Phaea Cretan Malia
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Hotel Details
Location
Crete
Greece, Europe
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Expert Review: Phaea Cretan Malia
Phaea Cretan Malia, a Michelin Key Selected property in Crete, Greece, generally garners highly positive feedback, presenting itself as a serene and thoughtfully designed retreat deeply rooted in Cretan hospitality.
1. Overall Rating & Sentiment
The general consensus for Phaea Cretan Malia is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing it as excellent or fabulous. On Booking.com, it holds a strong score of 8.7 based on over 330 reviews. Guests often highlight the hotel as a magical and relaxing destination, particularly suitable for families seeking a rejuvenating holiday.
2. Key Highlights
Guests consistently praise several key aspects of Phaea Cretan Malia. The "Effortless All-Inclusive concept" is a significant draw, promising a refined and worry-free holiday experience. The hotel's design, characterized by low-rise architecture, lush Mediterranean gardens, and expansive open spaces, beautifully complements the island's natural beauty. The presence of three swimming pools and a beachfront location with private beach access are also highly appreciated. A strong emphasis on sustainability is evident through its organic kitchen garden and farm-to-table dining philosophy. For families, the Kids' Club, offering eco activities, cooking, crafts, nature play, and storytelling, is a major highlight. The hotel also promotes wellness with offerings such as yoga and meditation. The interior design, featuring natural materials, earthy tones, handcrafted furnishings, and botanical artwork by renowned Greek artists, contributes to a calm and inviting atmosphere.
3. Room Quality
The hotel offers 204 elegant accommodations, including rooms, bungalows, and suites, many of which provide spacious balconies or garden terraces ideal for enjoying the scenery. Rooms are described as comfortable, clean, and well-appointed, incorporating local materials such as Cretan marble, chestnut wood, and rattan. The design aesthetic favors earthy tones, handcrafted furnishings, and botanical artwork, with luxurious bedding and custom-made furniture enhancing the comfort. Specific room types, like the Double Rooms, feature cement tiles in light green and white hues, while Swim-up Bungalows boast handcrafted Mediterranean blue tiled walls. However, some guests have found certain rooms to be small and simple for a 5-star property, and noted issues with soundproofing, poor shower water pressure, and the absence of Nespresso machines or carpets in some rooms.
4. Dining Experience
Dining at Phaea Cretan Malia is a culinary journey rooted in Cretan traditions, emphasizing fresh, locally sourced ingredients from its organic kitchen garden. The hotel features four distinct restaurants: Mouries, offering traditional dishes cooked over an open fire; Mezze, serving Levant-inspired cuisine (adults-only for dinner); Almyra, providing fresh Italian flavors by the beach; and Mediterraneo, an all-day dining option with a buffet of Mediterranean cuisine for breakfast and dinner. The breakfast buffet receives high praise, with guests describing it as "fantastic" and "the best I have ever had," featuring an incredible spread of fresh fruit, pastries, and local Cretan specialties, including continental, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. Unique experiences like the Phāea Farmers Feast at Bostani offer a farm-to-table dinner under the stars. Cooking classes, olive oil, and wine tastings are also available. While many find the food exceptional, some guests have expressed that dinner quality can be average and the pricing for food and drinks to be high compared to other establishments in Crete. Service at the beach bar has occasionally been reported as slow or non-responsive.
5. Service & Staff
The service and staff at Phaea Cretan Malia consistently receive accolades for being excellent, fantastic, super friendly, welcoming, kind, attentive, and genuinely hospitable. Guests often feel well looked after, with staff members frequently going "the extra mile" to make stays special. The front desk staff, in particular, is noted for being "always ready to help". A minor criticism noted by some is that service can sometimes be "a bit slow due to end of season".
6. Location & Accessibility
Phaea Cretan Malia is situated on Crete's serene northeast coast, nestled near the town of Malia. It offers a peaceful and secluded retreat directly on the beach with private access. The hotel is conveniently located approximately 30 minutes from Heraklion Airport (HERA). Nearby attractions include the 3,500-year-old Malia Palace archaeological site, just 2km away, and the Palace of Knossos, a 40-minute drive. Families can also visit the Cretaquarium and Dinosauria Park in Heraklion. While the town of Malia is about a 10-minute walk, some guests feel the hotel is somewhat secluded from local towns and main routes, with no readily available bus station nearby. The private beach is generally described as "very nice" for relaxation, but some sections can be rocky, and the sandy area may be small, which could affect water accessibility for children.
7. Value & Pricing
The "Value for money" score on Booking.com is 7.8. While many appreciate the overall experience, some guests consider the hotel and its on-site food and drink prices to be "a bit overpriced" compared to other options on Crete. The hotel offers an "Effortless All-Inclusive concept" which can influence perceived value. Room rates can vary significantly depending on dates and hotel policy, with examples ranging from approximately $142 to $1,196+ for different room types. Guests should also be aware of a Climate Crisis Resilience Fee (local tax) of 10€ per day from March to October, and 4€ per day from November to February, payable upon arrival.
8. Common Complaints
Recurring criticisms include noise or loud music emanating from a neighboring hotel that can persist until late in the evening (around 11 pm). Some guests found the quality of dinner buffets to be average and the pricing for on-site food and beverages to be high. Inconsistent or slow service at the beach bar has also been noted. Room-related complaints include a perception that some rooms are small or simple for a 5-star hotel, issues with soundproofing, poor water pressure in showers, and a lack of amenities such as Nespresso machines or carpets. The gym facilities are sometimes described as small and potentially crowded. Additionally, some guests mentioned that the pool water can be cold in late September, suggesting that minimal heating would be beneficial. Lastly, while the beach is pleasant, its rocky nature in certain areas and limited sandy stretches can make water entry less ideal for children.
