Stayed here August 2004

We stayed here for 2 weeks in August 2004, and the entire family (2 adults and two teenagers) all agree it is simply the worst holiday we have EVER had!

The views and the cleanliness are stunning, BUT ...

The staff are mostly extremely unwelcoming and unhelpful, to the point of rudeness.

The food is almost adequate, the less said about it the better. We had paid for half board, but were forced to eat out for 12 nights out of 14! 'Nuff said!

SUNBEDS! If you want to sunbathe at this Hotel, go somewhere else! They were nowhere near enough sunbeds, and the ones that were there ALL had towels on them reserving them BY 6AM EVERY MORNING!!!!!

The hotel manager did admit there was a problem, but did nothing whatsoever to rectify it.

We made the manager aware of our complaints, but he was extremely patronising and did not want to know.

We even had to go on a weeks holiday to TURKEY when we came back in a TWO STAR Hotel, as we felkt we hadn't had a holiday - and the two star knocked spots off this place!

All in all, we would NEVER return!

Great location, some improvements could be made

We initially had a partially renovated bungalow which did not look anything like rooms shown in the brochures - decor was decidedly German 80s style - stuff you see in cheap furniture stores there - brown, olive and purple fabrics in camouflage-type style, yuk! We got moved to a much nicer room the next day.

Negatives - Air con was a bit border line in the main room, whilst bungalow was better but blew straight down on the bed. Bathrooms have what seems to be very common in hotels of all standards - the annoyingly too narrow shower door not fitted properly so water goes all over the floor. Bed a bit too firm.

Positives - staff was very friendly and responsive to our desire to move from initial room. It may help that my wife is Greek, but we never saw any shoddy service and quite a lot of friendly service - eg one waiter chatting with an 8 year old that he should drink his milk to grow stronger, but if he really did not want to, then they could sit down together and have a drink and a cigarette.

Location - fantastic. We checked out St Nicolas Bay, and Blue Palace and Minos Palace wins - it is really beautiful. Suite shared pools are big enough to really swim in them unlike Blue Palace (at Elounda) which are more like big baths.

Food - bit above average for buffet, but not amazing and Ag Nik has good selection of restaurants, so if possible go B & B.

Excellent Hotel

My wife and I have just returned from a two week holiday at Minos Palace. We found it excellent.

The room was spacious with a large balcony facing the sea. There is a large seawater swimming pool. The airconditioning was very efficient. The staff were friendly and helpful.

We enjoyed the food which came in a great variety.

True there was a big mark up on wine but this is universal in restaurants and hotels.

We can thoroughly recommend it.

Avoid

We stayed here five nights in June - July 2004. I wish my stay was as enjoyable as the other reviewers, but it wasn't. This was our last stop in Greece after five other islands and as many hotels, all wonderful. Unfortunately, our air conditioning never cooled the room and no amount of begging, pleading or simply venting got it better than borderline livable. The divan in our room must have had bed bugs because I sat down in my shorts and was bitten in 10 or more spots within a minute or two! Yikes!!! Nice welts. We avoided the couch thereafter at all costs. Property location was fantastic and the pool looked great. They hooked us up with a dive master that was increadible - located across the lagoon in front of the property.

Most resturaunt staff sucked. Plain and simple. They were just unpleasant and borderline rude. Customers are clearly an inconvienance.

Front desk staff was at times helpful and others rude as well. Definitely customer unservice. Generally a bad experience which is a complete surprise. I would avoid and stay elsewhere.

I think I know the Minos Palace

I have visited the Minos Palace Hotel on and off for more than 15 years and can honestly say that every time I go I find more improvements. I am surprised that one of your reviewers found the restaurant staff unfriendly - I have found the reverse. As to the complaint about the wine prices, there is not just a hotel mark up, there is also a tax to be paid and it varies according to the standing of the hotel. Yes, to be honest, the food is perhaps, just above average, but given the dietary requirements of so many guests, and the turn over in guests, standardisation has to be used. I am certainly looking forward to my next visit - whenever it may be!

Headland Gem

We spent 11nights at the Minos Palace Hotel arriving on the 11th of sept 2003. The bags were collected from the taxi within minutes of arriving and taken to our room, which over looked the sea, stunning views. I agree with the other reveiwers, the food was ok, but not spectacular, certainly not for a 5star hotel. The dinning room staff were miserable and rarley smiled, at the time they were understaffed, the wine list was extensive but expensive, the house wine had a 350% mark up on the same wine you could buy in the local supermarket.

Overall the hotel is very nice, clean and set on a headland with superb views. If you are intending on staying in every night, take plenty of cash.

Excellent

HiI spent 2 wks at the Minos Palace end September 2003, buffet was not great but Taverna was excellent. Staff were friendly and best of all I got married there. I couldn't have got married in a nicer place.Toni

Great

I have just returned from two weeks at the Minos Palace, had a great time, views to die for - loved every minute, made some great friends.

Minos Palace The Great

Must write this review after seeing feedback from some disgruntled customer.

Food was not great but was okay and was what one would expect from buffet type meals; the breakfast was as good as any other similar priced hotel.

The porter collected cases within seconds of arrival and the combined sea and pool views were fine.

Thankfully I did not cross paths with this person. All the people I did meet though were like me; very pleased with the hotel and had a good holiday.

The manager need to take a course on manageing and diplomasy

Food Poor, Manager does not want to know about problems, booked a sea view got a view of pool.

25 minuits for bell boy on arrivel to clime up 20 steps with luggage This place is like Faulty Towers A very annoyed customer