Crete is one of the most wonderful and popular resorts in the world. Here noisy cheerful youth and a calmer older generation feel comfortable. For parents with kids in Crete, just a paradise - the climate, beaches and hotels are so good. For example, the Meropi 4 * hotel, which has been receiving rave reviews from guests for several years in a row. Many of them have already become regular customers and prefer to relax only here.
Location
Crete is the largest island of Greece. There are many large and small cities, each of which has its own charm and charm. Meropi Hotel 4 * is located in the city of Malia, the famous resort for young people and all those who like to relax with taste.
There are three airports in Crete, but the closest and most convenient is from the hotel to the central one located in Heraklion. The road from there takes about 30 minutes, and the distance is only 32 km.
Resorts are located nearby: the famous Hersonissos (a little over 6 km to it), the wonderful fishing village of Sissi with romantic beaches (about 8 km from Malia) and the very small town of Stalida (about 3 km). In the last two settlements, it is much calmer, since there are practically no entertainments familiar to travelers.
How to get there
You can get to Crete by water and by air. At the height of the season, many direct flights from Aegean Airlines, NordStar Airlines, Nordwind Airlines, Aeroflot, Transaero, Aerosvit depart from Russia and Ukraine. They fly to Heraklion from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Norilsk, Voronezh, Kazan, Yekaterinburg, Kiev, Donetsk, Lviv.
There are about a dozen companies that fly to the island from any European country. In the off-season and in winter, all international flights are canceled, only local flights from Athens and Rhodes remain. You can get here with a comfortable ferry from Athens or from other Greek islands. A shuttle bus runs from Heraklion to Malia (ticket price is about 4 euros), a stop of which is located near the Meropi 4 * hotel. You can also get there from Heraklion by taxi, which will cost about 50 euros.
Hotel Description
Meropi Hotel 4 * is located on a green landscaped area surrounded by an ever-flowering garden. Palm trees and fruit trees growing along paths and near buildings give a special charm.
This hotel was commissioned in 1987. Overhaul was carried out in 2009.
Infrastructure Meropi 4 * represents two buildings, a new and an old one, a free parking lot, for adults - three pools that differ in shape, size and depth, for children - pools and a sports ground. There is free wireless internet, two bars and a restaurant. The reception at the hotel is open non-stop. Check-in is made upon arrival, regardless of the time of day. Later guests are treated to sandwiches so that guests can grab a bite from the road.
Rooms
Many tour operators claim this hotel as Meropi Apartments 4 *. This is absolutely true, since all 96 rooms offered to guests are two-room apartments. Their area is from 42 m 2 . In addition to the living room and bedroom, each room has a small but functional kitchenette with a stove, microwave, refrigerator and the necessary set of dishes. The design of the apartments is made in the style of minimalism - there is nothing superfluous that would clutter up the free space. There is no carpet. The floor is tiled, which is justified for hot summer days. Of the amenities in each room are air conditioning (7 euros per day), telephone, safe (key must be taken at the reception), TV and hairdryer. The spacious bathrooms are equipped with a toilet, a washbasin and a bath with shower. Many rooms have a jacuzzi. Hygiene products include soap and toilet paper. Large balconies (terraces) available in each room deserve attention. The windows overlook either the hotel or the surrounding area, the sea and the distant mountains.
Room Recommendations
All rooms in the Meropi Hotel Apartments 4 * are in good condition, but the apartments of the new building have a fresher look than the same in the old building, especially the furniture. Sea view only opens from the windows of the rooms located upstairs. On the lower floors, even in the summer heat, it is quite fresh, so paid air conditioning is not needed. Multiple trees blocking the sun give shade and coolness. In addition, first-floor apartments can be accessed through a balcony without entering the hotel. Some tourists in the reviews mentioned that their children jumped into the pool directly from the balcony (terrace). For some, this may seem like a minus, but others will consider it a significant plus. There is no need to worry about the cleanliness of the rooms, cleaning is done daily and impeccably. Linen and towels are changed every three days.
Nutrition
Great food at Meropi 4 *. Greece is famous for its hospitality. It is prepared very tasty, with a soul. Dishes of national cuisine include meat, fish, many vegetables, seasoned with olive oil and lemon juice. A feature of this hotel is that almost all vegetables and fruits are grown in their own garden, right behind the green park area. That is, all products, firstly, environmentally friendly, and secondly, always fresh. As a rule, our tourists go to rest on the "full board" system, which means the provision of breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks.
The hotel has a cozy restaurant serving basic meals. There is a small bar between two pools and a lobby bar. Breakfast time from 7-30 to 9-30, lunch from 13-00 to 14-30, dinner from 18-30 to 21-00. Snacks in the form of sandwiches, sweets, ice cream and all kinds of drinks are held in the bar by the water from 10-00 to 18-00, and in the lobby from 18-00 to 23-00.
Breakfast is buffet style and features continental cuisine. The menu includes granola, several types of cereal, milk, sausages or sausage, eggs, several types of cheese, ham, honey, jam, butter, pastries, coffee, tea, juice. From drinks: sweet sparkling water, wine, ouzo (brandy), beer. Those who purchase a breakfast-only tour can have lunch and dinner at numerous restaurants, taverns, and snack bars located within walking distance of the hotel.
For children
In Meropi 4 * much attention is paid to children. On the territory there are two pools (fresh water), a green lawn with swings, slides and cute mushroom houses. Please note that cots are available in rooms upon prior request. The restaurant for babies has special chairs and a table. But that is not all. So that parents can easily go about their business, the hotel provides babysitting services that will look after the kids, play with them and even put them to bed. The service costs 5 euros per hour.
Leisure
In their free time from the beach, vacationers at the Meropi 4 * hotel can enjoy water sports in the pools. Around each set sunbeds and umbrellas. For fans to leave the ball on the territory there is a volleyball court, and in one of the buildings there are billiard tables. You can relax, arrange a holiday for body and soul in the sauna or steam bath. There is no animation at the hotel, but for toddlers in the afternoon, quizzes and competitions are held at the playground. In general, this hotel is quite quiet and calm, even the on-site bar closes at 23-00.
Sea
Most tourists choose a Meropi 4 * hotel for a wonderful beach holiday. Malia (or Malia) is famous for its magnificent coastline. The nearest beach is 750 meters away. Walk to it for about 10 minutes along the street with shops and taverns, past other hotels. The length of this beach is about 600 meters, the entrance is free, the shore and the bottom are sandy, the descent into the sea is very gentle and comfortable for kids, the water is clear.
There are stones too, but there are very few of them. It provides sun loungers and umbrellas for the price of 5 euros for the whole day, but you can relax on your own towel under your umbrella. Bars and small shops are located nearby, everything is provided for outdoor activities.
In addition to this beach in Malia there are others. So, 2.5 km (half an hour walk) is located Sun beach. It has a comfortable and safe swimming pool for the youngest tourists. Tropical beach stretched even further east, followed by River. It is located near the excavations of the Malian Palace, which makes it possible to combine a beach holiday with an informative one. From the city center it is 3.5 km. It’s far away on foot, but just for those who rented any vehicle. The river beach is considered one of the calmest and least populated, sand and sea are ideal here. You can have fun on the water not only by riding on "bananas" and jet skis: try to ride a wave on a special board, since the winds blow from the second half of summer properly. The beaches of Malia have windsurfing and diving clubs. The water in the sea is clean and clear, but there is not enough living creature. But still interesting, because with luck, you can watch octopuses, catch a crab or sea urchin.
When is the best time to relax at the Meropi 4 * hotel (Malia)
This hotel is seasonal. It works from May to October. In spring it is very good, trees, bushes and fields bloom on the slopes of the mountains. The air temperature is kept at +19 , the sea warms up (especially in shallow water) to +17 , there is practically no wind.
Rains are still possible until the middle of the month, but they are warm and short-lived. The cost of a hotel room is slightly lower than the rest of the time. In all souvenir shops and taverns there is also a decrease in prices.
In June, precipitation, if any, is very rare. The air warms up to +22 and higher, the sea becomes much warmer.
In July, the heat begins, but it annoys little, because at this time of the year the winds start to blow from the north, there comes a paradise for windsurfers and everyone who loves to "catch the wave."
August is just as hot. This month, the sea near the coast warms up to +26 ... + 28 , there are a lot of tourists, all goods and services are offered at maximum prices.
September and October are wonderful months to relax. Many hotels and food courts are closing slowly, people are moving away, prices are falling. This time is the most suitable for shopping, as in most stores prices are reduced by 30-50%. Although rainy days are already possible, overall the weather is wonderful. The sea is still very warm, the air is also, northerly winds changed direction to southerly and blow moderately.
Rates at the hotel for a double room with breakfast from 60 euros, half board from 70 euros and all inclusive from 100 euros per day. Apartments for 3-4 people respectively with breakfast from 75 euros, according to the half-board system from 90 euros, and all-inclusive from 130 euros.
Services
The hotel reception is open 24 hours, so the resettlement is carried out upon arrival. A big plus is that the manager can change the number to a more acceptable one (if there is one free). Here you can also book airline tickets or ferry tickets, take laundry to the laundry, rent a safe, get the necessary information on all issues, rent a car, scooter or bicycle. You can buy sightseeing tours in the city or directly at the Meropi 4 * hotel.
Crete is interesting not only for its beaches and clubs, but also for its unique sights. You can visit the excavations of the Malian Palace on your own, located about 3 km from the hotel. But it’s better to go to Santorin, to the labyrinth of the Minotaur, to the excavations of the Knossos palace, to the cave of Zeus and many other interesting places of the island with a professional guide.
Additional Information
Hotel Meropi 4 * (Malia) is located 500 meters from the main streets of the resort. This is a big plus, because fans of parties to multiple entertainment complexes, discos and nightclubs are close enough, and vacationers who do not like noise and din are also quite comfortable. The center of Malia is unusually noisy, there are a lot of young people, especially English. Although the passage is closed for vehicles, people drive on motorbikes and ATVs in such a way that they take your breath away. But the hotel does not hear anything. Here you can have a wonderful rest and sleep even with the window open. In relation to the sea, the hotel is on the 2nd line, which must be taken into account by people who find it difficult to walk even a few hundred meters. Beach towels are issued at the reception, but they are paid and cost 5 euros. Safe is also paid. But the Internet can be used freely.
Reviews
Everyone is wonderful hotel Meropi 4 *. Guest reviews are similar. Many kind words are addressed to the staff and reception staff for a quick and clear solution to all issues, for the waiters for creating the mood during meals and for the excellent service, the maids for the perfectly clean rooms, the cook for the excellent quality of the dishes.
Complaints are caused by paid air conditioning, but many tourists do without it. Also in the reviews there is a lack of electric kettles in the rooms, although there is an electric stove on which you can boil any amount of water in a matter of minutes. In general, this hotel is recommended for a relaxing family vacation.