"As a family of seven, we have just returned from an amazing week at Star Beach Village, staying from Tuesday 26th May to Tuesday 2nd June. Although it's always nice to be home, we genuinely had a fantastic holiday and will definitely miss the place.
We arrived late in the evening, around 10:30pm, and check-in was quick and efficient. There was one member of staff on reception who managed to process four or five families within around 15 minutes of arrival. We were pleasantly surprised to be told that a buggy was waiting outside to take us and our luggage to our accommodation, which was a lovely touch after a long day of travelling.
We stayed in a family sea-view room on the top floor. The apartment blocks are only two storeys high, but there are no lifts, so it's worth bearing in mind if mobility is an issue. That said, the buggy drivers and staff were always friendly and helpful, and I'm sure assistance would be available if needed.
The resort itself was noticeably clean and well maintained. Like many popular holiday resorts, there were a few areas showing signs of wear and tear, but nothing that impacted our stay in any way. Our room was spacious, comfortable and very clean, with a lovely sea-view balcony. It also included a coffee machine, fridge and microwave, which were useful additions. The shower had excellent pressure and was always hot. There were a couple of minor cosmetic issues, such as some wear to the lower part of a door and a stained balcony curtain, but these were insignificant and certainly didn't affect our enjoyment of the holiday.
The food exceeded our expectations. Breakfast offered plenty of choice and variety, while lunch and dinner were consistently tasty and well prepared. Having read positive reviews beforehand, I had high hopes, and the food certainly didn't disappoint. The chefs really do know how to cook. The desserts were enjoyable, although I would have preferred a little more variety beyond mousse-style options, but considering the number of guests they cater for every day while maintaining quality, this is a very minor observation. Overall, I would rank the food among the best we've experienced at an all-inclusive resort.
We also visited the Asian restaurant, which offered a mix of Chinese and Japanese-inspired dishes. It was a welcome change from the buffet and came with stunning sea views, making for a really enjoyable evening.
The pools and water parks were excellent. We spent most of our time at the Dionyssos pool, which suited our group perfectly, as we had one child and six adults. The deeper pools were great for the adults, while there were plenty of options for younger children elsewhere in the resort. Temperatures during our stay were around 25–26°C. While slightly cooler than some destinations we've visited, it still felt wonderfully warm and was perfect for relaxing by the pool and enjoying the sunshine.
One thing we really appreciated was that there was no need for the usual early-morning sunbed rush. We always managed to find plenty of available sunbeds throughout the day, which made for a much more relaxing holiday experience. The complimentary pool towels provided via the towel card system were another nice touch.
The all-inclusive drinks selection was also very good, with plenty of options available throughout the day and evening.
The evening entertainment was enjoyable and gave us something to do after dinner each night. We particularly enjoyed the bingo and were lucky enough to win one evening, which made it even more memorable. The children's disco started at around 8pm each night and was a big hit with our five-year-old, who looked forward to it every evening.
During our stay we watched two magic acts on separate nights. One was more comedy-focused, while the other was a traditional magic show, and both were entertaining in their own way. However, having two magic acts during a one-week stay felt slightly repetitive, and a little more variety in the evening programme would have made it even better. That said, the entertainment team worked hard throughout the week and helped create a fun and friendly atmosphere around the resort.
As for the water parks, they were one of the highlights of the holiday. I made it my mission to try every slide and attraction, and they were fantastic. Our five-year-old absolutely loved them too. Families visiting with children will not be disappointed. I only wish places like this had existed when I was younger because I would have spent every day there! There are also quieter pool areas that are generally more relaxed, although families do still use them, so it's worth bearing that in mind.
We didn't spend much time on the beach as we're not huge fans of sand, but it looked clean, well maintained and very picturesque. The fact that it is exclusive to Star Beach guests is another great benefit. We did, however, try the parasailing, which was incredible. There is also a huge selection of other water sports available for those looking for adventure.
Our return flight wasn't until 10pm, with hotel checkout at 11am. We asked the day before whether a late checkout would be possible, but unfortunately the hotel was fully booked. However, the staff offered luggage storage facilities and separate male and female changing rooms, which made the final day easy and stress-free. We spent the day by the pool, enjoying the facilities before heading to the airport.
One gesture that really stood out was that the receptionist allowed us to keep our all-inclusive wristbands after checkout, meaning we could continue enjoying food and drinks until we left for the airport. It may seem like a small thing, but it made a big difference and left a very positive final impression. Some hotels remove these immediately at checkout, so this felt like excellent customer service and a genuine effort to ensure guests enjoy every moment of their holiday.
Overall, Star Beach Village delivered exactly what we hoped for and more. The staff were friendly, the food was excellent, the facilities were fantastic, and the atmosphere throughout the resort was welcoming and family-oriented. We created some wonderful memories that we'll be talking about for a long time.
A huge thank you to everyone at Star Beach Village for helping make our holiday so enjoyable. While we usually like to try somewhere new each year, I would have absolutely no hesitation in returning in the future, and I would happily recommend this hotel to friends, family and anyone considering a holiday in Crete."
