Greece - the birthplace of the gods - has long been one of the favorite destinations for the Russian traveler. This country combines several advantages at once: here you can see numerous attractions, including Orthodox shrines, enjoy a quality beach holiday and treat yourself to the warm attitude of local residents. Greece has many advantages, they can be listed for a very long time.
Holidays in Crete
The main part of Russians for their first trip chooses the mainland of this country. But, having enjoyed their holidays in megalopolises, many begin to think about visiting the Greek islands - Rhodes, Crete, Kos, Korfa, etc. Each of them is beautiful in its own way, so often the question of choice arises very sharply.
Crete - the largest Greek island - is located at the intersection of sea routes between Europe and Asia, apparently, therefore, it is believed that it was here that the oldest civilization was born. This means that in addition to a great holiday there is the opportunity to see many unique places. There are many resort towns and villages on the island. Each of them is good in its own way. And one of them is Amudara.
Hotel selection
This resort, located on the northern coast of the island, eight kilometers from Heraklion, the capital of Crete, has been considered one of the most popular destinations for several years, including for Russian tourists. There are many reasons for this. In Amoudar, sandy beaches, proximity to the capital and the most famous local attractions, a short transfer, well-developed infrastructure - restaurants, shops, clubs, taverns, a wide selection of hotels - all this becomes an undoubted plus when choosing a place to stay.
Here you can choose a hotel for every taste and wealth. In total, this small resort has a little over fifty hotels, among which there are inexpensive three-star options, for example, Armonia Beach Hotel 3 *. Amudara is not a quiet village, but also not a noisy party town. Here you can relax both relatively calmly and plunged into a vibrant active life. It all depends on the choice of hotel.
Armonia Beach Hotel: description
This small hotel is located on the first line, eight kilometers from the capital of Crete and twelve from the international airport. It has a small territory - only four thousand square meters. However, such a small area is fully compensated by its thoughtfulness and well-being - the greenery of planted trees, palm trees and flowers. Neat paths, nooks where you can just sit and listen to the surf, signs indicating the main objects - all this has a good rest.
Armonia Beach Hotel 3 * (Greece, Amoudara) was opened in 1995. Its owner carefully monitors the condition of the rooms and the rest of the infrastructure, annually updating the situation. The last time the hotel was completely renovated in 2014 was the old plumbing and furniture were completely replaced.
Armonia Beach Hotel is perfect for those who want to relax with young children. From the airport, the hotel can be reached in just a few minutes. This is a definite advantage, because young children do not tolerate a long transfer.
Directly at the entrance to the hotel there is a bus stop, from which comfortable shuttles depart both in the north and in the south. There are many small shops nearby, where tourists can buy not only food, but also all those things necessary for relaxation that they did not bring with them. Along the street on which this hotel stands, there are many souvenir shops and taverns.
Infrastructure
Armonia Beach Hotel is a 3-star property. However, the low category practically did not affect its infrastructure. The hotel offers the whole range of services that is necessary for a comfortable stay. The registration desk is always open: they will help to solve any problem, including changing the number if necessary. Those who wish can arrange a return transfer to the airport, if they have not done so in advance.
You can purchase tickets from a receptionist at an entertainment center located nearby. It organizes daily events, including concerts with the participation of Greek singers.
The hotel has the opportunity to exchange currency. There is a tour desk in the lobby. Here you can rent a car or bike for an independent study of local attractions. Traffic in Crete is not difficult, as in large megacities, but keep in mind that the island has very narrow roads.
The registration desk has a fax machine, here you can rent a safe box or a left-luggage office.
rules
Armonia Beach Hotel 3 * welcomes guests around the clock, despite a clearly defined arrival time - two in the afternoon. If available, keys are issued immediately. Check-out time is at noon, although during the low season or at low hotel occupancy the administration does not insist on room vacations, especially tourists with small children are allowed to wait for a transfer in their rooms.
All additional payments can only be made in cash. In the absence of local currency, it can be exchanged directly on the territory.
Children under two years stay free. Extra bed available on request. Children from two to twelve years of age will cost thirteen euros per night for a rollaway bed, while adults must pay nineteen.
The hotel does not allow pets. Smoking is allowed on site.
Housing stock
Armonia Beach Hotel, reviews of which are mostly positive, relatively small. It consists of three two-story buildings built in the Mediterranean style. In total, the hotel has fifty-two double and triple comfortable standard rooms. The windows overlook both the patio and the sea. The rooms provide everything for a comfortable, hassle-free stay. Comfortable and completely renovated, they have a relatively small area. The rooms are equipped with comfortable double or single beds, there are bedside tables, wardrobe, trunk. But in front of all the rooms there are balconies, most of which look at an angle from the sea.
If you wish, you can use the safe in the room: price - two euros per day. It fits a tablet or small laptop.
Room repair is done in a classic style. A TV, fridge and a small table with a mirror are installed. Use of a minibar is a paid service.
There are no kettles in the rooms, no furniture on the balcony. On the floor - ceramic tiles. Bathrooms combined. Towels are changed daily, bed linen - three times a week. Room cleaning is unobtrusive. Tourists should note that the hotel does not provide shampoos and bathing gels.
Nutrition
Armonia Beach Hotel 3 * offers two food concepts: continental breakfast and half board. A buffet is served in the restaurant located in the neighboring Santa Marina Hotel. Time to it is three minutes in an unhurried step.
The price of meals also includes drinks, in particular three types of juices, as many varieties of wine, beer, tea, coffee from ten in the morning to eleven in the evening.
Beach
He is considered the best on the north coast by many of those who rested at Armonia Beach Hotel 3 *. Reviews about the condition of the beach and its coverage are indeed confirmation of this. Fine sand, easy access to water, a clean sea, the presence of lifeguards - all this makes spending time on the shores of the wonderful sea comfortable and convenient.
Sun beds and sun umbrellas are paid. For them you need to pay three euros per day. A huge advantage of this beach is its low population, which is why many people choose this hotel because of this, preferring to sunbathe and swim not in the noise and noise, but in a calm and quiet environment.
The depth in this place is small, the entrance to the water is shallow, which is convenient for children. Judging by the reviews, this beach is great for those who don't swim very well.
Fifty meters from the coastline there are reefs in the sea, so those who like to explore the underwater world can snorkel. You can see sea urchins, beautiful fish and other amazing animals.
For children
Armonia Beach Hotel 3 * (Crete) is more suitable for family holidays. Apparently, therefore, there are always many children in it, for whom the hotel administration has provided certain services. On the territory there is a good compact children's playground, where the kids can safely have fun, there is also a shallow compartment in the pool.
If desired, parents can get a highchair and a special menu in the restaurant. There is also a children's animation.
Additional Information
Especially a large number of adult entertainment at this hotel is not provided. There is a large outdoor pool with free sunbeds around. In the mornings, there are classes in water aerobics with an instructor. The pool also has a bar, open from ten in the morning until eleven in the evening.
In the evenings, guests can engage in animation at the nearby Santa Marina.
Those who prefer an active pastime are recommended to go to neighboring Heraklion, where taverns and restaurants are always open, there are many discos and clubs. Within walking distance for tourists of this hotel there is an entertainment center - Technopolis, where free concerts are organized, including for children.
You can connect to the Internet for free both in the hotel lobby and in the pool bar. Wi-Fi is not available in the rooms.
Entertainment
Living in Armonia Beach Hotel 3 * (Greece) can not only relax on the beach, but also see local attractions. The location of the hotel contributes a lot to this. Next to it, just a short drive away, is the amazingly beautiful Agiofarago Gorge Beach. Judging by the reviews, you need to get to it first by car (six kilometers), and then on foot, passing through the gorge. The place is a secluded romantic bay, where there are practically no tourists.
Vacationers can also go to the Knossos Palace on their own, taking a regular bus to the center of Heraklion, and from there - on foot.
Tours can be bought both from your tour operator and in the office located at the registration desk of Armonia Beach Hotel 3 * (Crete).
Reviews
For the most part, tourists, in particular Russians, are satisfied with their stay at this hotel. They rate him on a solid "four."
Clean and tidy territory, friendly staff, good rooms - all this can be obtained at a relatively low price.
Armonia Beach Hotel, despite its three-star category, left the vacationers with the best memories. The rooms were always well cleaned, and at that time when there was nobody, the furniture was new, the mattresses were comfortable. The only drawback is the lack of shampoos and gels in the bathroom. But this gap can be filled by purchasing everything you need in the nearest supermarket. By the way, next to the hotel there are two large shops, in which there is absolutely everything. Some tourists were unhappy that there was no furniture on the balconies.
As for nutrition, here all the reviews are unanimous. The food in this hotel is simply excellent: for the entire duration of your stay, meals can be practically never repeated.
The highest score tourists put and the location of Armonia Beach Hotel. It is convenient to get to all major cities of Crete from it, but the biggest advantage is the proximity to the airport.
The beach is sandy, comfortable for swimming. Some find beach loungers its drawback, but this approach is adopted in almost all Greek hotels.
The silence on the territory, a huge amount of greenery and beautiful flowers were also appreciated by our compatriots. You can walk, breathing fresh sea air, without going out of the gate. In short, a good hotel for a very economical price.