As the famous Greek writer said, Crete can be considered a "state of mind." Indeed, the rest on this largest island of the country today is chosen by representatives of almost all European countries, as well as Russians and residents of the post-Soviet space.
The tourist infrastructure in Crete is well developed. Apparently, therefore, according to many, this fifth largest island of the Mediterranean Sea, has truly become one of the best European resorts. In addition, Crete has a very interesting history: there are many attractions that can be combined with a beach holiday. On the island you can visit such interesting places as the archaeological site of Knossos, Malia, Festa, Gortyna, the Venetian castle in the third largest city of Rethymnon, the cave of Zeus, the Gramvousa island with Balos bay, the Lassithi plateau, Samaria gorge, as well as the unique Lake Kournas, in which has a lot of turtles.
Crete is visited annually by two and a half million tourists. They offer comfortable five- and four-star hotel complexes, inexpensive hotels, spread along the entire coast. And one of them is Blue Island Hotel 3 *. Crete is famous for its warm sea and subtropical climate, which, combined with the incredible hospitality of the locals, contributes to a wonderful vacation.
general information
There are many hotels on the island, but those who prefer an economical option of accommodation will appreciate the three-star hotels, which are usually located on the first coastline. Blue Island 3 * is no exception. It is located in the center of the small resort town of Hersonissos, near the famous Malia, famous for its amazing beaches. The hotel is primarily suitable for those tourists who prefer a dynamic and active holiday. Its location is optimal for those who like on vacation not only to sunbathe and swim, but also to walk, exploring local attractions. A few steps from the main entrance of the hotel there is a bus stop, from which every hour comfortable bass lines depart in different directions.
The center of the resort town, where there are bars and a disco, is only three hundred meters away. Within walking distance are shops, a supermarket, and many taverns where you can sample amazing Cretan cuisine.
Blue Island Hotel 3 * (Greece) was built in 1990. The last time it was thoroughly repaired in 2014. It has a small green area on which, in addition to the main building, a pool is built. A ten minute walk from the hotel is the picturesque village of Koutuloufari, where you can get acquainted with the life of local residents and taste the freshest seafood.
The nearest hospital is only eight hundred meters away. In the immediate vicinity of the hotel there is also a bank, a supermarket and a police station.
Infrastructure
Blue Island 3 * offers services that fully comply with international standards. And although he has a low category, nevertheless, in some respects he was awarded the highest score. And first of all, those who have already visited the Blue Island Hotel 3 * testify to this. Crete, reviews about the rest on which tourists are mostly positive, is quite popular among Europeans today. Many of them choose exactly three-star hotels, which on the island are distinguished by developed infrastructure.
Among the many advantages of Blue Island Hotel 3 * is a short transfer. This is especially convenient for those tourists who come to the island with small children. And although comfortable shuttles deliver them to their place of residence, nevertheless, after air travel, small passengers can hardly endure a long trip. This is another reason for the popularity of Blue Island 3 * (Greece, Crete). Heraklion, where the international airport is located, is only twenty-six kilometers away, so you can arrive at the hotel in half an hour.
The hotel complex has its own guarded parking lot. The registry is always open. According to the rules, check-in is scheduled for two in the afternoon, and check-out is at noon. However, if the hotel is not busy, judging by the reviews, a very friendly attitude is shown to the guests: with the consent of the manager, tourists with small children and advanced age can stay in occupied rooms for up to an hour of transfer for free.
There is an elevator between the floors of the building. Here, at the reception, you can rent a safe box or use a left-luggage office.
Housing stock
Blue Island 3 * (Crete) is considered small. In total there are thirty-six rooms, which are equipped in a four-story building, built in the style of the Mediterranean islands. If there are places, registration of visitors is carried out immediately, without waiting for an hour of arrival. The rooms are small, well-decorated. Ceramic tiles on the floor. The beds are comfortable with quality mattresses. The rooms also have luggage rack, bedside tables, wardrobe. If you wish, you can rent a small safe in which you can store money and jewelry. Laptops or large devices do not fit into it. However, judging by the reviews, there is practically no theft at the hotel.
All rooms have small balconies with access to the sea or to the interior. They offer an excellent panorama of the Cretan Sea. You can use the refrigerator for a fee - one and a half euros per day.
All rooms of Blue Island 3 * are equipped with split-systems for air conditioning. There is also a telephone with international access.
Room categories are as follows - regular, family, superior. There is also the opportunity for people with disabilities to stay. Pets are not allowed in accordance with hotel policies.
Nutrition
To some, the buffet compared to Egypt or Turkey at the Blue Island 3 * hotel (Greece, Crete) at first may seem somewhat meager. But this is not so. It offers delicious food. And there are enough dishes in order not to remain hungry. On the table are always available fruits and salads, a lot of meat and side dishes. I must say that the Greeks eat little beef, but they are very popular with lamb and chicken.
For breakfast, the hotel always has dairy products - sour cream, cottage cheese, several types of sausages, scrambled eggs, cheeses, sausages, muffins and croissants, jams. For lunch, almost always served potatoes and pasta with different sauces, a lot of fresh vegetables - in salads and separately, ice cream, several types of meat, fish. Fans of alcohol can drink two types of wine - red and white.
Those who buy a tour package for the all-inclusive concept can drink any amount of juices, beer, wine, whiskey and tequila of local production in the bar from ten in the morning until eleven in the evening. On the territory of Blue Island 3 * there is also an Island's cafe.
Hotel Policies
According to the rules of this hotel, pets are not allowed. Allowed to stay with children of any age, even infants. When placing a baby in a room under two years old in a crib, his stay is free. You do not need to pay for one older child - from three to twelve years old - a child on an additional cot.
Those who are going to a hotel with young children require confirmation from the administration about the readiness to provide a free place. The maximum number of extra beds for children or adults in a room is 1.
Beach
The whole coast of Crete is beaches. On some, the sand cover, on others there are stones. Blue Island Hotel 3 * beach is no exception. Its main area is coarse sand, but there are few stones at the entrance to the water, so it is better to buy special shoes in the nearest store. The beach is always under the supervision of lifeguards, who even in the presence of small waves begin to patrol it. Sun beds and umbrellas are provided free of charge. There is also a shower with fresh water. The hotel's beach is very convenient for young children, because the entrance to the sea is smooth.
Those who prefer only sand cover can walk two hundred meters along the coast to the bathing area of a neighboring hotel.
Additional services
From hotels with a low category, many mistakenly expect the most diverse range of entertainment. Whereas they often provide excellent living conditions, delicious food, clean territory, an excellent beach and several additional services. For example, the Blue Island Hotel 3 * hotel, reviews of accommodation in which tourists mostly leave positive, guests are offered animation, the ability to access the Internet, laundry, currency exchange.
So that in the evenings the guests were not bored, dances and competitions are organized on the territory, once a week - a barbecue. Those who wish can listen to live Greek music in the bar.
On the territory there is an outdoor pool with fresh water, in which in the morning classes on water aerobics are organized for everyone. Inventory and instructor services are provided free of charge. Around the pool there are many sunbeds and umbrellas.
The staff working at the registration desk speaks five languages, including Russian and English, so tourists from our country do not have communication problems when solving problems.
For children
Since the Blue Island 3 * hotel (Crete), reviews of which also confirm this, tour operators are positioned as a family, perfect for a quiet measured vacation with young children, everything is provided for small customers. Upon request, parents are provided with one extra bed for a child - a folding bed. In the restaurant you can always use high chairs, and if necessary, order a special menu.
In the pool for the smallest there is a shallow compartment where the children can swim safely, while adults will be on the beach. There is a games room next to the reception desk, in which vending machines are installed.
Excursions
Crete has many attractions worth seeing. There is a bus stop directly at the hotel entrance, from which buses leave for Heraklion and Chania, the second largest city on the island. Tours can be bought from your tour operator, although, according to some, when buying from the street you can significantly save.
Most often, visitors to Crete choose a trip to Knossos and Santorini, jeep trips around the island to the Libyan Sea are no less popular.
There are many interesting places in Hersonissos itself. You can visit the ruins left from the Phaistos Palace, the large Aquaworld Aquarium, the Palm Beach Club, the Idolio Wonderland store, and the open-air museum called Lychnostatis.
Those who wish can order a sea cruise or fishing with an experienced escort, ride horses, go on a safari jeep trip around the island with a visit to the high-mountain Cretan village where you can taste honey crayfish and buy olive oil directly from the producing farmer. Many of these excursions can be purchased directly at the Blue Island Hotel 3 *. Crete, reviews of the holidays on which many associate with this holiday, is famous for its attractions, which many tourists try to see. And this, despite the fact that some excursions are quite expensive.
Tourists reviews
A very small percentage of Russians were dissatisfied with their vacation in Blue Island 3 *. Most often, the owner of the hotel meets his guests. Judging by the reviews, procrastination almost never occurs during check-in.
The number of rooms, of course, is a bit small in area. However, this drawback is fully compensated by new furniture, comfort and a magnificent view, which opens from the balconies of high floors. Every day a scheduled cleaning is carried out, during which towels are necessarily changed. Sheets are updated three times a week. The air conditioning installed in the room, quite normally provides the necessary coolness. It turns off when you open the door to the balcony.
As for nutrition, no special complaints arose, judging by the reviews, no one. True, there is some dissatisfaction with the quality of the free coffee offered, but this problem can be solved by visiting the tavern opposite, where a wonderful frappe is served. Many rave reviews about the bread that this hotel bakes. Many people call food "home", evaluating it for the highest score.
Most tourists rated it “good” by the pool. There are always a lot of free sunbeds around, although some Russians express dissatisfaction with its size.
You can reach the sea in just three minutes directly, not for long, however, to find a beach with only sand, you have to walk a little two kilometers to the right. The road is good, along it are many small shops and taverns.
By the way, the beach is the only, perhaps, a serious cause of discontent for those who did not bring special shoes with them for the convenience of entering the water. However, there are many stalls near the hotel where you can buy it. Summing up, we can say that the vast majority of our compatriots were satisfied with their stay at the Blue Island 3 * hotel and left with the best impressions from the island in the hope of returning here more than once.