Hesperia Presidente

"Just got back from a fantastic 7 night stay at Pilot Beach from the 27th of August to the 3rd of September. We arrived much later that expected due to delays at Stansted airport. We got to the hotel at 3am. It was so nice to see a friendly welcoming face from the night receptionist. I didn’t catch his name, but he definitely made a difference to our check in experience which was excellent considering just how tired we were. We were driven to our accommodation which was a twin bungalow with front see view. There was a complimentary plate of fruit and bottle of wine waiting for us which was a really nice touch. The room was clean and spacious and was cleaned daily. It was also nice to have tea & coffee making facilities, which were replenished daily. On waking up in the morning we opened the sitters to the balcony to see the amazing view of the beach Although we spent quite a bit of time on the beach we did use the pool adjacent to the Gailos restaurant which was the closest to our room. We had no issues with getting sunbeds with many still available at 11am. Can’t comment on the other pools as we didn't use them. The Pool was very clean and warm. It didn’t get to crowded other which was a bonus. We went half board. For drinks you tap your room card and settle the bill at the end of your stay. There are lots a comments in other reviews about checking the bill at the end as there were additional things added. I will say that we had no problem with this whatsoever. There are lots of restaurants to choose from at this restaurant. We ate breakfast at the Gailos as it was the closest to us. The choose of food was very good and it was all cooked fresh. The fried eggs deserve a mention as they were probably one of the r best I’ve had at a holiday resort. The only small issue we had at breakfast was the coffee machines. There were only two at this restaurant, and they were probably the slowest machines I have ever used at a resort. This did sometimes cause a bottle neck with people waiting to get a drink in the morning. As I mentioned there are a number of different restaurants on site, we are at the main restaurant most nights. Dinner was varied each night with so much choice. Again all food was hot and cooked very well. The dining room in the main restaurant was always busy but we always found a table. The waiting staff were very friendly and worked tirelessly to clear tables. They do theme nights at the restaurants we went to the Cretian night at the Gailos restaurant which has to be pre booked and is an additional 20 euros. But I will say it was well worth it. The food and entertainment was brilliant. I would definitely recommend it. There isn’t much around the hotel. You can walk along the beach to Georgioupoli Which is very pleasant. If you want to explore further you can get the bus to Rethymnon, only 3.50 euros, or to Chania , 4.50 euro. Easy to do. Just jump on bus at stop on the main road outside the complex. Just be aware that it’s more of a coach than a bus and seating only. Once it's full, it's full, so you may have to wait for next one. I’ve got to mention the Beach. Lovely soft sand, clear water and warm with lots of fun to have in the waves. There are lots of sunbeds for hotel guests. We never had any trouble getting a bed. There are bars on the beach as you walk towards Georgioupolis. Can’t comment on what they are like as we never used them. But they always seemed busy which is a good sign. Overall we had a lovely stay at Pilot Beach. Everything was spot on. We would recommend this hotel to anyone, and would we choose to stay again. Definitely yes."

"My family and I stayed at Pilot Beach from 18th - 27th August. We had a junior suite where the kids had their own area with two single beds and my wife and I had the main area with a decent size bed. The room was clean and spacious and was cleaned daily. Pool We used the main pool as it was closest to our room. No issues with sunbeds with usually some still available at 10am!! Amazing!! No idea on the other pools as we didn’t use them. Pool was lovely with no loud music, except during pool aerobics which was every other day. No problems with that!! Food Loads to choose from at breakfast and dinner. Dinner was varied each night with no lack of choice. My wife has a gluten allergy and there was loads she could eat which was clearly labelled. The dining room was always fairly busy but nowhere near the chaos I’ve experienced at other places, which made it a very pleasant experience. Staff worked tirelessly to clear tables and I never had to wait long to get a table. They do a Cretian night and a lobster night, both at extra cost and must be booked. Can’t comment as we didn’t do either. We went half-board so didn’t have the buffet lunch. However, the hotel beach bar did decent toasties, burgers, gyros etc… at reasonable prices. Drinks As mentioned, we went half-board, so paid as we went. However on looking at what was available for all-inclusive, it was pretty impressive: Gordon’s gin, hanava rum, absolut vodka, and mythos beer. All decent brands in my opinion. Obviously, there are many other named brands you can buy. Payment is made by presenting your room card and then signing the screen. You then settle the bill at the end of the holiday. Word of advice… CHECK YOUR BILL!! We decided to settle our bill halfway through as, let’s face it, you can get carried away when not spending ‘actual money’. Our bill showed that my wife and I had consumed three bottles of wine one night during dinner. Now… my wife and I quite like a drink, but three bottles between two of us over a period of about 45 minutes is pretty ambitious!!! The helpful chap on reception quickly acknowledged that this was clearly an error and swiftly removed them from the bill. Other stuff Had a day out in Chania. Easy to do. Just jump on bus at stop outside nearby Mare Monte supermarket. It’s more of a coach than a bus so no standing room. Once it’s full, it’s full, so you may have to wait for next one. Easy to get return bus as it goes straight from bus station in Chania where you’re dropped off. Loads to do at hotel: gym (not bad for a hotel one), games (darts, footie, water polo, tennis…), exercise class (HIIT class, yoga etc) Beach Lovely soft sand, clear water and warm. Loads of sunbeds for hotel guests. Visit one of the beach bars (not affiliated to the hotel). Mikes oasis was quaint with straw roofing and furniture directly on the sand. Staff aren’t shy of handing out a free rakki or ouzo after you get the bill :) Overall, a fantastic holiday was had by all. The one question… would I stay at pilot beach again… ABSOLUTELY YES!!!!"

"10 day stay family of 4 After a terrible arrival and check in (being moved to another hotel at 3am) The hotel team were fantastic with an upgrade to a beach suite which was lovely and peaceful Lots of pools, plenty of beds and space, fantastic beach and great variety of food each day (we were full board and didn’t get bored of the menu) Evening entertainment was not great and the resort goes to bed after the nightly show at 10/10.30pm Hired a car and recommend visiting Chanai and Rethymno along with the water park, nearby freshwater lake and Kourtalitiko gorge Great stay - recommended"