Escape to Paradise: Crete's Luxury Mary Hotel & Royal Suites Await!
Escape to Paradise: Crete's Luxury Mary Hotel & Royal Suites Await! - …With a Few Hiccups?
Alright, folks, buckle up. This isn't your typical, polished hotel review. This is me, spilling the (deliciously strong) Greek coffee on my keyboard after a week spent at the Mary Hotel & Royal Suites in Crete. The promise? Paradise. The reality? Well, let's just say paradise got a little… real.
SEO & Metadata - (Because I'm contractually obligated):
- Keywords: Crete, Mary Hotel, Royal Suites, Luxury Hotel, Crete Hotels, Accessible Hotel, Spa, Swimming Pool, Restaurant, Inclusive, Family-Friendly, Beachfront, Crete Vacation, Greece, Travel Review, Wi-Fi, Accessibility, Safety, Cleanliness
- Metadata Description: A candid and detailed review of the Mary Hotel & Royal Suites in Crete, covering accessibility, amenities like spa and restaurants, cleanliness and safety protocols, and overall experience, flaws and all! Unfiltered thoughts & experiences.
First Impressions - The Arrival & The 'Oh, That's Nice!' Moments:
The airport transfer (thank you, lovely hotel!) was smooth as ouzo. The Mary Hotel, perched overlooking the Aegean, is pretty darn stunning. That iconic Cretan sun was hitting the turquoise water in a way that made me physically sigh. Seriously, the first view? Heart eyes emoji x 10. The lobby is grand, with massive windows and a cool, crisp air conditioning (necessary!). Check-in was… well, long. Contactless, yes, they offered it, but the queue, even at the private option, felt like forever. Maybe they were understaffed? Who knows.
Accessibility - Navigating (Almost!) Heaven:
My main focus, initially, was accessibility. My partner uses a wheelchair, and this is ALWAYS a concern. The hotel advertises accessibility, and for the most part, they deliver.
- Wheelchair Accessibility: The main areas – lobby, restaurants, pool, and some of the suites – were definitely accessible. Ramps and elevators are in place. BUT and it's a big but, the pathway to the lower pool and beach access had a few issues. It was a little steeper than advertised. Also, some of the pathways were cobbled, and it made maneuvering tricky for an electric wheelchair!
- Rooms: We booked a Royal Suite specifically advertised as accessible. The bathroom was spacious, with grab bars and a roll-in shower. Success! But… the bed was a bit high. (Minor detail, but a pain).
- On-site Accessible Restaurants/Lounges: Yes! Plenty of space in the restaurants and the pool bar/lounge. Easy access, generally.
The Food! - Oh, The Food…. And the Occasional Disappointment:
Food is HUGE for me. I need good food when I'm on vacation. And the Mary Hotel mostly delivered.
- Breakfast (Buffet): The breakfast buffet was legendary! Loads of options. Truly. They had a Western and an Asian Breakfast. Crepes station, fresh fruit, cheeses, meats, everything. The service was impeccable. The view? Stunning while I ate my breakfast.
- Restaurants: The A la carte restaurant (Asian) was fabulous! Every bite an explosion of flavor. The international cuisine was very good too.
- Poolside Bar/Snack Bar: Delicious! But the service there was at the bar was somewhat slow.
- Room Service: 24-hour! Perfect for those late-night cravings.
- Vegetarian Options: Plenty! They cater very well for veggie eaters.
The Relaxing Stuff - Spa Days & Sunbathing:
This is where the Mary really shines.
- Pool with a View: Incredible. Absolutely stunning. You could spend all day there.
- Spa: The spa was a dream. They had body scrubs, wraps, massages, saunas, steamrooms. Honestly, I went into the spa and went full-on "treat yourself" mode. The body wrap was divine. I feel like I melted into a puddle of zen.
- Fitness Center: Good. They had treadmills, weights, etc. Nothing spectacular, but it did the job.
Cleanliness & Safety - The "COVID-Conscious" Factor:
- Anti-viral Cleaning Products & Daily Disinfection: Absolutely evident. The hotel clearly put in the work. They really seemed to care about safety. The hygiene certification made me feel safe.
- Hand Sanitizer Everywhere: All good!
- Staff Training: The staff were super friendly and very helpful, all wearing face masks.
- Sanitized Kitchen & Tableware: You could tell these were cleaned very carefully.
- Physical Distancing: Generally adhered to, though it got a little crowded at breakfast sometimes.
- Room Sanitization: They sanitized rooms between stays. A big plus.
Rooms - My Royal Suite Experience:
- Air Conditioning: Essential in Crete! Worked perfectly.
- Wi-Fi (Free in All Rooms!): Spotty sometimes. Frustrating when I wanted to work but never was able to because of lack of reception and slow wifi!
- Balcony/Terrace: Our suite had a gorgeous balcony with a view of the sea. That alone made it worth the price.
- Bathroom: As mentioned, accessible, well-equipped.
- Bed: Big and comfortable.
- Mini Bar: Loaded. (Pricey, but loaded.)
- Soundproofing…Mostly. I could still hear the doors slamming from other rooms, so that was annoying.
- Blackout Curtains: Perfect for a good night's sleep.
Services & Conveniences - The Perks and the Quirks:
- Concierge: Super helpful, arranged excursions, gave recommendations.
- Daily Housekeeping: Immaculate.
- Elevator: Essential.
- Luggage Storage: Smooth.
- Car Park (Free): Plenty of space.
- Doorman: Always helpful.
- Cash Withdrawal: Convenient ATM in the lobby.
Things to Do - Beyond the Mary Hotel:
Crete is amazing!
- Beaches: Obviously. Stunning! Beach is very close.
- Excursions: The concierge organized a boat trip to Spinalonga. Highly recommended!
- Local Villages: Rent a car and explore! Authentic Greek life is something to behold.
The Quirks & Imperfections - The Realness:
- The Wi-Fi: As mentioned: inconsistent. Definitely needs improvement. I want to post my selfies in peace!
- The Noise: Doors slamming! Early morning deliveries. A crying baby (not the hotel's fault, but still…)
- The Sunbeds: By the pool, sometimes you had to fight for a sunbed. Seems like the early birds get the worms. Or just sunbeds.
- The Price Tag: This is a luxury hotel. Be prepared to pay for it. The bar prices especially were insane!
Final Verdict: Escape to Paradise? …Maybe With a Pinch of Salt
The Mary Hotel & Royal Suites is a beautiful place. The setting is stunning. The food is amazing. The spa? Heavenly. The staff are generally friendly and helpful. It has a lot of good points. But it's not flawless. There's room for improvement, particularly in terms of accessibility (some paths could be better) and Wi-Fi. I would suggest this to other travelers, as it's a safe and well-kept hotel and also caters well to different needs.
Would I go back? In a heartbeat. But next time, I'm bringing an extra charger for my phone and earplugs. And maybe a small, foldable ramp, just in case. Greece, here I come, again!
Escape to Paradise: Teertham Hotel, Your Haridwar Haven
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your average, pristine travel itinerary. This is… well, it’s my Mary Hotel & Mary Royal Suites Crete Island experience. Prepare for a rollercoaster of sun, sand, and the inevitable existential crisis that always seems to sneak its way into my vacations.
Crete: Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary (and a Bit of a Mess)
Day 1: Arrival & Existential Dread (aka: "Did I Pack Enough Socks?")
- Morning (ish): Landed in Heraklion. Holy humidity, Batman! Immediately regret wearing those cute, but ultimately impractical, linen trousers. The travel gods were clearly laughing. Found the shuttle to Mary Hotel. The drive was pure chaos – beautiful chaos, mind you, with views that practically punched me in the face with scenic delight. But also, I was convinced the driver was going to hurl us all into a ditch. (He didn’t! Thank God.)
- Mid-day: Mary Hotel check-in. Pretty. Real pretty. A tiny, almost embarrassing burst of joy at the sight of the ocean view from my suite. Briefly considered becoming a mermaid. Quickly dismissed the idea because, well, the logistics of being a mermaid are vastly complicated.
- Afternoon: Settling in. Unpacking. Panicked realization that I may have, in fact, not packed enough socks. Started questioning life choices. Wondered if I should've become a baker instead. The scent of bougainvillea drifting in from the balcony wasn't helping my train of thought (or maybe it was).
- Evening: Dinner at the hotel restaurant. Ok, the food was…. serviceable. Not exactly a culinary masterpiece, but the wine made up for it. Drank way too much wine and ended up discussing the meaning of life with a very confused waiter named Dimitri. Felt a strange sense of camaraderie with a potted plant. Went to bed utterly exhausted, but strangely content.
Day 2: Sun, Sand, & The Great Beach Debacle
- Morning: Dragged myself out of bed. Breakfast buffet. Stuffed my face with Greek yogurt and honey. Seriously, the yogurt here should be illegal. Its that good.
- Late Morning: Beach time! The beach near Mary Hotel is like a postcard – turquoise water, fine sand, the whole shebang. Found a sun lounger, slathered myself in sunscreen (thank you, past self!), and promptly fell… asleep.
- Afternoon: The Great Beach Debacle. Woke up to a screaming child, a rogue beach umbrella threatening to impale my eye, and sand. Everywhere. Seriously. Sand. In my hair, in my ears, in places I didn't even know sand could get. Tried to embrace the chaos. Failed miserably. Wandered around, looking for the perfect place to drink a greek coffee.
- Evening: Drinks at the bar. The bartender, a gruff but secretly sweet guy named Kostas, made the best mojito I've ever had. Swore off beaches forever. Again. Met a couple from Germany who kept offering me shots of ouzo. Said yes to every single one. Regretted nothing (yet).
Day 3: Rethymno Revelation (and the Pursuit of the Perfect Souvlaki)
- Morning: Hungover. So, so hungover. Regretted the ouzo. Everything.
- Mid-day: Took a bus to Rethymno. Holy moly, that city is gorgeous! The Venetian harbor, the narrow, winding streets… it was like stepping into a movie set. Almost forgot the hangover. Almost.
- Afternoon: Wandered aimlessly, got lost (multiple times), haggled for a ceramic plate (felt like a total pro!), and stumbled upon a tiny taverna. The quest for the perfect souvlaki began. The first one was… meh. The second one… better. The third one? OH. MY. GOD. Pure, unadulterated, meaty bliss. May have shed a tear.
- Evening: Back to the hotel. Chatted with a couple in the lobby, who were both deeply upset about the American election, and then called it a night, vowing to find the souvlaki place again tomorrow.
Day 4: Poolside Reflections & Unexpected Tears
- Morning: Spent the morning by the pool. Read a book. Tried to meditate. Failed at both. The sun was relentless and the water was perfect. Also, there were far too many bronzed, impossibly attractive people. Seriously, what are they eating here?
- Afternoon: Went to get a massage at the hotel spa. The masseuse, a woman named Eleni, was an absolute angel. She managed to knead away all the tension of the past few days, and I may or may not have started crying during the aromatherapy session. Just thinking about the pressure of the world getting to me.
- Evening: Dinner at a different restaurant. Better food. Still, something was missing. Sat on the balcony and stared at the stars. Felt the weight of the world, the longing for something… more.
- Night: More ouzo. The cycle continues.
Day 5: Adventure (aka: The Hiking Debacle)
- Morning: Decided to be adventurous. Tried to go hiking. Got about five minutes into the hike before realizing I was drastically underprepared. The sun was brutal. The "trail" was more like a collection of loose rocks and treacherous inclines. I gave up.
- Mid-day: Back to the beach. Got sunburned. Again.
- Afternoon: Slept through the afternoon.
- Evening: Packed my bags. Staring at the ceiling, contemplating life, the universe, and how on earth I ended up leaving everything to do this.
- Night: More ouzo, and an existential crisis that ended with me vowing to come back and conquer that dang hiking trail.
Day 6: Departure Blues & the Promise of Return
- Morning: Last breakfast. Stared wistfully at the ocean. Said goodbye to Dimitri, the waiter who still looked somewhat confused by my existence.
- Mid-day: Shuttle to the airport. Watched Crete recede in the distance. Felt a pang of sadness. And then, a tiny, secret smile.
- Afternoon: Arrival to the airport. Looking at all the people also looking miserable made me feel better…
- Evening: Arriving home.
- Night: Already plotting my return. Crete, you crazy, beautiful, imperfect island, I’ll be back. And next time, I'm bringing more socks. And maybe a compass. And definitely more souvlaki.
Final Thoughts:
Crete was a mess. A glorious, sun-drenched, slightly sandy, slightly hungover mess. I laughed, I cried, I ate way too much feta cheese. And I wouldn't trade it for anything. Next time I will get to the hiking trail. And next time will get the best souvlaki ever. The search never ends.
Udaipur Family Getaway: Unbeatable Budget Hotel in the Heart of the City!
Escape to Paradise: Your Pre-Trip Brain Dump About Mary Hotel & Royal Suites (Because Let's Be Real, You Have Questions)
Okay, so, Crete. Mary Hotel. Sounds fancy. But like, *is* it fancy-fancy or just, you know, a nice-ish place with a slightly pretentious name?
Alright, so let's get this straight. "Luxury" gets thrown around like confetti these days. *Mary Hotel*… It's definitely on the *more* fancy side. Think clean lines, crisp white linen that practically begs you to spill red wine on it. (Trust me, I may or may not have tested that theory...accidentally. More on that later.) The Royal Suites? Yeah, those are where the magic, or at least, the extra-boujee-ness, happens. Imagine sprawling out like a starfish on a king-sized bed, feeling like you’ve officially arrived. And honestly? After weeks of answering to my boss back home, feeling like I had *arrived* was worth every single penny. Still, I was a little weirded out. Is this *too* fancy?
What’s this about a "beach" situation? Is it like, a real beach? Sandy? Swim-able? Because I'm picturing rocks and disappointment.
Okay, the beach. *Listen*. It's… a *dream*. And yes, it's sandy! Golden, sun-warmed, melt-into-it sand. And the water? Crystal clear, turquoise perfection. You can literally see the fishies swimming around your toes. I swear, I spent half my holiday glued to that blissful, watery landscape. The hotel provides sunbeds and umbrellas (thank the heavens, because Crete sun is no joke!), so you can basically live there. The other half of "the" perfect beach was *getting to it*. The hotel offers a shuttle (it's free, but book it! trust me.) OR, you can walk. The shuttle is convenient, BUT if you're into strolling at your own pace and taking in the island, it's stunning. Just pack water, because the walk itself? Not *too* long, but it gets hot.
The food. The *eternal* travel question. Is it good? Because no one wants to spend their vacation eating sad, expensive hotel food.
Alright, food. My *very* important area of expertise. The Mary Hotel has a buffet situation. Buffets are often a gamble, right? *This* buffet? Not a gamble. Winner! Seriously, the sheer variety is astounding. Think fresh seafood, local cheeses (omg, the cheese!), Greek salads that taste like sunshine, and pastries that will make you weep with joy. (I may have gained, ahem, *a few* extra kilos… but worth it. Absolutely worth it). And there's a restaurant offering an a la carte menu too. The food is delicious. The best? The fresh fruit selection. I swear I ate all the grapes in Crete.
What about the staff? Are they, like, overly nice and fake? Or are they actual, genuine people?
Oh, the staff! Okay, so, the hospitality in Crete is legendary. And the Mary Hotel? They get it. They're genuinely warm and friendly. I'm talking about the kind of people who remember your name (and your coffee order) after a day. I was chatting away with one of the bartenders, and I found out he’d learned English by *watching American movies*. He was a bit shy, but super helpful. The team is really, really great.
The Royal Suites. Are they worth the extra dough? I'm tempted, but my bank account is whimpering.
Okay, the Royal Suites. Deep breath. It depends. If you genuinely value space, privacy, and a certain level of *pampering* (hello, private plunge pools!), they are worth it. They're luxurious, no doubt. But, here comes the caveat: if you're the type of person who's out exploring all day and only using the room to sleep, maybe *not* worth it. But if you're looking for a true 'escape' – a place to chill, recharge, and feel like royalty for a few days… then yes. Go for it. You only live once. And honestly? That plunge pool was divine. My sister and I made an effort with it - she kept splashing me, I'd make her laugh with my 'dramatics'.
Is there a pool? (Because, you know, sometimes you just don't want sand *everywhere*).
Yes! Multiple pools! The main pool is big, beautiful, and always buzzing with activity (loud, but fun!). They have a quieter pool. The Royal Suites, of course, have their own private plunge pools. You've got options people! Even though I was *all* about the beach. You've always got an aquatic option if you want to escape the sand.
Is there anything that's... less than perfect? Because let's be real, even paradise has a few flaws.
Okay, honesty time. Nothing's perfect. And while Mary Hotel is darn close, there are a couple of teeny-tiny gripes. The Wi-Fi can be a little spotty (but, hey, maybe that's a good thing, social media detox, am I right?) and depending on your room location, noise from the pool area could be a factor. The other thing ... you know what? This is a luxury hotel, and I spent a good portion of my stay feeling "not worthy". I mean, I dropped a plate on my first day! The maid was lovely, but *I* was mortified. If you are someone who feels easily intimidated, which I am in some situations, maybe be mentally prepared for that. But honestly? That's about the *only* bad thing I can say. Remember the red wine situation? That's on me.
What are some must-dos around the hotel? Beyond, like, existing.
Oh, you *have* to explore the surrounding area. Rent a car! Chania is a must-see – the Venetian harbour is like something out of a fairy tale. (Take lots of pictures!). Also, you can check out the Samaria Gorge (but be prepared for a long hike!), the Knossos Palace (ancient history!), and Rethymno (another charming town). You can organize day trips through the hotel, which makes things much easier. I went with my sister, and we had the *best* time. The hotel is a great base for exploring Crete, but get off your butt!
Is it kid-friendly? Because I'm traveling with a tiny human.
YesEscape To Inns
Mary Hotel & Mary Royal Suites Crete Island Greece
Mary Hotel & Mary Royal Suites Crete Island Greece
