More Traveller Reviews of Fodele Beach
DEFINITELY NOT A 5 STAR HOTEL, MORE LIKE 2/3 Stars
from A TripAdvisor Member
DEFINITELY NOT A 5 STAR HOTEL!!!!!!!! Where do you start? Spent quite a lot of time searching for a last minute deal through Last Minute and was overjoyed at spending a week at a 5 star, Ultra-all-inclusive resort.......this wasn't to be the case. Upon arrival, room was really small and had a great view of.........some trees! Thoughout the week it became apparent that this was actually a 3 star resort, as detailed by the 3Ts rating from Thompson. Food was bland and somehow was the same every day. Even noticed that the previous meals leftovers were being used in some dishes for the following meal. The activity staff were useless, offering dart and waterpolo every day while the sun shone. When it rained they weren't interested in organising things for the bored guest. Generally a crap hotel with very inadequate staff and facilities.
Can't I give 3.5 stars?
from Lilliebert
Visited Fodele for a last minute break in September. Wouldn't recommend the on-line agency used (clue in first sentence), night flights both ways AND booking mix-up; hotel reception staff unconcerned, forced to wait 2 days for confirmation then no room of right sort left, so make sure you take all details in writing with you when you go! Nonetheless, room given although smallish otherwise fine, good side sea view, very clean, well-equipped and reasonably comfortable (bed ultra firm though). Hotel facilities quite impressed and resort layout well planned, taking advantage of the steep hillside by pleasant landscaping and maximising views. Everything people say about the zillion steps is true - you do not want a room at the top! We were only in the middle, but it still provided excellent exercise... Downer - resort's location by the main coast road, traffic noise constant which in such an isolated spot was definitely unwelcome. Plus, if you stay longer than a week, hire a car, otherwise you'll be bored witless - there's nowhere else to go! Lovely outdoor pools but 'bracing' out of season; the small heated pool by the piazza bar perfect if a quick dip will do. The beach is nothing special, small and dusty, keep to the nice pool areas if you want a clean tan. Beach bar good though. Beach sports OK run by beefy Englishman (with dog), he's not especially helpful unless you're spending extra money. Food a bit annoying although plentiful & well prepared, vast buffet, obviously catering mainly for continentals (British are NOT favoured here). Inevitable restaurant tomcat v. cool. Sit outside on the terrace, the lighting/noise inside makes it seem like a school canteen. Plus in Sept, overrun by pre-schoolers, if you don't mind babies babies everywhere, you're fine, otherwise... Nice bars with cocktails included and expert & presentable male staff, however if you want quick service, be a teenage blonde. Animation (entertainment) team excellent, really couldn't fault them. Great for the kiddies but quite fun for us adults too, a bit cheesy but if you take it in good part you should enjoy. In fact almost all staff very good indeed, far more professional than normally evident in Greece. I guess that's where the 5 star comes in (you would expect more for the rating in other countries). In all, a reasonable, relaxing week's break - the mostly great weather certainly helped! There were NO lager louts and everyone was well behaved and laid back, which gave a nice atmosphere. If you can get it at a good price, fair enough.
a honest opinion of this resort
from A TripAdvisor Member
Accomodation: Alot of people have moaned about the steps to the hotel, but as you may know crete is not a flat contry!! so you will expect a few steps to your hotel but you get some amazing veiws. The resorts has three sorts of accomordation ( standard, superior, villas) . The room which you will get with the basic package unless otherwise stated is a very basic room very clean, has maid service every day, and everything you will need its just very basic (but you dont spend much time in there anyway) you will need to pay extra for the use of the safe 26 euro a week . food: Thhe restaurant is Well Set out with a lovelly balcony to catch the morning sun. The was something for everyone, the food was different every day, you had freshly cook bread, rolls, and other types with every meal, and for. breakfast: a variet of fresh bread and roll, fresh fruit and fried breakfast to choose from eg. omlet fried egg, beans , sausage, also cheese salad and cereal and jam. lunch: a huge variet of salad with dressings and also a variety of hot meals eg, pies , veg, fish, meat all freshly cook and wonderful tasting. with fresh fruit and puddings dinner: a wonderful verity of everything really good quality food something different every day about 10-15 things to choose from. all meal you get unlimited drinks which you help yourself to breafast:fruit juice tea coffee. lunch, wine beer, fizzy eg pepsi, water. bars: the bar staff are very entertaining with a great variety of drinks and cocktails all free of charge (i recommend the "fodele beach") all free until 12 midnight. entertainment: was very good would be a variety of thigs to do in the day eg, beach soccer, volly ball, pool arobics and a kids club on the beach the is many water sports some of wich are free. at night the have the main entertainment at around 9pm which is something different every night, singing dancing , bingo, plays, musicals and traditional dancing. staff all the staff are very friendly and helpful and cant do enough for you. this hotel is really well set out very beautiful its really enjoyable and well recommended to anyone. how i would rate this holiday: accomerdation: *** food: ***** entertainment: *** resort: ***** staff: *****
Definitely NOT 5 STAR
from Bailey_family62
My wife and I have just returned from a week at the Fodele Beach (7-14 Sept 04). Thank goodness it was only a week. Food was very poor, WHERE WAS THE GREEK FOOD? The same uninteresting buffet everyday, no imagination, catering for the mainly Italian & German guests who are given preference in all things (bars, rooms, a la carte restauarnt which we didn't even get in to). No watersports, pool was freezing. 170 steps to our bedroom. At best it's 3 Star, but you are paying for 5 Star. We will certainly not be returning or recommending to anyone else.
WONDERFULLY
from A TripAdvisor Member
This summer I and my sisters were here twice(03.07-17.07 and 21.08-28.08.2004.)We are full of impression.Everething were perfect,good food,beach party,animation.Fodele Beach is the best hotel in the world, and the Crete is the best place in the world. If you come there you will see it.We love Fodele.
Enjoyable
from A TripAdvisor Member
Went to Fodele Beach July 2004 with Family and Friends. Nice very clean hotel, good food. Room very high up and we did not like steps in the heat but the view from the room (sea view) was fantastic. Loved the cocktails! all inclusive.We had to make a fuss to get a booking in the a la carte restuarant, but managed it. (we were told it was fully booked advanced bookings for over a week) we were only staying for a week! The evening entertainment needs improving. The hotel is on the beach and provides a beach bar. Lovely weather, friendly staff and relaxing holiday. We had a good time and are going back for another week at the end of September.
Just returned from 2 weeks at Fodele.
from A TripAdvisor Member
Just returned from 2 weeks at Fodele Beach Villas, had a great relaxing holiday. Food was above average, rooms were clean,maid was in everyday to clean and make beds, bar staff were friendly and so were the animation team.. lots to do during the day if you were feeling lively... only down fall was lack of a main bar being open during the day, but drinks were available from snack bar, or beach bar.. would go there again, but would book superior room as they have access to a pool outside the rooms
Definately not a 5 star hotel
from A TripAdvisor Member
We visited the hotel in August 2002. Was expecting a 5 star deluxe and was disappointed to find it was really only of 3 star calibre. The food was the best thing about the place although you had to race for a table in the evening. The Ambrosia restaurant was excellent and we were lucky enough to have two visits (although only one is permitted). The downsides were, the pool was freezing, no swim up bar was available during high season, the entertainment was poor with the lack lustre staff making zero effort and sounding so bored and if it rained the entertainment crew disappeared. The bar staff were not very friendly, there were long queues for drinks with waiters allowing Brits to que for ages but allowing sneaky Germans to push in and have priority. Most miserable member of staff was the Maite D in the restuarant who did not have time to hear any complaints. Maid service was poor as we felt we had to clean up before the maid arrived as she did very little (hence no tip). Rubbish was left outside my sister's room for the two week period. There were plenty of sunbeds around the pool but you had to wake up at the crack of dawn and sit at poolside to secure a table and umbrella. Guests Towels were thrown on the floor by the pool attendants if they were left unattended on sunbeds. Long walk to hotel room up winding stairs as train was unavailable after 10pm at night. Weather was great, great beach with plenty of sunbeds. Overall still had a fantastic holiday due to the fact that I was with my sister and her family and laughed off all the faults.
loved this hotel
from thepilot_8
We went to this hotel July/August 2003. We felt the level of service and the friendliness/helpfulness of the staff was amazingly high considering how busy they were. The food was of a consistently high standard in the main dining area with the option of booking into the a la carte restaurant. Despite what others have reported we never had a problem getting reservations in this restaurant and the food there was also of a wonderful standard. The whole area of Fodele beach is aimed at the peaceful and relaxing holdiay, there is little nightlife outside of the hotel, this was not a problem to us as we were not looking for anything other than a relaxing time in a high standard accomodation and the Fodele Beach covers that perfectly. The standard rooms are just as they are described, standard. I would recommend booking a superior room as this affords slightly more room and extra comfort such as bathrobe and slippers as well as a minibar. The hotel bars are slightly slow to serve, if I was going to critisize at all, but this was not down to the staff but simply the high volume of customers. There are many, many, (many) steps to some of the higher rooms but there is a train to ferry you to the upper reaches and you can, of course, get this back down to reception as well. We were so impressed with the levels of everything at this hotel that we have decided to go back this year, the first time we have done this, and I have no hesitation in recommending the hotel to all potential guests.....but watch out for those steps.
our honeymoon hotel
from mummmy1
we thought this hotel was wonderfull. Nice and peaceful, just what we wanted for our honeymoon! If you are after the hustle and bustle of a big a town and lots of nightlife, then perhaps ths wont be the place for you.
More hotel photos
This was our first experience of an abroad hotel holiday and we absolutely loved it. We have two children aged 10 and 12 which swayed our decision to choose this hotel. The situation was beautiful although it would be difficult to venture away from the hotel without... more