Koutalas-stranden

I got a great deal on this hotel and decided to book it. Upon arrival, I was welcomed with a cold towel and a drink, which was a nice touch. It took a little while before I was shown to my room, but I was pleasantly surprised to receive an upgrade—a beautiful room with a small pool on the balcony and a very comfortable bed. Unfortunately, things went a bit downhill from there. Service was okay, but communication in English was sometimes difficult. I had half board and expected drinks to be included with dinner, but all drinks had to be purchased—and they were very expensive. A small soda (250 ml) cost €4.50, and even water was the same price for 1 liter. Getting the bill right away with the drink, including a tip suggestion, felt a bit awkward. The food was average. Some dishes were tasty, but much of it was quite bland. It was served buffet-style. On day two, I injured my toe on a sharp edge in the floor that was hard to see. It left a small cut and torn skin, and I couldn’t walk properly for 2–3 days. I reported it, but received no follow-up or response to my complaint, which was disappointing. There was also a nightly tax I hadn’t expected to be so high—€15 per night. For a 5-star hotel, I felt it didn’t quite live up to expectations. Overall, it was a nice stay, but I left a bit disappointed. There was also a lot of pressure to give feedback and ratings, which felt a bit pushy. The hotel is located about 40–50 minutes drive outside Chania