Cook's Club Hersonissos

We booked this hotel because it was adults-only, looked stunning in the website photos, and was described as an ideal choice for a relaxing holiday. Its location is excellent, with restaurants, bars and the beach all within easy reach, and previous reviews made the half-board option sound particularly appealing. Unfortunately, the reality fell well short of our expectations. While the hotel advertises itself as a 4-star property, we would rate it closer to 2 or 3 stars. We booked Junior Suites, which felt tired, basic and in need of refurbishment. Our room overlooked a semi-derelict building, which was hardly an appealing view. The bedroom itself was extremely poorly lit, yet keeping the curtains open wasn't really an option as neighbouring balconies and the building opposite had a direct view into the room. There was certainly nothing luxurious or 4-star about the accommodation. Having read positive reviews, we opted for half board and paid extra for the €22 daily allowance. In hindsight, this was a waste of money. While the food quality was generally good, the menu was very limited, offering only around five or six main dishes alongside burgers and pizzas. As this was an all-day menu, the options felt more like snack food than dishes you would expect from an evening restaurant. We assumed the menu would change throughout our 10-night stay, but it remained the same every day. As a result, we only ate at the hotel on four evenings. The dining experience was also disappointing. Rather than a restaurant, it felt more like a cafeteria: guests had to order at a counter, wait for a buzzer, and then collect their own food. This meant people dining together often received their meals at completely different times. Again, this felt far removed from the standards expected of a 4-star hotel. The allowance system was equally frustrating. Drinks ordered in the restaurant counted towards the allowance, but drinks from the bar did not, which made little sense. Previous reviews mentioned a mobile app that tracked your remaining balance, but this is apparently no longer available, leaving guests with no way of knowing how much of their daily allowance remains. Although some reviews suggested the biggest issue was guests taking endless Instagram photos, we found the atmosphere challenging for a different reason. Many guests were significantly younger than we expected and often showed little consideration for others. The stay was anything but relaxing, with frequent shouting, screaming, singing, banging doors and other disturbances coming from neighbouring rooms and corridors. On one morning we were woken early by someone repeatedly hammering and kicking their room door. On our penultimate night, a party in the room above us continued until around 1am, making it impossible to sleep. In response to another review, the hotel stated that incidents had been reported and dealt with, but when we attempted to contact reception that night, the telephone in our room didn't work. The hotel also claimed security would have intervened had the disturbance been reported; however, throughout our entire stay we never saw any security personnel, so it was unclear what security presence, if any, was available. The reception staff were consistently friendly, welcoming and helpful, and they deserve credit for their professionalism. However, service in the bar area was less impressive. Staff were present and serving tables but rarely approached us, seeming to focus their attention on younger groups of guests. The music around the pool was also extremely loud throughout the day, although this wasn't a major issue for us as we preferred spending our time at the beach. We mostly visited the beach in Hersonissos opposite Cozy Beach Bar, where sunbeds cost €10 each. This beach was nice, but the pebbles and slippery rocks made access to the sea difficult. For our final two days, we took the bus to Stalis Beach (Bus Stop 28), which we found far superior, with soft sand, easier swimming access and sunbeds costing €8 each. Overall, we enjoyed our time in Crete, but the hotel was the biggest disappointment of the trip. It did not live up to its marketing, was far from the relaxing adults-only retreat we had expected and certainly did not provide the standard associated with a 4-star hotel. Given the price we paid, we would not return and would struggle to recommend it to anyone seeking a peaceful, high-quality holiday experience.

We recently stayed at this hotel and, to be fair, the hotel itself is absolutely gorgeous. It looks exactly like the photos online, is spotlessly clean, and the staff genuinely couldn't have been nicer. Everyone we dealt with was friendly, helpful, and a credit to the hotel. The location is excellent, with plenty of restaurants, bars and nightlife within easy walking distance. The rooms were well-equipped, the air conditioning was powerful (a lifesaver in the heat), and having a massive fridge in the room was a nice bonus. Drinks were reasonably priced too – Mythos was around $5 a pint. The lunch menu offered huge portions that were easily big enough to share, and the nightly entertainment was well thought out and enjoyable enough for a casual evening. That said, I'd want future guests to understand the atmosphere before booking. The average age of guests seemed to be around 18, and the hotel was very much geared towards party-goers. If you're looking for a lively holiday with lots of socialising and nightlife, you'll probably love it. If you're looking for a relaxing couples' break or a quieter holiday, you may want to look elsewhere. I'd describe the hotel as very "Instagram-ready" – it looks fantastic in photos – but some practical aspects were lacking. The breakfast was often cold, and coffee lovers should prepare for disappointment. Smoking was also commonplace throughout the property, which could be frustrating for non-smokers. The pool area was another downside. There were only around 12 umbrellas, meaning very limited shade, and no other shaded areas around the pool. We were also unable to secure a late checkout, which was disappointing on our departure day. Finally, something as simple as a full-length mirror in the room was missing. Overall, this is a beautiful, clean hotel with fantastic staff and a great location. However, it's definitely aimed at a younger, party-focused crowd. We'd rate it highly for appearance, cleanliness and service, but recommend doing your research first to make sure the vibe matches the holiday you're looking for.

We were at cooksclub regarding a bachlorparty and what should I say, everything was perfect. Stavros and the whole team made this „vacation“ very special for us. Food was on point, cocktails were perfect and the hotel itself was the best. The room was clean and I had nothing to complain about. We will come back for sure.

Just back after a fantastic week away with my Daughter. Cooks Club is a 100% fantastic hotel that I can not fault. Staff are so friendly and helpful, rooms and poolside are spotlessly clean, food is delicious and what can I say about the cocktails 🍹 yum. This hotel is a 5-10 minute walk from beaches, restaurants and bars. We loved Cooks Club so much we were only back 2 days and have booked to go in June 2027. See you all next year 😊😊😊

Hotel looks great in pictures throughout and on first impression but once you get to the room, not so much. Room was a junior suite and meant to be for 4 people, I would say it’s suited for 2 and half people. It’s not set up for 4. Room was cleaned daily and situated over looking an alley way. I think the hotel should accommodate a quieter side. Was woken up multiple times in the early hours from “kids” coming back drunk and banging on doors multiple times. The hotel portrays an aesthetic that’s mature but unfortunately some of the guests are not. Had to ask reception 4 times for an extra chair for the balcony. Breakfast included was great. Loads of choice. Stayed around the pool area once. It’s very territorial but also unbearably hot with no breeze. The bus to the beach was much better. The area the hotel is located in is busy. Loads of shops. Not far from good restaurants along the sea front. I would not say value for money. If I’d known what this place was like before booking, I wouldn’t have chosen this place or location. We were looking forward to staying here from what we could see on the website and reviews but that bubble was quickly burst the moment we arrived.