"We spent 11 nights at Sol Marina Beach at the end of May and beginning of June. After a previous holiday at a highly-rated hotel that turned out to be a nightmare, I was anxious about how this trip would go. Completely unnecessarily, as it turned out. From the very beginning, I had an excellent experience.
After contacting the reception by email, the staff assured us they would do their best to ensure our family room and our parents' room were as close to each other as possible. And that's exactly what happened – our parents ended up in room 122 in the main building, we were in 1806, and really only the splash park separated us. Our check-in was just before midnight and was very efficient. As a pleasant surprise, the hotel restaurant remains open for late arrivals and offers a good selection of dishes, which is wonderful when traveling with children or people diabeties like my mother.
Our room was on the ground floor and although it wasn't as modern as our parents' room, it had everything we needed – a huge wardrobe, a large shower, comfortable beds and plenty of space. The housekeeping staff member was phenomenal, meticulous and discreet – you could have eaten off the floor.
The main restaurant, even when busy, runs smoothly – food is served promptly and the staff work with great energy. The choice is varied: both all-inclusive classics like pizza and carbonara, as well as authentic Greek cuisine. Of course the menu repeats, but every day you could find something new. Plus, you can pour your own wine or beer without waiting in line at the bar.
The beach is phenomenal – plenty of loungers, beautiful sandy beach and a gentle slope into the sea, which made me feel safe about our 5-year-old's safety. The beautiful sunsets are a bonus. The splash park is brilliant for children up to 8 years old; our 11-year-old was a bit bored, but we knew what we were signing up for. The alcohol is quite good, and staff members Nikki and Aspa are wonderful people. In the Kids Club, Aiden does great work – our wild 5-year-old Matty dared to stay and had a wonderful time.
The hotel is well-appointed and thoughtfully designed in every aspect. From the covered area with benches by the splash park where you can hide from the sun and eat without pulling your child out of the water, to toilets by the amphitheater and beach. There are also computers in the main building where our older son could escape from his younger brother. A shower just by the beach entrance/playground with a handheld showerhead and hose made it easy to wash sandy children clean. These are small details, but they greatly improve life.
Ice cream is available practically all day. Even if you stand in line at 16:55 and on theory arę available till 17:00, you'll get your ice cream – the staff isn't spiteful and won't shut the freezer in your face. This is normal, friendly service that understands hospitality.
The level of friendliness, smiles and professionalism at this hotel is absolutely delightful. Despite many trips, I've never experienced such an approach. For our parents, these were their first all-inclusive holidays and they were thrilled. The surrounding area od Kato Gouves is not impressing, restaurants are tourist traps, but the hotel makes up for it. When bored, Hersonissos and Heraklion are close by. The hotel also works well as a base for exploring the island by car.
If you're looking for authentic tips, talk to the restaurant manager Manos – he might reveal his secret spot where tourists don't go and menu is in Greek language only. The reception staff will also help you other great restaurants– here I give a special mention to the brunette receptionist who has a sister with taverna in Hersonissos.
Summary: If you're looking for a family atmosphere and a slower-paced holiday with a beautiful beach – this place is for you. If you're looking for ultra all-inclusive holidays with fancy glamour and caviar – this is not the right place.
The hotel deserves a higher rating on TripAdvisor than 4.5 – the staff here create a personalized, warm and smiling experience. The guests are mostly French and German, which significantly impacts service quality.
Will we return? Yes. Usually I don't like returning to the same places, but the hospitality of everyone working here is something we've never experienced before. Even now, back home, this place stays in our hearts. I left my Dyson Airwrap at the hotel, and the reception helped arrange its return. As we say in my family – if you forget something, it means you want to go back.
I would very much like to go back! Thank you for a heavenly holiday! You are absolutely amazing ❤️❤️❤️ Marta, Maciek, Oscar and Matty"
