Seaside A Lifestyle Resort

We stayed here expecting a five-star luxury all-inclusive resort, but unfortunately the experience fell well below that standard. There were some genuinely good staff members and a few positives, but overall there was very little luxury about this resort, and we would not return. Rooms Despite the recent refurbishment, the rooms still look and feel old. The overall quality and finish did not feel luxurious at all. Our curtains were stained, which was particularly disappointing for a hotel presenting itself as five-star. The bedding was very poor quality and certainly not what we would expect from a five-star hotel. It was also not changed during our stay despite being dirty. The bed itself was very small and extremely uncomfortable — honestly, worse than the bed we have at home. We did not sleep well during our stay, which is particularly disappointing when you are paying for a luxury holiday where comfort should be one of the basics. The bathroom lighting was far too dark, making it genuinely difficult to do your makeup. There was no coffee machine in the room, which we would absolutely expect at this level, and there was very little space to hang clothes. The one major positive was the view from our room, which was beautiful. Check-in and arrival The check-in process was quite strange and did not feel like a five-star arrival experience. We were made to sit in the lobby while the check-in was dealt with, rather than having a normal, welcoming check-in at reception. It felt awkward and unnecessarily disorganised. Given how large the resort is, we were also surprised that nobody offered to show us around. We were simply left to find everything ourselves. We have stayed at many large resorts and a tour on arrival is normally part of the experience, particularly when there are so many different restaurants, bars and facilities to find. Food and restaurants The buffet food was average. It was also extremely busy, sometimes to the point of feeling chaotic. We were also surprised by the atmosphere at dinner. Many guests were wearing tracksuits to the buffet, which felt very strange for a resort positioning itself as five-star. Of course, guests will dress as they wish, but the overall atmosphere did not feel particularly luxurious or sophisticated. The restaurant staff themselves deserve a lot of credit, however. The teams working breakfast, lunch and dinner were working incredibly hard. They were constantly replacing food, bringing out fresh dishes and trying to keep everything running despite the number of guests. They were also attentive and pleasant, and clearly doing their best. Unfortunately, the Oceania à la carte restaurant was another disappointment. The service felt rushed from the beginning, which took away from what should have been a relaxed evening meal. My main course was dry and soggy and simply not enjoyable. When I raised this, I was told by the waiter that this was simply how their gnocchi were prepared. Having travelled around Italy and eaten in many Italian restaurants, we know that this is certainly not how good gnocchi should be. To be fair, the staff were very apologetic and offered us an additional dessert, which was a nice gesture and appreciated. We were also very surprised that drinks at the à la carte restaurant were charged separately. We have stayed at many all-inclusive hotels and have never experienced this. Having paid for an all-inclusive five-star resort, having to pay extra for drinks with dinner feels completely at odds with the experience being sold. Bars and drinks The pool bars were one of the biggest disappointments. The drinks were very poor quality and, in our opinion, barely drinkable. They appeared to be made using low-quality ingredients and pre-made drinks. This is simply not what we expect from a five-star all-inclusive hotel. The service at the pool bars was also poor. The staff often appeared miserable and unwelcoming, which really affected the atmosphere. The main bar from 18:00 onwards was a completely different experience. The drinks there were genuinely delicious and the bartenders were fantastic. They were friendly, attentive and professional and clearly knew what they were doing. The main bar staff were easily the highlight of the hotel, along with the restaurant teams working breakfast, lunch and dinner. It was quite striking how different the level of service could be depending on which part of the resort you were in. Spa and indoor pool Another major disappointment was the €40 per person charge to use the indoor pool. The indoor pool is advertised as one of the hotel’s facilities, so we found the additional charge difficult to justify. With poor weather during our stay, having access to an indoor pool would have been particularly useful. Instead, we would have had to pay €80 for two people simply to use it. Gym The gym was nowhere near the standard expected from a five-star resort. The equipment was very old, some equipment was broken or out of order, and there was nowhere near enough equipment for a resort of this size. It needs significant investment and maintenance. For a property positioning itself as a luxury five-star resort, the gym was very disappointing. Overall There were some genuinely good people working here. The breakfast, lunch and dinner restaurant teams worked incredibly hard and were attentive despite the pressure, and the bartenders at the main bar from 18:00 onwards were excellent. The view from our room was also beautiful. Unfortunately, these positives were outweighed by the number of things that simply did not feel five-star. Stained curtains, poor-quality bedding that wasn’t changed when dirty, an uncomfortable bed that was worse than our bed at home, inadequate bathroom lighting, no coffee machine, limited hanging space, average food, rushed à la carte service, poor pool-bar drinks, miserable pool-bar service, an outdated gym, €40-per-person indoor pool access and additional charges for drinks at an all-inclusive à la carte restaurant are too many compromises for a hotel at this level. For us, the biggest issue is the lack of luxury. A five-star holiday should feel comfortable, polished and enjoyable from the moment you arrive until you leave. This simply didn’t. If you are choosing a resort because you want to relax, feel looked after and genuinely enjoy a luxury five-star experience, I would recommend looking elsewhere. We would never return to this resort.

This is the best hotel we have ever stayed at. We had a Casa Sunset pool and although the weather has been a little mixed the pool was definitely worth paying for. The food is exquisite and the best we have experienced at an all inclusive. The Handmade desserts are a joy to behold and WOW tasted Devine. The staff are all wonderful , cleaners , bar staff … everyone !!!! The hotel overall is spectacular and we would love to return in the warmer months . Well done to all at Seaside A Resort … you have a hotel which is worthy of top awards and we are sad to leave.

We had a nice stay at Seaside Hotel. The first thing that really struck us was how incredibly beautiful the entire resort is. Every corner and every little detail has been designed with great care. The styling is absolutely stunning and the whole place feels like a dream. The rooms are just as beautiful and very well maintained. They are nicely decorated, with a lovely shower, daily cleaning and fresh toiletries. The wardrobe is quite small, but for us it was more than enough. The location is fantastic, right by the cliffs, with beautiful views and gorgeous swimming pools. The small gym and free yoga classes are a lovely extra. The staff are generally very friendly and welcoming, although sometimes the information about what is included or what the different options are could be clearer. The food in the buffet restaurant was very tasty, but the choice was somewhat limited and could become repetitive after a few days. There was also not a huge variety of meat and fish. For us, the biggest downside was the all-inclusive concept, especially considering the price of the hotel. The choice of drinks that are actually included is quite limited. There are many other drinks available, but you have to pay extra for them. Even the included soft drinks were not always very good. They came from a dispenser, were often quite watered down and were served in plastic cups, which felt a little disappointing for a hotel of this standard. We were also disappointed by the à la carte restaurant. We were allowed to eat there once as part of the all-inclusive package, but unfortunately the food was quite mediocre and we actually preferred the buffet restaurant. On top of that, we had to pay separately for our wine. Another thing to keep in mind is how busy the resort can get. We stayed at the end of September, so already outside the high season, and the pools were often very busy. Finding a sunbed could be difficult, especially with guests reserving them with towels. There was also evening entertainment, but sometimes there was not enough seating to enjoy it. I can only imagine how busy it must be during high season, when finding a sunbed might be even more challenging. Overall, the hotel itself is absolutely stunning and exceeded all our expectations in terms of design and atmosphere. However, considering the price, we expected more from the all-inclusive experience. We had a lovely stay, but for us it was definitely not quite a 10/10.

Just back from 2 weeks at this hotel. Overall we have enjoyed our stay, the food and service was excellent. Speciality restaurants weren’t the best. Very limited menu and service was very rushed. In and out in an hour! It is very petty that the AI in the speciality restaurants is only for soft drinks? The hotel isn’t in Agia Pelagia as advertised. It’s a 2 mile walk on steep unlit roads. We walked there twice for a change. The nearest beach is 5 mins away with a couple of bars and small supermarket. The bus from the hotel to Heraklion is only €4.40 each way and takes around 40 mins. We did the hop on hop off bus in Heraklion which is well worth the cost of €20. Our side sea view room was located near to the bottom level pool which was a perfect location for us. Our room was ground floor with a footpath in front of us so we had to keep the curtains drawn for privacy. There was very limited storage in our room. I’ve never had to live out of a suitcase in a 5 star resort due to lack of storage. Views from the hotel are stunning. We had hoped to join some of the keepfit classes but they were all hardcore and out of our comfort zone, more suited to the under 35’s. The hotel has a great gym and spa. Entertainment runs on a weekly cycle and the same group of Cuban singers and dancers appeared at least 3 times in a week. The Greek night was a nice change. The location of the hotel was too remote for my husband and I so we wouldn’t return.

We stayed here for a week and absolutely loved it. The hotel was great from start to finish. Arrival; we were greeted in reception by friendly, helpful staff and drinks. Everything was explained to us and then we were taken to our room by transport and they took are suitcases as well. Room was amazing - we booked a sunset view room with private pool. Which was best of both worlds; sunny mornings on the balcony with sea views to die for and then Sun on our private pool all afternoon again with great views. The housekeepers were the best we have ever experienced and our rooms were left absolutely spotless every day. The food was really good, lots of selection. I did read one review before we left where one hotel stayer saying he had to go to the beach restaurant every night for decent food due to the poor quality of the restaurant. I can say with all honesty I don’t know this was possible. There was so much selection I don’t think there would be any one who wouldn’t be able to find something to eat. Breakfast was unbelievable with everything you could want. Again waiters were always accommodating and so friendly and happy to chat. The hotels amenities were a plenty. Evening music was subtle and all you needed to relax with a drink in the evening. Pool bars were easily accessible and we never experience queues. We would highly recommend this hotel for anyone looking to truly relax and unwind.