Hotel Hermes

8 readers found this review helpful

Visited the Hermes Hotel in Malia in June 2010 along with my group of 13 others. The hotel isn't 4 star (not that it claims to be) but I wouldn't want to stay anywhere else in Malia if I went back. It's crazy, but if that's what you're looking for then it's perfect! Don't have many pictures of the hotel, so I uploded a couple that I have
CLEANLINESS
The rooms were reasonably basic, but for 18-30s I was really impressed. We were lucky enough to be in one of the refurbished rooms on the second floor which we're modern and clean with beautiful balconies facing the bar and entrance. The maid's visited every day and fresh towels were delivered every couple of days and there was no deposit required for them. The room's are what you make of them, so if you're expecting to spend a lot of time in your room then it probably isn't your best bet (neither is 18-30s, for that matter). We basically used the rooms for changing and sleeping, but also spent some time gathered as a group discussing plans and whatnot which made them sometimes too hot with 14 of us in there at once (unsurprisingly). A couple of girls in the party ended up in the non-refurb rooms on the 3rd floor which couldn't have been more opposite. This is the only reason I took my rating down to a 9, and had those rooms been refurb it would have been a 10. Think of Borat the Movie and you're getting close. The showers smelled like sewage and the girls spent most of their time in our rooms, but once these are done up the place will be 10/10. Just make sure to ask for a refurb room (parties of 3 only unless you're willing to pay an under-occupancy fee).
FACILITIES
The hotel has a reasonably priced internet cafe where you can access facebook etc whilst you're away, along with a communal area facing onto the pool area. It has pool tables, seated area facing a plasma TV(where we used to watch all the football since it was the world cup when we were there) along with couches to get in the shade. Outside, there is a 24 hour bar (which can be pricey at times) with loads of sun loungers and the deepest pool in malia. Since it is run by 18-30s the Reps are always floating around encouraging you to shake your hangover off and playing pool games, so you'll never be bored. I'm sure you've read horror stories about the excursions and how it wastes all your money, but I would easily say some of my best days / nights on holiday were spent doing these trips - well worth the money and you meet some amazing people on them (especially recommend those with the free bar). However, make sure you know exactly what you want to do before you go so you don't get trapped into paying for trips you really don't want to do. I've done the 18-30 rep training and they are trained to convince you into buying as much as possible for commission, so just stand your ground and only pay for what you want to do. They will also try to get you to put a deposit (50 euros) down for the Big Reunion, but I wouldn't recommend doing it. Whatever they say, there WILL be the opportunity to get a ticket back home if you change your mind (they do not sell out). The hotel also has a kitchen where you can buy food if you can't be bothered cooking, which is well priced and quite nice.
STAFF
I cannot stress my appreciation any more for the staff at 18-30s and the Hermes. Every single one of them made us feel welcome and the receptionists, whilst they had their moments, really made you feel safe in the hotel since they are loyal to the guests and wary of newcomers (helpful to know after reading horror stories of people having their rooms broken into while in resorts like Malia etc). The Reps were hilarious and lots of fun, just don't be taken advantage of and you'll be fine. The bar staff are always a laugh, especially before heading out on a big night out so make an effort with them.
LOCALE
The hotel isn't bang in the middle of the strip, but it is most definitely not a trek away either! It is far enough away that you won't have to put up with the moped mayhem on the strip after the clubs have closed. It's pretty much round the corner from the strip (which can be really fun at night making your way down the strip, running past all the club PRs). Which reminds me, if you're in a big group make sure and stick together to get the best deals from the bars. We had a group of 15 and usually teamed with another group of similar numbers from the hotel to get free bottles of sambuca, fishbowls etc. It's also perfect for getting some pizza on the way home, and I'd definitely recommend "burger house" which does the best chips and cheese/curry in Malia and also sells cans of Irn Bru (and alcopops/beers, strangely!)
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Bring an extra towel(s), just in case you need them.
2. Research and KNOW what excursions etc you want to do before you leave. Don't be pressured or sucked in by the Reps into doing anything you don't want to do.
3. Get to know your bearings on the first night by doing a pub crawl.
4. DONT TAKE HEELS. Don't even take one pair "just incase". You will NEVER wear them and they just take up space in your suitcase that could be best kept for other valuable items, like super noodles.
5. Make sure to drink pleanty of water. I sound like a mum now, but in all seriousness alot of people got unwell on holiday for sheer exhaustion and dehydration
6. Get a safe between all of you to keep tickets & money in.
7. Don't buy the air con straight away. Wait for a few days and see if you need it, cause it just made some of us unwell. We didn't use it and I never felt too hot.
8. Get involved in the games, welcome meetings, excursions etc cause they really are what makes your holiday.
9. BE EXTREMLEY CAREFULL on the strip because there are gypsys that try to sell you glowsticks, roses etc who are trained in pocket-picking. We had to save many of the guys we were with from having phones, wallets etc stolen. If you are a girl, just take money in your bra and you will be sorted. Boys, i'd recommend a zipped/buttoned pocket - but still keep an eye on it whilst they are around.
10. Use the buddy system. Now i sound like a scout, but it's true. Always look out for each other cause you don't want to become an example for another group going!
We had an awesome time in Malia, and the Hermes helped make it that. Can't wait to come back!xxx

Hotel Hermes was awesome, I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a good clubbing holiday. It is close to the strip, but far away enough not to get bother.
The bar staff are amazing, the other staff had their moments, but other than that were fine.
The rooms are BASIC, don't expect more. The pool was amazing to just chill.
Breakfast was good.
There were a few problems, my room's bathroom light flashed on and off. But I'm not epileptic so it didn't ruin my holiday.
You can't sleep unless your drunk.. but it's the same everywhere.
Get the safe, just incase.. we did and shared between 6 of us and all got the aircon.
If you choose Hermes, which you should, it's awesome as long as you don't let the little things bother you. Nowhere is perfect.

We went in august, with a mix group of 4 lads and 5 girls, lovely sunny HOT weather, catch a great tan if your not to hungover to lie in it!
Rooms:
we brought a safe and air con (defo worth purchasing, ours stayed in throughtout the night so when we came back in our room was lovely and cold). When we was their you do not get the "new rooms" the ones showed in the picture if theres just 2 of you sharing, they were avaliable for 3's, the 3 lads shared, there was 2 beds and a camp bed, the room was really nice and they found by turning on the blower above the stove cooled there room down so they didnt buy air con!!! My room was on the floor above, and was nice but basic. The maid came near enuff every day and cleanned around us and emptied the bin, if you ask them they will leave you clean bed sheets and extra towels (which were needed for the floor in the bathroom as it got dangerouisly slippy) we never cooked anythink in the room, just brought some cereal and that from the spar supermaket round the corner (they have bowls,plates and cups but not many in the room). the hotel security/receptionist is abit temperimental so dont cross him, he was constantly asking us when we came in with the lads, are you from this hotel? whats your name? whats your room number? and we was constantly saying were from this hotel as you have to pay 30euros for someone outside to stay in your room!
Pool Bar/Drinks/Food-
Pool bar did good meals for snacking and hangovers, decent prices! and the drinks were reasonable priced, as we were in a big group we got better deals down the strip. They had a few things that went on at the pool bar during the day and night but nothing exciting! The pool was really deep, they had like 1 or 2 steps and then it just dropped to 3metre's, so wasnt good if you wanted to play a ball game but good for jumping in and cooling down. We ate out alot, sticky fingers was amasing, bit more pricey than the others but well worth it, the first club on the stretch does AMASING food at a good price
Location-
the hotels at the top of the club stretch so we had to walk round the corner and we was always getting pulled into clubs for cheap as there was 9 of us we were getting fish bowls, shots, and pints ov whatever for 4 euros each, one bar just handed us the bottle of peach snaps haha! defo good value for money!! Theres a little shop virtually opposite as you come down the drive and then a spar supermarket round the corner
Clubs
the clubs are amasing, they got abit of everythink,the end of the strip tends to get busier alot later (some dont open till lyk 1) so its best to work your way down. theres a few gypsys that try and ask for money, just keep your money zipped up and walk past ignoring them.
all in all it was an AMASING holiday, made loads of friends, and had a proper laugh, the pool bar staff are hotties, and around the pool it was always full of lads showing off there bodies! defo recommend malia and the hotel to anyone looking for a crazy clubbing holiday, with a clean and comfy stay!

Antonio.... funny guy. Reps were awesome, constantly on the lash with us. Hotel was great, 24 hour bar staff who were safe sorting out booze etc. They've got an IPOD friendly stereo that if you ask em nicely they'll plug and boom your tunes either by the pool in the day or by night. Internet available easily, pool table, plenty of sun loungers. Constant social stuff going on. I was smashed before I even went clubbing. Be prepared to lose out on a LOT of sleep and have a LOT of fun and laughs.

I stayed at Malia from 10th August to 17th August with 2 friends. After reading the reviews after booking, we didnt think it sounded over clever! After people saying about the hotel being unclean and very loud. However we decided to go for it ... FOLKS STOP MOANING! Our hotel room was on the bottom floor ... and was totally what we didnt expect - It was actually really nice and clean, I would advise to get the air conditioning because the heat is umbarable without it, although there was no sight of a cleaner we did manage to keep the room to a clean standard! the only downfalls were we had to buy extra toilet roll (I know rip off right!) and there wasnt a kettle or microwave - BUT there was a hot plate ... just make sure you boil the water properly though because the outcome aint pretty!
As for the noise ... yes it was noisy, especially as our room was right beside reception however ... its an 18 - 30's hotel - What do you expect! If you can't get over it ... JOIN IN!
The location of the hotel is excellent ... not far away at all from the nightlife, we found a pub just outside of the hotel (think it was called The Ship??) that was really nice and they did really good deals.
I LOVE Malia and if I was coming to Malia again (this was the second time) I would defo come back to the Hermes :)

We were told from Thomas Cook the hotel was renovated. When we got there we were put on floor 3 that was not renovated. Our toilet was rusty, the shower had no shower curtain, bedding had holes in, there wasn't even enough room from me and my friend to stand side by side in the rooms. There were 2 single beds with a gap of about 2cm between them.
After the inital shock of the room we decided nothing was going to change so we needed to make the most of it. The 18-30's reps were great and the pool and area around the pool was good enough.
The location for us was great as it was a few minutes walk to the main strip and therefore nice an quiet on a night so we had a good nights sleep every night.
We made lots of friends in this hotel and saw the renovated rooms which were really good. I would therefore say if you are to book here state that you want a renovated room.
The reception lady is extreamely rude and we had a night flight we therefore decided to keep one room between 7 of us for a shower and she charged 45euros to keep the room and then an additional 5euros per person and we could only keep the room till 6pm. There was also an issue with toilet paper in the hotel and expected people to buy their own stating that it is not included in the cost. I found that by asking the cleaners nicely they didn't have a problem giving toilet paper out.
Overall I would stay here again only in a renovated room and if I had a night flight i would book the hotel for an extra night as this would be cheaper than paying to keep it till 6pm.

1 reader found this review helpful

I just come back from staying in Hermes hotel. I read the reviews before i went and although they weren't great i still decided to go ahead and stay there. Half the hotel is refurbished and the rooms are really nice although you have to be careful beacuse the other half if the hotel is unfurbished and unfortunalty this is where i stayed. You have to be drunk to sleep so you can just pass out as people don't shut up till about 7/half 7 and the music from the bar is still blasting out tunes. not good when you want to sleep! They didn't change our sheets in the entire stay and our bathroom flooded and i just felt really dirty. Other than that the location is ideal and had the most epic holiday in Malia.

3 readers found this review helpful

Me and 2 friends stayed at Hermes 10-25th august 2010.. for two weeks!!we arrived early hours on the wednesday morning, our 18-30 rep met us on the coach and give us some info on the resort which was helpful. As we got into the hotel the reception area looked so modern and new its one of the best we had seen in malia, was really nice! we gave our passports in and got our room, ( payed for air con) our room was excellent, really well presented everything new, even had a tv ( although no channels where tuned in) balcony was huge because we had the front ( double balcony) beds where lovely, apart from the third bed was a bit older. The cleaners where lovely if you got on the right side of them, we had fresh towels nearly everyday! Overall, the hotel is modern and amazing for an 18-30s hotel we loved staying here. Be sure to get a dogs Bollox drink from the bar!! adriano the night receptionist is on watch so watch who you bring back to the hotel else he will ask for a nice amount of euros. The pool area during the day is lovely, theres always a sunbed spare somewhere ( doesnt get too full up). theres a small shop across the road for snacks and drinks ( really cheap) overall the hotel deserves a 9 out of 10!! really really nice had a fab time

4 readers found this review helpful

i stayed at the hermes hotel the end week of august. we arrived at the hotel about 3 in the mornin & were met by antonio the night receptionist (who is hilairious). he took our passports & handed us our keys we were on the third floor. all i can say is not the nicest of rooms but we didnt stay in them much so all is good. gotta say though we had the best corridor. only problem we had was some people wanted to sleep when others were still up messing around laughin and giggling. the food & bar were spot on though and the cool wow its a good way to cool you down after getting sunburnt. its a lovely place to relax at during the day when theres nuffink to do. all i can say is it was the best holiday ive been on & ive made loads of friends from the hotel and even though are room wasnt nice it didnt bother me in the slightest cos the atmosphere was amazing :). all i can say is if your goin for alot of drunken nights and sleepless days then hermes is your hotel :)

3 readers found this review helpful

I will sum this up in a short but sweet paragraph for anyone wishing to stay in this hotel. Please use this review when considering this hotel.
Firstly, if you aren't planning on getting drunk every night, then do NOT book this hotel. You will NOT sleep a wink until 8-9am. To be honest, me and my 2 friends got fairly drunk 5 nights out of 7, but the other 2 nights could not sleep one bit - even with ear plugs. There is banging on the doors, shouting and all sorts going on until the morning.
That said, everything else was pretty spot on. The area was quietish, the pool had lots of sunbeds in the morning available, and the weather was perfect.
If you are going to party, then have a GREAT time. If you aren't, avoid this hotel at ALLLLLLL costs - this will be the best review you will see on this hotel.