Those who have ever been to Crete will say that this is a real paradise. And indeed it is! The island is truly fabulous, history, myths and reality are woven together here. Crete has an excellent climate and excellent conditions for a good rest.
general information
There is practically no industry on the island. But comfortable hotel complexes occupy the entire coast in Crete. The area of this Greek island is small, while it is washed by the waters of four seas: Cretan, Aegean, Libyan and Ionian. All of them are shrouded in myths and legends, as, indeed, Crete itself. Visitors here are waiting for a measured unhurried type of relaxation, passing among the natural beauties. At the same time, the tourist infrastructure on the island is well developed. Crete always has an incredibly attractive, magical atmosphere.
This island is included in the list of those places that are dear to the heart of a tourist. Every year, the millionth army of holidaymakers comes to this paradise in order to gain strength and pleasant experiences. The capital of Heraklion is its largest city. Geographically, it includes several popular tourist villages, one of which is Malia. It has built about seventy apartments and hotels that can satisfy the needs of any traveler. One of them is the Bella Elena 3 * hotel. Reviews about living in it, features of the infrastructure, services provided - all this is presented in this article.
Description
The hotel was built in 1990. It was overhauled several times. The latest update was in 2015. Bella Elena Apartments (Crete) is located thirty kilometers from Heraklion. The center of the tourist village of Malia is within walking distance. The airport is only half an hour away. This, judging by the reviews, is a great advantage of this hotel. Near it are many taverns, small shops.
The hotel area is fully landscaped and equipped. To the sea - eight hundred meters. The hotel has its own free parking. Bella Elena has a very good location, especially for those tourists who prefer to independently explore the sights of the island.
Infrastructure
The hotel is assigned a three-star category. All services provided in it are fully consistent with this level. The infrastructure of Aparthotel Bella Elena includes a 24-hour reception desk, which has a Russian-speaking girl, a paid medical office, a luggage room, a depository safe, and a souvenir kiosk in high season.
In the administrative block, you can use the services of a car and bike rental office, as well as buy sightseeing tours. At the reception, anyone can arrange a transfer in any direction, call a taxi.
A cash machine is located outside the hotel, within walking distance. There is a bus stop right at the entrance, from which shuttles depart in any direction. Tickets can be bought both at the hotel and from the bus driver.
The hotel also has an Internet café, a games room with vending machines. Wi-Fi access must be paid separately.
Housing stock
Bella Elena Apartments 3 * consists of several two-story buildings. In total, the housing stock includes forty rooms of four categories. Studio 2 Pax with two single beds measuring twenty-eight square meters can accommodate a maximum of two people at a time. Studio 3 Pax rooms have an additional sofa. They can simultaneously accommodate three people.
The updated Deluxe Studio Triple open-plan apartment has a double bed and sofa. These rooms are thirty-two square meters in size. They are designed for a maximum of three people.
The most expensive and largest rooms of this hotel are Deluxe apartments with a bedroom and a living room, separated by a door. They have one main double bed and two sofas. These rooms are forty-five square meters. They can simultaneously accommodate four people.
Room furnishings
Judging by the reviews, the Bella Elena three-star hotel provides everything for a comfortable stay. The rooms are equipped with solid new furniture, a refrigerator, a fully equipped kitchen area with a kettle, kitchenware and coffee maker, TV. On the windows - dark blackout curtains and matching the bedspreads on the beds. The rooms are renovated in Art Nouveau style. Beige and brown tones predominate in the color scheme. Very beautifully executed apartment lighting.
Paid services include a built-in electronic safe, Internet and air conditioning. On the floor - ceramic tiles. There is also a direct dial telephone.
All rooms have small furnished balconies or terraces. They look at the patio or pool. Sitting on the balcony, tourists can enjoy the surrounding nature, in particular, the mountain slopes that surround this resort village.
Bathrooms in the rooms combined with bath and shower. There is a hairdryer and a minimum set of hygiene accessories. Rooms are cleaned daily. Twice a week, maids change bedding.
Nutrition
Bella Elena Apartments 3 * (Greece, Crete, Heraklion) offers its customers three types of tours: accommodation without meals (RO), "English breakfast" and "breakfast and dinner" - half board. Depending on the chosen system, the cost of tickets varies.
Meals are provided according to the buffet concept in the main restaurant. The menu is dominated by Mediterranean cuisine, always fish, a lot of vegetables and fruits are served every day.
For those tourists who buy vouchers without meals, a kitchen area with a stove and all necessary accessories is provided in the rooms. The on-site restaurant also has a preliminary menu, there is a snack bar and a poolside bar where you can buy light snacks, juices and beer. In addition, within walking distance from the hotel there are many Greek taverns where you can taste souvlaki, pizza, etc.
For children
Bella Elena 3 * in Crete often takes vacationers with families. The hotel infrastructure includes a special children's menu, a shallow compartment in the pool and the possibility of obtaining high chairs in the restaurant. The climate of Crete is great for young tourists. Moreover, this hotel is located near the airport, so many Russians choose it because of the short-time transfer.
Beach
The hotel is on the third line from the sea. Malia's public beach is a twenty-five minute walk. The swimming area is covered by sand, but the entrance to the water is pebble. Therefore, many of our compatriots recommend the use of rubber slippers for swimming. On the beach, sun loungers and umbrellas are available for a fee. Towels are provided at the hotel on deposit.
Malia beach is quite well equipped. There are always rescuers here, many water activities are presented, for which you need to pay.
Features
Bella Elena Apartments (3 *, Greece, Crete) provides those guests who buy a tour for seven or more nights with free bicycles. If you want to use this service, you should inform the administration in advance. Pets are allowed at an additional cost. This should be reported to the hotel staff prior to arrival.
Check-in at Bella Elena is scheduled for two in the afternoon, and check-out is at noon. If desired, you can order a paid accelerated registration. However, as can be seen from the reviews of many Russians, the administration of this hotel rarely adheres to the schedule and, at the slightest opportunity, meets its guests.
For the use of air conditioning should pay seven euros per day, for a safe - three. Internet connection will cost ten cu for one device. Please note that cash payments at this hotel should not exceed five hundred euros.
On the territory of Bella Elena there are separate places for smokers, there is also one room for the disabled with a specially equipped bathroom.
Entertainment
Holidays in Bella Elena, many tourists call calm and measured. However, guests are never bored on site. If desired, guests can play ping pong or darts. The hotel has a small private pool. Those who do not want to walk twenty minutes to the sea can swim and sunbathe right on the premises. The fresh water pool is always clean. Around him are comfortable sunbeds and umbrellas. There is also a bar. For hygiene, all drinks are dispensed in disposable glasses. In the mornings, the pool hosts water aerobics classes. Those who wish to play billiards can rent a table and equipment at the reception.
Excursions
Crete is an island with a lot of historical monuments. The vast majority of tourists prefer to combine a beach holiday with an educational one. In this regard, the hotel has an excellent location. In twenty minutes you can walk to Malia Palace, a little more - forty minutes you need to go to Stalis Beach. Seven kilometers from the hotel there is an aqua park and an aquarium, the famous Likhostatis and the Sarakino fountain are almost as far away.
Many people buy tours for longer trips, for example, to Lake Kournas, in which many small turtles swim, to the Lassidi plateau and, of course, to the palace of Knossos.
Bella Elena: reviews
The vast majority of Russians were satisfied with their stay at this hotel. Judging by the reviews, Bella Elena has quite spacious modern rooms with all the necessary filling. The hotel itself is small. Holidays here are suitable for all categories of tourists, from the elderly to the youth who can have fun in the center of Malia.
The Russians left a lot of positive feedback about the staff. The friendly atmosphere, the willingness of workers to help in everything, appealed to everyone. This hotel has a lot of advantages - excellent territory, delicious food, etc. But there is one big minus - remoteness from the beach, so our compatriots advise to think before choosing a few times. In turn, it is very convenient for young people to get to the sea on free bikes.