Hotel Review: Grecotel Marine Palace, Crete

The hotel has been thoughtfully designed in the style of a village, with low rise Mediterranean style buildings sprawled across beautifully landscaped gardens perched on the coastline with great views. Flower lined pathways link up the different areas of the hotel which has 4 large outdoor pools, 1 indoor pool/spa and a good sized water park.

The main part of the hotel comprises the lobby and main building and then several other buildings nearer the sea front with 2 or 3 storey rooms. The section nearest to the sea are the Marin Bay rooms, they have the best sea view and are right above the beach. Across the road from the lobby is the Marina complex which has the newest rooms, an Italian restaurant, a pool and the water park.

The main restaurant is not what I could call stand out, but is good / standard all inclusive fare. There are also 2 A La carte restaurants, an Italian Buffet and the option to dine out in Panormo. The `Greek and Asian A la cartes are both excellent as is the Captains House restaurant in Panormo, a mere 10 minute stroll away. The hotel also has a wonderful BBQ near the sea front a few times a week which is also included. Overall the food was good and the standard of alcohol in the all inclusive was excellent, with labelled spirits and cocktails included. We loved the option to eat at the Greek taverna by the sea for breakfast and lunch, whilst the main buffet was large and frantic the `Greek taverna was smaller, calm and beautifully located.

The pools are all beautifully designed to compliment the Mediterranean theme and large enough to cater for the size of the hotel. The beach was perhaps the only disappointing part of the hotel for me as although it is. a blue flag beach, it's fairly compact, crowded with sunbeds, and the sea on this coast of `Crete is often rough in August with the Meltemi wind. I have to be honest and say the beach looks nothing like the hotel photos in August.

The water park was a highlight for our kids, with a section for younger ones and a section for the more adventurous or older kids. Not too large that they would want to stay in it all day, but not too small they would get bored. As a parent it was pleasant enough to sunbathe in rather than crazy loud or manic. We were there in August when the hotel was at full capacity however there were rarely any queues for any of the slides.

`Room tips:

The Bay view rooms have a great sea view, request the higher levels The Marin Bay rooms are best if you prefer sea views and being near the beach The Casa Marina rooms are the newest, however these are located 10 minutes uphill from the beach and across the road. Views are pleasant and some have a distant sea view however these would be best if you are likely to spend most of your time at the Aqua Park.

What we loved:

-The sea front Greek taverna offers an alternative to the main buffet for breakfast and lunch - There are sunbeds around the pools but also on the grass in front of the hotel and these are less busy with a stunning view -The lobby bar balcony has a gorgeous setting for evening drinks -The kids also loved that swimming is (perhaps unofficially) allowed in the main pools after dark. -Easy stroll into the village which although touristy feels quite authentic and not over done -Only 20 mins drive to Rethymno which is stand out example of a Venetian town