Iolida Beach by Smile Hotels

Visited here for 7 days in May. ROOMS-family room everythong we needed and plenty of room for us very lovely clean rooms every day from the amazing maid we had. Unfortunately I do think it's where you are located at this hotel I requested my mum to be near us but she was at another part of the hotel going outside alone at night and that side wasn't as pleasant. Also backing on our hotel door was balconys from the other rooms of the hotel which are indoors, unfortunately we have a smoke opposite us so when he smoked it was all inside as he didn't have am outside balcony which wasn't great but the maids kept the smell at bay! Late check out we couldn't have our room so they offered us another room which we had to move to and was €50. RESTAURANTS- I thought the food was nice and a variety BUT not much options for the children, they do have a small child's option on the evening but even then they added mustard to the burgers which fussy children wouldn't eat. The tables were either reserved or tables of 4. We were a party of 6 so struggled at first to find tables and with 3 children it was sometimes stressful. There didn't seem to be enough staff and some simply didn't want to do their job (cutely and clearing away etc) although this improved on the second week as I noticed new staff. Snack bar was poor and if you are at the bridge side you have to cross a busy road or steep steps to get to the snack bar so this isn't ideal with children who just want a quick snack by the pool. €4 for a slush which isn't included in AI, children were dissapointed. POOLS- So there are basically two hotels joined, one side has a pool then over the road/bridge there is another set of pools. We found the bridge side to be much nicer and less busy always getting a sun bed, the beach side pools were always very busy and beds with towels on etc so we didn't spend much time here. Lifeguard sits on her phone and walks around, non existing at the bridge side saw her twice in the whole 7 days and she collected glasses because the staff don't collect them leaving them around the pool all night until the next day and sometimes they were still there! Children were told not to splash in the pool which isn't very child friendly when that was the only shallow side of the big pool for them to enjoy. ENTERTAINMENT- non existing!!! They have entertainment 3 days a week Nothing for children at all and if I'd of known this I probably wouldn't of booked BUT we did other things, next door has a bar with a lovely play area for children, over the road there is arcades and mini golf also. The only entertainment which my children enjoyed were the music / dj on a Friday evening, and us adults enjoyed the lady who played the saxophone very well. The park could do with an extension or upgrade but it was something for them to do next to the pool. The location is brilliant, the beach is right there next to the pool/ restaurant, plenty of shops locally also. This hotel is lovely for adults and

Nice and cozzy hotel with a perfect location by the beach😎 Food and service was good, room cleaning also good. What we liked was that there was not that much noice from nightclubs etc. But if you like to party it’s very easy to visit Chania by bus or taxi. What the hotel could improve is special diets food. There wasn’t that much to choose from if you need for ex. gluten free food.

I stayed here at the beginning of October, our flight arrived late so arrive to the hotel later than expected. On arrival the Concierge at the front desk warmly greeted us. He was very friendly and helpful, providing loads of accurate and useful information about the local attractions. The resort is divided into two, both sides of the main road, connected by a foot bridge. There is a regular bus service that runs to Chaina and Kolymbari - where you can visit the beautiful Odigitria Gonia Monastery and Bambi zoo. I would strongly recommend (recommended to me by the Concierge) a visit to Elafonissi Beach with its beautiful pink sand and tranquil crystal clear sea. You can book a coach excursion at the front desk. The hotel room itself was well furnished, the beds comfortable and with an amazing view of the beach. The all inclusive buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner was delicious and fresh. Dinner was had a different theme each night providing loads of variety during out stay. The restaurants nearby are reasonably priced if you decide to eat out on occasions. The whole holiday in this stunning island was amazing, but the tone was really set by the friendly and professional service from all the staff at the hotel. Thank you Iolida Beach hotel for my stay.

We had the best vacation ever! We stayed in iolida star and had a room with balcony and pool view. All inclusive was nice at this hotel, no standing in line, super service and a couple of tables outside by the pool also. Shops and souvenirers just outside the hotel. Restaurants just outside the hotel (with turist-food but breakfast at the Beach-side is very nice). Bus to Chania almost infront of the hotel. Very nice trip to the mountains in a turist-train can be booked just a little up the street. We already booked this hotel again next summer ❤️

Very nice and comfortable hotel. Good food, excellent service and the best staff. Housekeeping was great. Love the view from our room and the beach! I can warmly recommened this hotel either you travel with friends or family.

The staff was fantastic. The food was delicious! The sea and surroundings were wonderful! We are coming back, guaranteed! We enjoyed every second, probably the best vacatuon ever! Everything was great! It’s not just a hotel, it’s HOME! All the staff from the cleaning lady to the restaurant manager were incredibly nice!

Firstly, we stayed at the Iolida Star which is part of the Iolida Beach hotel ( the beach side is, on the beach, the star side across the busy road). We were on 8th floor in a 1 bed apartment with lovely sea views. €21 tourist tax for 7 days ROOM- The apartments are basically furnished & a bit dated but adequate with a small kitchenette with hob/ kettle/ sink/ fridge. Tea & coffee facilities are listed but you need to take your own tea/coffee etc. WiFi in every room, TV has only 1 English speaking channel which is France 24 news so maybe take a tablet & stream if you fancy a night in. Beds were firm but comfortable with nice white cotton linen & towels. Not much storage for clothes. Apartment was cleaned daily and like the whole complex, was kept spotless. Good thick walls so little noise from neighbouring rooms during our stay. Remember as with most of Greece, used toilet paper goes in the bathroom bin not the toilet, their plumbing system cannot cope. Nice tiled , decent shower with plenty of hot water. POOL AREAS - MUCH smaller than they're made to look on TUI web site!! 1 pool in each side of complex with a toddler pool attached. Not heated, our main concern was the bigger pool (Star side) had a lot of green algae both in the pool and around the sides, as well as a brown scum line around the sides, whatever the cause ( suncream or other contaminants) it needs sorting out. Other than that, plenty of sunbeds/ parasols but, as I said, a small area so likely to be very cramped during summer months. BEACH- Narrow stretch of sandy beach with sunbeds & parasols which the hotel charge extra for €6 per day (2 beds & 1 parasol). Went snorkeling but other than a few small fish it was pretty dead, around 4ft deep until you are well out. FOOD- 2 restaurants, 1 for each side, Reasonably tasty on the whole, usual breakfast fayre cooked, continental, cereals, fruit & yogurts. The 1 toaster doesn't work properly & needs replacing. As previous reviews have mentioned, there is a coffee machine but it doesn't matter what you select it's absolutely disgusting so it's worth taking a small jar of your own!! Lunch & dinner, good selection but the BIG issue is that everything is luke warm at best except if you get it as kitchen staff are putting it out as it's cooling within minutes. I never saw any staff checking food temperatures. Fans & Aircon just make this worse & by the time your sat at a table the food is pretty cold. One little irritation is that the hotel have printed single use paper place mats, which are a) useless and b) are binned as the table is cleared, this must cost the hotel a fortune but more importantly it's costing the environment & a totally unnecessary waste of paper. Note to owners - just go with a nice clean table top!! They do provide 1 bottle of water on arrival which you can refill at either of the restaurant bars, saving huge amounts of plastic waste. ENTERTAINMENT- well, there was none at all day or night when we were there but I believe

This hotel are one of the best. Room are very lovely with a great view. Comfortable beds. Close to the beach, different pools, 2 restaurants and bars! People that are working there are fantastic. Friendly, proffessional, always ready to help you. They make you feel so welcome. And thats the reason why me, my friends and family continues to come back every year. I can warmly recommened this place!