Sissi Bay Hotel

2 readers found this review helpful

Dont listen to any bad reviews about Sissi Bay Hotel!! We wen t for 6 days at the end of july/aug. We could'nt fault it. Great location, people and hotel. Staff couldnt do enough for us, very helpful especially Monika, Dimitris and Angela. Very clean in our apartment (we even had a pool ;) )! Food was'nt repetitive in the slightest, lots of nice greek salads and lovely feta cheese and olives. You must try their Greek yoghurt (gorgeous). I'm a picky eater and I was fairly happy with the choice. I took my mum with me and she ate well all week. Reception staff were extremely helpful and happy to help. Did'nt have any problems in the slightest! The staff go out of their way to talk to you in English, which helps.
Be careful on the roads in crete, very dangerous to walk/drive on, the greek drivers are very careless. Alot of the problems are caused by the mopeds and bikes etc.
If you fancy eating out for a night, Mamma Mia Italian, on the harbour is spot on. Lovely views while your eating, lovely sunset.
Cretans are very friendly, we are already planning our trip for next year! Deffo a 10/10

2 readers found this review helpful

We have literally just got back from a 10 day stay at Sissi Bay Hotel, on an all inclusive deal. Having read the reviews on here, and having contacted the hotel, we were aware and prepared for the extras for air con and safety deposit box. My partner and I also requested a room upgrade, and having contacted the hotel prior to arriving, knew there would be charge. What we didn't count on was the hotel not being able to accept payment by VISA, so a chunk of our spending money went as soon as we arrived. We later found out that they do have a card machine, but claimed to another guest, it "had water on it" so could only take cash. Hmmmm.
Other than that, I have to say Sissi Bay hotels didn't hold any nasty shocks or surprises, and I think we got what we paid for. The cleaners were in the room every day apart from sunday, and did a decent job. We had clean towels every other day, and the same with the linen.
The food was generally good, but you dont always feel you are having a proper dinner, its a bit of this and a bit of that, but over the 10 days, the options were not repeated and there was more than enough to go around.
The limited choice of drinks did get a bit boring. The beer is no where near as strong as what it is in England. You can drink it all afternoon and not feel any effect what so ever.
The greek staff were not always as friendly as they could be. They are quite abrupt, and very few said thank you, or made any attempt at conversation. At the front of this, has got to be the owners. They make no attempt to make their guests feel welcome. They are on site a lot of the time, and ignore the guests. You would be lucky to get a smile. Whilst we were there, the 'Private' suite was in use by the owners daughters. They helped themselves to drink behind the bar, huge plates of food... on one occasion they even took a chair from a neighbouring table that was being used by one of the guests. Yes, they are the owners, but they made absolutely no effort with the guests, and were incredibly ignorant.
Nikos, the barman in the pool bar during the afternoons, probably has the best manners out of the Cretian staff. Lisa (a new English barmaid who started a week ago) was the most chatty, friendly and polite. Kara thinks she owns the place, and wants everyone to know she knows everything, and if she can boss someone about, she will.
What really made the holiday for us was the stunning views, the glorious sunshine, the beaches and a few of the local bars.
The Jolly Roger (next door) and Peggy Gorden's (Irish Bar down the road) were the best. Reasonably priced, friendly atmosphere, and a change of scenery. There are plenty of places to eat out if you do get tired of the all inclusive buffets, again, reasonably priced. The best are along the harbour, about 10 minutes walk from the hotel. Stunning views of the sea, and a much needed blast of refreshing sea air. You also get to see some manners, have a joke, and make conversation with the greek people who run them.
Sissi is a small place, quiet and chilled, which is what we wanted. If your looking to party hard, loud music, a buzzing night scene... do not go to Sissi.
Take enough cash to get you through your holiday if you can. Sissi has only 2 cash points, and one was out of order our whole stay, and the other (actually at the bank) refused to give us any cash on any of our cards. We tried half a dozen, credit and debit. Barclays and Nationwide included, we could not get any cash out! The next nearest cash point is in one of the 5 star hotel's on the other side of the resort, and very few places took card, and those that did charge commission.
The hotel will change travellers cheques for you, but at a 2% charge. The bank don't change these either!
Overall, I would not say don't go to Sissi, its a lovely place, but if you stay at Sissi Bay Hotel, don't expect too much either. If your looking for 5 star service and accomodation, book a 5 star holiday.
Oh, and Cretian night, every second thursday is now 18 Euro's, even for all inclusive guests. Thats trebled from last year... I'd say don't bother, we didn't, the owners had enough of our cash!!

2 readers found this review helpful

I find it very hard to believe half the reviews I read on here. We got back last week and had a wonderful time. The food was fantastic, fresh salad bar each day and always fresh fish grilling when we got to the resteraunt.
There were always sun loungers next to the pool which was cleaned every morning. We didn't need the air con as the breeze in the evening meant that the room was cool enough. All the staff were friendly apart from the British waitress.
We found there was plenty of hot water and that the room was cleaned (quite well) each day.
Most of the negative comments on here are down to tour operators not providing their customers with an accurate description of the hotel and area. Please do not hold this against the Hotel who provide exactly what we asked for.
Do not be put off by the negative reviews on here, if you have asked your tour operator for a quiet, chilled out holiday then this is for you. The views are beautiful and all the small bars, resteraunts and shops are within 5 minutes walking distance. If you have asked for a entertainment packed holiday with plenty of other children in a very busy area this is not for you and you have been mis-sold.

2 readers found this review helpful

We booked this holiday last minute without reading the reviews first, if we had of read them we would not have picked the Sissi Bay Hotel. That is the reason why I am entering my own review now.
We arrived in the middle of the night, very hot and very tired. We were greeted on reception by a very pleasant man who showed us to our room. During the week we were there we had nothing but praise for the staff, they were all very hard working and very polite. There were no communication problems as they all spoke English (as well as German).......certainly better than my Greek!!!
The food was varied every night and there was always something nice to eat, which is quite impressive when you have a picky seven year old with you.
There were plenty of sunbeds and we did not have to race down at the crack of dawn to reserve them. With two pool areas and a large sunbathing area there was certainly plenty of choice.
Sissi was a very nice little town, all the people we encountered were very friendly. I can recommend The Jolly Roger pub, the owners were lovely and it had beautiful views of the sunset.
We had an excellent holiday. All I would say to anyone who has booked and now read the bad reviews......do what we did, reserve judgement and make up your own mind, don't be put of by people who are probably aren't happy unless they have something to moan about!
Happy Holidays!

2 readers found this review helpful

Chrissi and myself have just come back from the Hotel Sissi Bay in Crete 10/06/08
We had a great time and all the staff were great and the rooms were very clean and new.
A great place to enjoy piece and quiet.
But close to all the entertainment you can have and want.
Food was excellent and hot and clean dining area.
Peter the Rep from Olympic was very informative.
The only complaint i have about Crete Airport.
Too long to wait to get out of Crete and no time to go into duty free.
But overall i will go back as the Hotel has still lots to be added on
to it and will be even better next year.
Thanks to all the staff.
I must mention the Jolly Roger pub on the beach next door to the hotel.
This is a great place very romantic and the people are very kind and genuine.
Thanks to Danyella. John Styles. Kent

1 reader found this review helpful

The staff were very friendly, the location was superb, however this was classed as a 4* hotel, Sissi Bay comes no where near the standards that I class as 4* Hotel and I am not a whinning complaining person, I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS HOTEL TO ANYONE. The rooms were very basic, and the bathroom/cupboard was a joke, I am only a small slim person and I only just managed to get through the hole in the wall to have a shower, WITH VERY LITTLE ROOM TO MOVE AROUND, there was no bath and the cheap plastic shower head kept falling out of the socket.
THE FOOD WAS DISCUSTING, LEFT OVERS FROM THE NIGHT BEFORE MADE INTO ALL SORTS OF CONCOCTIONS. WARMED UP CHIPS FROM THE NIGHT BEFORE.
THEY HAVE A CRETAN NIGHT AND THE AI/HB GUESTS ARE TOLD TO HAVE THEIR MEAL FROM 6-7 AND DO NOT USE THE POOL BAR FOR DRINKS. I PAID TO HAVE MY FOOD AND DRINK??????? I ARRIVED EARLY HOURS OF NIGHT AND LOST A DAY OF MY AI, WE WERE ALLOWED AI UNTIL 12.00NOON ON DAY OF DEPARTURE THAT GAVE US ONLY 6 DAYS AI. AND YOU WERE BEING WATCHED ON VIDEO TO MAKE SURE YOU DID NOT HAVE ANYTHING YOU WERE NOT ENTITLED TO. WHEN WE CHECKED OUT THERE WAS A MAN (I ASSUMED THE OWNER) WATCHING OUR EVERY MOVE. I WAS EVEN CHARGED 2 EUROS FOR A CUP OF HOT WATER FOR MY TEA (TOOK MT OWN TEABAGS)
THIS HOTEL ARE NOT CUSTOMER FRIENDLY (THE OWNERS I MEAN) NOT THE STAFF, IN MY OPPINION THEY ARE COST CUTTING ON FOOD WITH NO IMAGINATION OR FLARE AT ALL.

1 reader found this review helpful

If you are going to book a holiday in Crete, do not pick this hotel. It does not matter how nice we were, we found most of the staff very rude. I agree with what’s been said, it seemed that the staff were very anti-brit.
Nil entertainment, food not too bad, just not a lot of choice. I really mean it; this is “one hotel to stay away from”. It really spoiled our holiday.
Crete was very nice and would go back, just not this hotel. When you tell the locals that you are staying at this hotel, they all laugh.
Never had a holiday like this before. Please stay away from this hotel.

2 readers found this review helpful

If we had read the reviews on Sissi Bay before we booked our holiday, we would never have chosen this resort (last minute or not!). With bated breath we arrived at the resort to be pleasantly surprised at the complete contrast to what we were expecting, due to in our opinion, the unnecessary and negative comments posted on some holiday web sites.
The whole complex was spotless, the staff courteous, the food plentiful, truly beautiful location, the beach less than three minute walk, the facilities in the rooms more than adequate for our needs.
Having had the privileged of travelling to various destinations globally, e.g. Australia, Eastern Asia, India, Bulgaria, Italy, America numerous times and Spain we feel that we have standards that Sissi Bay did live up to.
Sissi Bay does not deserve the negativity and we are having trouble understanding what other British holiday makers expect for their money and surely everyone is aware that if one is courteous, polite and respectful to others whatever the occupation one will receive the same respect back which helps the holiday no end!!
We would definitely go back to this resort in the future.
Lisa and Lindsay.

1 reader found this review helpful

We stayed at the Sissi Bay Hotel for two weeks earlier this year and had a great time. The staff were all so friendly and helpful they really made the holiday. The hotel is family owned and because it is smaller than some hotels it keeps the family feel. The hotel is spotlessly clean everywhere you go, the rooms cleaned to a high standard every day.
The area is quiet but there are plenty of bars and restaurants close to the village centre, this is a pleasant short walk. There are a good range of shops too, selling everything from clothes and souvenirs to car hire and food.
The only downside were the drinks that were included in the 'all inclusive'. We found that soft drinks, beer and wine (only white or rose) were available whenever you want it but the only spirits included were Raki, Brandy and Ouzo. To get gin, vodka or Bacardi etc it would have been extra. This was the only problem though. The food was plentiful even though some meals were lacking variety. One of my party has a severe allergy and the staff were more than happy to help, including cooking something fresh when it was found that there was nothing suitable serverd.
I cannot rate the hotel and staff highly enough.

1 reader found this review helpful

IIf you have been recommended this hotel or booked it you need to seriously rethink your decision. All the bad things said on this site are true. We just got back. There is a local joke they laugh at for hours -Sissi Bay 4 Star Hotel. Maybe 1 star.
Entertainment – none.
When you get here you need to forget all the manners you were born with. Generally they will serve you with no thank you and no manners. You are an irritation that goes away once you have what you want. It was the weirdest thing.
All-inclusive food was fine early in the week, then you start seeing the old meals reappear as some thing different. It’s as if they recycle what wasn’t eaten. The weirdest was cold brussel sprouts presented as a salad dish.
The bar manager and customer service do not go hand in hand. He was one of the main reasons we didn’t enjoy our time at the bar and you spend most your time there for food and drinks through the day.
We booked the family suit - it sounded fantastic, it was a joke. One room split by a small wall. One air-con unit - the children were roasted every night. No bath, a shower which had no curtain and when you had a shower the bathroom was flooded.
You arrive they say: safety deposit box extra, cot extra, air-con extra. I spent nearly £150 when we arrived at the hotel. She said see how you get on, you may not need the air-con. That was a joke the room was unbearably hot you had to have the air-con.
By the pool prepare yourself for anything. The sides by the pool are wet through and that’s where you eat. There will be an accident very soon if not already.
Greek night, they put a couple of things on a plate when you enter the restaurant and a Greek flag, but carry on treating you like dirt. What an advert for Greece.
TV don’t bother turning it on.
I will never ever go back to Sissi Bay Hotel. In fact its put me right off Crete which I am sure is okay if you have the right hotel.