In today's review, we will focus on one of the economical hotels in Greece called Minoa Hotel Malia 2 *. This guest house is a budget vacation option and opens its doors to everyone who wants to have a good vacation for little money.
The hotel is located in one of the most party resorts in Crete, in the village of Malia. Thanks to which it attracts young people and fans of nightly entertainment.
The city center is a chain, the links of which are bars and clubs open until the morning. For people who love peace and quiet, the hotel, as, in principle, the resort itself, is not very suitable.
Briefly about the mini-hotel
Judging by the description, Minoa Hotel Malia 2 * is quite a cozy small hotel, somewhat reminiscent of hotels on the Black Sea coast. The building consists of one building, in which only twenty rooms are located, among them there are rooms of the "studio" and "standard" categories. All rooms are equipped with:
- Individual air conditioning (extra charge).
- Bath / shower.
- Balcony / terrace.
- TV with satellite television.
- Safe (paid).
- By phone.
- Fridge.
- Free internet access.
- Iron, hairdryer (on request).
- Rooms are cleaned 6 times a week.
No bathroom amenities.
The hotel was built in 1980, the last repair was made four years ago.
Location
Minoa Hotel Malia 2 * hotel is located in the village of Malia, on the island of Crete, 34 kilometers from Heraklion. From the hotel to the airport about 32 kilometers. The beach is across the road, within walking distance of many shops and places where you can eat deliciously.
Hotel Facilities
As for the services provided in Minoa Hotel Malia 2 *, here the choice is small. In the courtyard of the hotel there is one open-air swimming pool, there is a bar near the swimming pool, a souvenir shop, free Wi-Fi in public areas and a billiards table for an additional fee. Also among the paid hotel services: car rental, bike rental, airport shuttle.
Beach area
The beach at Minoa Hotel Malia 2 * is municipal, sandy, located at a distance of 150 meters from the hotel and is separated from it by a road. The beach has sun loungers and parasols, which can be rented for a fee. Beach towels are not provided.
Nutrition
The Minoa Hotel Malia 2 * service provides meals according to the “breakfast” system, it is also possible to purchase a tour to this hotel “without meals” and have a meal in nearby restaurants and cafes. In addition, throughout the day you can order various light snacks and drinks at the hotel’s snack bar, and for those who like to cook on their own, there are rooms with a kitchen and all the necessary equipment and utensils.
Vacation with children
The hotel accepts tourists with children of any age, but does not provide certain services for them. The only thing, at the request of the parents who came to Malia with the kids, employees can put a crib in the room. This service is free.
Older children at the hotel may be bored, there are no playgrounds, mini-clubs and separate small pools, which should be considered when choosing a hotel. But even at the end of September, the weather in Crete allows you to organize a full beach holiday for children. Even in the middle of autumn, the guys here feel comfortable, swim calmly and take sun baths.
Excursions
Now let's try to understand the local attractions that are very convenient to visit while relaxing in Minoa Hotel Malia 2 *.
- About a twenty-minute walk from the hotel is the Palace of Malia (entrance fee is 400 rubles per person). This archaeological complex was the result of excavations that began in 1915 and are still ongoing. Here you can see the ruins of the period of the Minoan civilization, the remains of the royal necropolis, individual houses of city blocks.
- A forty-minute walk from the hotel is Stalis Beach. Here tourists are attracted by good beaches, beautiful views and a relaxed lifestyle. The place is popular with senior citizens and families with children.
- Many tourists remember visiting the monastery of St. George, it can be reached from the hotel by bicycle in about 30 minutes. The temple is located in the gorge, has a very beautiful territory, inside there are many plants, flowers, magnificent architecture.
- In the evening it is interesting to stroll to Old Malia. This is a tiny beautiful town with a fabulous atmosphere and the main attractions:
- The Venetian Church of St. John;
- Temple of St. Nectarios;
- Church of St. Dimitrios.
5. A few kilometers from Malia is the city of Mojos. Here you can get acquainted with the traditional way of life of local residents.
6. Resting in Malia, you should definitely visit the Palace of Knossos - the largest attraction of Crete.
7. In addition to all of the above, many advise to drive to the Lassithi plateau and the cave of Zeus.
8. If this is not enough, then go to Heraklion, the journey will take about an hour.
Crete and its features
Crete is the largest island of the archipelago of Greece. It is located in its southern part and is simultaneously surrounded by three seas. The island attracts tourists with its long summer season, mountain landscapes, vibrant architectural echoes of the ancient Minoan civilization and an exquisite coastline. It is an island of pleasant smells, golden sands, spectacular valleys and stunning views. There are lively beaches for party fans and secluded resorts for lovers of silence. The season in Crete begins in April and comes to an end closer to November.
The high season lasts all summer, when the air warms up to 30, and in the southern parts of the island to 40 degrees Celsius. In September, the weather in Crete becomes milder, there is no sweltering heat, the "velvet season" begins. With the advent of autumn, beach vacations become more comfortable, the sun is not so aggressive, and the sea is still warm. The average water temperature in summer is 25 degrees, and in September-October 24 degrees.
The indisputable advantage of the "velvet season" is the price of both accommodation and various services and meals.
As for prices in Greece, here the opinions of people differ in many respects. Someone considers this country a place with fairly affordable prices, but to someone it seemed expensive. It all depends on the needs and capabilities of vacationers.
Budget meals are available at local eateries and taverns. Moreover, it should be noted that the Greeks are a generous people, and one serving here may well be enough for two. If you move away from the crowded places of tourists, you can find very cheap catering establishments, and the quality and taste of dishes will not differ much from food prepared in an expensive restaurant. Alcohol in Greek resorts is quite expensive, but entry to most clubs is completely free. Prices for souvenirs here are slightly higher than in the resorts of Turkey or Cyprus, but excursions and clothes will cost about the same.
Approximate prices:
- An English breakfast in a cafe costs about 250 p.
- You can dine in Cyprus for 600-700 p.
- A standard dinner will cost about 1500-2000 p. for two.
- Excursions - from 1500 to 5000 rubles.
- Car rental - from a thousand rubles per day.
- The cost of gasoline is 120 rubles per liter.
- 2 sun loungers and an umbrella - 450 rubles.
- Souvenirs - from 400 rubles.
Cost of rest
Minoa Hotel Malia 2 * refers to the budget and economical hotels in Greece. Estimated cost of living in it is 50 thousand rubles per week from a couple (with breakfast). At the peak of the season, the cost can increase by 10-15 thousand per person. When choosing a tour, it should also be taken into account that Greece is a member of the Schengen area and a visa may be paid as an extra stay, which can be obtained through the regional department of the Greek Visa Center, independently through consulates or through a tour operator. The cost of a visa varies from four to eight thousand rubles.
Reviews about Minoa Hotel Malia 2 *
When choosing a place to stay, tourists very often rely on the reviews of people who have already been there. If you objectively look at the reviews about Minoa Guest House, you can conclude that the hotel is quite good and quite justifies its price. Just those tourists who plan to stay here should understand that the hotel has only two stars, so you should not expect much from it. The hotel is quite modest, but comfortable, has a great location. The sea is close, a five-minute walk, the beaches are excellent, there are sandy and rocky, there are many shops and taverns nearby, in the evenings there is where to walk and where to go. The only negative - the bus stop is far away.
Purity
There are controversial reviews about housekeeping. Some of the tourists are satisfied and writes about the cleanliness of the rooms, fresh towels and snow-white linens, while someone notes that the hotel is dirty and you have to clean the rooms yourself.
Staff
All reviews suggest that the hotel staff is very sincere and friendly, check-in occurs instantly. You can contact the administrator on any issue, the girl will always help, tell and explain.
Kitchen
Regarding food, almost all tourists agree that breakfasts are monotonous and modest. You can safely take a ticket without meals and have breakfast outside the hotel. There are plenty of taverns nearby, and everyone will find a place where to eat to taste and afford.
Entertainment
Greece is beautiful because here you can rent a car on almost every corner and get acquainted with all the sights on your own. The hotel also has a car rental service. Many tourists choose the Minoa Hotel as a place to spend the night, and during the day they ride around the city in rented cars and spend cultural time enjoying the rest.
From the comments
The hotel is located in the central part of the city, in a noisy area. Sometimes this noise makes it difficult to sleep. For families with children, the hotel is not suitable, according to tourists, a little traveler in Malia will be bored, uninteresting and uncomfortable.
Conclusion
Minoa Hotel Malia 2 * in Crete is a cozy guest house in the village, designed for parties for young people. The hotel is perfect for friendly companies and those who are used to spend their holidays actively and cheerfully.