Bonjour lecteurs! Bored of the grey weather in the UK? Well, if you are in need of a bit of sunshine, I could not recommend Crete more. We have been twice in the past and it never disappoints. Two weeks ago, we got l’opportunité to stay at the Kalyves Beach Hotel near Chania. So we discovered a brand new area and even made some friends on the way! Here is my full Kalyves Beach Hotel Review and if you like the place, book now and get 20% off on any last minute all inclusive holidays in Chania.
Kalyves Beach Hotel
Do you like hotels that still have some original charm over a big resort type of place?
Then Kalyves Beach Hotel is your place.
The hotel is situated in the cute traditional village of Kalyves in Crete, only half an hour drive from Chania airport and it has it all for families.
It is such a beautiful spot right by the sea and the rive-side veranda is certainly full of charm too.
Le plus? You are right by the sea and the hotel also has 3 pools so there is no way that the little ones will be bored.
Book your ticket now and enjoy one of your fave cocktails in the sun while the kids make new friends.
Our Arrival
We arrived at night as our flight was delayed and it was so magical to drive over the bridge and see the hotel by the river.
Our room was spacious with a main double bed and 2 small beds on the side and a balcony with a view on the river! That was a lovely start!
We were welcomed by some Cretan salad and lots of fruits and cheese with bread.
You also get a mini fridge plus a table, so our room was very spacious!
L’Atmosphère
Kalyves Beach Hotel is a family business with about 200 rooms, so don’t expect a big resort with big pools etc, but you can still have a beautiful holiday with its all inclusive deals.
However, it is what makes its charm. We absolutely loved the Mediterranean vibes. It was so tranquil.
It’s simple and nothing bling bling, yet, it does the job and I must say that the staff was ever so friendly. One of our lights stopped working one night and they got it replaced within an hour while we had dinner!
Facilities
Le top at Kalyves Beach Hotel? It includes 3 swimming-pools (two outdoor and one small indoor), but you are right by the river that goes into the sea.
So you have hours of entertainment guaranteed for the kids while you can chill on the loungers. Stanley certainly made the most of it!
But you also have a games room with table tennis and 2 kids play areas.
And if maman wants to relax a bit too, I recommend you book a treatment at the spa. I got a body scrub and I felt like a new woman!
Not your kind of things? Just head over to the outdoors bar where Momo and his team will sort you out with your fave cocktails.
If you are a connoisseur or want to make the most of it, get the All-Inclusive Plus option. You can get your own bottle of wine each night and order from a more varied option of drinks.
Entertainment
The hotel also has a nice programme of activities in the evenings. Over our stay, we saw some belly dancing, traditional Cretan dancing but also a quiz night.
And let’s not forget the kids club! Stanley went once and had fun doing some colouring.
But to be fair, he was just happy playing with the other children at the pool or at the beach.
We actually made two new friends during that holiday and it was so lovely to meet so many nice people!
Oh and let’s not forget the cats, the ducks and the geese too! They certainly made a great entertainment. He even named them all…
I also recommend you check out the village, along the sea all the way to the marina for a tranquil walk and have a dip in the sea!
We booked a cruise with Kalyves Cruises on the last day and it was amazing! I felt like I was in the White Lotus…
Or go through the main street of the village and take it all in with the flowers, the murals, the sounds…
C’est fabuleux!
Food At Kalyves Beach Hotel
As for the food, you get a varied option every day with all les classiques from pasta to potatoes and all sorts of meats each time.
We even checked out some local dishes. Par exemple, j’ai adoré trying some gyros, a Greek sandwich made with cooked meat stuffed in a pita and vegetables.
But also things like dolmades, which are vine leaves stuffed with herby and lemony rice. Have you ever tried them? The all-inclusive option means I probably ate too much but it was les vacances…
It was also great to be able to enjoy fresh fruit daily, but also a cheeky ice cream now and then…on top of a lot of cakes!!
A Family-Friendly Hotel
I can’t write a Kalyves Beach Hotel Review without mentioning how friendly the staff was from start to finish.
But we also met some beautiful people staying there! All the customers were very friendly and happy to chat.
Kalyves Beach is not a huge hotel and I think therefore, you get to make more effort with the other people, talk etc.
En plus, the hotel is in the place parfaite, right by the beach. We really relaxed and we always found a lounger without any problèmes.
It was great slowing down, eating on the veranda by the river in the evenings and observe the animals.
Kalyves Beach Hotel Review
If you want to explore this side of Crete, Kalyves Beach Hotel is a very family-friendly option.
It’s not huge, but it is so well located, you get everything you need: some sunshine, a different spot to discover and the kids are happy playing, swimming and learning about a new culture.
We had a fabulous time thanks to all the staff. It was the perfect place to relax and make more family memories.
Plus, you can easily drive to so many places like Chania, Knossos Palace and even the more rustic villages in the mountains.
Si vous préférez something bigger like a full resort, then check out Kiani Beach Hotel. You can find more info on my Instagram page.
And I will also share a post with things to do around Chania with the kids.
Have you ever been to Crete? What type of holidaymaker are you? Do you prefer smaller places or do you opt for all-inclusive options?
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post with Kalyves Beach Hotel. We had a free stay in exchange for an honest opinion.
This looks amazing, the perfect place to really relax and recharge your batteries!
I think Stanley made a new friend with that pussycat. Looks such a family friendly hotel, ideal getaway from it all.
Author
Not only the pussycat 🙂 He also made 2 girlfriends and a little French boy called Basil 🙂
It looks beautiful there! Love the location and the look of their pools!
Wow that looks absolutely amazing. A few members of my family are off to Crete in July, one of their favourite places to visit
Author
Where about in Crete will they come?
Somewhere I’d definitely consider – looks like you all had a fab holiday
Author
yes definitely and way cheaper than bigger resorts!
What a wonderful holiday!
Looks an amazing holiday!
Author
It was gorgeous, we’ve been very lucky.
I’d love to have gone somewhere like this. It looks amazing
Love Crete, we’ve done it twice, off to Rhodes in a couple of months!
Author
never been to rhodes but would love to check it out
It looks so amazing and calming
Crete is always great for a getaway and such a warm friendly welcome! Your break looks fab.
What a great place
This looks like a perfect place to relax !