Hotel Marmin Bay Elounda

, Crete, Greece
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Hotel Marmin Bay Elounda

, Crete
4 star

Rooms: 32

Elounda Lasithi - Crete - 720 53 - Greece Hotel Website | | 2841-042251/3
135 Traveller

Reviews - Hotel Marmin Bay Elounda

8/10
Great place
Submitted by: David in 28/07/07
  • Age Group: 26 - 30
  • From: United States
  • Traveller type: Young Couple
Marmin bay was great!! I do not understand why all these bad reviews. I guess these people are spoiled. I can see why is would be bad for an older couple as it is a difficult hike up the hill. And yes there are bees everywhere but if you can just ignore them which is not hard because of the great view then everything is fine. Food was great. Real Greek food. I would recommend this to anyone (who can walk up a hill). If looking for 5 star hotel, this is not it. But if looking for a great quality hotel for good price this is the place to go...
1/10
What a nightmare
Submitted by: Annie and Tony in 09/07/07
  • Age Group: 51 - 60
  • From: Greece
  • Traveller type: Mature Couple
This was the worst holiday we have ever endured. The Marmin bay hotel was awful, terrible, in fact, I would not go there again for any thing. The food was worse than hospital food, choice was non existent and flies were served with every thing whether you ordered them or not. A member of staff sweetly informed us when we showed horror that they are only flies and do not attack you !!!The fly invasion was down to the fact that the food was uncovered and out in the open, with little refrigeration, if any. The room was pleasant, if you enjoy a challenge as you needed to practically hike up the mountain to get to our room, this was not what we asked for. We were led to believe that we were staying actually in a hotel. We thought we were going to be reported missing in action!! The heat was 46%. The hotel offers very little shade, in fact about 6 parasols that could actually be of any use situated half way up the mountain by the pool. You need to stop here when trying to reach your room destination for a much needed refreshment, usually warm weak beer or pop if the pump works!! The rating of 4 * can not be for real, as for all inclusive, well what can we say, it is shocking. We had to re-accommodate our selves elsewhere halfway through our week as we seriously feared for our safety and well being. Do not go there!!!
1 out of 1 reader found this review helpful
5/10
For Mountain Climbers
Submitted by: Grethel in 06/07/07
  • Age Group: 41 - 50
  • From: United Kingdom
  • Traveller type: Pleasure Seeker
The hotel is situated on a very steep mountain so is not suitable for anyone with back problems or breathing problems. Rooms were nice but did the food was covered with wasps and flies. All inclusive did not included cold drinks throughout the day unless you wanted to climb steep paths to get to the bar on the fourth level. The location of the hotel is a 45 minute walk from the local shops and the bus service runs hourly.
1/10
DONT STAY AT THIS HOTEL
Submitted by: Helen in 23/06/07
  • Age Group: 41 - 50
  • From: United Kingdom
  • Traveller type: Relaxation Seeker
This was the worst experience of Greek hospitality i have EVER encountered, The food is by no stretch of the imagination 4* Fish fingers and tinned hotdogs cold pasta and an apple or orange for dessert are not 4 star service neither is tinned fruit and preserves swarming with flies and wasps at breakfast The waiting staff were lovely and served you with a smile but he the management i found were unhelpfull and arrogant (apart fro NIco who at least tried to help) the barmaid at the second level pool was surly and in grave need of people skills training. This hotel is in way interested in giving their guests an enjoyable holiday but are only interested in cutting corners. The roomare nice and the views spectaculer the maid we had was gem. But i would sincerely hope that anyone considering this hotel would rethink their choice as this is by far no way 4* and you will not recieve 4* treatment, The floating pool they boast of having is NOT actually part of the hotel they will charge you 4euros each for sunbeds and you will have to pay for your drinks at the floating bar. alson all inclusive does not mean all inclusive but means local beer/ wine etc for 10am - 10pm and ONE snack between 4 +5. which consists of twoo slices of dry bread with processed ham + cheese. ice cream for the kids is also only served between 4 + 5. Save your money and dont be disapointed. STAY SOMEWHERE ELSE!!!
1 out of 1 reader found this review helpful
4/10
4 star - You are joking
Submitted by: Grethel in 09/07/07
  • Age Group: 41 - 50
  • From: United Kingdom
  • Traveller type: Relaxation Seeker
I was shocked to find that the hotel was situated on a steep hill as this was not noted in the information I received. The food was covered in wasps and flies. The rooms were clean and the housekeepers were helpful. The waiting staff were helpful. All inclusive did not include drinks right through the day unless you were happy to walk 5 levels up a steep mountain. The local shops are 45 minutes away. This hotel should be down graded to a two star. There was no entertainment on site and there is nothing to do for the children.
1 out of 1 reader found this review helpful

Historical Traveller Reviews of Hotel Marmin Bay Elounda

Great Anniversary

from DW1
This trip was booked as a 40th wedding celebration. We can highly recommend this resort for any type of holiday, the service and food was excellent, the staff made our trip special in every way. Fantasic!

Very relaxing

from LAT10258
Have just spent 1 week at this hotel. We were looking for a quiet relaxing time and we got it. The hotel is excellent, fantastic location with great views, especially at night. We had a sea view room in the "new building" and agree that the room was basic. We were really disappointed on arrival, late at night, but were delighted in the morning with location and views. We were 2 couples and had rooms 262 & 264 which shared a garden - perfect for pre-dinner drinks etc. We agree with previous comments - the beds were mattresses on a concrete slab, against the wall which is not ideal, the bathroom small but great shower and fantastic toiletries. Breakfasts were excellent with superb choice. The Poseidon Pool Bar snacks were poor. We had lunch twice at the Greek restaurant - good. On our last evening we dined at the Thalassa Restaurant - food and location were really fantasic - about £60 per person for 3 courses & wine. Would also recommend the Sail-up bar - expensive for drinks but have never been in a more romantic location. Staff were all superb. Beach staff were excellent at providing sunbeds for you where you wish them.
Only a 15 minute walk to Elounda where we would recommend Leonidas and also the "Floating Restaurant" on the water's edge. Taxis easy to get by hotel. Also recommend a trip to Spinalonga - we got a taxi to Plaka then took a ferry. Great restaurants in Ag Nik - ideal for shopping and eating out.

Beautiful views

from mac261
We recently stayed for 4 days based on the advise of my travel agent. We usually prefer smaller hotels, but was told this one was very good. We booked a bungelow with an ocean view and shared pool. We had # 74 and #75. The infinity pool is very pretty and the view is lovely, especially at night. The room is rather small,rustic, just a bed and chair. No otherplace to sit inside. The patio is very spacious with comfortable seating. The bed is a mattress on a concrete slab...more comfortable than it sounds, but it is up against the wall so if the person by the wall needs to get up in the middle of the night, you might have some difficulty. The bathroom is large with the toilet and shower in a separate area. Double sinks and a regular size tub. nice shampoo, lotions etc.
A breakfast buffet came with our room. Very lavish with a good assortment for most tastes. Made to order eggs,omelets,pancakes.waffles.
We ate at the restaurant overlooking the sea on our first night only because we arrived at 10 pm and it was only thing open. The food was good but VERY expensive. We had lunch one day at the greek restaurant once. The food was good and more reasonable. The staff was very friendly and gracious throughout the hotel. There were a lot of kids. I think in the future we will stick to smaller hotels, although for what it is, it was okay. 3 days would have been enough given what it available to do in the general area. We were looking for a little more sightseeing and a little less sitting on the beach. This is a great place for families as there seems to be a lot for the little ones to do.

Absolutely Wonderful!

from Ruth4
I can not say enough good things about this hotel. The beach was pristine, the water clear, the pool quiet and serene - even the kids section was nice and unintrusive. There were families with young children, seniors, honeymooners, and people like us - just a group of friends. The food was incredible, the views breathtaking, and the grounds lush and colourful. The rooms were clean and comfortable - a bit on the old side, but still fine. What made this place memorable was the staff - attentive in a genuine way, with a warmth that was infectious. There was nothing they couldn't/wouldn't do for us. We stayed at much more expensive hotels in Athens and Santorini, and they can't touch this place in overall quality. I will definitely be back!

absolutely stunning

from Karen838
just back from our 5th trip to Elounda..we have stayed in The Elounda Beach and Elounda Bay Palace..not much difference apart from the price. Had a fantastic time as usual.We book directly through the hotel..flights as well.. and receive all sorts of perks..wine tasting, champagne cruise,watersports,massages and no queuing at the airport! We hope to bring all the family next year. If you are looking for somewhere to eat in the evening try The Ferryman Taverna in Elounda..excellent food ..we havent found better in the area. Run by Akis and his lovely family you are sure to enjoy and come back for more.

Excellent place for a rest

from casinoroyale
Just back from 6 days honeymoon at this hotel. The grounds are wonderful, the setting romantic. The rooms (in the hotel - sea view) are not that great, the beds are hard, bathroom basic and the a/c is not powerful and rather noisey. They did give you amazing range of shampoos, conditioners, body lotions and showergels... All the staff are friendly. We went just before the main season and it was quite quiet and meant we did not have to wait for any of the watersports. The food is very pricey in the hotel, however there are some OK places to eat in Elounda or Nicoli (sorry about the spelling) Dont go there to go shopping! The breakfast is good and you look out over the sea. Overall it was a fantastic place to have our honeymoon.

5* location, 4* rooms, 6* prices

from rob10
We've just come back from 11 nights at the Elounda Bay, we've had a great time. The hotel has an exquisite location, right on the sea front, about 1km from Elounda harbour. The public areas of the hotel are great, a nice pool, kids pool, gardens to sunbathe in and nice private beach. Loads of sunbeds too.
We were a bit disappointed with our room - it was quite basic for a 5*, furnishings are not 5* quality, plus no full length mirror, not enough plug points etc. Otherwise, hotel is v good. We had a sea view room in the main hotel. Would recommend sea view - you pay for location here and non sea view rooms look out on "gardens", where all the cars park.
Restaurants in hotel are very classy and a la carte ones are literally next to the sea, but also VERY expensive (meal for 2 incl drinks in a la carte restaurants £160) This hotel is the nearest of the 5* hotels to the harbour, where there are loads of restaurants though and it's an easy walk

Only the price is 5*

from A TripAdvisor Member
This is not a five star hotel. It may have been 20 years ago but no longer. The food is mediocre at best sometimes very poor. The bar drinks were watered down and and the restaurant wine very expensive. The least expensive wine was virtually undrinkable. The rooms were on the small side and in need of modernisation.This hotel was the poorest value for money I have ever experinced. Our bags were rifled on the way to the lobby by the staff. No wonder they were so attentive!

highly recommended for families

from SallyLondonUK
An excellent choice of hotel if you have young children. You are able to relax and watch the children at the same time.pool,beach and lovely gardens all together.
My main gripe would be the price and quality of the food which in some of the restaurant is quite poor.
The housekeeping is of an exceptional standard.
We have stayed for two years running but our last holiday was less enjoyable as a company had taken a good many rooms as a bonus for their staff and I saw some awful behaviour and heard foul language in front of my children.
Despite this I would stay there again and would certainly recommend the hotel.

Worth every penny

from A TripAdvisor Member
I went to this hotel with my girlfriend in mid-late September 2005. We paid around £750 each for a week's stay here, but it was worth every penny. The layout and positioning of the hotel is fantastic. The sea is lit up close to the edge at night by a series of lights under the water that make for the most amazing setting. We ate at two of the restaurants at the hotel - both outdoors and next to the sea. The food really was excellent - yes, it's not cheap, but not too bad, and you don't need to eat there every night. There are plenty of perfectly nice and well-priced restaurants in Elounda or Ag Nik. I'd certainly recommend a few meals from the hotel restaurants. The food and setting combined make for a really lovely evening.

My only slight issue was the air-con in our room which didn't really seem to do that much, even when on full. You could turn it on for a good hour and not find the room much cooler than if you hadn't bothered! That really was a minor point though. Everything about this hotel is quality - the service, beaches, facilities, food, location. And the weather in late September was great - no rain all week, only one day with a bit of cloud (though still generally sunny). If you want a relaxing, luxurious holiday for a fairly reasonable price (considering the setting) I would strongly recommend it!

Top Local Tips for Crete

Taxes! As with many countries, you can get back the tax paid on items. For Greece this is 19% so it's pretty significant! The catch.... no one, I repeat NO One will give you a receipt and if they do it's for some ridiculously low price. We paid 170 Eu for a glass hand blown plate and got a receipt for 10 Eu. when we checked later. So... insist on a receipt and check the receiptt and make sure they gave you the right price.. Take this to the place in the airport for your $ back.

Spinalonga Definitely worth the visit - risen in popularity since Victoria Hislops book 'The Island' but best to get there early. Boat from Elounda is 10 euros return but they only give you 1 hour - not enough time. Small boat from Plaka is 7 euros and they just keep coming and going so you can stay as long as you like.

Spinalonga Having read 'The Island' Spinalonga was a must. It really lived up to expectations. We enjoyed our meal in Plaka prior to the trip and really enjoyed imagining all the characters from the book in the streets and houses of Spinalonga. Very moving when you realise how cut off the inhabitant must have felt, espeically through the war years. Well worth a visit

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Other names for Hotel Marmin Bay Elounda

  • elounda bay palace hotel
  • elounda bay palace
  • bay palace hotel elounda
  • Address: Elounda Lasithi - Crete - 720 53 - Greece
Travel Library Traveller Rating?
7.8/10

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"Great place" - David

"What a nightmare" - Annie and Tony

"For Mountain Climbers" - Grethel

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