no it isnt in the centre of Stalis but it is only a ten minute walk away and the views from the hotel more than compensate. They do charge for air-con, it was 35€ for the week, but trust me it is worth it! We arrived at 2 in the morn and my boyfriend was so hot he had to go and get it after being in the room for 20 mins! the safe deposit is 14€ a week but we didnt bother and nothing went missing.
The food was a little samey but at the end of the day it is only a 2 star hotel, but there was quite a lot of choice and there was always fresh bread and salad which was always really nice! The breakfast is also pretty good, lots on offer. Cereals, bread, toast, jams, salads, bacon, sausage, eggs and beans. So pretty much something for everyone. The restaurants in Stalis all look really nice but we never got round to trying any. But it is nice to be able to walk down the street and not get hassled to go for a meal or a drink.
The pool was really nice, cold but really refreshing after lying in the red hot sun! So overall I would reccomend this hotel, I'm 23 and my boyf is 26 and we had a great time. If you want something really lively then go to Malia and if you have walking difficulties then this might not be for you. Although there were a lot of older people staying here who managed it!!

Decided to go to the Heliotrope as it was the cheapest HB hotel we could find last minute. Was a little worried about the 2 star rating, and when we arrived at 2am and had to drag our cases up 132 steps to the 5th floor.... (there was a security guard carrying the cases for 2 elderly people at the time, so it wasnt as if we couldnt have got help if we needed it) I was REALLY worried about what we'd gotten ourselves into. But as soon as we walked in the room, I was very pleasently suprised. The room was a good size, very very clean, with what looked like brand new furniture, flat screen tv, samsung fridge, a shower with an enclosed shower screen (unusual in other greek hotels we've been to) and a nice balcony.
The views from the hotel are amazing, as it is half way up a steep hill after all. Food is ok, not a massive choice, but we didnt go hungry.
We only stayed by the pool once, and were on the beach every day, walked to the far end of stalis to get the best and widest bit of beach. Sea was really clean and clear.
I recommend a trip to Restaurant Amici, near the church in Stalis. Delicious.
If you dont like walking, or cant walk far, I would not recomend this hotel, it is a good walk from the town, not to mention the steps at the hotel. But if you dont mind a bit of exercise then I recommend going. It is definately for couples and older people.

a great hotel! i can not believe the amount of moans from guests at this hotel!
it is exactly what we wanted. we booked last minute, and was fully aware it was a 2 star hotel, we didn't pay a fortune, and expected very little, all we hoped was for it to be clean, and friendly.
the rooms had all recently been refurbished, the pool, and bar area fantastic, and staff very friendly.
concidering a greek 2 star resturant, the food was very good, a good selection of salads, and main dishes, local and english, generally a good selection to suit all.
the stairs in the hotel cannot be helped, due to the way the hotel has been built, if you are on the 3rd floor or above you have no option but to walk up roughly 100 stairs to get in the 2nd lift, which takes you all the way upto the 7th floor, where the views from here are absolutely breathtaking!
what people seem to forget here is at the end of the day it is a 2 star hotel, if you're expecting a 4 star accomodation and resturant, then pay 4 star prices!!!!

Had an amazing hol at the heliotrope hotel, just got back this morning and we're gutted :-( The hotel and pool are lovely and every1 is really friendly! do not believe the people who moan about this hotel, it couldnt be better situated and can be as relaxing or as lively as you make it! stalis itself is a lovely place with plenty of shops and bars!hello to tolis and yanis we know you will be reading!!! missing it loads :-(...and remember...it's NOT goodbye haha! love michelle and kate! xxxxxx

Had a fantastic stay here in August.Staff are Brilliant,food is ok,Rooms nice clean and tidy ,maid service every other day,Pool Large and very clean.Only problem is if you are on a floor above 3,you have a lot of steps to walk up to get to your room.It is also a 10 minute walk downhill into Stallis and a15 minute walk uphill on the way back.If you can overcome the steps and the walk into Stallis,you will have a Brilliant stay.We will be going back again.The Hotel and rooms have been completly revamped since 2007.

Had a fantastic stay here in August.Staff are Brilliant,food is ok,Rooms nice clean and tidy ,maid service every other day,Pool Large and very clean.Only problem is if you are on a floor above 3,you have a lot of steps to walk up to get to your room.It is also a 10 minute walk downhill into Stallis and a15 minute walk uphill on the way back.If you can overcome the steps and the walk into Stallis,you will have a Brilliant stay.We will be going back again.The Hotel and rooms have been completly revamped since 2007.

WOW, what can i say probably the best holiday i have been too. My whole family came, me my teenage son and daughter, her friend (14,16,16) my mum and dad and my sister, her partner and her two boys (8 and 9). The hotel rooms were plush and had everything you needed, the pool and area was beautifull and always spotlessly clean as were the rooms, the weather WOW again, there was a heat wave going on and we touched 40oC but the bar was cool and very friendly and there were plenty of parasols. The staff were the best i have encountered anywhere. Very polite, helpful and nothing was too much trouble. My son hurt his foot while on holiday and everyone was extremely kind and helpful towards him especially the manager. (didn't get his name unfortunately) We were on floors 5 and 6 which killed you climbing the steps everyday but we did it with laughs rather than complaints even my son on crutches with foot in plaster laughed. they do have lifts but not to all floors and we kept forgeting which floors had the lifts so we just climbed the 120 steps every day. The views were fantastic. We were half board and though there was a small choice of meals everything was excellent quality not one of us went hungry.
Stalis itself was lovely about a 10 minute walk from the hotel but a pleasant stroll, it has everything you need and larger than i expected. You don't get hassled into the bars or restaurants and you can get a taxi into Malia and Hersonisis very easily in fact the hotel staff called the taxi's for us every time.
We hired a quad bike for our last day and it was great, you have to be careful of course but simple road awareness is enough, they don't drive like lunitics over there. The quad, i didn't want to give up and would highly reccommend hiring one for a few days as they are a great way to get around. I went on the motorway on mine and felt quite safe. The boat trips and such like are cheaper to book in town rather than with your rep, i'd advise the boat trip to island Sissi rather than Dai that we took, it was still a good day but rather basic.
I would go back to Stalis again and definately the Heliotrope hotel which says a lot for me as i have enjoyed all my holidays but most wouldn't go back too, been there done that kind of thing but Stalis and the Heliotrope really impressed me.

This was mine and my boyfriends first holiday abroad together. We were VERY impressd with the look of the hotel on arrival. It looked beautiful with all the lights (we arrived very late). We got on very well with one night recptionist (Sylvester Stallone look-a-like) so this made our trip pleasent. The others...wernt so talkative or happy! We had one case of raw chicken nuggets so we would suggest to eat out. There is not much to do but we spent our days lazing by the gorgeous brand new pool and nights wandering into the town to look at the local market stalls which were open until about 12am. Our view from our room was FAB. It was a sea view. The room was very basic indeed but we did get shown the new refurbished room which is LUSH! They plan to referb all rooms like this and they are very plush indeed. the walk into town takes about 15 minutes and is located directly across from the beach. The bar people are very pushy and try and sell you anything (but isn't it like that everywhere). The walk back to the hotel is very tiring during the day as this hotel is located on top of a huge hill so is not advised to venture out on hot days! The town Malia is very very lively! There is a local bus that takes you there and the bus stop is just locaed 10 minutes away and will cost around 1.50 euros. Make sure you are clothed! My boyfriend had his top off (as we had a heatwave while over there of 40degrees) and the bus conductor wouldn't let us on until he put his top on. Thats an hourly service and the last bus back is at about half 11 at night.
Overall we really enjoyed this holiday, we just found we needed more to do, more facilities on the room and a more lively atmospher being a young couple. To us, we think the perfect people to go here would be the retired, and cultured and people seeking a relaxing holiday by an amazing pool.

Overall i thought this hotel was perfect, me and my girlfriend stayed for 2weeks, we really enjoyed it. you do get charged for a/c , the fridge, and the safety deposit box but they are worth it.
We will be returning next year for sure, my only concern was the food very basic not a lot of choice at all, we ate out most nights, george the barman was a great laugh. For a good meal out i do recommend the curry park on beach road very reasonable, the cater both indian and chiniese food.
All in all the hotel was very good and me and my girlfriend will be back in july 2008.

We absolutely loved this hotel and Crete. What more could you want, 47 degrees and brilliant sunshine, perfect location and friendly people. We had a fantastic holiday and will definitely consider a return visit.
The hotel is a slow 10 minute stroll (only pace we could manage in the heat) from the beach and Stalis centre. Slightly up hill coming back however no need to rush on holiday so was no problem. Perfect location to have a totally chilled time or move into the main centre attractions with ease.
Yes the hotel climbs up into the mountainside, however the views are stunning and even though we were on the 2nd floor we would go to the top floors just to admire the beautiful areas around.
Rooms are basic and "rustic" yet for the time you spend in them on holiday they are comfortable and clean enough for what you need. And yes the reception staff are a bit frosty.
The restaurant always had a chilled and pleasant atmosphere. Natalie was lovely and friendly and there was always something on the menu that satisfied our appetites and we enjoyed.
The pool and bar area of this hotel is the best. There is no "in your face" hotel entertainment yet evenings in the bar were always great, whether you spent the whole night there or had one, two or three for the road a bit later. What can be said about George that has not already been said, he is the best.
All in all great value for money, thank you to a great friendly hotel team and to Michelle at Going Places in Broughton for arranging this perfect holiday for us.