Enorme Santanna Island

We had a beautiful room with a pool and sea view. Very clean, with everything we needed. The atmosphere was relaxing, welcoming, and warm. The restaurant was really good, with a wide choice of food. The staff were extremely welcoming. We had the chance to go to the spa, and there too we had a lovely time. We rented a car through the hotel, and the person who helped us was very welcoming — everything went smoothly and easily. A special mention for Mary and Mohamad, who welcomed us so, so warmly from our very first visit to the restaurant, and every day after that, morning, noon, and evening.

Enorme Santana Island is stunning as the Instagram- able photos promise. My first time at an all inclusive resort with my 17 year old daughter, after a tough year I was more ready to sit, swim, eat, drink and repeat. We opted for the basic room package, as the swim up pool rooms seemed an unnecessary extravagance , unless you're a loved up couple. The hotel has 4 pools, and after queueing at 8.30 am the first day for the stunning rooftop pool, and watching the towel Taliban nab every spot at the main pool overlooking the sea, we spent the rest of the week at the nearby Blue Pool, where there was always a sunbed, poolside drinks service and delicious lunch options available, without the stress of a dawn sprint. We made the most of our 3 speciality restaurant bookings - though it was a slightly ridiculous system that meant you couldn't book ahead of your stay, yet the spots were quickly being gobbled up as I arrived dazed at 1.30 am from the airport trying to reserve before they all went. We absolutely loved the rooftop Cretan restaurant, and the Italian was pretty damn special too. The Asian Fusian was a little heavy and greasy for our tastes, but the presentation and views more that made up for it. The main buffet restaurant was incredible, with a fabulous variety of fresh fish, meats and salads. But the much promised late buffet till 4 am was pretty disappointing as we arrived back late after watching England v Norway in nearby pretty village of Sisi to find a pretty pathetic selection. But to be fair we had eaten so well the rest of the time, it was probably just saving ourselves from further gluttony. Evenings are pretty chilled at the resort, with low key entertainment, as most of the patrons are loved up couples taking selfies against the stunning sunset views. But we did enjoy the DJ set and hilariously naff trick night at the Sunset Bar, though the 11pm finish was a little of an anticlimax. I must give a massive shout out to the staff, everyone was so kind, attentive and friendly, especially Konstantina and Eva who made us feel so welcome each night, coming up with great cocktail suggestions. Word of warning..the cocktails are super sweet, and not all are available on the all inclusive menu. Dinner only offers a choice of wine, beer and soft drinks, which seems a bit silly as you can have endless cocktails the rest of the time..and I don't drink wine or beer. But again this little niggle was probably just saving myself from further alcohol poisoning! There are plenty of day trips to nearby islands, quad bike tours and local historical sites available, but to be honest we were so happy to just sit back and relax without having to plan or think for a week ..we didn't get round to any of them. If you're looking for a beautiful hotel, with great food, endless drinks and sunshine then you can't go wrong. If there had been more live music or atmospheric nightlife then it would have been exceptional.

Very good spa experience in a modern hotel On our second day we went down to the spa on a whim and encountered Anna who walked us through the options. She found us a slot on the day for a massage and provided some add ons for free! The rest of the staff were attentive and friendly, and provided a lovely atmosphere. The massage therapist who looked after us were Francheska and Shima who was excellent - great technique and listened with attentiveness. The town of Sissi is very nice and the hotel is situated in a great spot between the town and the closest beach. Atmosphere is less catered to families and children, and more chic - girls holiday, couples, lads holiday kind of vibes. Rooms were ok - air conditioned, but could be better, but very clean. Value is alright - for the price, would like a bit more availability on restaurant dining.

2 things: Santana island is not an island ( we knew this!) It is also not a beachfront resort which curiously it says in various parts of the hotel and the easyJet description but later it changes to seafront in the blurb. Very Strange. So, we booked with easyJet for the enorme Santana island on the 4th of July for 10 nights. First day was a write off due to the travelling and last day we had our bands cut off and were given a voucher for lunch which technically means we actually had 9 nights all inclusive. When challenged they blamed easyJet for our flight and transfer times. We Arrived later in the evening and had 7 stops before us and we were last off. Great start, the transfer was around 1 hour 40 mins! After initially thinking this was bad, EasyJet managed to out do themselves by giving us a 10 stop, 2 hour 10 minute return transfer. Absolutely Disgusting! We arrived at the hotel about 11:30pm and rather than them check us in, I had to check the whole family in, which is not great when you are tired and my phone is on 5%. By the time we checked in and got down for something to eat it was after midnight. All bars were closed except the reception bar so we went to bed. Forgot to mention I had to pay £150 euros tax at the hotel. £15 euros a day for a 5 star hotel. This was a surprise but I presume it’s somewhere in the small print. The room was smaller than we imagined and my daughter had the couch made up as the additional bed. We lost power briefly one morning and I had a cold shower one night, otherwise, it was okay. Nothing special. I wasn’t impressed with our room location but given where some other rooms were it was actually decent. Overlooking the aperol bar and car park. A couple that we met were so unhappy that the my moved to a swim up for their last 3 days at additional cost. Service can be slow at the bars but was never a problem. You have to be early for sun beds at the main pool. There is usually a queue before 8am for an 8:30 opening. My wife had to queue at 6:15 for a day bed. (There are only 4 of these). There were a few sun bed disputes as you can imagine. The sun beds are incredibly uncomfortable so we chose the beanbags most days up at the tan pool. This was a major frustration for me. If you don’t get up early and get a bed, there is nowhere else to go. We struggled some days but always managed. There is no beach near the hotel, it’s definitely not beachfront. (See pictures) The closest is a 350m walk along mono block, then gravel then a dangerous main road with no path and the best part is that the beach was terrible. There is a shuttle service twice a day but you need to make your own way back. There is a bigger, nicer beach further along the dangerous main road which is located through a disused beach and around the side of a dangerous rocky cliff with no path. Not at all what I expected given the Crete is supposed to have beautiful beaches. We stayed for a few hours. Meh! The opposite direction from the hotel is Sissi, ( described as one of Crete’s most beautiful towns by easyJet) it’s not. There are a good few restaurants at the harbour (we ate at one twice, the food was good and also reasonably priced) a few on the other side coupled with a couple of bars, but that’s it. And it’s certainly not beautiful, in fact about 90% of it is a dump, like really bad. We snorkelled in the harbour a few days as that that is where the locals swam, even the snorkelling was bad here, although the water was nice. The aperol spritz bar was great but there is limited seating and the DJ every second Monday was our favourite night. Food was really good apart from one night at the buffet and the staff were brilliant, without doubt the only positives of the holiday for me. This is definitely an adult orientated hotel and probably okay if you like chilling all day but it’s always nice to have an option to go out and that was sorely lacking here. Overall, I hated it but we made the most of it. My wife and daughter booked this holiday and I was determined not to check any reviews before I went. I’m glad I never as it wouldn’t have changed anything anyway.

The hotel is gorgeous and the food excellent. Upon entering the hotel, you have a direct view of the sea, which is magnificent. The Little beach is at 5 minutes walk from the hôtel. the staff is polite but nothing more, although a few people, notably Mohamed and Marie, are wonderful, very welcoming, and really put a smile on your face.