Our experience at this hotel was absolutely fantastic from start to finish. The staff were extremely friendly, professional, and always ready to help with a smile. The cleanliness of the entire facility was outstanding, with daily changes of bed linens and towels, which we really appreciated. The breakfast buffet was rich, varied, and delicious – the perfect way to start the day. A special mention goes to the owner, who was incredibly kind and accommodating. She even allowed us a late checkout to better suit our travel plans, which made a big difference for us. The location is excellent for exploring some of the most beautiful beaches in Crete, such as Balos and Elafonissi. Despite being well-connected, the hotel is set in a very peaceful area, offering stunning views. The pools, gym, and spa were exactly what we were hoping for – clean, relaxing, and well-maintained. We couldn’t have asked for a better stay. Highly recommended and we hope to return soon!

We recently stayed at this hotel for 5 nights and had a truly relaxing experience, thanks in large part to the amazing staff. From the restaurant team to the cleaning crew, everyone went out of their way to be helpful and create a warm, welcoming atmosphere. The chef in particular deserves a shoutout the food was consistently good, with a nice variety and always available throughout the day. There were no queues, and meal times felt peaceful, enhanced by the beautiful views from both the restaurant and our room 206. It never felt crowded, and the staff genuinely tried to make guests feel at home. If you’re planning a trip to Balos Beach, this is probably the best place to stay the location is ideal for accessing that stunning spot.

That said, there are a few downsides to keep in mind. While the hotel is beachfront, there’s no real access to the sea for swimming it’s not a very swim-friendly location. There’s only one pool, and although it’s usable, it could be cleaner. The hotel itself feels a bit dated in places, though it’s worth noting that renovations are underway, so improvements are clearly in progress.

everything !! great location (yes you do need a car, but trust me, it’s more than worth it), quiet but within reach of anything you might need. fantastic rooms, great view of the sea from all angles, very convenient pool and access to the sea (the hotel beach is not one of the best you’ll see there, but it’s still 50 steps away from your room so can’t fault that!!) even the gym is small but functional

nothing - can’t fault anything - punches well above its weight and event the inconvenience we had with the AC the first night (it leaked water for some reason) was dealt with promptly in the morning. Wonderful wonderful hotel - don’t miss out

Location is perfect, hotel is right at the begining of the dirt road to balos beach. Although this road apparently won't be used in the future as there is a big construction project underway for parking.. We had the best room in the resort, top corner facing the sea from two balconies and the hills. Pool is awesome, view is amazing. Although there is no accessible private beach, we walked about 5 mins to an empty beach which was great

If you're looking for perfect finishes to the resort and rooms this isn't for you, broken tiles near the pool, shower was hanging off the wall, paint job looks like a child did it, we don't care too much about these things but should be noted. There is no private beach as described by the hotel. There is private area but the water is basically inaccessible and there are no sunchairs of shades as you would expect, Just old construction waste. There is current construction right next to the hotel for a carpark or something to replace use of the balos beach dirt road. Can be noisy and dusty

Great location and position. The hotel is in a very quite area, the last building before Balos Beach entrance. And it’s also close to one of the best restaurant in Crete: the Gramboussa restaurant. Staff is very friendly and open to accommodate requests. Our room had sea view and that was amazing: we slept with open window and you can actually hear the waves without noise of other people and cars! Breakfast offers a variety of options. The hotel has direct access to the beach, which is not sandy (sadly)

Room for improvement: amenities are limited and could be better quality (shampoo, soap, beach towels, etc.)

fantastic hotel that punches well above its 3 star rating… fantastic location (yes, you do need a car) away from everyone and everything but still convenient to get to, reach fantastic beaches, go for groceries, rentals, excursions, and amazing restaurants nearby too. I would 1000% go back - it’s a true oasis in a place where tourism can get a bit excessive and I’m almost tempted to leave a 0 star review to discourage people from finding this hidden gem 😂 Also worth saying: hotel staff was amazing too - always very welcoming and happy to assist (or indulge in a chat)

nothing! we spent 4 days in a standard double room and 2 days in a room with its own pool, and both were fantastic: recently built or done up, always cleaned properly, had all the right amenities

The hotel was set in a perfect location with all the facilities you could want. Lovely rooms overlooking the sea, the staff were very helpful and answered all questions asked. The main reason we went to the hotel was to visit Balos Lagoon and it didn't disappoint. It's a little adventure getting there but totally worth it. There is a 30-minute slow drive up the mountain with absolutely breath-taking views along the route. There is a small charge of 1 euro per person to get up the mountain. Once you get to the top you are guided to the parking area at a cost of 2 euro to park for the whole day. Then you start your beautiful walk down the mountain to reach the lagoon which takes about 25 minutes. Make sure you take photos of the lagoon from the Vantage points these are pictures on a clear day that you would want to put up on your wall totally amazing. Then you get to the Lagoon simply WOW one of the nicest places I have every been too. This is a must place to visit so ensure you make the effort as its totally worth it. If you do visit the Lagoon flip flops or sandals are not the best along the walk so, I would suggest wearing trainers or walking boots. Enjoy

There was nothing I didn't like

The very friendly staff, always available to give suggestions and offer support. The meal service was also good, although it could have been improved with more options. Also the hotel itself had very good conditions, it was close to the sea and our room had an amazing view, we couldn't have picked a better one to watch the sunrise. Finally the hotel cats that greated us every day were lovely!

Every evening the dinner was served between 7-9:30 pm, unfortunately the dishes that were made in the moment were not available during the whole dinner period. Also the dinner didn't include drinks but at least I think it should include water.

We had a fantastic stay at Balos Hotel! The staff were extremely kind and welcoming, making us feel right at home from the moment we arrived. The highlight of our stay was the breathtaking view, which we enjoyed from our private pool — a truly unforgettable experience. The hotel’s location is also ideal, with close proximity to both Balos and Falasarna beaches, making day trips easy and enjoyable. Highly recommended for anyone looking to relax in comfort while exploring the beauty of Crete.

The views and good tratament of the hotel staff

The noise on sunday due to the hotel expansion